The Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing a little Showtime flair to Chavez Ravine this summer. On June 20, when they host the Baltimore Orioles, fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead honoring none other than Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal. Yes, you read that right-Shaq is trading the hardwood for the diamond, at least in bobblehead form.
It’s part of a broader trend for the Dodgers, who have made a habit of celebrating iconic figures from across L.A.’s vibrant sports and entertainment scene. O’Neal joins a short but star-studded list of non-Dodgers to be honored with a bobblehead giveaway this season. Also on the slate: Ice Cube, the legendary rapper and lifelong Dodgers fan, whose bobblehead night is set for March 12 against the San Francisco Giants, and LAFC standout Son Heung-min, who’ll be featured on July 11 when the Arizona Diamondbacks come to town.
For Shaq, this marks his second bobblehead release of the year. FOCO recently dropped a collectible commemorating his three NBA Finals MVPs with the Lakers-a nod to that dominant early-2000s run when O’Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to a historic three-peat. FOCO also rolled out bobbleheads of current Lakers stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, highlighting the franchise's past and present in figurine form.
The Dodgers’ decision to spotlight O’Neal isn’t just a fun crossover-it’s a recognition of his towering presence in L.A. sports history. Few athletes have left a mark on the city quite like Shaq.
He wasn’t just a dominant force on the court; he was a cultural icon, helping define an era of Lakers basketball that still resonates with fans today. His role in that three-peat remains unmatched in the modern NBA, as no team has replicated the feat since.
Interestingly, the Dodgers are chasing a three-peat of their own. After back-to-back titles, they’ve reloaded in a big way this offseason, making it clear they’re not content with just two.
First, they locked in the top closer on the market, Edwin Díaz, giving their bullpen a major upgrade. Then they followed it up with a splashier move-signing Kyle Tucker, arguably the best all-around player available in free agency.
With a roster that’s already stacked and now even deeper, the Dodgers are once again the team to beat.
That kind of ambition fits right in with the legacy of someone like Shaq. Just as he dominated the NBA with power, charisma, and an unrelenting drive to win, the Dodgers are aiming to do the same in Major League Baseball. It’s only fitting that the team would honor an athlete who helped set the standard for excellence in L.A. sports.
And there’s more Shaq news making waves. On the NBA front, James Harden recently passed O’Neal on the league’s all-time scoring list, moving into ninth place.
It’s a milestone Harden didn’t take lightly. A Southern California native himself, he called it a true honor to surpass a player he grew up watching.
That’s the kind of respect Shaq commands-among fans, peers, and now even across sports.
So when June 20 rolls around, expect a packed Dodger Stadium, not just for the baseball, but for a celebration of one of L.A.’s most beloved legends. The bobblehead may be small, but the legacy it represents? That’s larger than life-just like Shaq.