Everything's Just Rosie When It Comes To This Bobblehead!

It has been a LONG time since I added a bobblehead to my collection. I really don't collect bobbleheads anymore due to the fact that they just take up too much space. I would like to eventually add a City Connect Elly De La Cruz, but they're way too expensive at the moment. Maybe I'll grab one in a year or two when the hype fades. In the meantime, my in-laws are in the process of downsizing and gifted me with this Rosie Red bobblehead that they've had stored at their place. I've thought about purchasing one of these for a while now but never got around to doing it. I guess it pays to be patient. The Reds gave these out at their June 30, 2018 game when they faced the Brewers. Cincinnati won that game 12-3. The highlight of the game occurred when Michael Lorenzen (who normally pitches) came in to the game to pinch hit and hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh for the Reds. 

Eric Davis Bobblehead

I picked up my 40th and FINAL bobblehead today, Eric Davis. This is my first Dr. Pepper bobblehead and it's fantastic. There were only 10,000 of these nodders given out on July 20, 2002 when the Reds faced the Mets. Cincinnati lost that game by a score of 8-7. I'm glad that I've finally added this bobblehead to my collection at a price I could stomach. Most of those listed on eBay were $70 or more but I was able to buy this for just a little more than half of that. now I just have to wait for this to show up in my mailbox.

Todd Frazier Bobblehead

This marks my 39th bobblehead to enter my collection. 30,000 of these nodders were given to fans on July 3, 2013 when the Reds faced the Giants. Cincinnati won the game by a score of 3-2. While Frazier was runner up for the Rookie of the Year award in 2012, he's best remembered by Reds fans for his performance in the 2015 All-Star Game Home Run Derby contest. You can watch the final round of that Home Run Derby below. Sadly, Todd now calls the Windy City home playing for the White Sox.

Scott Rolen Bobblehead

This is the 38th bobblehead to make its way into my collection. A total of 30,000 bobbleheads were distributed to fans on June 12, 2010 when the Reds faced the Royals in interleague play. For those interested, Cincinnati defeated Kansas City by a score of 11-5. I've never seen Rolen as a true Reds player, probably due to the fact that he spent so many seasons with the Phillies and Cardinals. I will admit that his veteran presence in the clubhouse during the 2010 season was a factor in the Reds winning the National League Central division that year.

Devin Mesoraco Bobblehead

This is the second catcher bobblehead to make it into my collection (the first being Johnny Bench). 25,000 fans received one of these when the Reds hosted the Pirates on August 1, 2015. For those interested, Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 4-3. This marks the 37th bobblehead to enter my collection. While I admit that I like the design (much better than the standard batting bobblehead) I wish they would have included the catcher's mask on Mesoraco's helmet. That would have really been icing on the cake. I'm down to needing just three more bobbleheads for my collection, an Eric Davis bobblehead that was sponsored by Dr. Pepper and given out to fans in 2002, a Scott Rolen bobblehead sponsored by Kroger that was distributed on June 12, 2010, and a Todd Frazier bobblehead sponsored by the Ohio Lottery that was given out on July 3, 2013.

Zack Cozart Bobblehead

25,000 of these nodders were given out to fans on July 16, 2016 when the Reds hosted the Brewers. For those interested, Cincinnati was pummeled by Milwaukee 9-1. The Reds lone run was an RBI by Adam Duvall. Cozart just wrapped up his sixth season as the Reds shortstop. This is the 36th bobblehead to enter my collection. While not my favorite, I do appreciate that they decided to use a fielding pose instead of a batting pose for Cozart. I'll probably call it quits on the bobbleheads once I hit 40 since I'm starting to run out of room storing them. 

Aroldis Chapman Bobblehead

I recently purchased this bobblehead of former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman. This makes the 35th bobblehead in my collection and my first Coca-Cola sponsored nodder. There were 25,000 of these nodders that were distributed to fans on June 4, 2014 when the Reds hosted the Giants. For those interested, Cincinnati lost to San Francisco 3-2.

I'll admit that it's tough seeing the "Cuban Missile" in blue pinstripes. Every time I saw Chapman pitch for the Reds I was enthralled with the speed of each pitch and the radar gun registering triple digits. When the club dealt Chapman to the Yankees last off season it was a tough pill to swallow, especially since it appeared then didn't get much for him. But I learned to live with it since he was in the American League and my Reds didn't have to face him on a regular basis. You can imagine my disappointment when it was announced in the middle of the season when it was announced that the Cubs had acquired him from New York. It's not that I dislike Chapman, it's that I dislike the idea of having the Reds face their former flamethrower. Now that the regular season has wrapped up and the post season begins tonight I will be rooting for the Cubs to win the World Series. Going more than 100 years without a championship is rough for any team. Once the post season is over, I'll be hoping that Chapman finds his way back to the American League where he won't pitch against Cincinnati as much.

