Houston rapper Paul Wall offered bejeweled mouthpieces to the entire Astros roster
Although they’re currently vying for World Series rings, the Houston Astros players have already earned some other important hardware this postseason: Grillz.
Houston rapper Paul Wall offered the bejeweled mouthpieces to the Astros players as a reward for simply reaching the World Series. Wall originally popularized the personalized baubles with rapper Nelly in a 2005 song titled ‘Grillz.’
‘U know we had to do it!’ Wall wrote on Twitter. ‘In celebration of @astros goin to the World Series we are offering free grillz for the entire team.’
The Astros currently trail the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0, heading in to Game 2 on Wednesday night.
‘It’s a celebratory thing,’ Wall, 36, told The Associated Press. ‘We want to celebrate with them, congratulate them, here’s a memorable, commemorative grill.’
According to a tweet by Astros hurler Lance McCullers, there is a lot of ‘hype’ for the grillz.
When asked if he would wear it, McCullers said ‘definitely.’
Wall is a longtime Astros fan who can remember attending games at the team’s old home, the Astrodome, when tickets cost as little as $1.
The Houston Astros celebrate reaching the World Series after beating the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday
Wall said he got the idea after speaking with Astros pitchers Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel and Tyler Clippard at a local steakhouse.
‘I was just joking around with them about it,’ Wall said. ‘I said: ‘Hey man if y’all go to the World Series, I’m going to hook y’all up with some grillz.’ And they were like: ‘Hell yeah we want some grillz.’
The grillz are not cheap. Wall has one set that cost $25,000, but he’s offering a gold version with the Astros emblem that would run closer to $500 apiece.
‘One or two is not too expensive, now if the whole 40-man roster wants a grill, oooh it could start getting expensive,’ he said. ‘But I’m a die-hard Astros fan and for me and TV Johnny to make grillz for them and congratulate them with a grill it means something, and that they would even accept or want a grill means a lot to me.’
When asked if Verlander’s model fiancée Kate Upton could get a pair, Wall had some ideas.
‘We’re going to hook her up with a rose gold, pink sapphire grill,’ he said. ‘Yep, yep, we’ve got her grill ready, too. His and hers.’
Houston rap artist Paul Wall, center, poses with Houston Astros mascot Orbit and James Hoyt after throwing out first pitch at Minute Maid Park on August 16
Astros right fielder Josh Reddick celebrates Houston’s ALCS win over the New York Yankees
The Astros have not reached the World Series since 2005, when the franchise still played in the National League.
At the time, Wall released a commemorative rap for the occasion, but feels he may have jinxed the Astros, who ultimately lost to the Chicago White Sox.
‘A lot of the rappers in town, we’ve got a rule right now where we’re not making no songs until it’s over,’ he said. ‘We need to chill out on these songs.’
Should the Astros come back to beat the Dodgers, however, Wall claims he already has a few celebratory raps written.
‘I’ve already got like three of them wrote,’ he said. ‘I’m just waiting to put them out.’
Justin Verlander (right) celebrates with the MVP trophy after beating the Yankees in the ALCS