Miami Marlins 2015 promotional giveaways have something for everyone

The Miami Marlins on Monday released a sneak peek of their 2015 promotional giveaways at Marlins Park. The Marlins have always bucked convention (read: home run sculpture), and that includes some very unique promotions at the ballpark each year. One of the more popular events is the annual Bark at the Park, where fans can bring their dogs to a game for some reason. I’m not sure why you would want to do that, but hey, the fans like it and it’s apparently a good time, so why not?

Last year, the Marlins promotions included a Giancarlo Stanton arm sleeve, a beautiful blue Marlins soccer jersey, a salt and pepper shaker set for Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Salty) and Jose Fernandez (Pepe; see what they did there?), and kids plush dolls in the form of the kooky sea creatures that race at Marlins Park. They also gave away Christian Yelich and Jose Fernandez bobbleheads, and writing this article just reminded me that I still need to buy those for myself.

Anyway, here’s a look at each of the 15 Marlins promotions for 2015. The first promotion of the season will be:

Next: START SLIDESHOW (use left and right arrows)

Mar 31, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of Marlins park before opening day baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

April 6 vs. Braves — Marlins magnetic schedule (All fans)

The Marlins gave these away on Closing Day last September, and it’s unclear if this year’s Opening Day version will be the same or an entirely new design. But all fans will have the chance to leave the park with a handy refrigerator magnet, which is always nice to have for reference. Unlike most giveaways in 2015, these magnets will be given away to everyone, not just x-amount of kids or the first x-amount of fans through the turnstiles.

Jun 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop

(11) forces out Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) at second base during the sixth inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

April 12 vs. Rays — Marlins 2015 calendar (First 10,000 fans)

I don’t think I’ve owned a traditional physical calendar in like eight years, but if I were to attend this game I would definitely hang this on my wall. I imagine it’s going to be one of those where each month features a photo of a different player, but if I’m the Marlins I’m just using a different picture of Giancarlo Stanton each month. For example, my January would have to be:

Mandatory Credit: ESPN

I kid, I kid. Stop looking at me like that.

Aug 16, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich (21) makes a catch during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

April 26 vs. Nationals — Christian Yelich Replica Gold Glove Trophy (First 10,000 fans)

Christian Yelich became the first Miami Marlin to win a Gold Glove since Mark Buerhle in 2012 (and we like to pretend that season never happened.) So the Marlins are honoring his outstanding defense with a pretty cool promotion on April 26. Make sure you get to the park early though, as only 10,000 of these babies will be given out. And, let’s see…*checks Marlins schedule* the Washington Nationals will be in town that day — and it’s a Sunday — so there’s a good chance these trophies will be gone in a hurry.

Aug 11, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a two run home run during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

May 17 vs. Braves — Giancarlo Stanton Growth Chart (First 5,000 kids)

This one is terrific. I am jealous of every one of the 5,000 kids that get to take one of these home. I’m a grown man and I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to hang a life-sized Giancarlo Stanton-holding-a-baseball-bat on my bedroom wall. Maybe this is why I haven’t had a date in six months.

Whatever, this is still awesome.

May 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins bench coach Rob Leary (14) throws pitches during batting practice prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

May 24 vs. Orioles — Marlins Kids’ Batting Practice Jacket (First 5,000 kids)

Kids have it so good these days. This BP replica jacket looks just like the real thing and is another solid promotion by the Marlins. You can go on the MLB shop or to the ballpark and buy an adult version of a BP jersey, but it’s probably cost you close to $100. These 5,000 kids get to leave Marlins Park with free ones on May 24. Being an adult is hard sometimes, and quite frankly, just not fair.

Sep 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of the New York Mets during batting practice before a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

June 14 vs. Rockies — Marlins Recyclable Grocery Tote Bag (All fans)

Every time I go to Publix I get there and realize I once again left my recyclable grocery bag at home. Maybe I should just keep it in my car, you might say? Don’t tell me how to live my life.

This promotion is for all the Marlins fans out there who are trying to go green. It’s a great choice to make; plastic bags are annoying, and who uses paper bags anymore? Seriously, when was the last time the bagger asked you “paper or plastic, sir, or ma’am?” and you responded with an emphatic, “Paper, my good sir!”

I also just remembered I have a pile of like 40 plastic bags buried under my kitchen sink that I swore I would use one day. Maybe it’s time to throw those out.

Aug 4, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Former Florida Marlins manager

waves to the crowd during the tenth anniversary celebration of the 2003 World Series Championship before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

June 28 vs. Dodgers — 2003 World Series Replica Ring (First 10,000 fans)

There’s a lot going on at Marlins Park on this day, and there’s absolutely no reason the game should not be a total 37,000 sellout. Not only do you get your very own fake version of the ginormous ring Loria never takes off his finger, but Josh Beckett will be at the park where he’ll be honored by the team following his retirement at the end of last season.

Understandably, the Marlins are really riding the ’03 World Series championship as long as they can. Two years ago was the ten year anniversary, and they honored the world champion team several times, on their way to that 100-loss season. Of course, this year’s team should actually be competitive, but the Marlins still haven’t done anything since 2003, and literally every player from that team is long-gone. So, um, happy 12-year anniversary, Marlins fans! Long live nostalgia!

