Beavers Announce Bob L. Head Winner

Published on May 31, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Beavers' four-month search for their next bobblehead star is now complete, with Bob Leroy Head from Maquoketa, Iowa, securing 51 percent of the fan vote on the team's website to win the honor of having his own bobblehead as the focus of the Beavers' Esurance Bob L. Head promotion on Aug. 18 at PGE Park.

In February, the Beavers invited anyone named Bob L. Head to apply for this unique honor at www.portlandbeavers.com. In true democratic fashion, the Beavers narrowed down the list of finalists to three, and the winner of the ultimate memorabilia honor was determined by a vote of the fans on the team's website. Voting began May 16 and concluded at 5 p.m. (Pacific) today (May 31). Backed by a wealth of regional and national media exposure, almost 30,000 votes were cast over the two-week period. Bob Leroy Head received 14,886 votes (51 percent), Bob Lee Head (Evansville, Ind.) got 9,855 (34 percent) and Bob Louis Head (Vallejo, Calif.) tallied 4,368 (15 percent).

"I'm pretty much overwhelmed by the support of my family, my town, my state and my country," Bob Leroy Head said. "I would like to channel this into something positive for my community. I'm really excited, and it was a lot of fun all the way through the process. It brought a lot of smiles to people's faces."

While Bob Leroy Head will get his own bobblehead as the winner of the contest, the Beavers have invited all three finalists to join them for the one-of-a-kind event in Portland. All three Bob L. Heads will be honored for their participation in the promotion.

"The best part of the promotion has been getting to know all three Bobs and hearing how their families and communities have gotten involved and rallied around them," said Ripper Hatch, vice president of marketing and ticket sales for the Beavers. "All three Bobs were great sports, and we are excited to have the three of them together in Portland so they can meet and have fun with the event."

The first 2,000 fans in attendance at the Aug. 18 game will receive an official Bob L. (Leroy) Head bobblehead as the Beavers, the Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate of the San Diego Padres, take on the Las Vegas 51s, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. All three Bob L. Heads will receive red-carpet treatment before, during and after the game, including a three-day vacation in Portland. Bob Leroy Head will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and bask in all the fame and glory associated with having his own bobblehead.

Tickets for the Aug. 18 game are available at area Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (503) 224-4400 or online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.portlandbeavers.com. For discounted rates for groups of 15 or more, contact the Beavers at (503) 553-5555.

About Bob Leroy Head Maquoketa, Iowa The proud parent of three and grandfather of six, Bob Leroy Head is a life-long resident of Maquoketa (pronounced "muh-KO-ket-uh") and describes himself as a happy-go-lucky family man with a good sense of humor. Like the others, he reports of taking a lot of "guff" about his name, and looks forward to "turning the tables" on Aug. 18. Born and raised in "farming country in the Midwest," one of Bob Leroy Head's claims to fame is helping lead his baseball team to a second-place finish while in elementary school. Apparently not destined for advanced baseball success, Bob Leroy Head says he pitched "a lot of hay, as well as manure" in his younger days, and is confident that he can still pitch a baseball when asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Aug. 18 game at PGE Park. Described by a friend as someone used to shaking his head up and down when asked to do anything to help, Bob Leroy Head enjoys working with antique cars, camping and gardening, and though self-described as "retired," his wife of 46 years, Joan, reports that Bob stays quite busy as a hospice chaplain and through various charitable endeavors with his local church.

OCCUPATION: Retired auto mechanic/auto dealership owner INTERESTING FACT: Has a daughter named Roberta Lynn Head ABOUT HIS HOMETOWN: Boasting a population of 6,100 in the latest census, Maquoketa is situated on the eastern side of the state of Iowa. It is the county seat of Iowa's Jackson County, is home to the Jackson County Fair and is readily accessible from the four-lane US Highway 61 and Iowa Highway 64. Founded in 1838 and originally named Springfield, Maquoketa is 35 miles north of Interstate 80 and the Quad Cities, 30 miles south of Dubuque, 50 miles east of Cedar Rapids and 180 miles west of Chicago. Among a handful of notable natives, NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels and Nobel Prize winner Robert A. Millikan have roots in the humble town.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central