No Phillies Bobblehead Hand-Outs This Year!

Oh oh - is the tide shifting away from the Bobble Head fad?!

Here's an article that reports the Phillies are not handing out Nodders this year, even though two years back they may have held the record for Bobblehead give-aways..!

"Kurt Funk, the team's director of marketing programs and events, said the Phillies organization strives to have most of its giveaways be handed out to every fan entering the ballpark.

'When we gave away the Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton bobblehead dolls two years ago, we think we set a record for bobblehead giveaways because everybody got one and we had crowds of more than 60,000 for both games,' Funk said.

This season, Bobblehead giveaways disappeared from the promotion schedule in favor of three collectible figurines and two miniature action figures..."

Full Story: MSNBC

Student Blogs about Bobble Blessing

Here's a weblog post from a UT student (University of Toledo..?) - Seems he's been blessing himself with good luck by touching the heads of two Supreme Court Justice nodders on the library desk. :)

And he took a picture of the bobbleheads in question - looks like he used a cell phone camera to take it - which you can see on his page at the link below.

"On the counter of the Librarian's desk at our Law Library, there are two bobble-head dolls: Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Sandra Day O'Conner. During finals of last semester, I decided that I should rub their heads for good luck. So I began to bop their heads everytime I walked by...

...So, now, everytime I am walking North and pass the dolls (which are on my right side), I reach out my right hand and bop Sandra ever-so-gently on the head. As I walk away, I can see her nodding in approval at me, and I feel like everything will be ok."

Full blog entry: El Scorcho: "Sandra D and Me" or "Heads Up!"

Earning Bobbleheads at a Super Bowl House Party

This is a pretty cool idea... Some guy had a Super Bowl party, and in a pre-game session of "touch football" he handed out football bobbleheads to the winners! :)

Here's one of his friend's posts about this, along with a pic of the nodder he won...

Jeff's Basement: Late news... there was a Super Bowl

And although this tidbit isn't related to the above story, I thought I'd pop this on here too. A hockey team that's bundled up a nodder into a pretty good deal - along with a game ticket, you get a hot dog, drink, peanuts and a Jesse James bobblehead!

"United Hockey League (UHL) Kansas City Outlaws It's bobblehead central at the Kansas City Outlaws offices. With March Madness approaching, we've come up with an offer that's a steal!

For just $15 or $18- that's the regular corner or center ice ticket price- you can receive a hot dog, small soda, peanuts, game ticket, and a limited edition Jesse James bobblehead!

This offer applies to the March 21st and March 28th home games, and must be purchased in advance from the Outlaws front office. This offer is not available through Ticketmaster or the Kemper Arena box office. Both games start at 7:00 pm" Bobblehead time - OurSports Central

..although I'm not sure if the bobblehead is designed after Jesse James the Outlaw or the motorcycle designer. :)

The Unseen Casualties of Wobble

Team Players get traded all the time. But little consideration is given to one of the small casualties of these trades... bobbleheads! :)

One such example is indicated in this news item about Randy Moss leaving the Minnesota Vikings...

"The Minnesota Vikings aren't getting enough for superstar wide receiver
Randy Moss.

That seemed to be the consensus of several of the team's season-ticket holders following reports Wednesday that Moss will be dealt to the Oakland Raiders.

The trade, confirmed by Moss' agent but not by Vikings officials, would send Moss to Oakland for linebacker Napoleon Harris and the seventh pick overall in the first round of this year's draft.

Don Lindberg of Royalton, who has been a season ticket holder for more than 25 years, said that is too little to justify giving up one of the league's top players. And that's despite incidents like Moss walking off the field before the end of his team's regular-season finale at Washington, or mock-mooning the crowd at Lambeau Field after scoring a touchdown in the NFC playoffs.

'It's just not enough,' Lindberg said. 'He's the best wide receiver in the league. On the other side of it, I know he hasn't been the greatest teammate. He's kind of been a distraction. But he's exciting to watch. He's worth more than they're getting.'

John Klinnert, a former activities director at Royalton High School, runs JK Sports, a sporting goods store in Fergus Falls. He is also a season ticket holder and was upset by Wednesday's news.

'We're not getting much for him,' Klinnert said. 'Meanwhile, I'm sitting here with Moss bobble heads, Moss jerseys, Moss caps. What am I supposed to do with all this stuff? But that's not the main thing that bothers me. The main thing is that we should be getting a lot more than that.'"

Full story: St. Cloud Times

Bobbleheads in the work place?

