Although there is just one month remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have several events and items on their 2018 promotional and giveaway calendar. They added to it by announcing an Orel Hershiser bobblehead will be given away on Sunday, Sept. 23.
The Dodgers face the San Diego Padres that afternoon in the finale of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. on what’s the club’s last home game and Fan Appreciation Day at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers not only are recognizing one of the franchise’s beloved members, they’re doing so by looking back on Hershisser’s scoreless innings streak. The bobblehead is molded to mirror his celebration of breaking Don Drysdale’s record in 1988.
Hershiser began his march toward history on Aug. 30 of that season by blanking the Montreal Expos over the final four innings of a complete game. Hershiser proceed to throw 59 scoreless innings to end the regular season.
.@OrelHershiser gets a first look at his bobblehead! pic.twitter.com/V2Z3xRX24j
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2018
He was nine innings shy of tying Drysdale heading into a start against the San Diego Padres. Then-Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda intended to push his right-hander if history was within reach, even if Hershiser wasn’t necessarily looking to do as much.
Sure enough, he threw nine shutout innings but the Dodgers were also blanked. Hershiser stranded a pair of runners in the 10th inning to break the record, and he was met by Drysdale in the dugout.
