Former Dawg remains level-headed

The former Dawg who was honoured on Friday night isn’t about to get a big head about the whole deal.

Even if the honour meant having an overgrown likeness of his head being given to hundreds of Okotoks Dawgs’ fans prior to the team’s game against the Edmonton Prospects on Friday night.

It was Manny Kumar Bobblehead Doll night at Seaman Stadium.

“It is humbling, so few people have a chance to experience something like this,” the former Dawgs’ infielder said. “I think it shows that if you put in the time and effort good things happen.”

Kumar was a stalwart in his three years with the Dawgs from 2007 to 2009, which happened to be the first three years the team was in Okotoks. The Dawgs won three Western Major Baseball League championships during Kumar’s stay. He returned to Okotoks last season to help coach in the Dawgs Bantam program.

The fans in Okotoks remember him.

“It is crazy,” Kumar said. “I went to Costco and so many people came up to me and said hello.”

While Kumar is best remembered for how he swung the bat, he wants to make sure the fans also recall he can flash the leather now and then.

His defensive play is what he wanted to focus on when talking to the designers of the doll.

“I didn’t want the typical figurine with a bat, I wanted to go with the defensive model,” Kumar said. “I’m really pleased with how it works out.”

Kumar has owned Bobblehead dolls in the past including Eric Hinske, Jonathan Papelbon and Ricky Henderson.

He’s glad the Manny Kumar model doesn’t have the exaggerated head typical of Bobbleheads.

Ten-year-old Kale Seitz was glad to have the Kumar Bobblehead as a replacement for living with the real thing for four years. Kumar stayed with the Seitzes during his playing and coaching days with the Dawgs.

“This is really cool,” Kale said. “It (the Bobblehead) has the same skin colour and facial hair and stuff.”

He’s glad to have the Manny Bobblehead hanging around.

“He was really nice and would play baseball with us and stuff,” Kale said. “So this will help me always remember him.”

Kumar has graduated from Grambling State and is now studying to be a chiropractor.

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