Orioles to open gates early Friday for baffling Tupac bobblehead giveaway

Ever since the Baltimore Orioles announced in January that the May 8 game will be a Tupac bobblehead giveaway , there have been mixed reactions. Bleacher Report named it the best bobblehead giveaway of the 2026 MLB season. Others scratched their heads wondering what the connection was between rapper Tupac Shakur who died in 1996 and the Baltimore Orioles.

MORE: Yankees put Jasson Dominguez on IL, promote organizations top prospect in corresponding move Orioles relying on Tupac’s brief Baltimore residency Shakur was born in New York City and later resided in Los Angeles. However, the Orioles are leaning on the four year period between 1984 and 1988 when Skahur lived in Baltimore to justify the correlation. MORE: Former Yankees prospect, 25, finds new home in free agency A departure from Orioles’ usual giveaways The Orioles traditionally give away items directly related to Orioles players .

May 6, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grant Wolfram (48) gives the ball to manager Craig Albernaz (55) in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images For example, past bobblehead giveaways featured Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and newcomer Jackson Holliday.

The Tupac bobblehead is a giveaway with no relevance to the Baltimore Orioles organization or history. That does not mean it will not be a highly coveted item. The Orioles are obviously counting on heavy demand by opening the gates earlier than usual for a Friday evening game.