While sauntering around the blogosphere, I noticed this guy's post where he talks about why he keeps his nodder collection in his office:

02.12.04
A Little Bit Of You

"I just had a conversation with my colleague Matt about putting things in your office that give people a glimpse of who you are. For example, I have my unusual bobblehead collection in my office. I know it's quirky, but they are great ice breakers and conversation starters.

They also show people that I have an edge to me, that I like something other than computers and web stuff, and that I am willing to share an aspect of my personal life with them. Plus there's the psychological benefit of having something that you like to look at and something that brings home a little closer.

So whether it be basketball jerseys, pictures of your kids, or bobblehead dolls, add some flavor to one of the rooms that you spend the most time in."

From: The Human Radiator Blog- February 2004

He's got a point - I don't work in a cubicle, but it seems to me whenever I see one on a TV show or in a movie, the person often has lots of personal effects on the desk or on the cubicle wall or stuck to their computer monitor or whatever.

Offices are the same I suppose, but likely appear less cluttered because there's a lot more space to spread the pictures and doo-das around.

..now where are my 4 sided "Orc killing" dice..? ;)

You Can Win a KFC Bobblehead from PETA!

Hey - just a while ago I mentioned PETA's deranged Colonel Sanders Bobblehead, and now I see they're holding some kind of deranged contest where you can WIN one of those KFC Nodders!

The blurb and a link to PETA's webpage is below... but keep in mind the contest details are not for the... *urp* ...squeamish!

"Win a KFC Bobblehead Doll Ten of PETA's new "Evil Colonel Sanders"bobblehead dolls are up for grabs. Get your friends and family onboard with the KentuckyFriedCruelty.com Campaign and you'l be rewarded with all sorts of free stuff." PETA - Win a KFC Bobblehead Doll

Keyboard Nodders and a "Random Thought"

Here's a couple of posts I saw related to Nodders on two different blogs. I found them amusing and it's always nice to see bobblehead being mentioned casually here and there on the net. :)

This guy posted a picture of some little bobble head dolls he keeps close at hand... Bobbleheads on a keyboard.


And this guy idly contemplates what future generations may think about bobbleheads:
"What do you think archaeologists of the future will make of bobblehead dolls? Religious icons? Good luck totems? Freakish mutations entombed in plastic?" (found at: DaveTown: Random Thoughts

Nodder Give-Away Contains a REAL Gold Nugget!

I always knew some bobbleheads can eventually become very valuable to collectors, but here's a team that will award one lucky bobble head owner a REAL gold nugget! :)

Authentic Gold Nugget & Lifetime Season Seats Centerpiece of Flyers Latest Promotion - OurSports Central:
"FULLERTON, CA - The Fullerton Flyers have kicked off the latest phase of the team�s season seat campaign, and in addition to offering a variety of packages for the inaugural 2005 season, the Flyers are giving fans the once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a genuine gold nugget worth over $500 OR season seats for life!

"This is the first ever professional baseball team to call Fullerton its home. Combine that with the quality, affordable, family entertainment that we will provide, and its incentive enough for most fans to purchase their very own season seats," Flyers Director of Tickets, Brian Delehoy, said Wednesday. "The added opportunity to win a genuine gold nugget or a pair of lifetime season seats should increase the excitement about our ball club that already exists in Fullerton and its surrounding communities, and at the same time, provide a nice additional incentive to those that join our team early on!"

From now until March 12, only full season and 20-game plans offer the opportunity to win the gold nugget or season tickets for life. Fans purchasing a full season package will receive a limited edition bobblehead of Nugget, the mascot of the Golden Baseball League, plus a 2005 inaugural season GBL logo baseball.

The purchase of a 20-game plan will earn fans a Nugget bobblehead, while 2005 inaugural season GBL logo baseball will be included in all 10-game seat plan purchases. The Flyers will continue to offer full season, 20-game, and 10-game ticket plans subsequent to the conclusion of this promotion.
Inside each bobblehead's packaging, season seat holders could find an 'Instant Winner' voucher "the lucky fans holding the specially-marked bobblehead will automatically win either the genuine gold nugget or Flyers season seats for life!"

Beloit Snappers Announce 2005 (Bobblehead) Promotions

Along with the fireworks and bobble head giveaways this season the Snappers will also be giving away can koozies - which are those insulated holders you can slip a bottle or can into to keep it cold longer - (July 3), beverage pitchers (July 8), cancer bracelets (July 10), and beach balls (July 17). All of the giveaways are to the first 500 fans.

So if you're in their neighbourhood, and wanna attend a game, get there soon!


