Three weeks before the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the New York Yankees are celebrating Star Wars Night by giving out Aaron Judge Jedi bobbleheads on May 4.
As Darth Vader said in Star Wars: A New Hope, “The force is strong with this one.” Vader was referring to an X-Wing pilot who was trying to blow up the Death Star (did he not know it was his son?), but the words apply perfectly to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Only new teammate Giancarlo Stanton hit more home runs than Judge hit last year and only Joey Gallo had a higher hard hit percentage.
Judge will be back launching bombs in the Bronx this season, and the Yankees plan to honor the young player with his own bobblehead. To the delight of Star Wars fans everywhere, it will be a Jedi Judge bobblehead, with Judge holding a lightsaber and wearing the modest but recognizable boots and robe of the Jedi.
The bobbleheads will be given out on May the 4th because “May the Fourth Be With You” is the perfect day to celebrate Star Wars, especially for people with a lisp. Single-game tickets go on sale on February 21. With the Yankees lineup stacked with power, Judge won’t be the only player using the force. Stanton led the majors in home runs last year, and catcher Gary Sanchez hit 33 dingers.
House That Hank Built
Not to be outdone, the longtime rival of the Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, have their own Star Wars Night. Actually, it’s Star Wars Day, and it’s on May the 1st, which doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like May the 4th (be with you). The Red Sox are giving out limited edition Xander Calrissian bobbleheads that look very much like shortstop Xander Bogearts.
On the other side of the country, the Seattle Mariners will have their celebration of Star Wars Night on May the 4th. The team is giving out Han Seago bobbleheads in honor of third baseman Kyle Seager. Han Seago is really stretching it in the pun department, by the way. It’s unfortunate that they missed an opportunity to give out Kyle-o Ren bobbleheads (hat tip, EmeraldAly).
For their Star Wars Night, the Mariners are encouraging fans to dress up in Star Wars attire. Also, the Mariners have an added promotion on that night that’s only available online. If you buy your tickets through the online link, you can get a Star Wars Night Chewbacca bobblehead in addition to the Han Seago bobblehead because how can you have Han without Chewy?
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The next installment of the Star Wars saga, Solo: A Star Wars Story, is scheduled for release on May 25, 2018, which is the 41st anniversary of the original. With the galaxy all abuzz, the aforementioned three teams are not the only MLB squads that will be celebrating Star Wars. The Force will be abundant around baseball in May. It makes you wonder, who would win a seven-game series featuring the characters in Star Wars against the characters in Star Trek? That would be the ultimate series.