SARASOTA, FLA. — The Orioles released their 2015 regular-season promotions schedule Tuesday, and the list of giveaways is highlighted by the Buck Showalter garden gnome promotion on June 27 against the Cleveland Indians.
Showalter was asked about the promotion following the Orioles' 3-1 Grapefruit League win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday afternoon.
"That's still up in the air," Showalter quipped. "No, we're not going to do that."
The Orioles manager was then told the promotional schedule had already been released earlier in the day.
"What is the purpose?" Showalter asked. "Do people get up in the morning and they go, 'Honey, are we going to the game today? …They've got that gnome tonight. Pack up the kids. We're going?'"...Really?!"
Showalter admitted to having fun when Triple-A Norfolk gave away a gnome with the likeness of Tides manager Ron Johnson last year. After hearing of the promotion, Showalter requested a few of the gnomes and had one out when Johnson joined the big league club after the minor league season ended in September.
"I've got a bunch of them," Showalter laughed. "The first time when he got to us in September, it was sitting behind my desk and he goes, 'Really? You too?' … R.J. said no matter what you do, don't let it happen. He said it was the worst night of his life. He said whatever respect he had from players was gone.
"No, we're not going to do that [with me]" Showalter said. "... I mean, I can be bought."
The Showalter gnome will be given away to the first 25,000 fans 15 and older in attendance.
The complete Orioles promotional schedule can be found HERE.
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