David Robertson – PaulHadsall.com

The Trenton Thunder announced their preliminary 2014 promo schedule today. Seventeen fireworks dates are planned – pretty much one per weekend that the team is home, with a few “bonus” ones thrown in for fun.

I’ve probably just been to too many minor league and independent league baseball games, but hasn’t the novelty worn off by now? One ballpark fireworks show pretty much looks the same as another, and at this point I only stay to watch them if they fall around the 4th of July or maybe Memorial Day.

There are four “regular” bobblehead giveaways – Mark Teixeira (May 30), Hideki Matsui (July 11), David Robertson (July 25) and Boomer (August 8). – and one mini bobblehead featuring a player to be determined on May 9. Texieira had a rehab assignment with Trenton last May, and the team honored Matsui and had him throw out a ceremonial first pitch last August, but Robertson’s inclusion is a bit of a mystery. (Maybe somebody at giveaway sponsor TD Bank is a big fan?)

More interesting are the players who had rehab assignments in Trenton last year that didn’t make the list: Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis, Michael Pineda, Eduardo Nunez and David Phelps. A-Rod is a bit toxic, Youkilis had a bobblehead last year and Pineda, Nunez and Phelps are not exactly household names for most casual fans… but the only knock against Granderson I can see is his current free agent status.

Baseball card team sets will be given out on June 20, a statue of a player to be determined is slated for August 29, and replica championship trophies are planned for Opening Day, April 3.

The giveaway that I want (and won’t get) is an OYO Sportstoys Minifigure of a Trenton Thunder player to be determined that will be handed out to the first 1,000 kids between 5-15 on June 1. (Think of the not-quite Lego mini-figures you’ve probably seen near the register in your favorite team’s give shop.)

Check out the full giveaway slate at TrentonThunder.com.

Which, if any, of the giveaways interest you?

Well, we’ve made it through the first week of spring training games. Johan Santana has pitched twice and he’s one of an ever-shrinking number of Mets who hasn’t landed on the injury report so far (knock on wood). Who would have believed it?

Meanwhile, David Wright was scheduled to fly to New York last night so he could get a cortisone shot to combat a rib cage issue that has kept him out of spring training action so far. Tim Byrdak is due to get a cortisone shot in his ailing knee.

Adam Rubin summarized the conditions of other injured Mets players before Sunday’s rain-shortened game, though it does not include Daniel Ray Herrera who now reportedly has a back issue.

The Mets are far from the only team dealing with injuries this spring. And at least none of theirs are of the truly wacky variety. Yankees reliever David Robertson hurt his ankle carrying a box outside for recycling, and Tampa Bay pitcher David Price hurt his neck while toweling off in the dugout. Can you imagine the field day everyone would be having if either of those stories were about Mets?

But it’s still discouraging, considering the lack of depth in the Mets organization and the reputation the team has earned for the way injuries have been handled over the last few seasons.

Mets fans: are you concerned about the team’s growing injury list?

Everybody: what are some of the weirdest baseball injuries that you remember hearing about?

Tag: David Robertson

Trenton Thunder announce 2014 promo schedule

The injury bug bites