Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Don't whack our wieners.

While I was out of town last week, the Hubster was home with the boys. He had all sorts of boy activities planned - trips to the dump, fishing at the lake and taking the boys to get autographs from a bunch of 8' tall foam wieners.

No, really. That last one was the highlight of their weekend.

For those of you who don't know, Milwaukee is not only Brew City and home of Harley, we're Sausage Town, too. Both Usinger's and Klement's call my fair city home, and many years ago, Klement's became an official sponsor of the Milwaukee Brewers. Its their meat you'll get if you get a braaaht and a beer at a game. (Go ahead, make fun of my Midwest accent. Its cool. Whatever.)

Sometime during the mid-nineties, the Racing Sausages appeared at what was then County Stadium, and are now as famous as the pre-game tail gate. The Polish, the Italian, the Brat, the Hot Dog and the Chorizo race in the middle of the 6th inning. (You know, that way there's still time for a good polka in the 7th.) Fans pick a winner and cheer on their favorite as poor interns and FNGs* race in 8' tall foam wiener suits.

Its so ridiculous its hysterical. Even if you're sober.

I assumed everyone knew of the Racing Sausages after that 2003 incident involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. I mentioned my boys' outing to someone while at a cocktail party on Saturday night and found myself telling this entire tale. While at an adult party. Yes, I rock, but I had a friend rolling.

Cuz you see, apparently not everyone knows proper Racing Sausage etiquette. These mascots run from 3rd base, past the visiting team's dugout, around home plate and finish the race at first base. Back in '03 this guy from the Pirates thought it would be funny (or something) to stand up and hit the poor Italian with a bat while it ran past.

The girl inside the costume ended up being just fine - after all, dude only hit foam, but he didn't know that when he was swinging the bat. She took out the Hot Dog on her way down, but they both got up and finished the race.



After the incident (and the investigation, required apology, fine and suspension) t-shirts flew off the shelves with a cartoon of the 'assault' that said, "Milwaukee, WI. Don't whack our wiener!"

Getting autographs from the Polish

Posing with the Brat & Hot Dog


*FNG: f-ing new guy
**I said "wiener" five times in this post. WIENER-WIENER-WIENER.


13 comments:

The Microblogologist said...

ONLY in Wisconsin! Now I have a moral dilemma, this so makes me want to be a "fan" of your team (though in name only because I so don't do baseball) but as a Chicago native it is against the rules. It is like Romeo and Juliet but with foam sausages and pizza or something...

Also, your kids are adorable and look really tiny next to those sausages, lol!

Melisa Wells said...

That last picture cracks me up: the size difference between your cute boys and those Sah-seges is hysterical! (great picture though!)

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Sounds like the boys had a great time.

Anonymous said...

Classic! I saw one of these races at a professional soccer game in Denver once. I nearly peed my pants from laughter when the Red Robin got into it with Ronald McDonald.

NicEmMOM said...

DORK DORK DORK DORK

Unknown said...

Hilarious! I never new of the incident nor the wieners! :)

Denise said...

Holy hilarity! I knew of this story, but I've gotta tell 'ya, it's even funnier when you watch Russ Kirkpatrick reporting on it, all serious and business like. Good stuff!
Glad you had a fun time at BlogHer. I actually visited your fine city with the kiddos for a couple of days this week (because the zoo in Illinois doesn't compare, and we don't have Stonefire). Also went to ElFuego, the new place on Layton. Been there yet? Nice!

Anonymous said...

There is nothing better than those racing wieners. V. funny post;)

the planet of janet said...

that? is hilarious.

i guess it was serious at the time.

but hilarious.

mammydiaries said...

I love, love, love this!!!! Totally made me smile on a not so smiley day:)

Roger Miller said...

LOVE the weiners!

Kim H. said...

Isn't it great being from the Midwest? I love it! And you know I can hear the accent and cherish it!

Love, love, love the wiener races -- and I never knew about the "bat" incident. Poor thing.

Loved the pic of the boys!

Oh, and something I love to laugh about driving south from milwaukee to Chicago is the Bong Recreation Area sign. (I know, totally unrelated -- but I just thought of that! hee. hee.)

Anonymous said...

Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article