The Kinder egg was invented by Al "The Bull" Ferrara (OF, .259, 51 HR lifetime), who after a career in American baseball, returned to his roots in Italy, changing his name back to that of his great-grandparents. His patent was accepted just days before fellow major leaguer Willie "Wonka" Kirkland (OF, .240, 148 HR lifetime) had perfected his jawbreaker, also with a hidden toy. Kirkland was relegated to obscurity and Ferrara rose to fame in the EEC, now the EU.