MLB denies Mattress Mack was blocked from throwing out first pitch at Mattress Firm’s request

The mattress wars have taken an unexpected turn.

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.

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Texans are set to host ‘Battle Red Day’ for matchup vs. Eagles

This “Battle Red Day” occasion comes on a week where the #Texans are the heaviest of underdogs against the undefeated #Eagles in primetime

If the Houston Texans are going to lose on Thursday, at least they will be doing it in style. The team announced on Tuesday that they will be hosting a “Battle Red Event” for their primetime matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles which will feature red end zones and their red alternate helmets.

Fans will receive a “Battle Red H-Town” towel upon entry to the stadium, with other themed merchandise available for purchase at stadium concessions. Along with the end zone’s color change will be a difference in text from previous games, with one end reading “Houston” and the other “Texans” with white lettering that will be outlined in blue for the occasion.

Rapper Slim Thug will serve as the team’s battle drum representative to get fans excited for what is likely to be a defeat of epic proportions.

This event will be sponsored by Mattress Firm, and the company’s chief merchandising officer Anne Dament set to be the coin toss captain. Mattress Firm also joined the Texans in surprising one deserving teacher at Mandarin Immersion Magnet School with supplies and equipment for their classroom, along with a $1,500 grant for the class they teach.

While it is nice to see the team invest in this primetime experience for fans, it won’t mean much to them if the Texans don’t play a competitive game of football for the occasion. After getting absolutely manhandled by the Titans on Sunday, anything less than a competent showing, even if they don’t win, on Thursday night will be viewed as an abject failure.

Their opponent, the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, will be a tough out. Given all of Houston’s off-field investment in this game, the most disappointing outcome possible would be for the Texans to be systematically dismantled for a second time in five days.

Watch for them to play with an extra edge to prove that they aren’t a team that will be easily stepped on by more established opponents.