- Joan Benoit Samuelson was honored at the Portland Sea Dogs minor league baseball game Wednesday night with a bobblehead of herself.
- The first-ever women’s Olympic Marathon gold medalist attended the game as 1,000 bobbleheads were distributed to fans.
- Samuelson also threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Joan Benoit Samuelson is forever written in the running history books for her amazing career, and she was immortalized yet again on May 15— this time in the form of a bobblehead.
The Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league team in Maine near Samuelson’s hometown, gave out 1,000 bobbleheads to fans in honor of the community legend, who celebrates the 35th anniversary of gold-medal win at the first-ever women’s Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles this year.
“I am truly honored that the Sea Dogs have commissioned this bobblehead,” Samuelson said in the release. “The Sea Dogs are a wonderful organization that has always had a strong focus on the kids and families within our community.”
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The two-time Boston Marathon and one-time Chicago Marathon champion was on hand to see her bobblehead make waves in the stadium. Fans, and one very creative local reporter, appeared to adore the novelty, which is already available on Ebay.
In addition to being honored with the bobblehead, Samuelson also threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Winter Running Hats Meb Keflezighi, Des Linden, Galen Rupp, and Who Is Annie Frisbie, the NYCM Leader at Halfway May 16, 2019.
“Joan Benoit Samuelson is one of the most decorated and well-known athletes to come from Maine,” said Sea Dogs President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa in a press release. “In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she has been an inspiration to many and has made a tremendous impact in our community. We are honored to recognize her accomplishments with a bobblehead giveaway at the ballpark.”
Samuelson is still running strong in retirement. The 61-year-old most recently completed the Boston Marathon in 3:04, marking the 40th anniversary of her historic win their in 1979.
From: WMTW
