In 1977, Rob Nelson and former New York Yankee All-Star Jim Bouton were teammates with the Portland Mavericks, an independent team in the Class A Northwest League. While sitting in the bullpen, they came up with an idea for an innovative new product to chew shredded bubble gum in a pouch. Following the season, Nelson and Bouton made the gum in a frying pan, chopped it up, put it in pouches and pitched the idea to major gum companies. Amurol Confections, a novelty gum maker owned by the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, first released Big League Chew in 1980. 12 - 2.1 oz pouches of Original Flavor.