AA Akron RubberDucks Sign Stangel Bros.
Two brothers. 5 teams. One dream.
For the 5th time in less than a year, Eric & Justin Stangel have signed a one-day contract with a professional baseball team. This time, the AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the Akron RubberDucks.
“We’re hungry for a title run with the RubberDucks,” said first baseman Eric Stangel. “We’re also hungry because the team promised if we showed up to the stadium this season, they’d give us a free 21 scoop ice cream sundae served in a full-size batting helmet.”
Shrewd General Manager Jim Pfander put the bonus in Eric’s contract, which according to sources sealed the deal. The sundae is called The Screamer. It’s 5 pounds of Ruggles ice cream, 1 pound of crumbled brownie or famous Gardner apple pie, a banana, whipped cream, cherry, hot fudge and sprinkles.
For Justin Stangel, signing with Akron is a dream come true. “When I was a Little League outfielder, whenever a ball was hit my way, I’d do one thing. Duck. Makes sense that today we sign with the RubberDucks. It’s fate.”
Pfander added something special from the Extreme Food Menu to Justin’s contract. If he shows up at Canal Park this season, he gets a RubberDucks signature Nice 2 Meat U Burger, a two pound burger featuring 1 1/4 pounds of beef, a half pound hot dog and a quarter pound of cheese, bacon and onions.
Connecting with the community is a priority for this squad. For the past 8 years Habitat for Humanity of Summit County has been the beneficiary of the team’s nightly 50/50 raffle. The team and the fans have helped raise over $200,000 to build homes in the greater Akron area.
Pfander and the RubberDucks are looking forward to getting back to baseball. Opening Day is May 4th at Canal Park. Go to AkronRubberDucks.com for more information.
In addition to the Akron RubberDucks, since 2020 the Stangel Bros have signed with the Portland Pickles, Cleburne Railroaders, Lake Erie Crushers and St. Paul Saints.
Exclusive footage of the signing can be seen below.
Justin & Eric… And you. 