Johnny Cueto Bobblehead

It's never easy seeing your former ace play for another team. It was tough last year seeing Cueto go to Kansas City but at least he was able to get a ring for the few months he was there. When he joined the ranks of the American League it was a little easier to digest. However, now that he's wearing orange and black it's just too much to bear. I guess it could be worse. Better that he's a Giant instead of a Cardinal or Cub. Anyway, just a bit of history on this bobblehead I picked up this past week. There were 25,000 of these given away on August 4, 2012 when the Reds were facing the Pirates. Cincinnati won the game 5-4 with Aroldis Chapman getting the save. I still need to grab a Chapman bobblehead and the prices have come down a bit on his now that he's a Yankee. I'm glad things didn't pan out for Chapman going to the Dodgers. Seeing Cueto and Chapman on the west coast in the National League would have been too much for me to handle psychologically.

A Nasty Bobblehead!

It's been more than two weeks since my last post. I apologize because I've been extremely busy  with work (traveling to San Antonio for training) as well as trying to find a balance with my new responsibilities at work. I do have packages that I will get out in the mail this evening to Nick and Charles for their recent generosity. I would have had them postmarked sooner but, as I stated before, I've was messing with Texas. My latest purchase for my collection is the Nasty Boys bobblehead the Reds handed out to their fans this year. 25,000 of these nodders were handed out to fans on April 25, 2015 when the Reds faced the Cubs. Needless to say, the game was rained out. I do like the fact that this is the first triple bobblehead the Reds have given out and it celebrates the Reds wire-to-wire championship season of 1990. Norm Charlton, Randy Myers and Rob Dibble were a force to be reckoned with that year and when Lou Piniella went to his bullpen you knew the game was pretty much over. 

A Billy Bobble for the Bookshelf!

I purchased another bobblehead for my collection this past week, Reds centerfielder Billy Hamilton. These were given away last year to the first 25,000 fans on July 12th when the Reds faced the Pirates. For those interested, Cincinnati lost the game 6-5 thanks to a home run in the 11th by Andrew McCutchen. This is probably my first player bobblehead that depicts someone running instead of batting or fielding. A very nice bobblehead that I'm happy to now own.

Mr. Redlegs All-Star Edition!

When I first heard that the Reds were giving away a bobblehead commemorating the 2015 All-Star game that's to be hosted at Great American Ballpark next year, I was a bit skeptical but when I saw that it was none other than Mr. Redlegs himself I knew I had to have one of these for my collection. I spent $35 on this exquisite nodder that was given out to the first 25,000 fans on August 23 of this year when the Reds hosted the Braves. The Reds won that game 1-0 if you're interested. The base shows the various years that the All-Star game was hosted in Cincinnati. There were no corporate sponsors for this bobblehead, which I'm happy with since I think a Coca-Cola, Cincinnati Bell or Kroger logo would ruin it. I'm still debating on whether or not I should attend the All-Star game next year. It's nice that it's only 4 hours south of me and since it's almost been 30 years since the last All-Star game in Cincinnati, I would be pushing 70 if it took another 30 years to make its way back to the Queen City.

Dusty Baker Bobblehead

This past week I was fortunate enough to add another bobblehead to my collection. While I haven't had much success with completing my 2013 card collecting goals, I've knocked off half of the remaining bobbleheads I need for my collection. This amazing bobblehead was given out to the first 30,000 fans on July 2, 2011 when the Reds fell to the Indians. This is probably one of my most favorite bobbleheads I have in my collection for three reasons: a bobblehead of a manager, he's wearing the gray uniform (which is by far my favorite), and it comes with toothpicks! Very sweet!

Bronson Arroyo Bobblehead

I was able to finally pick one of these up last week on eBay for a decent price. For the longest time there were only one or two of these listed for around $50...a little too rich for my blood. Let's just say I paid a lot less for this one. The Reds gave these out on May 23, 2007 when the club hosted the Washington Nationals. Needless to say, the Reds lost that game to a horrible Nationals team, not that Cincinnati was much better, by a score of 12-7. The bright spot of that game for Cincinnati was a home run Ryan Freel. I still can't believe that Freel took his own life not that long ago.

Adam Dunn Bobblehead

A few weeks ago I was able to grab an Adam Dunn bobblehead on ebay for the price of a blaster. I've been trying to get one of these for some time but the cheapest one I found was listed at $35 and that was a little too much for my taste. The Reds gave away 20,000 of these nodders on August 10, 2002, slightly less than the 30,000 that are given away in more recent years. The Reds pummeled the Padres for a 9-0 victory that evening, in case you're interested. With the addition of Dunn, my collection of Reds bobbleheads now stands at 33!

