For one night only, the rivalry between Lakers purple and Dodgers blue will officially take a backseat. The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to give away a limited-edition Shaquille O’Neal bobblehead at their June 20 matchup against the Baltimore Orioles — but only fans who show up wearing Lakers or Shaq-themed gear will have a shot at winning one.
The team unveiled the bobblehead on social media Thursday, and the size alone is causing a stir. It’s a comically oversized piece, fittingly nicknamed “The Big Diesel.” The Dodgers promoted the event with a simple pitch: “Wear your favorite @SHAQ or @Lakers gear to Shaq Bobblehead Night on 6/20 for a chance to win one of these exclusive big Shaq bobbleheads!”
According to the Dodgers, only a limited number of the bobbleheads will be available. That means fans who show up in Kobe jerseys, Shaq Magic throwbacks, or even Miami Heat gear honoring his later years will need to arrive early to improve their odds.
The promotion leans heavily on O’Neal’s legacy in Los Angeles, where he anchored three NBA championships alongside Kobe Bryant in the early 2000s. Their on-court chemistry became the stuff of Lakers lore — even if their relationship reportedly soured toward the end of Shaq’s tenure. O’Neal later added a fourth ring with the Miami Heat in 2006 and was named NBA Finals MVP three times across his career.
Today, Shaq remains a fixture in the basketball world as a broadcaster, while his acting résumé includes roles in Blue Chips and Steel. For Dodgers fans, though, he’s simply a local icon whose larger-than-life persona — and now his larger-than-life bobblehead — make for a fitting crossover night.
As for the team itself, the Dodgers enter the June 20 game with the best record in the National League West at 44-26. The two-time defending World Series champions continue to dominate, and a midseason promotional night celebrating an L.A. legend adds a layer of fandom fun to what already feels like a playoff-bound season.
First pitch against the Orioles is set for 7:10 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. If you’re planning to chase the bobblehead, it’s probably time to dig that old Shaq jersey out of the closet.
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