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.

Frank Robinson Bobblehead

30,000 of these bobbleheads were given out to fans on July 25, 2007 when the Reds hosted the Milwaukee Brewers. The Reds defeated the first place Brewers 7-3 thanks in part to Jeff Keppinger's three RBIs. Robinson is probably my favorite Reds player of the past. When I mean past, I'm talking about the Crosley Field era of the team. He made his major league debut with the Reds on April 17, 1956 when the Reds took on the St. Louis Cardinals. In his nine seasons with the Reds, Robinson was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1956, the National League MVP in 1961 and an eight time All-Star (14 major league total). Prior to the 1966 season, Robinson was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas, Dick Simpson, and Jack Baldschun in what many observes believe to be one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history. Sad to think what might have been if Robinson had been playing with Rose, Perez and Bench! Makes me sad just thinking about it.

Tony Perez Bobblehead

The Reds handed out 30,000 of these bobbleheads on August 3, 2005 when they took on the Atlanta Braves. The Reds won the game 8-5 over the Braves due to the monster game Adam Dunn had with two home runs and driving in five of Cincinnati's eight runs. Tony made his major league debut with the Reds on July 26, 1964 as the Reds defeated the Pirates by a score of 7-2. He struck out once and walked once in his two plate appearances during the game. Sixteen of his twenty three seasons in the majors were spent with the Reds. As a member of the Big Red Machine, Tony was a seven time All-Star participant and was named the 1967 All-Star Game MVP. After retiring from the field in 1986, Tony briefly managed the Reds for 44 games in 1993 before being fired. In 2000, Perez along with form Reds skipper Sparky Anderson and Red Stockings player Bid McPhee, were elected to the Hall of Fame.

Sean Casey Bobblehead

These little nodders were given out on June 30, 2004 when the Reds took on the Mets. Cincinnati ended up winning the game 2-0 thanks in part to a Home Run by Dunn and an RBI by Ryan Freel. I miss Freel....he was a player that wasn't afraid to put his body on the line diving into a wall to make a spectacular catch. Very old school player that I wish Cincinnati would have held onto. Anyway, 30,000 of these bobbleheads were handed out to fans at the game...and if you ask me they kinda look like little Oscar statues. Casey made his debut with the Reds in 1998 and during his career and was selected to the National League All-Star team three times. On November 28th of this year, Casey was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame. Kudos to "The Mayor"!

Barry Larkin Bobblehead

On June 28, 2006 the Cincinnati Reds gave out 30,000 of these bobbleheads to fans who came for either a free bobblehead of Cincinnati's best shortstop of all time, or to watch the Reds take on the Kansas City Royals. The Reds ultimately won the game 7-2 with four Reds going yard in the game. This bobblehead is the second given out in 2006 in the Reds "Power of Tradition" series honoring the team's shortstops (Concepcion, Larkin, and Lopez). Barry made his major league debut with the Reds on August 13, 1986 against the San Francisco Giants as a pinch hitter. Larkin spent his entire nineteen major league seasons with Cincinnati where he was a twelve time all-star, won three Gold Glove awards as well as nine Silver Slugger awards and was the recipient of the 1995 National League MVP award. Hopefully Barry will be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this coming year!

Dave Concepcion Bobblehead

The Concepcion bobbleheads were given out on August 9, 2006 when the Reds hosted the Cardinals. Reds fans were treated to another dramatic finish when David Ross belted a walk-off homerun off Jason Isringhausen in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 Reds victory. Now, back to Concepcion and the bobbleheads. There were 30,000 of these little yes men produced for distribution, and this bobblehead was one in a series of three "Power of Tradition" series showcasing the past and current shortstops for the Reds. The other two in the series were Barry Larkin and Felipe Lopez. As for Concepcion, he made his major league debut with the Reds on April 6, 1970. One of the "Great Eight" of the Reds Big Red Machine, Concepcion was a nine time All-Star, five time Gold-Glove Award winner, and a two time Silver-Slugger Award winner. Why he's not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.....beats me.