Entry from December 21, 2004
“Ballantine Blast” (Ballantine Beer)
Ballantine Beer sponsored the New York Yankees baseball broadcasts. Yankees announcer Mel Allen coined the term "Ballantine Blast." It remains a memorable commercial sports promotional spot.
The Yankees were sponsored by Getty gas in the 1970s, and I remember Graig Nettles hitting "another Getty Goner for Graig!" Baseball perhaps doesn't have the ads that you see on those NASCAR uniforms and cars, but it's never been far behind.
19 June 1949, Washington Post, pg. L4:
Red Smith, the sports scribe, the other day scribed a very scriptive scription of the way announcers call home runs. They're not, he pointed out, home runs any more. They're Chesterfield Satisfiers or Ballantine Blasts or White Owl Wallops.
28 September 1966, New York Times, pg. 75:
BALLANTINE BEER
DROPS THE YANKS
Brewery Ends Sponsorship
of Club on Radio and TV
By VAL ADAMS
There will be no more Ballantine blasts at Yankee Stadium. P. Ballantine & Sons, the brewery that has sponsored radio and television broadcasts of New York Yankees baseball games for many years, will not continue its sponsorship next year.
(...)
The term "Ballantine blast," meaning a home run, was initiated at Yankee Stadium years ago by Mel Allen, then the club's chief announcer, who saw a chance to serve the sponsor as well. Mr. Allen was dismissed by the Yankees two years ago.
17 June 1996, New York Times, pg. B9:
Mel Allen Is Dead at 83;
Golden Voice of Yankees
(...)
He dubbed Joe DiMaggio "Joltin' Joe," and Tommy Heinrich "Old Reliable." Through his "Ballantine Blasts" and "White Owl" wallops, Mr. Allen may have sold more beer and cigars than any sportscaster of his time.
The Yankees were sponsored by Getty gas in the 1970s, and I remember Graig Nettles hitting "another Getty Goner for Graig!" Baseball perhaps doesn't have the ads that you see on those NASCAR uniforms and cars, but it's never been far behind.
19 June 1949, Washington Post, pg. L4:
Red Smith, the sports scribe, the other day scribed a very scriptive scription of the way announcers call home runs. They're not, he pointed out, home runs any more. They're Chesterfield Satisfiers or Ballantine Blasts or White Owl Wallops.
28 September 1966, New York Times, pg. 75:
BALLANTINE BEER
DROPS THE YANKS
Brewery Ends Sponsorship
of Club on Radio and TV
By VAL ADAMS
There will be no more Ballantine blasts at Yankee Stadium. P. Ballantine & Sons, the brewery that has sponsored radio and television broadcasts of New York Yankees baseball games for many years, will not continue its sponsorship next year.
(...)
The term "Ballantine blast," meaning a home run, was initiated at Yankee Stadium years ago by Mel Allen, then the club's chief announcer, who saw a chance to serve the sponsor as well. Mr. Allen was dismissed by the Yankees two years ago.
17 June 1996, New York Times, pg. B9:
Mel Allen Is Dead at 83;
Golden Voice of Yankees
(...)
He dubbed Joe DiMaggio "Joltin' Joe," and Tommy Heinrich "Old Reliable." Through his "Ballantine Blasts" and "White Owl" wallops, Mr. Allen may have sold more beer and cigars than any sportscaster of his time.