Fresno Grizzlies to don Lehigh Valley IronPigs cap Thursday in MiLB first

FRESNO, Calif. - The Pigs are coming to home to California to roost…or something like that.
The most devastating loss in Fresno Grizzlies (or Fresno Tacos) history had nothing to do with our national pastime between the white lines at Chukchansi Park or any other PCL stadium, but rather at BaconVsTacos.com. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and their "Team Bacon" campaign eked out a SLIGHT (53%) victory over America's sweethearts, #TeamTacos, the result of a fan vote in Minor League Baseball's largest "food fight" to date. 
The Grizz/Tacos will make good on the bet by wearing the IronPigs' Fighting Bacon hat on the field for Thursday's series opener against the Sacramento River Cats at 7:05 p.m. at Chukchansi Park. It will mark the first time in Minor League Baseball history that one team wears the cap of a club in another league, as part of a promotion.  

As part of the Fresno Tacos brand dating back to last season, fans have chosen their "team" when it comes to tacos they like best (Asada, Al Pastor, Lengua or Carnitas), by buying specific "team meat" merchandise in the team store. On this year's Fresno Tacos uniforms worn on Taco Tuesday, each player's "team meat" patch is sewn onto their sleeve, stating their taco preference. Because bacon won, Fresno will acknowledge this pork popularity by adorning the bacon caps with the "Carnitas" patch (pork tacos).  
"We ran a good, honest campaign, so of course we're disappointed in the result of the final vote," said Fresno Grizzlies/Tacos General Manager Derek Franks. "But a deal is a deal, and the winners shall get their due. The only problem is what to do with these Fighting Bacon caps once the game is over. I think the plan is to put them on the bus with the Sacramento River Cats once the series is over, and it'll be their problem," Franks continued.
Throughout the Bacon vs. Tacos vote, fans from both sides of the debate clamored for bacon tacos in the spirit of bi-partisanship. While Fresno's heels were firmly dug-in against such a thing, on Thursday evening the Grizzlies will swallow hard and offer a carnitas taco topped with a slice of bacon at "The Oppo Taco," the new taquiera/bar and lounge now open on the right field terrace of Chukchansi Park.  
"The people have spoken, and here in America we must constructively deal with election results we disagree with," said Sam Hansen, Fresno Grizzlies marketing director. "The people voted bacon and we'll give them bacon, but not without the compromise of offering it on an authentic carnitas taco, a staple of the food culture here in Central California."
Fighting Taco hats are still available online at FresnoGrizzlies.com, and in-store at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies and their alter-ego, the Fresno Tacos, are in the midst of a season-long 12-game homestand lasting through Thursday, June 29; tickets for the July 4 home game/fireworks extravaganza and all others start at just $10, and are available at the Chukchansi Park ticket office during business hours, and online anytime.
#Growlifornia #FresnoTacos
ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES
The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League and are one of 30 teams in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The team plays at 12,500-seat Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, which is also a year-round community gathering place, hosting myriad other special events beyond Grizzlies' games, such as concerts, professional soccer and high school sporting events. The Grizzlies will enter the 2017 season - their 20th in Fresno - on the momentum of back-to-back winning seasons, including a PCL and National Championship in 2015. For information on 2017 Fresno Grizzlies season ticket and mini-plans, fans should call the Grizzlies' ticket office at 559.320.TIXS between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.