Big League Chew
Encyclopedia
Big League Chew is a brand of bubble gum that is shredded and packaged in an aluminum foil pouch. It was created by Portland Mavericks
left-handed pitcher Rob Nelson, and pitched to the Wrigley Company (longtime owners of the Chicago Cubs
) by former New York Yankee All-Star Jim Bouton
, a Maverick teammate of Nelson's, as a fun alternative to the unhealthy tobacco-chewing
habit common among ballplayers in the 1970s. Over 500 million pouches of Big League Chew have been sold since 1980.
Big League Chew was introduced in May 1980, in the traditional pink color already seen in established brands of bubble gum. The cartoony packaging, originally designed by artist Bill Mayer, comes in flashy colors such as neon green and bright purple. LeBron James
was reportedly a devoted fan of Big League Chew before signing an endorsement deal with Bubblicious
.
In addition to the "Outta Here" Original flavor, it comes in "Ground Ball" Grape
, "Wild Pitch" Watermelon
, and "Swingin' Sour" Apple
flavors. Currently, it is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum & Machine Company in Akron, NY, after taking over distribution rights from Wrigley and moving production from Mexico at the end of 2010.
The original advertising slogan throughout the 1980s, which is still featured today, stated, "You're in the big leagues when you're into Big League Chew!"
Portland Mavericks
The Portland Mavericks were a minor league baseball team in Portland, Oregon, United States. They began play in the Class A Northwest League in 1973 after the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League moved to Spokane, Washington. The Mavericks were owned by ex-minor league player and television...
left-handed pitcher Rob Nelson, and pitched to the Wrigley Company (longtime owners of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
) by former New York Yankee All-Star Jim Bouton
Jim Bouton
James Alan "Jim" Bouton is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is also the author of the controversial baseball book Ball Four, which was a combination diary of his season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.-Amateur and college...
, a Maverick teammate of Nelson's, as a fun alternative to the unhealthy tobacco-chewing
Chewing tobacco
Chewing tobacco Chewing tobacco Chewing tobacco (also known colloquially as hoobastank, backy, tobac, doogooos,Hogleg, chewpoos, chits, chewsky, chawsky, dip, flab, chowers, guy, or a wad, as well as referred to as dipsky, snuff, a pinch, a yopper, a Packing a bomb, a tobbackey or packing a...
habit common among ballplayers in the 1970s. Over 500 million pouches of Big League Chew have been sold since 1980.
Big League Chew was introduced in May 1980, in the traditional pink color already seen in established brands of bubble gum. The cartoony packaging, originally designed by artist Bill Mayer, comes in flashy colors such as neon green and bright purple. LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
was reportedly a devoted fan of Big League Chew before signing an endorsement deal with Bubblicious
Bubblicious
Bubblicious is a brand of bubble gum produced by Cadbury Adams. It was launched in the United States in 1977, in response to the tremendous sales of Hubba Bubba, the first soft, non-face-sticking bubble gum....
.
In addition to the "Outta Here" Original flavor, it comes in "Ground Ball" Grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
, "Wild Pitch" Watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
, and "Swingin' Sour" Apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
flavors. Currently, it is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum & Machine Company in Akron, NY, after taking over distribution rights from Wrigley and moving production from Mexico at the end of 2010.
The original advertising slogan throughout the 1980s, which is still featured today, stated, "You're in the big leagues when you're into Big League Chew!"