Nationals honoring Bryce Harper with Chia Pet giveaway in 2016
Last season, the Washington Nationals scored a major hit with fans by giving away a Jayson Werth Chia Pet -- so they're doing it again in 2016.
This time, they're giving reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper the Chia treatment on July 5.
Bryce Harper gets the Chia treatment! Retweet for a chance at 2 tix, plus this #Nats grill: https://t.co/qvMSVJjmmy pic.twitter.com/kyw4ia2LI2
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 11, 2016
The team hasn't revealed an image of the actual Harper Chia just yet, but Dan Worthington of The Washington Post mocked up two versions for fun:
The Nationals.
— Dan Worthington (@danWorthington) February 11, 2016
Bryce Harper.
Chia Pet.
Coming in 2016.https://t.co/WOy6L2F0V3 pic.twitter.com/F1VRlY2vHL
A Harper hair flip Chia?
— Dan Worthington (@danWorthington) February 11, 2016
Might look look more like a Harper Pineapple. pic.twitter.com/EtNV4v9htw
This week, the team has begun rolling out announcements about its 2016 promotional schedule. And so far, it looks like this one will be tough to beat.
Harper has had an eventful offseason, from hanging out with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium to exchanging complimentary hair tweets with AL MVP Josh Donaldson.
Other teams have similar plans in place for the upcoming season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers will pay tribute to fuzzy-bearded infielder Justin Turner with his own Chia Pet likeness on April 30. The Oakland Athletics, meanwhile, gave away a Coco Crisp version a few seasons back.
As fun and off-the-wall as these giveaways are getting in MLB, minor-league teams still have a distinct advantage when it comes to the wildest promotions of all-time.