Axcess Baseball's Podcast

Big League Chew Inventor Rob Nelson

February 06, 2020 Axcess Baseball
Axcess Baseball's Podcast
Big League Chew Inventor Rob Nelson
Show Notes

Rob is the ultimate example of The American Dream. The Massapequa native had a brilliant idea to replace chewing tobacco with bubble gum while he was sitting in the bullpen of a minor league game with the Portland Mavericks. His business partner, Jim Bouton, loved the idea and they were able to sell the distribution rights to Wrigley. It's been 40 years, the brand is still selling millions of dollars worth of product per year. It is now manufactured in Akron, NY. Rob is an affable person that enjoys it as much today as he did in 1980. He also tells some great stories about his time pitching Massapequa to the Little League Championship, pitching in the Junior College World Series with Nassau CC in 1969 and being at Cornell at the same time as Christopher Reeves (Superman).