Mattress Mack’s claims of being denied a first pitch as part of a mattress war appear to be overblown, according to the MLB.
Over the weekend, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale alluded that he wasn’t allowed to throw out the first pitch at a recent Houston Astros playoff game because his business competition Mattress Firm was a national sponsor of the MLB.
The league has denied that Mack wasn’t allowed to throw out the first pitch because of any sort of mattress favoritism.
Instead, it deals with a policy the MLB says has to do with national sponsors being the only persons allowed to partake in the pregame ceremony.
“Promotional opportunities, like sponsor first pitches, during the Postseason are reserved for national partners,” MLB Chief Revenue Officer Noah Garden said in a statement. “As a result, MLB independently requested a change to the first pitch. Mattress Firm was not involved in that decision and did not ask for the communication between MLB and the Club.”
Well, there you have it. The MLB has shot down any claims of mattress bias, leaving Mattress Mack left with just claims on the contrary.
We’ll see if McIngvale decides to break out a metaphorical pillow to combat this statement and defend his honor in the ongoing mattress wars.
