Red Sox pull plug on David Ortiz bobblehead night, deeming figures 'racially insensitive'

Associated Press ^ | 8/10/2016 | Staff

[simpson96]

BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox canceled a David Ortiz bobblehead promotion Tuesday night when the figurine turned out to be "racially insensitive," said team president Sam Kennedy.

The bobblehead depicts Ortiz addressing fans at Fenway Park following the Boston Marathon bombings, but Kennedy said it didn't much resemble the retiring slugger and was not fit for distribution.

Kennedy saw the final version of the bobblehead for the first time Tuesday afternoon after they were delivered.

"My two immediate reactions were first, it was a really inaccurate portrayal of what he looks like," Kennedy told The Associated Press. "My personal reaction was it was offensive and, to me, kind of appeared racially insensitive. I just had a bad reaction."

He then held a meeting with several team officials.

"My gut feeling was if I have that negative reaction then our fans may as well," he said. "We just made the decision to scrap the whole thing. We apologize to everyone tonight and will make it up to fans."

The giveaway was supposed to be for the first 15,000 fans at Tuesday's game against the Yankees. To make up for the inconvenience, any fan holding a ticket to the game will be able to get a new Ortiz bobblehead once they are reproduced.

The rejected bobblehead was made by BDA, Inc., and the company will also produce the replacements.

"We value our decades-long relationship with the Red Sox organization and its decision to postpone Tuesday's David Ortiz bobblehead giveaway," BDA said in a statement. "We're currently working closely with the Red Sox to ensure the team and its fans receive a quality product."

The Red Sox sent out a statement and apology via their website and social media several hours before a 5-3 win over the Yankees.

[simpson96]

[NEMDF]

I always thought that bobbleheads were meant to be caricatures. I am not sure why this one was rejected.

[who knows what evil?]

The raised fist looks spot on, to me.

[Col Frank Slade]

I saw that guy outside the DNC in Philly...

[Bullish]

Insensitive because it looks exactly like him?

[Donglalinger]

Looks good to me, all steroid users have a big head

[SharpRightTurn]

Bobblehead racism alert.

[bgill]

So, today it’s racist if a bobble head has the same colored skin as the person. Well, alrighty. Next time make them all green or would that be a racist slight to Martians?

Cool shades!

[TBP]

Why were they distributing bobbleheads for a PED cheat?

[TBP]

Since when do Boston liberals object to racism?

[CivilWarBrewing]

This country has gone INSANE. Can we just LOSE this ‘feelings’ CR*P once and for all?

[Vigilanteman]

"My personal reaction was it was offensive and, to me, kind of appeared racially insensitive. I just had a bad reaction."

Yeah, it is all about you and your feelings, isn't it, Kennedy? Did you think about showing it to Ortiz and let him make the decision?

There is a reason why those of us in business doing custom work produce prototypes first and get them signed off before putting them into production.

[Billthedrill]

Can we just LOSE this ‘feelings’ CR*P once and for all?

Not so long as there's money in it.

[who knows what evil?]

Foul-mouthed PED cheat...uses the f-word in front of children. That’s cool in Red England.

[Cboldt]

Ortiz in the black power salute is too much. He’s not about that.

[gunsequalfreedom]

Okay, I can't figure this one out. What is racist about this bobble head figure? Really, someone help me out here.

So many things are racist I can't keep up.

[PROCON]

[evets]

BOBBLEHEAD BUMP

[nutmeg]

That ugly, skinny bobblehead looks nothing like David “Big Papi” Ortiz...

[xp38]

Too thin