Baseball is well-known for “giveaway nights” – Both at the Major and Minor League levels.
Whether it’s “bat night,” “cap night,” or “pennant night,” all of these types of promotions are synonymous with the baseball-going experience.
Well, leave it to the New York Yankees to unveil what is being called as the “greatest stadium giveaway” in baseball history.
In a move that blends baseball lore with television nostalgia, the Bombers announced plans to commemorate the beloved “Seinfeld” character George Costanza with his very own bobblehead night this coming season.
An Assistant to the Traveling Secretary for the New York Yankees bobblehead, anyone?
The Yankees are hosting Seinfeld Night on July 5 and giving away this George Costanza bobblehead 😂 pic.twitter.com/hewXE0eMSg
— MLB (@MLB) March 15, 2024
The announcement revealed that on July 5th, the first 18,000 fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead featuring the iconic character.
On a side note, the game that night is against the Boston Red Sox. While the Yanks-Sox rivalry isn’t nearly what it used to be, the Yankees deserve credit for holding the Costanza bobblehead giveaway during such an important matchup.
(Most teams save such a giveaway for when they play the Oakland A’s.)
— Jon Palmer (@jon_palmer4133) March 15, 2024
“Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle… Costanza?!?” read the caption of the Yankees social media post announcing the giveaway – clearly an ode to Jerry Seinfeld’s famous reaction to when George was first hired by the Yankees.
@tkcaddie pic.twitter.com/MUT8Sjaxqo
— robmillertime (@robmillertime) March 16, 2024
The bobblehead itself portrays Costanza, immortalized by actor Jason Alexander, holding a bat with a poised right-handed batting stance.
Dressed in a light blue collared shirt, tie, and black slacks, the figurine also features the “Seinfeld” show logo prominently displayed on its front.
Adding a touch of authenticity to the tribute, the base of the bobblehead bears the inscription “Assistant To The Traveling Secretary,” referencing Costanza’s fictional role with the Yankees in the show.
— Jamey Gibbons (@Jmemonkey) March 16, 2024
“A job with the New York Yankees! This has been the dream of my life ever since I was a child, and it’s all happening because I’m completely ignoring every urge towards common sense and good judgment I’ve ever had,” Costanza famously said during “The Opposite” episode.
"We have watched you take our beloved #Yankees and reduce them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego!" ~ George Costanza — "Hire this man!" ~ George Steinbrenner! #MLB #Seinfeld pic.twitter.com/FkZVAhU2hZ
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) March 15, 2024
Costanza’s association with the Yankees became a recurring theme in “Seinfeld,” beginning in season five.
Whether it was George finding himself in humorous situations with the Yankees – or Larry David himself voicing legendary owner George Steinbrenner, there were countless classic moments during the show’s run.
I can hear the 3rd one 😂😂
Holy cow!— COX (@joshcox8) March 15, 2024
“Hitting is not about muscle,” Costanza famously told Yankees greats Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams in an episode. “It’s simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.”
The design of the bobblehead draws inspiration from this scene, capturing Costanza in his business attire as he attempts to shed wisdom on Jeter and Williams.
Never Forget when Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams guest starred in Seinfeld and were taught how to hit. This is legendary 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JG8oemnZJb
— Kent Murphy (@ReaIKentMurphy) December 1, 2018
My personal favorite episode involving the Yankees was “The Wink” when Paul O’Neill was forced to promise a sick boy that he’d hit two home runs for him.
Sure enough, he hits two home runs, but his second was an inside-the-parker which ended up being ruled a triple with an error.
Classic.
Today In 1995: The classic #Seinfeld episode "The Wink" airs for the first time! New York #Yankees star Paul O'Neill gets mad at Kramer for asking him to hit not one, but TWO home runs for a sick kid in the hospital! #MLB #Baseball #TV #History pic.twitter.com/A6mLB7kVIG
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) October 12, 2022
What are your thoughts on the Constanza bobblehead giveaway?
Is this the single greatest giveaway in baseball history?
What could possibly be better?!?
To my followers (in the spirit of Doc Holliday’s last words to Wyatt Earp): “If you were ever my friend. If you ever had even the slightest of feelin' for me, get me this bobblehead…please.” #Seinfeld #costanza #Yankees pic.twitter.com/vGOhNzk0RA
— Lloyd Legalist (@LloydLegalist) March 15, 2024