{
  "id": 689599,
  "title": "Pope hats, bloody shirts and so many bobbleheads: The creative ways MLB teams lure fans to the park",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/pope-hats-bloody-shirts-and-so-many-bobbleheads-the-creative-ways-mlb-689599",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T18:23:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/mlb-bobbleheads-giveaways-d0c306dda5ecd7cb504ef1916ecc8e29"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Major League Baseball season has witnessed an extraordinary surge in fan engagement, with attendance figures reaching a peak unseen since 2017. This uptick in attendance is largely attributed to the creative and innovative promotions employed by teams to lure in fans, ranging from the humorous to the extravagant.\n\nOne such promotional night that garnered significant attention was the Chicago White Sox's \"Pope Hat Night\" against the Cincinnati Reds. The idea originated as a limited promotion, but the overwhelming demand from fans led to its expansion. Brooks Boyer, the chief revenue and marketing officer for the Chicago White Sox, acknowledged the success and humor behind such themed events, stating, \"When things go bananas ... that’s when it gets really fun.\"\n\nThe White Sox were not the only team to indulge in such creative promotions. Across the league, teams have been employing a variety of gimmicks to attract fans. The New York Mets, for instance, handed out fake glasses and mustaches for \"Bobby Valentine Disguise Night,\" while the Texas Rangers offered Nolan Ryan-themed jerseys, complete with the legendary pitcher's signature bloody lip jersey, during their games. These unique promotions have not only added an element of fun and excitement to the ballpark experience but have also significantly contributed to the rising attendance numbers, averaging 29,618 fans per game through the first part of the 2026 season.",
  "summary": "CHICAGO (AP) — It started as a limited promotion for a specialty theme night. Then the Chicago White Sox heard from their fans. Everyone wanted a pope-themed hat. “When things go bananas ... that’s when it…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}