Blog

Alright, let's lay down the Reds bobblehead predictions for 2008. Well, I have to say that I only have one to predict as of right now - I have sources that have supplied me the first two of the year - Brandon Phillips and Tom Browning.

Now, Phillips was going to be a pick for sure He had an all-star caliber '07 and joined the 30-30 club. Browning was also going to be on my list - maybe not a shoe-in, but at least as a reasonable possibility. Both Phillips and Browning showed up on my picks from last year.

Now it gets hard.

I'm not sure I have a definite for a third slot. The Reds do have a third bobblehead, my source indicated it's listed as TBD right now. I thought that Josh Hamilton had an outside shot this year until he was traded to the Rangers. Though he's young, Cincinnati really embraced him and he's pretty damn good.

Homer Bailey?
I hesitate to throw out Homer Bailey's name. He's not a lock to be in the rotation this season at this point (though I think he will make it) so I don't think the Reds want to pull the trigger on him just yet.

Ryan Freel
A few names I have thrown out in the past may have a chance. At the top of that list is Ryan Freel. They could capitalize on the dirty jersey all Reds fans know and love. He's been a Red for quite a while and is popular with the fans.

Scott Hatteberg
I listed Scott Hatteberg last year, but I actually feel this has less chance of happening this season.

Edwin Encarnacion
Nope, not yet.

David Ross
I guess he is my wild card. The Reds have pretty much said that the catcher position is up for grabs in spring training, so he may not be a great choice for a bobble either. I do think a Javier Valentin bobblehead would be pretty badass, but Ross has a better shot than Javy does.

Jose Rijo
I'm surprised I didn't bring him up earlier. Rijo has a great chance if not this season, next. He's a fan favorite, in the Reds HOF and part of the '90 World Series team with a few other that have received bobbles: Eric Davis, Chris Sabo and Tom Browning.

Wish List
The Reds couldn't go wrong with dipping into the past - even twice in one season. I'll stick with my trio from last year - Ted Kluszewski, Johnny Vander Meer and George Foster. Any of those guys would be strong - at least Big Klu and Foster. A few others to throw out: Ken Griffey Sr., Mario Soto, Sparky Anderson. All long shots, though.

The Reds are running out of great historical player to portray in bobblehead form. Not that the Reds haven't had great players in the past, but many of the most charismatic, most popular players have received one already. I believe this is the 8th season they have had bobbleheads. It's a trend that will start to die soon - if it's not dying already.

Here comes the Reds iPod Nano giveaway!!!

btw, if anyone out there has a Pete Harnish bobble from 2001 - I am looking for one. It's one of two that I don't have. The other being the Johnny Bench one - that giveaway was a mess!

Here's a list of Reds bobblheads broken down by year:

2001
Barry Larkin
Danny Graves
Pete Harnish

2002
Eric Davis
Chris Sabo
Adam Dunn
Johnny Bench

2003
Austin Kearns
Mary Brennaman & Joe Nuxhall
Gapper (blah!)

2004
Joe Nuxhall
Joe Morgan
Sean Casey

2005
Ken Griffey Jr.
Tony Perez
Wily Mo Peña

2006
Dave Concepcion
Barry Larkin
Filipe Lopez

2007
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Frank Robinson
Thom & Mary Brennaman

Labels: bobbleheads, I'm a nerd, reds