Seven bobblehead giveaways on R-Phils 2008 schedule

Reading, PA – Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley will join the Reading Phillies Crazy Hot Dog Vendor as part of seven different bobblehead giveaways during the 2008 R-Phils regular season at FirstEnergy Stadium. 

The giveaways will feature a return to the retro style bobbleheads that made their debut in the 1950s. The bobbleheads gained popularity in the 1960s when Major League Baseball began producing them for each team.

The retro style bobbleheads feature the old style small body with the oversized, grinning face, a change from the recent wave of action style bobbleheads.

The first giveaway will happen during the home opener against Altoona at 7:05 PM on April 11 and will feature Howard and Rollins on a double bobblehead. The special bobblehead will commemorate the back-to-back National League MVP Awards won by the duo in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The bobbleheads will be given to the first 2,000 kids (14 & under) courtesy of Pepsi.

The first of two solo Howard bobbleheads will be given away to the first 2,000 kids (14 & under) thanks to Pepsi on Sunday, June 22 when the R-Phils host Akron at 1:05 PM. The second will be given away to the first 2,500 adults (15+), compliments of Susquehanna Bank, when Bowie comes to town for a 7:05 PM game on Wednesday, August 20.

Rollins will be featured on his own bobblehead, an MVP edition, which will be given out to the first 2,500 adults (21+) courtesy of All-Star Distributing and Pabst Blue Ribbon before a 7:05 PM game against New Britain on Monday, June 30. 

The Chase Utley bobbleheads will be handed out courtesy of All-Star Distributing and Yuengling to the first 2,000 adults (21+) on Friday, April 25 at 7:05 PM against Connecticut. The second Utley giveaway will be distributed courtesy of Fresh Express and Redner’s Warehouse Markets to the first 2,000 kids (14 & under) when Akron visits for a 1:05 PM game on Sunday, July 13.

The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor bobblehead will be given away to the first 2,000 kids (14 & under) thanks to Berks County Farmers and Novel T-Shirts when Erie comes to town for a 7:05 PM game on Wednesday, July 9.

Howard played most of the 2004 season with the R-Phils and blasted a franchise record 37 home runs. Rollins was Reading’s everyday shortstop as a 20-year old for the entire 1999 season. Utley made his Reading debut last season on Major League rehab assignment in August. The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor has been throwing hot dogs into the stands in the middle of the second inning from atop Rodrigo, his ostrich, since the 2004 season. 

Seats for these and all regular season home games can be purchased online at readingphillies.com or by calling the box office at (610) 375-8469.

NOTES

Spring Roll: The R-Phils, 8-3-3 in spring training play, pounded out 16 hits in yesterday’s 12-2 win vs. New Hampshire (TOR) at Dunedin. Six players had multiple hits, including Jason Donald and Jake Blalock, who each had three. The R-Phils have posted double-digit hits in four consecutive games and five times in their last six contests. Daily spring updates are available here. 

This story was posted on March 27, 2008