Hunter Pence and Derek Holland of the San Francisco Giants have one objective: get teammate Brandon Belt into the MLB All-Star Game, taking place on July 17th in Washington, DC. To help their case, the two have transformed from just mere baseball players, into BB, also known as “The Ballot Brothers,” a take on the Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage Mega Powers team.
Introduced in 2002, the MLB Final Vote puts the power back in the hands of the fans. Fans of course vote for the starters for the MLB All-Star Game, but the Final Vote is an additional opportunity for a deserving player to reach the Midsummer Classic. But unlike the initial balloting where fans vote based partly on season statistics and partly as a popularity contest, the Final Vote allows players and their clubs to use creativity to earn the final spot for either the American or National League.
LISTEN HERE BROTHER! The Ballot Brothers, @Dutch_Oven45 and @hunterpence, have a message for YOU! https://t.co/CQ5fc7nB0G | #BeltTheBallot pic.twitter.com/33xf8GBezj
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 9, 2018
Such was the case in 2008 when Jason Giambi and the New York Yankees endorsed a “Support the ‘Stache” campaign, paying tribute to their first baseman’s iconic facial hair. In 2009, Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies had the support of the city’s mayor and a radio contest which granted three lucky winners the chance to sit in the team’s press box and vote for him for 52 straight hours (there are no limits on how many times you can vote). Nick Swisher of the Yankees, used his superior Twitter following to win the Final Vote in 2010. By 2012, fans were able to vote for their choices with specific hashtags, something the Minnesota Twins took advantage of several years later in 2015, when they parked a CASE bulldozer outside of their home stadium to encourage fans to #VoteDozier (Brian Dozier).
2018’s Final Vote started off much the same way, but perhaps for the first time in Final Vote history, wrestling found its way into the mix.
Listen here brother. It’s us BB. you’re probably thinking of another BB who goes by the name of brandon belt!
https://twitter.com/WWEotd/status/911645577611550720
Perhaps going off his last name, Derek Holland and Hunter Pence, stood on the field with championship belts, bearing Brandon Belt’s name on an orange plate in the center and his face on the side plates. From there, the two MLB veterans announced that they were the Ballot Brothers. As Pence hilariously acted/mimed in the background, Holland urged everyone to pull out their cell phones and vote for the “reigning, supreme, undisputed, defending Brandon Belt, the best looking guy there is out there.”
he’s the cream of the crop. he’s the national champion of all baseball times. He’s done it forever.
Hunter Pence and Derek Holland make their point clear by the end. If you don’t vote for Belt, “the Ballot Brothers will come running wild for you!”
Thanks Hunter. You’re a great teammate https://t.co/WaYjJnx1qx
— Brandon Belt (@bbelt9) July 9, 2018
Wrestling fans should no doubt appreciate the homage to the old school wrestling promo that Derek Holland and Hunter Pence invoked, but they aren’t the only ones.
“It’s pretty funny,” Belt said in an interview with MLB.com. “It’s pretty awesome. I’ve got some great teammates here. That was way more than I ever expected, so it’s pretty cool.”
YES YES YES! pic.twitter.com/PYOqkkqtQV
— Michael B (@mr_balty) July 9, 2018
There is an incentive for anyone who votes as fans will get a free 14-day trial of MLB.TV or if they are already subscribers, a 15 percent discount to use at MLBShop.com.
Don’t miss out brother!
