Big League Chew
Big League Chew is a delightful piece of American culture; it was first introduced in 1977 by the inventive minds of Rob Nelson and Jim Bouton, two left-handed pitchers with the Portland Mavericks.
The widespread use of chewing tobacco among ball players struck Nelson. He bought a make-your-own bubblegum kit and, with the help of a young batboy named Todd Field, created the first batch of shredded bubble gum in Field's mother's kitchen.
Nelson and Bouton pitched their product to the Wrigley Company, and Big League Chew was launched in May 1980.
The gum, packaged in pouches resembling chewing tobacco, quickly became a hit, selling $18 million in its first year. It's been a staple in the sports world ever since, with its shredded texture and fun flavors appealing to fans of all ages.
The brand has even been associated with the Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing its status as an iconic part of baseball culture.
Over the years, Big League Chew has expanded its flavors beyond the original bubblegum, including grape, watermelon, and sour apple.
Despite its association with chewing tobacco, the company has been transparent that the product was never intended to be a gateway to tobacco use.
Today, Big League Chew is owned by TC Sports Group and continues to be enjoyed by gum enthusiasts and baseball fans worldwide. It remains a testament to the ingenuity of two minor league pitchers who turned a dugout conversation into a legendary brand.