ST. LOUIS — Fans attending the Cardinals’ Saturday game against the Cincinnati Reds will receive a free jersey as they walk through the gates of Busch Stadium.
But here’s the catch: No one knows what size they’re going to get.
The giveaway is the first of its kind for the Cardinals. Apparel given away during the team’s promotional events is typically sized adult extra-large.
Because this giveaway is of higher quality than the usual screen-printed T-shirt, Carson Shipley, spokesperson for the Cardinals, said the team wanted to provide the chance for fans to get a size they would enjoy.
The promoted jersey has an embroidered logo patterned after the Saturday home alternate uniform. The first 25,000 fans 16 and older will be handed a size anywhere between adult small and extra-extra large.
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“We think fans will enjoy the high-quality look of the jersey and want them to have the opportunity to get the size that fits them best,” he said.
Shipley said the team has predicted how many of each size jersey would be needed for Saturday. For those who end up with a size too big or too small, a jersey exchange between fans will take place at the Budweiser Terrace in the upper right-field corner.
“Although the mystery-sized jersey will come in different sizes, the club has taken the extra step to study retail trends in our Team Store over the last few seasons to ensure the proportion of jersey sizes given out at the gates reflect our fans’ preferences,” Shipley said.
Though the team has previously handed out mystery-player bobbleheads and mystery T-shirts, this weekend’s promotion is a new concept for the Cardinals. And if things go well, they might try it again, Shipley said.
Other upcoming promotions include a a Paul Goldschmidt City Connect bobblehead on Friday, Rawlings kids baseball glove giveaway on Sunday, Whitey Herzog T-shirts and decals on July 10 and mystery 2004 Cardinals player bobbleheads on July 26.
Saturday’s game starts at 1:15 p.m. Tickets as low as $10 are still available for purchase.
In today’s 10 a.m. “Ten Hochman” sports video — brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center — Ben Hochman discusses Brendan Donovan’s latest RBI streak. Also, a happy birthday shoutout to Mindy Kaling! And as always, Hochman picks a random St. Louis Cards card!