MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘Racially insensitive’ bobblehead created in Woodinville

Aug 10, 2016, 7:34 AM | Updated: 8:41 am

A local manufacturer out of Woodinville is under fire after the Boston Red Sox canceled its David Ortiz bobblehead night.

After seeing the bobblehead for the first time Tuesday afternoon, Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy called the figurine made by BDA, Inc. “racially insensitive.”

“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.”

BDA, Inc. released a statement to KIRO 7 regarding the bobbleheads.

“We value our decades-long relationship with the Red Sox organization and its decision to postpone Tuesday’s David Ortiz bobblehead giveaway,” the company wrote to KIRO 7. “We’re currently working closely with the Red Sox to ensure the team and its fans receive a quality product.”

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

“We’re going to redo them and get them right and apologize for the disappointment for anyone tonight,” Kennedy said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

seattle man dies in custody...

Luke Duecy

$30 million claim filed against Seattle over fatal police shooting of man in alleged mental health crisis

Attorneys for the family of a Seattle man fatally shot by police have filed a $30 million claim against the city, alleging officers used excessive force.

3 hours ago

washington casinos close...

MyNorthwest Staff

8 Washington casinos set to close, putting 850 people out of work

Maverick Washington LLC is closing eight casinos across Washington, putting 850 people out of work on Nov. 30.

3 hours ago

floatplane...

MyNorthwest Staff

Floatplane makes emergency landing on lake near Marysville

A floatplane made an emergency landing on a lake near Marysville Wednesday afternoon.

3 hours ago

downtown Seattle job losses...

Frank Lenzi

Downtown Seattle accounts for roughly 70% of city’s job losses

Seattle lost more than 18,000 jobs from 2024 to 2025, with downtown accounting for roughly 70% of those losses.

4 hours ago

Ireland...

Jason Sutich

‘No way to escape’: Ireland man sentenced for disrupting Dublin-to-Seattle flight

A Northern Ireland resident who disrupted an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Seattle on June 19 was sentenced Wednesday.

5 hours ago

face bitten off seattle...

KIRO Newsradio staff

VIDEO: Bystander rushes to help woman after stranger bites off chunk of her face

King County prosecutors have released new surveillance video showing the moments immediately after a face-biting attack in downtown Seattle.

5 hours ago

‘Racially insensitive’ bobblehead created in Woodinville