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MLB Giants To Incorporate Beloved, Deceased Figures In Cutouts

Baseball pioneer Frank Robinson will be one of the Giants greats featured in cutoutsGETTY IMAGES

The MLB Giants decided to "honor notable figures in the Giants community" in the stands at Oracle Park with cardboard cutouts, including those who have died, according to Bruce Jenkins of the S.F. CHRONICLE. As the concept expanded, the question arose: "Is it acceptable to honor dead people?" The Giants "weren't going to do anything without family permission." Giants Exec VP/Business Operations Mario Alioto said, "When we heard from the families of Hank Greenwald and Mike McCormick, we thought it felt right. We plan to honor many other Giants alumni and local celebrities who are still with us." He added, "I have spoken with Lon Simmons' daughter, Monte Irvin's daughter, Estela McCovey and Frank Robinson's family, among others. Wall of Fame Giants, Willie Mac Award winners, shots of Hall of Famers from their playing days, that's all in play." From the non-baseball world, Alioto said, "We plan to have Tony Bennett, Joe Montana, Jimmy Garoppolo, Carlos Santana, many others. We've also spoken with Frank Sinatra's estate, as well as Jerry Garcia's. They are all on board" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/19). 

CARDBOARD FOR A CAUSE: In Boston, Jason Mastrodonato noted Red Sox fans for a "cool $500 donation ... can get a plastic cutout of their image placed in the Green Monster seats at Fenway Park for games this season." If somebody "hits a home run that makes contact with the cutout, the fan will receive an autographed baseball as one of their prizes." The Red Sox announced that the program is "part of their 'Monster Home Run Challenge' that will benefit the Red Sox foundation." Anyone who purchases a cutout of themselves to be placed in the seats "will automatically receive a personalized video massage on the right-field videoboard during games" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/18).

THERE IN SPIRIT: In Texas, Dan Solomon wrote the Rangers are "selling 'DoppelRangers,' cardboard cutouts" for $50. This is "clearly a bizarre way for sports to proceed, but that is where we are right now, and a macabre facsimile of a cheering assembly of cardboard cutout fans is the right thing for the moment." Solomon: "Eeriness aside, this is definitely a better idea than putting actual human fans in the ballpark right now, and having them potentially risk contracting the coronavirus." The Rangers have a "series of rules for the images, but they're pretty light." The photos "have to be of you ... and don't wear a T-shirt with a political message or a hat with cuss words on it." Seats are "assigned at random, but everyone will be behind home plate." The "DoppelRangers" will remain "for the duration of the season, and at the season's conclusion, fans can visit the ballpark to bring home their cardboard avatar" (TEXAS MONTHLY, 7/16).

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE: THE ATHLETIC's James Fegan reported the White Sox' community relations department ran a promotion "charging $49 for each cutout to be placed in foul territory of the lower bowl for the season-opening series" against the Twins, and just "two days later they were sold out." The White Sox "capped the sale at 1,500 cutouts in recognition of the logistical challenge of cropping, printing and placing that many cardboard likenesses." The club raised $55,000 in "net proceeds," which will go to White Sox charities (THEATHLETIC.com, 7/19). In San Diego, Kevin Acee reported the Padres will feature "approximately 200 cardboard cutouts picturing various people at their home games this year, all placed in the Lexus Home Plate Club seats and varying from series to series." Padres President of Business Operations Erik Greupner said that the cutouts "follow themes that honor different groups and causes." Greupner said that there "will also be a few 'lighthearted' themes" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/18). 

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