Monday, October 4, 2010

2011 Dodger Bobblehead Predictions

With the Dodger season finally over, it's time to look forward to 2011. I'm not gonna talk about the team right now. I'll save that for another day. Today I wanna take a crack at predicting next year's bobblehead giveaways.

This year the Dodgers gave away four bobbleheads, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Jonathan Broxton and Matt Kemp. It was Kemp's second bobblehead in two years. I think it's safe to assume Kemp will not get a bobblehead three years in a row. The other three didn't have spectacular seasons, so they probably won't get bobbleheads again in 2011 either.

So who will get nodders next year?

The Dodgers have given away four bobbleheads each year for the last three years. Let's assume they keep up this trend. I think they start with the newest Dodger, manager Don Mattingly. They gave Joe Torre a bobblehead in 2008. What better way to make Donnie Baseball feel like a Dodger than to give him a bobblehead?

Who's next? Well, most of the offensive players have recieved bobbleheads over the last three seasons, so I think the Dodger go with three pitchers in 2011. The first one will be Chad Billingsley. He finished 2010 nicely and has been solid for the team over the last few years. Chad's a beast. He deserves a bobblehead.

The third bobblehead will be Hong Chih Kuo. Kuo had an amazing 2010 season, finishing the season with a 3-2 record, leading all Major League relievers with a 1.20 ERA. That 1.20 ERA set a new record for a Dodger pitchers in a season, previously held by Eric Gagne. In 56 appearances out of the bullpen, he pitched 60.0 innings, struck out 73 walking just 18 while converting 12 saves in 13 chances. He also became the first Taiwanese-born player to play in the All-Star game. I think the Dodger will honor his All-Star appearance with a bobblehead, although most Dodger fans would like to see him honored with a bat flip bobblehead.  Mike at thelfp.com showed us what it could look like:



The last bobblehead the Dodgers will give away in 2011 will be Clayton Kershaw. The "Ace" of the staff must be honored. Kersh really stepped it up in 2010, finishing his third major league season with a record of 13-10, an ERA of 2.91, 32 starts, 204 1/3 innings and 212 strikeouts. His wins, starts, innings and strikeouts are all career highs. He deserves a bobblehead, right?

So those are my 2011 Dodger bobblehead predictions. Any thoughts? Is there someone more deserving?  Let me know.

20 comments:

  1. Kershaw
    Bills
    Kuo
    Kemp in the stance after he hits a home run, holding the bat out.

    But of course, I am a bit biased.

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  2. Greg - Agreed on the first three. Maybe they give Dre a second bobblehead in 2011.

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  3. Dude, I would LOVE a Kuo bobblehead. Fave player.

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  4. Are No - Same here bro, same here.

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  5. I like your predictions. I wouldn't be too surprised if Ted Lilly or Jamey Carroll get a Bobblehead Night if they're with the team next season.

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  6. SingleDaddy - I wouldn't be surprised if Carroll got a bobblehead next season. He was a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers.

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  7. Good predictions, you know the Dodgers much better than I do, so I'll just go with you on this.

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  8. Ryan - I'm sure you have a prediction on which players the Orioles will use in 2011.

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  9. I like your predictions, but i'm hoping next year they include one or 2 past Dodger legends..a Duke Snider, Pee wee Reese or how about a Jackie Robinson, sandy koufax or wouldn't it be awesome if Vince Scully gave the thumbs up for a bobblehead...

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  10. Javy - That's what I want more than anything, more legends. Sandy Koufax is my dream bobblehead. Vin Scully isn't far behind.

    I think the Dodgers should do one legend and three current players each year.

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  11. I'd be all over the Kershaw bobblehead.

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  12. dodgerdoll - I'm shocked the Dodgers haven't given him one yet.

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  13. Garret Anderson Bobble? I'm sure Ned considers him a legend.

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  14. Mattingly? Okay, let's hope he shaves that weird piece of hair under his lower lip. Chad and Clayton and Kuo check! Don't change it, bring them to the sculptors now! :)

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  15. Dutch - hell yeah.

    You don't like Mattingly's flavor saver?

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  16. There will be 6 bobbleheads next year according to the dodgers website!

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  17. Asc7500 - Do you have a link for that?

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  18. How about:
    Donnie
    Kershaw
    Dre
    Kuo
    Duke
    Fernando
    ?

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