Why you should read Ben's Biz Blog

Do you read Ben's Biz Blog? You should, because if you don't you'll miss out on Ben's reports of some classic baseball promotions, including:

• LeHigh Valley Ironpigs: "Ballpark Wedding" night (including players in tuxedo jerseys)
• Brooklyn Cyclones: "Bellies and Baseball" (the bellies being pregnant bellies)
• Idaho Falls Chukars: "Potato Night" (love the photos)
• State College Spikes: "Night of 100 Promotions" (self-explanatory)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Punctuation Night (!?)

Thirty year anniversary of Disco Demolition Night

Disco Sucks! Disco Sucks!
July 12, 1979.
A twilight doubleheader at Comiskey Park.
The White Sox vs. The Tigers.
Between games, 24 year old Steve Dahl, popular disc jockey from Chicago White Station Route 98 would take the field at the head of his so-called Anti-Disco Army to blow up thousands of disco records.

What happened next is part of baseball history. Here's a video from ESPN looking back at the infamous night. (The actual moment of demolition is about halfway through.)


Interesting video, not just for the recap of Disco Demolition Night. Also videos and photos of Bill and Mike Veeck, and some of the other wacky promos at Comiskey in the 70's. I liked the shot of the old scoreboard, set up to politely read "PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR SEATS." And Bill Veeck and Harry Caray singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" in a futile effort to calm things down.

Mike Veeck says at the end: "We did a promotion that caused a forfeiture. I regret that. As a cultural event, I'm kinda proud of it."

Here's more on the event Wikipedia...