Canseco, Hammer, and Ice, OH MY!

Before a minor league baseball game between the Arkansas Travelers (Angels Double-A farm club) and the Midland Rockhounds (A's Double-A affiliate) of the Texas League, fans were treated to a four-round exhibition boxing match between former MLB slugger Jose Canseco and University of Arkansas-Little Rock Associate Athletic Director Gary Hogan. Hogan, 60, beat his 46 year-old opponent from Havana, Cuba 39-37. As embarassing as it sounds (Canseco had nearly 50 pounds & 15 years on Hogan), Canseco's reputation may have actually got a little boost as proceeds from the fight benefited a gym and boxing program in Little Rock.

Canseco's career baseball stats:

• 17 seasons (1887 games), 1877 hits, 462 HR, 1407 RBI, 1186 R 200 SB, .266BA

Career boxing stats:

• record: 1-1-1, KO'd by Vai Sikahema (former NFL player) in first round; draw vs. Danny Bonaduce, 3 rounds; defeated Todd Poulton by decision, Celebrity Boxing Federation

Career MMA stats:

• 0-1-0, lost by submission to Hong Man Choi in Round 1, 5/26/09

More Awfully Interesting Promotional Nights:

In an earlier blog post I mentioned a minor league team's "Nothing Night," a promotion where nothing happened at the ballpark except the game. The following promotions might actually be worse...

As part of a Summer Concert Series, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted Vanilla Ice last Friday. He performed after the game and threw out the first pitch. The Rays will also host Los Lobos July 30, The Village People August 13, and Brett Michaels September 25. And that's supposed to boost attendance...

In Celebration of the Reds' 1990 World Series Championship, MC Hammer will perform before and after a July 16 game at GABP against the Rockies, and YES he will be dancing!

Don't Forget:
State Farm Home Run Derby tonight @ 8:00 p.m. on ESPN and MLB.com.
Ortiz, Wells, Cabrera, & Swisher

vs.

Holliday, C. Young, Hart, & H. Ramirez