Signature Promotions
The San Antonio Missions rely more on the traditional approach to delivering a simple baseball game to their fans than other teams in minor league baseball, which is known for hosting a slew of wacky promotions. However, the Missions are known for a few of their own promotions – some of which have garnered nation-wide attention within the industry.
During the seventh inning of each game, an auxiliary mascot named Henry the Puffy Taco is chased around the bases by a kid from the stands, typically between 6 and 10 years of age. The kid tackles the giant taco to the ground just before reaching home plate (they start at first base), then poses triumphantly over the downed mascot. Henry has only won the race once, in 1992. In that race, Henry mis-timed his steps and he inadvertently crossed home plate before his 10-year-old opponent. Nearly 20 years later the Missions hosted a rematch and, on June 24, 2010, the kid finally avenged his loss.
In recent years the team has gained attention from within the baseball industry for two unique giveaway nights – Shirt Off Your Back and Used Car Giveaway. In the first, often held on or near the last game of the season, the jerseys worn by the players during the game are raffled off to fans in the stands (raffle tickets are offered at no charge, and each fan is limited to one entry). The same raffle format is used for the Used Car Giveaway, where more than 10 used cars are given away throughout the night. In 2010 the prizes included a 2001 Ford Mustang and a 2001 Volvo S60.
Like most Minor League Baseball teams, the Missions use on-field emcees to execute their promotions. The Missions have an emcee personality named "Lefty", performed by a rotating tandem of J.C Carpenter and Mike Lavender.
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