Baseball players have adapted to the times. While there was a time that anyone drafted to a team always kept a special place in their heart for the team, today, things have changed. The game has evolved to become more professional and today a team is just like any other employer and a player is just any other employee doing a job. But while the game has moved on, the fans have certainly not.
Most baseball fans are thoroughly territorial. Defending their own players to the hilt, and not wasting a moment in criticizing any players that they don’t consider their own. And while the Boston Red Sox have been a historic franchise, their recent gesture saw them on the wrong side of this divide.
Boston Red Sox Distribute Bobbleheads of Player No Longer With the Franchise
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The utility man was a fan favorite in his time with the Red Sox. And despite being traded to the LA Dodgers on July 25, the star has not not seen his stock with the fans drop. And while they have traded away the star from the franchise, the Red Sox did not let up in their initiative.
The Boston Red Sox had announced a giveaway of World Baseball Classic-themed Kik? Hern?ndez bobbleheads to the first 7500 fans in Fenway Park.
The Red Sox are giving away a Kiké Hernandez WBC bobblehead tonight even though Hernandez was traded back to the Dodgers two weeks ago pic.twitter.com/A2t0pQt7mt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 9, 2023
The players whose bobbleheads were to be distributed resulted from a fan poll, which Hernandez topped, followed by teammate Rafael Devers.
Despite turning in a tumultuous season leading up to his exit, the fans still appreciated Hernandez.? And while Hernandez remains a fan favourite, the same can’t be said about the Red Sox.
Fans React to the News of Bobbleheads at Fenway Park
Sox fans seemed to be mired by the questions of how the team had gone through with the giveaway despite the star now turning up in Dodgers colors.
While they were surely upset by the news of Hernandez’s departure from the team, this was adding on to it.
How disorganized is this organization?
— FTA Sports (@advisors_team) August 9, 2023
How are professional organizations this unprofessional
— PBU (@spalermo122) August 9, 2023
Some fans were also left curious about why they weren’t being distributed by the Dodgers where Kik? Hern?ndez is currently playing.
Should’ve sold them to the dodgers and do the giveaway in LA. pic.twitter.com/zhlwQIJtpC
— Paul Juliano (@Paul_tothe_Wall) August 9, 2023
Why weren’t the 15,000 dolls just part of the trade? Maybe the Sox could have received another useless arm in return.
— College Baseball 365 (@CollegeBSB365) August 9, 2023
Plastic waste of garbage
— 1Train Bench Guy (@1trainHouston) August 9, 2023
Some fans, meanwhile, sought solace because the bobbleheads did not share too much of a resemblance with the player. And perhaps that was to be the saving grace.
at least it looks nothing like him
— nick (@waterandcoffee) August 9, 2023
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While understandable that the bobbleheads can’t be disposed of, it would certainly make it of greater significance for the team where he currently plays to be giving out such memorabilia.
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But what do you think? Could the Red Sox have planned the giveaway better? Or could the bobbleheads have been distributed in Dodger Stadium?
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