Snappers Announce 2005 Promotions - OurSports Central:
"The Beloit Snappers have released their promotional calendar for the 2005 season. Twelve fireworks shows and three bobble head giveaways are the highlights of this year�s promotions. Former Beloit Snappers Dave Krynzel and Vinny Rottino along with former Beloit Brewer B.J. Surhoff will be the featured bobble heads this season.

The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a bobble head on each of the three event dates. The scheduled giveaway dates for the bobble heads are June 5 for Dave Krynzel, July 31 for Vinny Rottino and September 4 for B.J. Surhoff."

Bypassing eBayers with Latest Philadelphia Phantoms Nodder Hand-Out?

One of my recent posts revealed how some spectators got P.O.d when they couldn't get the bobblehead doll of an opposing team's player at a game.

Here's one way to (somewhat) tackle that problem and perhaps lessen the degree of spectators that just show up for the free Nodder and then leaves - hey, it's happened! :)

The solution: Just give 'em away to the kids in the audience!

Phantoms Flier - OurSports Central: "NIITTYMAKI BOBBLEHEAD DOLL GIVEAWAY ON FEB. 27
The Phantoms will hold their first of three bobblehead doll nights on Sunday, Feb. 27, when the team takes on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the Wachovia Spectrum at 5:05 p.m. Antero Niittymaki bobblehead dolls will be given out to the first 4,000 kids (14 & under) in attendance. Two more bobblehead dolls featuring former head coach Bill Barber and legendary tough guy Frank 'The Animal' Bialowas will take place later this season. Previews of the dolls can be found at www.phantomshockey.com under the 'Community' menu item at 'Special Events'."

Pittsburg Pirates bobblehead hand-out schedule

Here's post-gazette.com's sports editor chattering about how the Pittsburg Pirates could boost attendance this year. Based on this quote, he still likes the nodder give-aways, but has a few other ideas to add.

There's also a schedule of the Pirate's games this year along with the dates they'll be handing out bobble Heads....

Collier: Fireworks every night a solid pick: "Left to their own reflexive devices, the Pirates are offering the usual inventory of forgettabilia with the possible exception of the Steve Blass-Manny Sanguillen dual bobblehead, which sounds like something from a horrifying black-and-white film starring Ray Milland and Dock Ellis.

I like it."

The actual "I hate my bobblehead" lawsuit papers filed by Schwarzengger's lawyer

The "Bobble Headlines" newsletter covered the trials and tribulations around Arnold Schwarzenneger's bobblehead lawsuit as it unfolded, and I just stumbled upon a copy of the actual "cease and desist" letter sent by his lawyer to the Bosley bobblehead manufacturer!

Click on the link below to read the entire 3 page letter...

Schwarzenegger Threatens Lawsuit Over Bobblehead Doll - April 30, 2004:
"Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to sue an Ohio company that is selling a bobblehead doll featuring the name and likeness of the California governor.

In a blistering letter sent yesterday to the Ohio Discount Merchandise company, lawyer Martin Singer contended that Schwarzenegger was entitled to 'substantial damages' for the 'unauthorized commercial exploitation' of the Republican pol's image on the $19.99 doll.... "

A Nodder-giveaway controversy rears its ugly (bobble) head!

Matt Frejie is the Venderbilt (University?) team's leading scorer, recently drafted by the Miami Heat before being "dealt to New Orleans". And when the team played the University of Tennessee, there was a limited give-away of a nodder in his likeness using a scratch ticket lottery.

But it seems some of the Tennessee spectators are a little miffed because they weren't given tickets to receive one of the noddders (some may have been outright refused when they asked for one), and recently one of those bobbleheads sold for over $40 on eBay. :)

Click on the article's link below for more details....

Freije bobbleheads are big hit - Wednesday, 02/09/05: "...There's nothing like a bobblehead controversy to further the feud between Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Some UT fans felt slighted when it came to the giveaway. Vanderbilt handed out 5,000 scratch-off tickets prior to the Tennessee game on Feb. 2. There were 1,500 winners who collected bobbleheads.

In an e-mail to The Tennessean, one UT fan said she asked for a scratch-off at the door but workers representing Vanderbilt refused to give Vols fans the cards.

''I personally haven't received any complaints, but the promotion was clearly geared toward Vanderbilt fans,'' said Eric Nichols, Vanderbilt's director of marketing and promotions. ''We just assumed Tennessee fans wouldn't have any interest in a Matt Freije bobblehead.''

Nichols said there was no directive to the staff handing out the tickets to avoid giving them to UT fans..."

PETA's Bobblehead Attacks Kentucky Fried Chicken

This is a creepy (and deranged) kina nodder that's sure to be different than most of a bobblehead fan's collection!

