You may not have ever heard of the Colorado Rockies Double A minor league baseball franchise, the Hartford Yard Goats, but they’re for real. They have a downtown Hartford, Connecticut, stadium — Dunkin’ Field! — a full-on website (well, it’s a page at MLB.com), even a Wikipedia entry, from which:
The name “Yard Goats” was selected as part of a “Name the Team” contest which drew over 6,000 submissions. “Yard goat” is a railroad term for a switcher, a locomotive that moves rolling stock within a yard. The stadium is adjacent to Hartford Yard. The logo features a goat chomping on a baseball bat and the team makes heavy use of animal imagery and symbolism.[7] The blue and green colors are a nod to the Hartford Whalers team that played in the National Hockey League from 1979 to 1997.[8] The team stages an annual Whalers Reunion weekend, with special uniforms resembling the hockey club’s and the logo has the goat chomping a hockey stick. The logo font replicates that used by the former New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.[1]
Like all minor league baseball teams, the Yard Goats specialize in special promotions for almost every game in order to boost attendance. Fireworks Night, Kids Run the Bases Day, Double-Header Discounts, you name it.
Last week the Yard Goats rolled out their Gryffindor themed uniforms for Harry Potter Day at Dunkin’ Field. Here are some snaps taken by Ryan DeSantis for the Major League Baseball Instagram page:
Apparently every team in the minor leagues had a Star Wars Night on May the Fourth (free admission to those who come in costume! Baby Yoda, anyone?) so cultural touchstone special promotions are not unique to Hartford’s Harry Potter night. But still…
How many book series are so popular that themed uniforms would be instantly recognizable and celebrated by a crowd of sports fans, even a reason that they came to Dunkin’ Field to see and celebrate?
That’s right. Only one book series is the Shared Text of generations.
Here’s hoping that the Yard Goats merchandise page isn’t the subject of Culture warrior outrage. It’s a Yard Goat head necklace, team, not a Baphomet pendant!
