This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw the start of what’s become a popular annual tradition as the first ever bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium was held on April 4, 2001.
The Tommy Lasorda bobblehead featured the Hall of Fame manager dressed in the home white uniform and standing on a circular patch of grass while holding a baseball bat under his right palm. Lasorda had already been retired for five years after a historic stretch as Dodgers manager, but the summer prior guided Team USA to a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
The Lasorda bobblehead was one of three Dodger Stadium giveaways in 2001. Also included were a Kirk Gibson bobblehead on June 9, 2001, and a bobblehead of Fernando Valenzuela on July 29.
April 4, 2001: First ever bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium is held.
Tommy Lasorda was one of three bobbleheads that season. It was followed by Kirk Gibson and Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/wzv5ovNNjy
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) April 4, 2026
There have been a total of six Tommy Lasorda bobblehead giveaways as of the 2026 season. The last one distributed was on Sept. 13, 2021.
History of bobblehead giveaways at Dodger Stadium
Bobblehead giveaways became a phenomenon that 2001 season, with almost two-thirds of teams holding such a giveaway. The Dodgers continued to hold just three bobblehead dates through 2004, then only did two in 2005.
They returned to three bobblehead giveaways in 2006 before having four dates each year from 2007 through 2010. The start of the 2011 season marked a more concerted effort with Dodgers bobblehead giveaways at Dodger Stadium, and through the first homestand of 2026 they have distributed more than 240 (excluding special ticket pack items).
As bobbleheads have risen in popularity, the Dodgers expanded on the giveaway by including family members in the festivities. It’s now commonplace, if not tradition, for a player’s significant other and/or children to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and make Vin Scully’s “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball” announcement.
The players themselves have also done their part by turning in a memorable performance. Like when Manny Ramirez hit a pinch-hit grand slam on his bobblehead night in 2009. Or Shohei Ohtani making a habit of hitting a homer when the Dodgers celebrate him with a bobblehead giveaway.
Most recent to enter that realm was Will Smith, who delivered a game-winning home run on what not only was his bobblehead night but also his 31st birthday. Ironically, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts nearly repeated the oversight from 2025 of not having Smith in the lineup.
While former and current Dodgers players remain a focal point of bobbleheads, Dodger Stadium giveaways have also evolved to recognizing others, including Kobe Bryant, Caleb Williams, Vin Scully, Jaime Jarrín, Shaquille O’Neal, Nintendo’s Yoshi character, and more.
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