Philly Front Office

Back in 1975, the Topps Company had the idea to combine a unique part of the national past time with the inherent competitive nature of Major League Baseball players: Bubble Gum Blowing. They designed a full MLB wide tournament to determine just who was the best bubble gum blower of all and planned to televise the championship “Blow Off” live before Game 3 of the World Series. In the end, it would be the Phillies Johnny Oates versus Kurt Bevacqua of the Brewers. Here is their story…

Friday, June 12 at 7:40p – Andrew Painter v Jacob Misiorowski (R)
Saturday, June 13 at 7:10p – Aaron Nola v Shane Drohan (L)
Sunday, June 14 at 2:10p – Cristopher Sanchez v Kyle Harrison (L)

American Family Field – Milwaukee, WI

The Joe Garagiola Bazooka Big League Bubble Gum Blowing Championship began in August by each team holding an internal competition to see who could blow the biggest bubble. Of the 24 teams around back then, all but two (the Pirates and Tigers refused because they stunk) chose their champion when the official Bazooka measuring team used their official Bazooka Measuring Calipers to determine the size.

In the end, 22 team champions were chosen:

Team Champions (CLICK to reveal)

• Athletics – Glenn Abbott (Angel Mangual actually won the team championship, but was off the roster by the time the competition was held)
• Angels – Mickey Scott*
• Twins – Bert Blyleven*
• Rangers – Joe Lovitto
• Royals – George Brett*
• White Sox – Lee Richard
• Indians – Eric Raich*
• Orioles – Doug DeCinces
• Yankees – Walt Williams*
• Red Sox – Rick Miller
• Dodgers – Rick Rhoden*
• Giants – Mike Sadek
• Padres – Jerry Johnson*
• Reds – Johnny Bench
• Braves – Ed Goodson
• Astros – Mike Cosgrove*
• Cubs – Bill Madlock*
• Cardinals – Bob Forsch
• Expos – Gary Carter
• Phillies – Johnny Oates*
• Mets – John Stearns*
• Brewers – Kurt Bevacqua*

* = moved on to the second round in a head to head blow off. Stearns and Bevacqua received byes due to the Pirates and Tigers being party poopers.

As you can see, the players took this seriously. This wasn’t the NBA Slam Dunk Championship where only scrubs with hops enter the arena, George Brett, Johnny Bench, and more future Hall of Famers not only competed but won their team championships.

Over the next few weeks, players went head-to-head in Blow-Offs to get to the twelve-man 2nd round of the competition. From there, four regional winners advanced. Those four along with two wild card entries were pitted against one another in two 3-person semifinal showdowns. It was Mickey Scott, Eric Raich, and Kurt Bevacqua for the AL and Mike Cosgrove, Rick Rhoden, and Johnny Oates for the NL. Bevacqua and Oates were crowned league champions and the showdown was set. Who cares about a Reds vs Athletics World Series when you have a Bubble Gum Blowing Championship going on?

Friday Fun: The REGGIE! Bar

Joe Garagiola, the former catcher turned broadcaster, ran the event and first base umpire for that night’s World Series Game 3, Dick Stello, was set to judge. The two competitors were interviewed before the final Blow-Off:

Bevacqua was asked how his life has changed since becoming AL Champion: “Maybe a little bit. I feel like an old Western gunfighter now. Every six-year old kid in the United States is writing letters to challenge me.”

Oates was asked if he was surprised to become the NL Champion: “The only thing I wanted was a chance. And Philadelphia gave me the gum to give me the chance and here I am.”

Beautiful.

Sadly, in the end, with a blow of 18.25 inches Kurt Bevacqua of the Brewers was crowned champion. For his outstanding display of athletic achievement and pulmonary prowess, Bevacqua was awarded $1,000 plus another $1,000 to a charity of his choice and a full case of Bazooka Bubble Gum.

Photo: Bubble Gum Blowing Championship Press Photo – Bazooka Joe and His Gang

Inspiration: Big Hair and Plastic Grass and Bubble Play | Baseball Hall of Fame

Tournament Info: This Card