Check out the whole article for more details and to see a pic of the anti-KFC PETA bobblehead doll. There may also be eBay auctions for one of the buggers if you're interested... :)

PETA's Bobblehead Attacks Kentucky Fried Chicken: "PETA arranged to buy 2,000 knife-wielding 'psycho Colonel Sanders' bobble-head dolls as part of its continuing effort to embarrass KFC - the fast-food chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken - and force it to change the way its chickens are raised and dispatched."

Clients are Courting this Lawyer's Bobblehead

Here's just another example of regular people getting their own bobblehead doll, for fun and even to promote their businesses...

Click on the link below to read the entire story.

Clients are Courting this Lawyer's Bobblehead: "Tommy Spina's law office started receiving an unusually high number calls last October, not to request his legal services but to get hold of his bobblehead doll.

'They say, 'I want a bobblehead,'' Spina told The Birmingham News. 'They were just intended to be a little novelty item. It was intended just to be fun and to make light of myself.'"

Harness Racers Feature BobbleHeads During Tsunami Relief Efforts

Although not directly related to bobbleheads, this is a story about some Harness Racers and others who got together to raise money for the Tsunami victims in Asia.

And since we know bobblehead giveaways boost attendance for any sports event, it's likely their own nodder hand-out increased donations along with attendance.

Check out the link below for the entire article and to see some of the harness racing bobbleheads currently being auctioned off at eBay...


Harness Racers Feature BobbleHeads During Tsunami Relief Efforts:

"All three drivers donated their day's earnings to Greener Pastures, the B.C. horse adoption society, and to the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund to help victims of the recent tsunami in South East Asia..."

Ahhhhhhhh, Bach! ...the bobble head.

Here's another non-sports related Nodder, commissioned by The Renaissance & Baroque Society of Pittsburgh. It's a Bach Bobblehead that was given away by the Society to show they're not a bunch of snooty types. :)

Click on the link below to read more...

Society designs Bach bobbleheads for event - PittsburghLIVE.com: "He and Mason came up with the idea of the bobbleheads last spring, she says, as a way of playing up the informality members of the society cherish. They checked other Bach bobbleheads -- and, yes, there are many -- and decided they wanted theirs to be a caricature of the pompous nature most pictures of Bach evoke, Manders says.
'It is funny -- cute, but not ugly,' Mason says. "

"Are We There Yet?" Movie features a talking Bobblehead!

There's a Satchel Paige Bobblehead prominently used in the recently released movie "Are We There Yet", starring rapper/actor Ice-Cube.

Click the link below for the full movie review (but the only part that mentions the Satchel Paige nodder is quoted here)...

Arbiter Online's Review - Ice Cube's road trip picture highly formulaic: "While Nick is attracted to Suzanne, he fears dating her because "she's a breeder," with two kids ages eleven and seven. Nick is dissuaded from dating Suzanne by his friend Marty (Jay Mohr) and Nick's talking animated Satchel Paige bobblehead doll (voiced by Tracy Morgan), that rides in his new Lincoln Navigator."

[Edit: link to Satchel Paige related eBay auctions added]

University Newspaper says "Beer! Not Bobbleheads!"

The Student run NYU newspaper - Washington Square News - featured an editorial about their Athletic Department's recent introduction(?) of bobbleheads to boost attendance at their sporting events.

Click the link to see the entire article...

Washington Square News: "The latest NYU Athletics scheme to up attendance at games is to pass out free Bobcat bobbleheads to game-goers. While we at WSN love bobbleheads as much as the next guy, we have a better idea to draw students and faculty to NYU sporting events: beer. "

Cincinnati Reds Bobblehead Handout Schedule

For You Cincinnati Reds fans, here's the latest news on some (?) of this year's Nodder handouts....

Sports: The Cincinnati Post: "The Reds' promotional schedule, which will be released in full next month, includes three bobblehead doll giveaways featuring likenesses of Ken Griffey Jr. (May 24), Wily Mo Pena (June 8) and Tony Perez (Aug. 3), and a Sean Casey figurine giveaway (July 23). "

SuperBowl Groundskeeper also had his own Bobblehead

"The Super Bowl's Groundskeeper - Just like players for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots - his own Bobblehead"

Yup - Bobbleheads aren't just for the players anymore, as we continue to see again and again. Along with Patriots and Eagles Bobbleheads, there was a bobblehead made for the guy in charge of SuperBowl turf too!

Philadelphia Eagles & New England Patriots' Groundkeeper also had a Bobblehead!