‘Bobblehead’ depicts Goodman

Diana Sahagun

Friday, April 12, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

Anyone who has ever wanted to smack Oscar Goodman on the head will soon be able to do it in the comfort of his or her own car.

The mayor of Las Vegas -- a.k.a. movie star, art subject, and would-be gin spokesman -- will have a 4-inch "bobblehead" doll modeled after him as part of a Las Vegas 51s promotion this fall.

When he becomes a bobblehead, Goodman will join the ranks of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Jesus Christ.

The doll will have a solid body and a spring-loaded head that wobbles when it's whacked.

Goodman's bobblehead is the latest in a number of self-promotional opportunities, including an "Oscart" exhibit in downtown Las Vegas, an offer by Beefeater Gin to be the company's spokesman, and playing himself in movies set in Las Vegas.

The Oscar bobblehead idea was dreamed up by the 51s staff as a way to lure minor league fans to the team's Aug. 17 game against Fresno Grizzlies, according to Don Logan, general manager for the Las Vegas 51s.

"We were talking about how popular the bobbleheads are and one of our group sales guys says, 'I wish you would do an Oscar bobblehead,' and I said, 'That's one heck of an idea!' " Logan said.

Although the date for the promotion is tentative, the idea is to give away the Oscar bobbleheads to the first 1,000 people who show up for the game, Logan said. But 1,000 bobbleheads may not be enough.

"My sense is it's going to be widely popular and we may need to get more than that," Logan said. "The mayor's going to need some for his troops."

Goodman has already been photographed from multiple angles for the bobblehead, and he'll be wearing his own uniform -- a pin-striped suit.

"They brought up Bobby Bonds' (bobblehead) to the office today," Goodman said of the former San Francisco Giants baseball player. "There's a lot of similarities between us."

And will Oscar be holding his signature martini?

"What do you think?" Logan said with a laugh.