Mariners announce their schedule of special events for 2016 season
SEATTLE — A Ken Griffey Jr. tribute weekend highlights the Mariners’ special-events schedule, which the club announced Tuesday shortly after Major League Baseball released tentative start times for all games.
Griffey was elected earlier this month to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted July 24 in a ceremony near the shrine in Cooperstown, N.Y.
He is the first player elected to the Hall primarily for his achievements while playing for the Mariners, and the club will mark the occasion with a series of events for its Aug. 5-7 series against the Angels at Safeco Field.
The Mariners previously announced the planned highlights for that weekend tribute:
*Aug. 5: Ken Griffey Jr. Bobblehead Night. The first 20,000 fans will receive a free Griffey bobblehead doll, courtesy of Root Sports.
*Aug. 6: The Mariners will formally retire Griffey’s No. 24 in a pre-game ceremony. The first 20,000 fans will receive a replica of Griffey’s Hall of Fame plaque.
*Aug. 7: The first 20,000 fans will get a free Griffey replica jersey.
The promotions scheduled announced Tuesday lists four other bobblehead giveaways: Nelson Cruz on April 30; Kyle Seager on May 14, Felix Hernandez on June 24 and Robinson Cano on July 16.
The Mariners also plan four Friday post-game fireworks displays: May 27, June 10, July 1 and Aug. 19.
There are five scheduled hat giveaways: a beard hat on April 29; a bomber hat on May 27; a mid-80s Mariners cap on June 25; a fedora on July 15 and a Native American-themed hat on Sept. 18.
The Mariners are also planning three "Bark at the Park" promotions that allow fans to bring their dogs to Safeco Field: May 24, Aug. 9 and Sept. 6.
Other promotional highlights include: Mariners socks on May 13, K beach towels on June 11 and cooler bags on July 2.
All promotional giveaways have limited inventory.
This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Mariners announce their schedule of special events for 2016 season."