One of the unique parts of FanFest is finding out what the 2016 promotions will be for the Houston Astros. In years' past the team had a printouts of the promotion schedule. Last year, the team had the promotions out for the public to see. This year they had the promotion on giant banners on the concourse.
I didn't take a picture of every single banner but included the ones I thought were interesting.
September 10 vs. the Chicago Cubs: George Springer outfield wall catch bobblehead
In early April, the Astros were in Arlington to face the Rangers. The game was tied in the bottom of the 10th inning, bases loaded with two outs. Leonys Martin put the bat on a Tony Sipp pitch that appeared destined to end the game. Springer raced back to the right field wall, timed his jump and brought the ball back for one of the greatest catches in 2015.
August 27 vs. Tampa Bay Ray: Jose Altuve Gold Glove & Silver Slugger bobblehead
Jose Altuve took home the top hitting and fielding honor for American League second baseman in 2015. Altuve ended up with a fielding percentage of .993 after only making five errors in 669 chances, and collected 200 hits for the second straight year.
August 5-7 vs. Texas Rangers: Legends Weekend (August 6: Mike Scott Jersey)
Mike Scott finish 13th overall in Astros history in WAR (23) per Baseball reference. The rainbow jersey is always great to see, especially when the team remembering some as deserving as Scott.
July 23 vs. Los Angeles Angels: Evan Gattis Gnome
The Dallas Keuchel gnome last season was one the best promotions in 2015. Evan Gattis already looks like a gnome so this is a perfect match.
July 22 vs. Los Angeles Angels: Astros Fedora
Ignoring the argument of this is a fedora or a trilby hat. The fact that Houston is doing a fedora will probably credited to Carlos Correa's fondness for the hat style -- for me personally I think it's for Astros Director of Pro Scouting Kevin Goldstein.
July 2 vs. Chicago White Sox: Carlos Correa Rookie of the Year Bobblehead
Carlos Correa is great. I suspect his bobblehead will be just as great.
June 4 vs. Oakland Athletics: Colby Rasmus Postseason Celebration Bobblehead
Wrestler/supervillain champagne celebration Colby Rasmus quickly became the favorite meme of the 2015. Now getting a bobblehead of the moment is icing on the cake -- easily the hottest ticket of the season.
May 7 vs. Seattle Mariners: Dallas Keuchel Cy Young & Gold Glove Bobblehead
There will be a lot of hardware after Astros fans get the Correa, Altuve, and Keuchel bobbleheads. Keuchel was far overdue for a bobblehead.
April 16 vs. Detroit Tigers: Houston Astros Trucker Cap
For all those people out there that don't want to wear the start-H, we have the cap for you.
(The bobbleheads on the cover at not from the Astros, but a mockup of what a bobblehead of each might look like.)
****
UPDATE
The Astros held their 2016 Media Luncheon, announcing more promotions including a Orbit Two-Time Mascot of the Year Giveaway (Date TBA). Keuchel's Korner, $1 Hot Dogs Wednesday, and Friday night fireworks return -- per the Houston Chronicle.