As the nation came together on Memorial Day to remember those who fell in service to the country, Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy jumped to his Twitter account to criticize Major League Baseball for trying to make a buck off of the solemn day.
The 17th round, 2002 draft pick was annoyed that MLB took the occasion of Memorial Day to sell military-themed team ball caps. And so, the L.A. hurler took to Twitter with a large dollop of snark to make his statement that, “generations of soldiers died protecting our country and its freedoms- don’t forget to buy an official baseball hat to say thank you.”
generations of soldiers died protecting our country and its freedoms- don't forget to buy an official baseball hat to say thank you
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) May 29, 2017
The Dodger’s ire was aimed at MLB’s camouflage-colored, militaresque baseball caps advertised on Twitter with the earnest plea: “Today is about honor and respect. Tip your @neweracap to those who’ve sacrificed to keep us safe #MemorialDay.”
MLB is offering the green caps featuring stars on the side and a team logo on the front for any one of your favorite MLB team.
Today is about honor and respect. Tip your @neweracap to those who’ve sacrificed to keep us safe #MemorialDay https://t.co/27f86jVBC8 pic.twitter.com/Obzsvn1O2v
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2017
McCarthy’s sarcasm was echoed by many who thought that capitalizing on our day of remembrance just to help push baseball was at least a bit cynical.
Many Twitter users joined McCarthy in his scorn.
So you're saying New Era should scrap the plans for this 2018 Memorial Day lid? pic.twitter.com/vDyi2drnPs
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) May 29, 2017
egregious twitter campaign
— lovesbases (@lovesbasesDFS) May 29, 2017
@gfienberg17 such poor taste
— jonlerner (@jonlerner) May 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/sphenreckson/status/869204724175818753
Wow, pretty disrespectful. How about being thankful to the fallen without the sales pitch? #classless
— Jim Veator 🌴😎🌴 (@JimVeator) May 29, 2017
Wait, is it about honor and respect, or selling hats?
— Jason Snell (@jsnell) May 29, 2017
Is it not possible to say thank you without having to enrich MLB Properties with the purchase of an "official" hat?? #lame #beatla #gogiants
— Jeff Warner (@Still29) May 29, 2017
Of course, Major League Baseball hastened to note that 100% of the proceeds from sales of these caps will benefit the league’s veteran charity, the Welcome Back Veterans funds.
Welcome Back Veterans provides post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment to veterans and their families. So, it isn’t strictly a dash for the cash on the backs of our fallen soldiers, but it’s still is a way to boost baseball’s brand.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.
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