In light of Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant flub, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are thrilled to announce a celebration of Miss Philippines, Miss Colombia and other all-time great second-place finishes with “Runner-Up Night” at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The night will take place on Tuesday, April 26, which is the second game of the second homestand of the Riders’ 2016 season.
The night will take place on In the live televised presentation of the Miss Universe Pageant on Sunday, host Steve Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the winner of the “Miss Universe” title, only to recant the statement and crown Miss Philippines as the winner. In honor of the mishap, the RoughRiders are planning to spend an evening celebrating Miss Colombia and all other fantastic second-place finishers.
“Although it may appear that Miss Colombia has lost, she really has won,” said RoughRiders Executive Vice President and General Manager Jason Dambach. “In a world in which everyone competes to be first, we have decided to honor how special a second-place finish can be. It’s something to be proud of and celebrated.”
The RoughRiders plan to formally invite Ariadna Gutiérrez Arevalo, “Miss Colombia,” as a VIP guest for the night. Gutiérrez will enjoy a suite for the night and an opportunity to throw out the first pitch. The RoughRiders are also inviting Steve Harvey to serve as the on-field host for the evening.
With the night celebrating famous second-place finishes, the Riders have also extended an invitation to both Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, and Marv Levy the quarterback, a wide receiver, and the coach of the Buffalo Bills during their four-year stretch of runner-up finishes in the Super Bowl (1991-1994). The team will celebrate other second-place finishers including Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilera (runner-up on Star Search); Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken (American Idol); Carrie Underwood and Michelle Obama (High School salutatorians); Al Gore and Mitt Romney (2000 and 2012 presidential elections); and Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up).
Like all Riders home games, fans will have the chance to participate in on-field games, but on Runner-Up Night, prizes will be awarded to the second-place, not first-place, finishers. Other in-game promotions include a seat upgrade to the “Second-best seat in the house.
The RoughRiders are also currently investigating the baseball knowledge of the Miss Universe judges to serve as backup official scorers for the night’s game.
During the game, RoughRiders players will be displayed on the video board with a sash, announcing each American player as “Mr. Texas” or whatever state they are from and international players honored with the name of their home country.
The club also plans to host an in-park beauty pageant throughout the game. Any fan that can prove a second-place finish in a beauty contest or pageant at any level will receive a free ticket to the game between the RoughRiders and the San Antonio Missions.
Season ticket packages and group and hospitality offerings for the 2016 season can be reserved by calling (972) 731-9200 or emailing info@ridersbaseball.com. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public in March.
