If you want a Bartolo Colon Braves bobblehead doll and don’t have season tickets, we’d suggest buying a ticket to the June 9 home game vs. the Mets as soon as single-game tickets go on sale next month.
The Braves announced their five-doll bobblehead lineup for 2017, and that June 9 (Friday) series opener against his former Mets team is the date for the Colon collectible.
The other four bobbleheads and their promotional-giveaway dates are as follows (all Friday games): Ender Inciarte, May 19 vs. Nationals; Dansby Swanson, June 16 vs. Marlins; Matt Kemp, July 14 vs. Diamondbacks, and Freddie Freeman, Aug. 25 vs. Rockies.
Swanson’s glorious hair, once featured in a GQ article, will be accentuated in the rookie shortstop’s bobblehead doll, which the Braves said would have “life-lock locks.”
Inciarte’s bobblehead will depict his “Game Ender” over-the-fence catch against the Mets, while the Kemp and Freeman bobblehead will apparently be standard-issue batting-stance dolls.
The Braves didn’t say how many dolls would be distributed, but in the past they’ve typically given away bobblheads to the first 20,000 fans through the gates.
Colon, who’ll turn 44 in May, has become one of baseball’s most improbable, colorful and biggest – literally and figuratively – cult figures.
Nicknamed “Big Sexy,” the portly pitcher signed a one-year, $12.5 million free-agent contract with the Braves after going 15-8 with a 3.43 ERA in 191 2/3 innings during an All-Star season for the Mets in 2016. His 233 career wins are third-most by a Latin American-born pitcher, just 12 wins behind all-time leader Dennis Martinez.
In addition to his many pitching accomplishments, Colon is arguably just as famous for his stocky frame, offseason workout regimen, affable demeanor and unexpected moments on the field. Just last season, he became the oldest major leaguer to hit his first home run and also made a perfect behind-the-back running toss to first base for an out.
