To celebrate the retirement of its veteran pitcher Mariano “Mo” Rivera, the Yankees held “Mariano Rivera Day” and promised fans that the first 18,000 fans in line at the game would receive a special edition Rivera bobblehead. When the bobbleheads didn’t arrive in time, angry fans were turned away with just a voucher.
#Yankees fans lined up in the Bronx to get their Mariano Rivera bobbleheads. Stay tuned to see how YOU can win one! http://t.co/vZBFjWjy78
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 24, 2013
@YESNetwork Absolutely ridiculous. The line is wrapping around the stadium.
— Art Vandelay (@NYRNYYchick) September 25, 2013
In a sea of Yankees fans..all because of Mariano Rivera bobblehead day #Insane pic.twitter.com/WnB1IaaAgo
— Kevin Rozell (@Zellyanks) September 24, 2013
Bobblehead panic starting to set in at Yankee Stadium. Gates not open yet. pic.twitter.com/WjrfzALq9W
— Amanda Rykoff (@amandarykoff) September 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/IsaYankeeDiva/status/382622765117100032
https://twitter.com/IsaYankeeDiva/status/382625233359740928
RT “@RobPowers7: The line for Mo's bobblehead… Thanks @ChopperDanRice pic.twitter.com/44qQOZVXlP”
— Liz Cho (@LizCho7) September 25, 2013
No, @Yankees, creating mass chaos via a botched bobblehead giveaway isn't helping #TeamEntropy.
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) September 25, 2013
@YESNetwork it's absolutely disgusting they have such a long line for #bobbleheads @Yankees #ridiculous #getittogether
— Amanda M (@Amanditamo) September 25, 2013
Riots breaking out at Yankee Stadium over a dumb bobblehead doll is the perfect ending to this embarrassing season.
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) September 25, 2013
https://twitter.com/IsaYankeeDiva/status/382679537810956288
https://twitter.com/_SwarlesBarkley/status/382662425880711169
UPDATE: The Mo Rivera bobbleheads have arrived. Here's the scene. Chaos! http://t.co/fP8HPGzZJ1 / pic.twitter.com/IB9OR4Fr8S
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 25, 2013
Game over and still really long lines for the Mariano Bobblehead. This could get ugly. #bobbleheadfiasco
— Amanda Rykoff (@amandarykoff) September 25, 2013
I've been on line for the bobblehead since the top of the 6th inning…I'm told I have several more hours to go. #KillMeNow
— Kevin Rozell (@Zellyanks) September 25, 2013
Mariano Rivera bobblehead line is wrapped around the stadium. This is sooo fucked up #Yankees pic.twitter.com/1dVIQUUCen
— Kevin Rozell (@Zellyanks) September 25, 2013
@YESNetwork this is a clown move. Whoever is responsible should be fired. Vouchers? Coupons? CLOWNS!!!!
— Frank Rizzo (@ysballhawkec) September 24, 2013
There were fights and even an arrest.
Not getting Mariano Rivera bobblehead before the game is ridiculous. Someone trying to fight in the line. ?
— Damaris (@damarisabel) September 25, 2013
https://twitter.com/MikeJasp/status/382696622682931200
But also some very nice people:
Crazy bobblehead line stretches from 3B past RF foul pole. Gave mine to 10-yr-old Louis at back of the line. pic.twitter.com/hN5eOWQVJi
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) September 25, 2013
Actually that kid looks sad. Hey, did that woman make him pay for the bobblehead? (Exhibit A: the wad of cash in her hand.)
Either way, the Yankees seemed to really anger fans on a day when they were already upset over the retirement of a popular ballplayer. Way to rub salt in the wound, Yanks!
Editor’s note: A typo has been corrected in the title of this post.
