Fresno Grizzlies are ‘Coming to America’ in June home game
Feb 9, 2018, 2:49 PM
For years, minor league baseball teams have been stirring up some fun at the ol’ ballpark with various theme nights.
They’re a great way to pull new fans into the park to enjoy not only America’s pastime, but to pay tribute to other popular phenomena from pop culture.
In recent years, we’ve seen tributes to “Space Jam” by the Charlotte Knights, Ghostbusters Night by the Birmingham Barons and the El Paso Chihuahuas celebrating KISS Night.
We’ve also seen nods to “Seinfeld”, 8-bit video games, “Better Call Saul”, “Full House” and taco trucks.
The Fresno Grizzlies are upping their game this season. On June 21 when they play the Albuquerque Isotopes, they’ll take the field as the Zamunda Lions — a tribute to Eddie Murphy’s comedic 1988 classic, “Coming to America.”
On June 21, the Grizzlies will play as… THE ZAMUNDA LIONS! (And McDowell's Big Micks will be served!!) 🦁🍔 #ComingToFresno presented by @PlayFresno pic.twitter.com/Y4btoXoAx6
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) February 8, 2018
The movie deals with Murphy’s character, Prince Akeem (heir to the throne of the fictional African nation of Zamunda) protesting against arranged marriage and venturing to Queens, New York to find a bride (because Queens is a great place to find a queen).
The Grizzlies are going all out, from their uniforms, which resemble some royal attire shown in the movie to transforming their concession stands into McDowell’s — where Akeem and best friend Semmi worked after arriving in New York.
No word on whether or not Jackson Heights’ very own Mr. Randy Watson (you may know him as Joe the Policeman from the “What’s Going Down” episode of “That’s My Momma”) will be performing Whitney Houston classics with his band, Sexual Chocolate, but it still sounds like an awesome night at the yard!