Lowell Spinners Bobble Head History
From the first bobble head night on June 29, 2001, it was clear that the Lowell Spinners and Bobble Head Dolls were a match made in baseball heaven. Since Baseball Hall of Famer and Red Sox legend Carlton Fisk was honored that night, the Spinners have done 41 additional bobble head giveaway nights, including a record 10 in 2006 to celebrate the franchise's first 10 years of baseball. From Cooperstown, N.Y., where the Spinners' Jack Keouac Bobble Head resides in the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, to households throughout the Merrimack Valley and those of collectors around the world, bobble heads have become a major part of Lowell Spinners history. Below is a year-by-year guide to ensuring your bobble head collection is complete.
Bobble Head Facts:
- The David Murphy Bobble Head was a sponsor gift and not a give away. During the 2008 season, extra bobble heads were available for purchase in the Lowell Spinners Souvenir Store.
- There are two variations of Jonathan Papelbon bobble heads. The bobble featuring Jonathan in a Spinners jersey was the giveaway item in 2006. The bobble featuring Jonathan in a Red Sox jersey was used as a sponsor gift following the 2007 season, as well as a giveaway item prior to the Red Sox Opening Morning Party at Hookslide Kelly's in April of 2008. Other dolls were sold as part of the "Spinners on Ice" promotion with the UMass Lowell Riverhawks in early 2008.
- The Clay Buchholz Bobble Head was originally scheduled to be given away prior to the Spinners July 24, 2008 game. This game was completely rained out prior to gates opening. The bobble head was then given out on August 7, 2008.
- Loren and Wally bobble heads were given out on the same night, however fans received only one of the pair, at random. The only way to complete the set was through trading with other fans.
- The Orchestra Conductor Bobble Head was originally intended to be Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart but was changed prior to the start of the season.
- The Ted Williams Bobble Head was scheduled to be given away on July 1, 2008, but was delayed by United States Customs. In its place fans received coupons that could be exchanged for the doll upon its arrival.
| Bobble Head | Date of Giveaway |
| Carlton Fisk | June 29, 2001 |
| Luis Tiant | June 24, 2002 |
| Canaligator | August 18, 2002 |
| Shea Hillenbrand | July 1, 2003 |
| David Eckstein | July 22, 2003 |
| Dog Man | June 24, 2003 |
| Jack Kerouac | August 21, 2003 |
| Jay Leno (Harley Davidson) | August 26, 2003 |
| Corey Jenkins (NFL/Spinners) | June 24, 2004 |
| Mike O'Malley | June 28, 2004 |
| Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head | July 24, 2004 |
| Peter Gammons | August 2 , 2004 |
| Stephen King | August 13, 2004 |
| Tank McNamara | June 29, 2005 |
| Kevin Youkilis | August 1, 2005 |
| Paul Revere | August 13, 2005 |
| Emeril Lagasse | August 29, 2005 |
| Wilton Veras | June 22, 2006 |
| Bret Saberhagen | June 26, 2006 |
| Adam Everett | July 13, 2006 |
| Ramon Martinez | July 19, 2006 |
| Freddy Sanchez | July 26, 2006 |
| Rich Garces | August 1, 2006 |
| Hanley Ramirez | August 3, 2006 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | August 17, 2006 |
| Luis Alicea | August 21, 2006 |
| Keith Foulke | August 31, 2006 |
| James Whistler | June 21, 2007 |
| Orchestra Conductor | July 3, 2007 |
| Anibal Sanchez | July 16, 2007 |
| Loren | July 22, 2007 |
| Wally | July 22, 2007 |
| Mike Lowell | July 30, 2007 |
| Johnny Pesky (Pesky Pole) | August 23, 2007 |
| Jacoby Ellsbury | June 19, 2008 |
| Ted Williams (Aviator in Jet) | July 1, 2008 |
| Dustin Pedroia | July 6, 2008 |
| Wade Boggs (Elmira) | July 18, 2008 |
| Clay Buchholz | July 24, 2008 |
| Joshua Papelbon | July 30, 2008 |
| Tom Glavine (Billerica High, 300 Wins) | August 11, 2008 |
| David Murphy | 2003 Sponsor Gift |
| Jonathan Paplebon (Red Sox Uniform) | 2007 Sponsor Gift |
*A special thank you to Spinners fan Randy Crihfield for his assistance in compiling the dates for this list.