Fresh off his $77 million contract, Mitch Keller has achieved full Jedi status.
The Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher is among three current or former franchise players to be featured on bobbleheads to be given away during games this season, the team announced Monday. But Keller’s figurine won’t be of him in a Pirates uniform but him in “Star Wars”-inspired clothing.
Keller bobblehead dolls will given to the first 20,000 fans who attend the May 4 game against the Colorado Rockies. It’s “Star Wars Night” — a nod to the play on words that is “May the fourth be with you” with “May The Force be with you” from the iconic movie series.
Keller’s doll is dressed like Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Other bobblehead promotions are scheduled for May 25 (Parker) and June 22 (McCutchen). The former is for a game against the Atlanta Braves before and during which the Pirates are honoring the 45th anniversary of their most recent World Series championship. Parker starred for that 1979 Pirates team.
The McCutchen doll giveaway comes in conjunction with a game against the Atlanta Braves when the Pirates will wear their “City Connect” jerseys. McCutchen’s doll will have him in that “PGH” jersey and waving that cap.
Additionally, the Pirates will give away a bobblehead during the July 20 game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The three-game weekend series is the Pirates’ third annual “Yinzerpalooza” that is intended to celebrate Pittsburgh. The Pirates are not announcing the identity of the figure to be featured on the bobblehead, saying only that it is “a beloved Pittsburgh figure.”
