It happened in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tampa Bay Rays 2nd baseman Akinori Iwamura was at bat with shortstop Jason Bartlett on first base. Bartlett stole 2nd base and the announcers told America that they just won a free taco.
Jason Bartlett Stolen Base
There was a lot of erroneous information about the "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion announced on the FOX Sports broadcast of game one of the 2008 World Series. The graphic that was put on the screen immediately following Jason Bartlett's stolen base said to visit any participating Taco Bell on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 2 pm to 4 pm. The actual time of the promotion is from 2 pm to 6 pm local time anywhere in the United States.
Free Taco Website
The graphic also directed people to a website called stealabasestealataco.comnow. That doesn't exist. Apparently they forgot to put a space after the "com" in the web address. The actual website is stealabasestealataco.com.
World Series Free Taco
Greg Creed, president of Taco Bell did an interview from the stands of the game with FOX sports reporter Chris Myers a few minutes after Jason Bartlett's stolen base. He said in the interview that Taco Bell was giving away a free taco to everyone in America on November 28 from 2 pm to 6 pm local time. The correct date is actually October 28
Steal a Base Steal a Taco Promotion
Taco Bell says the approximate retail value of each free taco is 91 cents. The "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion would appear to be costing Taco Bell millions of dollars. In reality it is a clever marketing ploy. Most people going to Taco Bell for their free taco will not be satisfied by that taco. They will buy other food to fill their bellies and drinks to wash it down with. Taco Bell's free tacos will result in a huge increase in traffic at its restaurants. Traffic results in more sales. A free taco is a small price to pay to get customers in the door.
Taco Bell Free Taco
Taco Bell is also getting an amazing amount of publicity from their "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion. Articles like this one are being written. The news media is talking about it. People around the country are telling their friends about how to get their free taco. Taco Bell is getting a bunch of free advertising just by giving away some free tacos. It is a brilliant marketing move.
2008 World Series
It was not as if Taco Bell lost a multi-million dollar bet. Giving away the free tacos was pretty much as sure thing. Taco Bell promised to give away free tacos if any player on either team stole any base at any time during the 2008 World Series. It was overwhelmingly likely that someone would steal a base during the World Series. As it turns out, it only took 5 innings for it to happen.
Taco Bell Free Taco Promotion
In summary, if you want your free taco from Taco Bell you must visit a participating Taco Bell somewhere in America on October 28, 2008 between 2 pm and 6 pm local time. Every person is allowed one free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco.