Jonny Gomes Bobblehead

Last week I picked up another bobblehead off of eBay to add to my growing collection and, in my opinion, I think it's one of the best the Reds have given out. The Gomes bobblehead was given out on July 23, 2011 when the Reds faced the Braves. Cincinnati won that game 11-2 (if you want to call it a game). What's awkward about this giveaway was that within three days of being featured on a bobblehead, Gomes was sent packing to the Nationals.

Marty and Joe Bobblehead

I picked this up on eBay a few weeks ago to add to my Cincinnati Reds bobblehead collection and all I can say is WOW!!! This is one of my favorite bobbleheads I have in my collection. I've always wanted to add this to my collection and for less than $25 shipped I think it was a steal. Growing up in Cincinnati, if I wasn't watching a game on TV, I was listening to it on the radio and thanks to Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall it was a treat to listen to a Reds game on 700 WLW.

Very First Giveaway at Great American Ballpark

It's always a day of celebration when a new ballpark opens in this great nation of our (unless you live in Miami where the owners believe in screwing the hard working citizens of the city to make a buck while providing the fans with a team that's sub par). Cookie cutter stadiums from the 70s and 80s have given way to retro stadiums reminiscent of the golden era of baseball. The massive and overwhelming concrete bowls of Riverfront, Three Rivers, Veterans and Busch were soon replace by intimate ballparks such as Camden Yards, Jacobs Field, Coors Field and Arlington. When the Reds left Riverfront at the end of 2002 (then known as Cinergy Field) to move into Great American Ballpark, it was a expected to be a new day, a new beginning for a team that had fallen on tough times and was no longer an annual contender in the post season. While that hasn't necessarily panned out, it has brought back the feel of classic baseball along the riverfront in the Queen City.

Great American Ballpark hosted it's first Reds game on March 31, 2003. On a day that was to celebrate a new beginning for baseball for Cincinnati, it was a complete disaster as the Reds lost to Pirates 10-1. The Reds lone run in the game came about in the bottom of the third when Jimmy Haynes was walked in. Anyway, to celebrate the momentous occasion, the Reds handed out these souvenir balls to the fans in attendance. While not the greatest of stadium giveaways, it is a nice change of scenery from the bobbleheads that have been commonplace within the recent decade. Definitely a keeper for my collection.

Chris Sabo Bobblehead

My latest pickup this week is another bobblehead to add to my ever expanding Reds bobblehead collection. Spuds was a member of the 1990 World Champion Reds team and also the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year. A three time All-Star, Sabo was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame on July 17, 2010. This bobblehead was given out to fans in attendance of Reds/Rockies game that evening. Reds fans were treated to an 8-1 victory in addition to taking home this awesome nodder! Unfortunately, if I keep buying bobbleheads or world series tickets, I won't be able to complete the Reds team sets on my 2012 card collecting goals. Guess I need to get back on track soon.

Ken Griffey Jr. Bobblehead

Here's my last post of 2011 and with it....the last post of bobblehead month on the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Card Collector blog. What better way to wrap up than with a sure-fire soon to be hall of famer......Ken Griffey Jr. I was so excited when Junior decided to come and play ball in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, injuries led to many disappointing seasons with him on the DL. Anyway, the Reds decided to honor Griffey on May 24, 2005 with his very own nodder. Again the Reds gave out 30,000 of these bobbleheads to fans in attendance. Fans were treated to a great game as the Reds won in extra innings 4-3. Griffey was traded from the Mariners to the Reds on February 12, 2000 for Brett Tomko, Mike Cameron, Antonio Perez, and Jake Meyer. While with Cincinnati, Griffey was a three time all-star (thirteen total) and was the 2005 National League Comeback Player of the Year. I won't mention his other accomplishments (number of Gold Glove, Silver Slugger awards, etc.) since it makes me sad to see what he couldn't completely accomplish in Cincinnati what he did in Seattle. I will say that it was great to see Junior pass 600 Home Runs while he wore a Reds uniform. The Kid will always have a special place in my heart since he too was from Cincinnati and had the sweetest swing I have ever seen.

Joe Morgan Bobblehead

On August 11, 2004 the Reds gave out 30,000 of these bobbleheads to fans attending the game. Those Reds fans in attendance also witnessed the shellacking the Dodgers put on the Reds with a final score of 11-1. I admit that I miss the rivalry Cincinnati had with Los Angeles when the Reds were part of the National League West. In fact, I think it was just as good as the rivalry the Reds have with St. Louis in the central now. Anyway, back to Joe Morgan. Morgan came to the Reds through a trade with Houston on November 29, 1971. In addition to Morgan, the Reds also received Cesar Geronimo, Jack Billingham, Denis Menke and Ed Armbrister for Lee May, Tommy Helms, and Jimmy Stewart who had such a wonderful life. Morgan was a ten time All-Star (eight of those with Cincinnati), a five time Gold Glove winner, two time National League MVP winner and was the 1972 MVP of the All-Star game. In 1990, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.