DEERFIELD, IL--(Marketwired - Jul 10, 2014) - While baseball's elite clean their cleats for the All-Star Game®, 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey -- one of the country's fastest growing Irish whiskeys* -- is challenging fans to try their luck against a baseball legend. Minnesota-bred pitcher and iconic prankster Bert Blyleven is taking the mound, and everyone (21 years and older) is invited to take a swing. But things could get messy.
On Monday, July 14 in downtown Minneapolis, Blyleven will fire a pitch to those brave enough to step up to the plate. Sound intimidating? Well, there's a twist: to level the playing field, Blyleven will be throwing a Wiffle® ball, and participants will be swinging a Wiffle® ball bat. And 2 GINGERS® has another curveball up its sleeve: swing and miss, and you get a pie in the face!
"I'm thrilled to partner with another Minnesota star, 2 GINGERS®, and have the chance to really cream my fans," said Blyleven. "As a player who could never resist a good prank, I'm glad there's a whiskey out there that is willing to have some fun. I can't wait to step on the mound and throw some strikes!"
"Minneapolis is the birthplace of 2 GINGERS®, so as Minneapolis hosts baseball's best players, we thought it was fitting to partner with a local legend to celebrate a classic baseball tradition -- the pie-in-the-face prank," said Kieran Folliard, Founder and CEO of 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey. "Bert Blyleven's fiery personality and lifelong pursuit of his passions make him the perfect addition to our all star team."
The pitcher-batter duel (with pie-throwing repercussions) is taking place on Monday, July 14 at Darby's Pub & Grill (315 5th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN), just steps from the baseball stadium. Blyleven will take the mound from 4-5 p.m. CDT. Every batter gets one swing. Should they strike out, the batter gets a pie in the face. For each pie thrown, 2 GINGERS® will donate $100 to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization whose purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, and $100 to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (up to $10,000 total).
Fans will also have the opportunity to cut in line by securing "Pinch Hitter" cards on Monday, July 14 from 9-10 a.m. CDT at Kieran's Irish Pub (85 6th St N, Minneapolis, MN). The first five fans to pick up a "Pinch Hitter" card will be allowed to get first crack at Blyleven when they show up at Darby's Pub & Grill that afternoon. Try your luck at a "Pinch Hitter" card and stay for a signature BIG GINGER® cocktail, which combines the refreshing bite of ginger ale with the caramel, vanilla and citrus undertones of 2 GINGERS®.