Words by David Chalk, Photography by the Minister of Fun

I spent a lot of last week writing about a gas promotion at historic Tropicana Field and a food promotion at Yankee Stadium. But when I got cheap tickets to see the Mets at Shea Stadium, I went without knowing I would be attending perhaps the greatest food promotion event of the season.

Right as we made it through the turnstiles at Shea, a teenager handed me a bag. I looked down to see it was a bag of Nong Shim brand Shrimp Crackers. It took a few seconds for it to register that this is not the usual giveaway one receives at a Major League stadium. Still, recognizing the brand as the makers of those delicious noodle bowls, I was pretty happy.

Then I noticed the big sign that said “Welcome To Korean Food Promotional Event” and I realized that I had a story that might be EWC-worthy. There was also a booth set up by our gate where they were giving away maps, food samples, and a variety of tourism information. I scored a nifty pen, while my photographer got a DVD.

We made it up to our seats in the mezzanine about 20 minutes before the first pitch, and caught the end of a performance by a number of Korean dancers and musicians. After that, a Korean dignitary threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He threw from in front of the mound, but it it looked pretty good and didn’t bounce on its way to the mitt of Mets coach Sandy Alomar, Sr.

A few minutes later the US Olympic boxing team came to the field to be honored before the depart for Beijing later in the month. One of the boxers threw out what was announced as “the ceremonial first pitch.” This second first pitch sailed to the backstop, and the other boxers seemed pretty amused. I remembered hearing the NBA’s #1 pick Derrick Rose interviewed after throwing out a first pitch at a White Sox game on ESPN — he said the Sox told him to try to throw it over the catcher’s head so he wouldn’t bounce it. I wonder if the Mets gave the boxer the same advice.

After Mets starter Oliver Perez finished his last warmup pitches, yet another “ceremonial first pitch” was announced. During the game if there was any other mention of the Korean promotion I missed it, but I still had my shrimp crackers to try.

I’d never had them before and I was a little skeptical even though I end up liking just about every type of Korean food I try. I decided to wait until we got our first beers, but once I had my $8 Sam Adams in hand, I opened them up.

They were pretty good. Especially with beer and baseball and a breezy summer evening. My photographer tried them as well, but after just one shrimp cracker he decided he didn’t like them. Several of the other fans in my section seemed to be enjoying their shrimp crackers.

According to NongShim’s website, shrimp crackers were first created in December 1971 and have become Korea’s “most long-lived” snack. “One bag of shrimp crackers contains 5 shrimps.” They resemble crinkle cut french fries, but they’re crunchy and airy — maybe like Cheetos without the cheese. I didn’t think they tasted particularly “shrimpy” either, it sort of reminded me of Old Bay seasoning (perhaps the state of Maryland’s only contribution to culinary excellence).

I would definitely be tempted to try to bring some shrimp crackers to the next game I go to. This may sound blasphemous but they’re better than cracker jacks.