Sep 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins energy team performs during a stoppage in play in the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

July 10 vs. Reds — Marlins Energy Team Poster (First 10,000 fans)

The Marlins Energy Team is that group of skantily-clad young ladies that awkwardly dance around the aisles of the ballpark in the middle of game action for some reason. This brings me back to my earlier point about the Marlins being unconventional, but at least they replaced the horrid Marlins Manatees a few years back.

And thankfully this is another promotion that’s for all fans, not just kids. It comes on a Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds, so I wouldn’t worry about having to get to the game too early to get your poster. The Reds don’t draw the biggest road crowds in South Florida.

Aug 16, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (37) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

July 12 vs. Reds — Henderson Alvarez Bobblehead (First 10,000 fans)

This — now, I need this in my life. Henderson Alvarez is just great, and this bobblehead looks just like him. It also features his awesome, old-school windup he always does on the first pitch of every game. The Marlins are only doing two bobblehead giveways in 2015, and Alvarez is absolutely deserving of the first one of the year. He was the team’s ace last year in the absense of Jose Fernandez, and don’t forget he threw the most recent Marlins no-hitter on Closing Day, 2013. (That was also the day of my birthday, so Alvarez will always have a special place in my heart.)

Whether you’re young or old, bobbleheads are just the best. Please, get to the ballpark early on Sunday, July 12 when the Marlins host the Reds. And then please mail me your Henderson Alvarez bobblehead.

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (right) of the Miami Marlins gets a hug from manager Mike Redmond (11) in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 2 vs. Padres — Marlins All-Star Poster (All fans)

The Marlins were represented in last year’s All-Star Game by Giancarlo Stanton and Henderson Alvarez, both very deserving of the honor. This year, whichever Marlin goes to the game will get their own poster, and everyone who attends the August 2 tilt against the San Diego Shields will get one. My prediction is that Christian Yelich, Stanton and Martin Prado will each be All-Stars in 2015. If I’m right (and I’m usually not) then the fans (not just kids!) will have a very nice new poster to hang on their walls. Or, sell on Ebay.

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Miami Marlins fan Laurence Leavy (left) poses with a Kansas City Royals fan before game seven of the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 23 vs. Phillies — Marlins Player T-Shirt (First 10,000 fans)

I’m always skeptical when sports teams advertise “player t-shirts” because you never know what the quality is going to be like. Personally, I only wear the authentic “shirsey” type shirts with the team logo script on the front and the player name and number on the back, mimicking a jersey. The Cloud Conine blog post shows what looks like a Majestic Marlins t-shirt, not unlike one you would get from the MLB.com shop or the Marlins Park team store. But then you have to factor in the cost of printing 10,000 shirts of that quality and then literally giving the away at the game instead of making the usual $25-30 a pop.

Sure, you get what you pay for, and free is free. But if these are anything like the Majestic shirts, this is a terrific promotion.

Aug 27, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 6 vs. Mets — Marcell Ozuna Bobblehead (First 10,000 fans)

Ozuna is another player deserving of his own bobblehead. With this giveaway all three Marlins starting outfielders will have a bobblehead. That’s quite fitting for arguably the best outfield in Major League Baseball a year ago. Ozuna quietly smashed 23 home runs in 2014, and doesn’t get recognition as one of the top center fielders in baseball despite his numbers proving he should be. If this year’s Ozuna is more like the 2014 edition than his 2013 rookie counterpart, he should open some eyes across the league.

Apr 5, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) throws against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 13 vs. Nationals — Jose Fernandez Figurine (First 10,000 fans)

Jose Fernandez already has a bobblehead, and now he gets a figurine in his likeness. It’s not entirely clear what the term “figurine” entails; is it like a bobblehead where the head remains in place? Is it a doll or more like a statue? We don’t know yet, but it’s going to look like Jose Fernandez, who by September 13 will have something like a 1.92 ERA and be fully recovered from his Tommy John surgery. Since it’s intended for 10,000 fans and not just kids, it’s possible this figurine will be less like a toy or doll. But it’s Jose Fernandez, and thus should be immensely coveted by Marlins fans.

Sep 7, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich (21) steals second base as Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) is late with the tag in the sixth inning at Marlins Ballpark. The Marlins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 27 vs. Braves — Marlins 2016 Magnetic Schedule (All fans)

And finally, a classic promotion for the last day of the baseball season. Closing Day usually sees a huge crowd regardless of a team’s position in the standings, so plenty of fans will leave with more refrigerator swag on September 27 when the Marlins close out their home schedule against the Atlanta Braves.

You can see pictures of many of the giveaways on On Cloud Conine.

What do you think of the Marlins 2015 promotional giveaway schedule? Are there any that you are particularly excited about, or that you plan on making a special trip to Marlins Park to attain? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow Marlin Maniac on Twitter @MarlinManiac for all your Miami Marlins news, opinion and analysis!

Next: From 2014: Marlins Top 10 Promotions of 2014

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