From The Yankee Book Lovers Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer for the Yankee Fan in your family? Well, this isn’t it. First of all, it’s too large to fit in a stocking. Also, it doesn’t actually exist. Here it is anyway. 

Yanks for Sale: A History of Failed Ad Campaigns Utilizing New York Yankees

The title says it all…  This comprehensive history includes everything from Babe Ruth's ill-conceived, Ex Lax sponsored, "I Eat Most of My Food At the Ball Park" ad, to the story of why Whitey Ford’s deal with Chevrolet tanked when they decided not to use, “How Does Whitey Ford Get To Yankee Stadium? In A Chevy!”  or even “This Ford Drives a Chevy!” but instead chose “Hey Whitey! Where’d You Get That Car!”. Which was a bad idea for a number of reasons.

The book includes Norman Mailer’s account of the ill-fated 1977 Hawaiian Punch promotional tour when Billy Martin cold-cocked the Hawaiian Punch Guy.  

There are newer examples as well, such as, Phil Nevin’s failed PSA promoting driver safety, “Who Needs Stop Signs?”  

And a whole chapter on the recent spate of Yankee Themed Ben and Jerry’s Ice Creams

Gioncaramello:  Vanilla ice cream with ribbons of caramel. Delicious, but not as many ribbons as you would think would be in there for $7.99 a pint. You also would have thought Ben and Jerry would have learned after their Carameloanthony disaster.

Boonble Gum:    Flavored like Manager Aaron Boones favorite dugout treat. This ice cream blows bubbles, in game decisions, leads, and the division.

Cashman Chip   The product artwork depicted what looked like yummy chocolate chips but the product itself is filled with left overs from other ice creams.  Pistachio pieces, peppermint flakes, cookie dough. Speaking of dough. At least it’s tax exempt.  

This book about Yankee themed failures is the perfect bridge between last year and the upcoming season... The Holiday Season! (Wink!)