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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

Big Frank Robinson oversees the action at Great American Ballpark.

Tonight was a special night. Dick, my father-in-law, is a HUGE Frank Robinson fan, so the whole family went to the ballgame tonight as a belated birthday treat to him. He loved it. It was also Brayden's very first baseball game. He's our little 1.5 year old nephew. He won't remember anything from the ballgame when he grows up, but I'll be sure to show him photos of the bobblehead he threw on the floor and broke at the game! No worries... it was pretty cute and I have video of it. Coming soon, of course.

Labels: bobbleheads, brayden, family, reds

A pleasant evening with Rob, Gina, Paul & Dave. Too bad the Reds lost.

Labels: bobbleheads, cameraphone, clark, reds, warnick

I hear the Reds are now 10-10 on bobblehead nights. Jeez.

Labels: bobbleheads, cameraphone, reds

With the impending release of the Reds 2007 promotional dates (it's coming soon, I imagine) I'd like to take some time and put in my predictions for this year's bobbleheads. Last year, I was pretty close, but you wouldn't know because they were up on a white board in my boss' office and not on my blog. Well, here they are for everyone to see...

Who will be forever immortalized in Cincinnati Reds promotional glory with their very own bobblehead in 2007?

1. Bronson Arroyo
He's a given. He was the Reds' lone All-Start in 2006 and had the best season by a Reds pitcher in years - especially the first half of the season. Plus, how marketable is that mane of his?

2. Ryan Freel
He's been a fan favorite for a few years now for his gettin' dirty style of play. What Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose lovin' Cincinnatian doesn't love that?

3. Tom Browning
I thought that he would have gotten one last year (Freel was on my maybe list then too), but the shortstop trio got the nods instead. Browning was inducted into the Reds Hall Of Fame and had his book released last year. He's been all over the place in Cincinnati the past two years. If they go with a pitcher trio - Browning would get the nod. Plus... the Perfect Game... does that even need to be said?

Okay, so here is my short list of other possible Reds...

4. Brandon Phillips
Phillips is perhaps the best of the Reds young stars. He had a good rookie season last year and has been promoted pretty heavily by the Reds since the middle of last season. It wouldn't surprise me if he got some promo action of some kinda this season.

5. Aaron Harang
He's been a solid picther for the Reds the past 3 seasons. If it's all pitchers, he may get the nod.

6. Scott Hatterburg
He's an outside shot at best, but if the Reds are looking to market some newer players, he's one to latch on to. Solid, steady, hard worker, gets dirty (see Freel).

So, those are mostly current guys. Who from the past would like like to see in ceramic form?

1. Ted Kluszewski
Who wouldn't want a bobblehead with the Big Klu's guns bustin' out of his famous sleeveless uniform?



2. Johnny VanDermeer
Only pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters in MLB history. Can you get any better? Plus, it would be nice to have a guy in an old uni up on the shelf.



3. George Foster
Big Red Machine, baby! Gotta love George and his bitchin' sideburns. Hell, make his bobblehead with him in street clothes. I understand he was a pretty audacious dresser back in the day.

Labels: bobbleheads, reds