While I commend the RedHawks for their “Carpe Diem” promotional spirit, there’s a big difference between issuing a comedic press release and, you know, actually staging a comprehensive game-long LeBron James promotion. 

In order to find a team engaged in such an endeavor, one would have had to travel to the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake, OH. The Lake County Captains staged “Please Stay LeBron Night” on Thursday, within the cozy confines of “LeClassic” Park. 

On this special evening of celebrity-wooing civic boosterism, the team changed their name to the “LeLake LeCounty LeCaptains.” This crucial modification was reflected in the jerseys worn by the players (see above), and also on the videoboard: 

Players, mascots, and on-field host Grover all were introduced in a manner befitting King James himself. Break out the talcum powder!

 

Let’s go to the video!

Let’s go to another video! 

In honor of LeBron’s uniform number, fans got into the game for just $6 (a much better deal than $23). They were encouraged to bring “Please Stay LeBron” posters from that day’s edition of the local News-Herald, and to wave them vociferously throughout the evening.

Also, for reasons that I do not and will never know, Waldo was in attendance. Waldo wants LeBron to stay in Cleveland: 

And, of course, the evening’s between-inning promotions were centered around the theme. Here, LeSkipper judges a slam dunk contest between LeSkippy and young LeDaniel:

So kudos to the LeCaptains for staging a creative evening of timely entertainment, and, more importantly, for providing me with some excellent material on the cusp of a holiday weekend.

Who’s next?