On Friday, for the first time in 2026, the Dodgers will be handing out Shohei Ohtani-themed bobbleheads to fans.
And those heading to Chavez Ravine with intetions of getting their hands on the mementos better be prepared for madness.
Ohtani giveaways have historically caused chaos at Dodger Stadium, with traffic jams and long lines becoming commonplace on handout days.
Back in 2024, when the team distributed Ohtani souvenirs that featured the designated hitter and his dog, people clad in Dodger blue showed up some seven hours before first pitch to ensure they’d get their copy.
The latest Ohtani keepsake is a tribute to his otherworldly performance in Game 4 of Los Angeles’ 2025 NLCS matchup with the Brewers.
Ohtani hit three home runs that day, and his new bobblehead shows him post-swing on a platform that reads “3 HR.”
The Dodgers are calling it the “Shohei Ohtani ‘Greatest Game’ Bobblehead Part 1,” as LA is slated to give away its Part 2 companion — which pays homage to the six scoreless innings he pitched in the series clinching win over Milwaukee — in July.
The Dodgers have seemed to try to dilute the expected madness by ensuring the first 54,000 fans to arrive at Dodger Stadium will secure the item.
However, if the team’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto giveaway last month is any indication, it almost certainly won’t make a noticeable difference.
On March 31, the Dodgers passed out Yamamoto-themed Yoshi trinkets, and lines at gates were overwhelming. Some fans told The California Post they knew to arrive several hours early to avoid the mayhem.
Angelinos with tickets to Friday’s Dodgers matchup with the Rangers — which kicks off at 7:10 p.m. PT — would be wise to do similar.
