Marlins Release Promotional Schedule: 10 Best Games of 2014

Sep 8, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of Marlins Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s true, very few of us are able to attend all of the Marlins games. Some people have to deal with the cost, some have to deal with the distance, some even have to deal with the product being placed on the field in front of them. For those of us that don’t purchase season tickets, we always want to make sure that we are picking the best games to go to.

People view the best games to attend differently. For many, they choose the game based on who the opponent will be. A rival, or a popular opponent can often mean a lively crowd and the potential for a good game. Others attend based on the pitching matchup. After all, who doesn’t want to watch Jose Fernandez befuddle hitters? Then there are other fans who attend based on what the giveaway or promotion for that given night will be. This is for those fans.

We wanted to provide you with the top 10 games to attend based on the Miami Marlins promotional schedule this year. We will count down to the top game to attend (and trust us, you don’t want to miss it).

#10 Miami Marlins Dads Ceramic Beverage Mug: Sunday June 15th, 1:10pm, vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

It might not be former Pirate Garett Jones’ first game against his old team, but here’s to hoping that Jones is able to stick it to his former team who wouldn’t pay him enough to keep him. The Marlins are obviously using Father’s Day as a great reason for Dad’s to head out to the ballpark and, after all, who wouldn’t want a mug to keep drinks nice and warm in steamy south Florida?

This giveaway will be for the first 5,000 Dad’s (yup, Dad’s only). No word on whether they will offer free DNA testing just to make sure any kids you bring are actually yours.

Note: this is not the actual mug, just a guess as to what it might be like, I am sure that the one provided will be much, much worse.

#9 Miami Marlins Sea Creatures Kids Plush Doll: Sunday September 7th, 1:10pm, vs. Braves

I have to admit, this one probably wouldn’t have made the list had it not been for Miami taking on Atlanta this day. But if you are going to have to drag your kids to the ballpark, they might as well get something for free. Think of it this way, now you don’t have to spend an hour at the stupid crane game at the local pizza place spending twenty dollars trying to pick up this stupid stuffed sea creature.

This giveaway is going to the first 5,000 kids to arrive, but speaking from experience, I believe they should give it to the first 5,000 kids that leave. After all, the main reason those parents are leaving early is because their kids are annoying them anyway. What better way to bribe your kids then getting a stuffed sea creature when you leave the game?

#8 Giancarlo Stanton Kids Batting Gloves: Sunday May 25th, 1:10pm, vs. Brewers

I know, I know, it is another kids giveaway, but let’s be honest, we didn’t have a whole lot to work with, you should have known that when we started with a mug. I do find it interesting that the Marlins chose the player with whom I have to assume has the largest hands on the team, to give away kids batting gloves. I may go to this game just to see how many dad’s bring their kids to the game just to get a pair of Stanton’s gloves. “No really, my 8 month old desperately wants a pair of these.”

Again this giveaway will go to the first 5,000 children which really begs the question, how many kids do they expect to come to these games?

#7 2015 Magnetic Marlins Schedule: Thursday September 25th, 4:10pm, vs. Phillies

This schedule will be handed out at the last home game of the season for the Marlins. It will give fans the opportunity to look forward to 2015 when they may actually challenge for a postseason spot. No word on whether or not this will have a predicted date on when the Marlins will be eliminated from playoff contention. The receipients of this promotion can place this on their refrigerator and dream about the upcoming season.

This promotion will go to all fans in attendance at the game, which may not be many since it is the last game. I anticpate they will have quite a few of these left over after the game.

#6 Miami Marlins Replica Soccer Jersey: Sunday June 29th, 1:10pm, vs. Athletics

It has been no secret that Miami is getting serious about potentially getting a Major League Soccer team in south Florida. I can only guess that this giveaway is a play off of that. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some announcement for a team right around this giveaway, particularly if Loria has anything to say about it. Even if the team falls through, I am sure that they are hoping the large international population will be drawn to a game with the promise of anything soccer, after all, it is the most popular sport in the world.

The first 15,000 fans will receive this jersey. After the game, tryout’s will be held for the new team on the field.

#4 Henderson Alvarez No-Hitter Kids Photoball: Sunday May 4th, 1:10pm, vs. Dodgers

This highlights the best single moment of the Marlins 2013 season. Admittedly, I am not sure what this photoball will look like, but if they choose a good picture, it might be a great keepsake. This would have been ranked higher had it not been just for kids. If you don’t have any kids of your own, you may want to bribe a niece or nephew to go the game with you. Just tell them you will get them a stuffed sea creature from the crane game.

This giveaway will go to the first 5,000 kids that attend the game. Hopefully the pitching performance can match that magical day.

 #3 Marlins 2014 All-Star Poster: Sunday July 20th, 1:10pm, vs. Giants

This poster will presumably display all of the Marlins all-stars for 2014. That is likely going to be two players, Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez. There is an outside chance that Christian Yelich could find himself on that poster, but not likely. I wouldn’t mind to have a poster that features the two cornerstones (hopefully) of the Marlins franchise.

The Marlins will give this to all fans, which is another reason that it was ranked this high. Just show up and you will get a poster of the two young stars (assuming they make the all-star team).

Sep 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; MiaMandatory Credit: David Banks USA Today

#2 Christian Yelich Bobblehead: Sunday August 3rd, 1:10pm, vs. Reds

There are really only two promotions that I would attend just to ensure that I received one of the items, and this is definitely one of them. Yelich is one of the top young players on the Marlins, and this is a rightful piece that he deserves. I am a fan of bobbleheads anyway, and the sweet swinging lefty would be a great one to add to any collection.

Make sure that you are one of the first 12,000 fans to this game so you can get this item. It will be well worth your wait.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Jose Fernandez Bobblehead: Sunday September 21st, 1:10pm, vs. Nationals

This is the crown jewel of the Marlins promotional calendar. A chance to get a bobblehead of the reigning Rookie of the Year is quite the opportunity. Jose Fernandez is the face of the Marlins franchise, and hopefully will be for years to come. At the very least, Fernandez should be around for 3 more years. I am interested to see what pose they choose for the bobblehead. I would pick the one of him with his arms raised in jubilee after the Stanton home run that tied the game last year. That would be a bobblehead worth waiting for.

This promotion will only be available for the first 12,000 fans so make sure that you arrive early to the ballpark.

What do you think about the list? which games are you going to be sure to attend? Let us know in the comments below and share with your friends so you can plan which game to go to together!