Behold: the Brian Wilson Garden Gnome (pictured right), just one of the 2012 promotional items offered by the San Francisco Giants to entice local baseball fans and bolster attendance at AT&T Park home games next season.
Like the Team Snuggie and Brian Wilson frozen in Carbonite Star Wars fan appreciation day trinket, the garden gnomes are the latest entry in to the team's quirky selection of collectible items and largely useless tchotchkes. Also this season: Sergio Romo, Pablo Sandoval and Madison Bumgarner bobbleheads, Giants superhero capes, gym bags and "Orange Friday Texting Gloves".
In the 2011 season, the Hagerstown Suns gave away 1,000 of the Brian Wilson gnomes decked out in the bearded closer's former Minor League uniform. Wilson does have a fairly gnomish beard (and yes, often inexplicable attire), so the tie-in almost makes sense despite the fact that very few of us actually have a lawn to put him in. We expect the Orange and Black version will get an updated uniform and possibly an even longer, more scraggly beard.
The Wilson Gnome will be released to the first 20,000 fans at a home game against the Oakland A's on May 20th, 2012, and it's only a matter of time before the Traveling Brian Wilson Gnome blogs start popping up after that.
Previously: Star Wars Day at AT&T Park Will Freeze Brian Wilson in Carbonite
[SF Giants 2012 Promo Schedule]