Most people don’t wonder why they like bobbleheads. They just know that they do. Watching that goofy, oversized noggin shake up and down and side to side creates an emotional response that often results in laughter or at least a sheepish smile. It’s akin to seeing a baby gurgle or hearing a fart for the first time.

What does this have to do with the San Jose Earthquakes taking on the Portland Timbers at 7:30pm Saturday? Well, everything.

San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski, a.k.a. Wondo, has been an All Star, played for the U.S. Men’s National Team and just last season won the MLS Golden Boot award, which is given to the best player in the league. This weekend he will reach true cult-hero status. Wondolowski’s likeness is going big time.

The first 5,000 fans to enter Buck Shaw Stadium Saturday will receive a Wondo bobblehead. But while bobbleheads are all well and good, Wondolowski’s teammates can’t afford to be distracted from the task at hand.

The Timbers are two points back in the standings of the Earthquakes, who are looking for their first win in MLS action since a 4-2 win over D.C. United back on June 11.

Giants Marching Toward Third Straight Title

A little more than a month remains in the San Jose Giants’ regular season. So far, the Sultans of Silicon Valley Swat have had no problem continuing their dominance through the dog days of summer. Going 19-10 in the month of July, the Giants have won more than twice as many games than they’ve lost this season—the club is 71-35 through Sunday.

But as with all farm teams, San Jose must pay tribute to the club that sits upon the throne, and San Francisco recently sent one of San Jose’s biggest studs packing in a trade for former New York Met Carlos Beltran. Fireballer Zach Wheeler will no longer be fanning foes for the Single-A Giants, as the pitcher was included in part of the deal.

Regardless, San Jose is still a frontrunner to win a third straight California League championship.

The Giants come back home Sunday to face Bakersfield in a three-game series through Tuesday, which will complete a hellacious 14 games over 14 days. The first 500 people to attend Tuesday’s game, which starts at 7pm, will get a free baseball as part of a promotion. While catching a foul ball is cool, early arrival will allow fans to leave their gloves at home, which means still getting a ball and then being able to focus on priorities like stuffing their face with food and double-fisting beers.