The Rocket City Trash Pandas received Minor League Baseball’s 2026 Golden Bobblehead Award, given to the team with the best local partner activation after the very unique Global Baseball Series that brought Japan’s Toyota Red Cruisers to Toyota Field.

The event connected North Alabama’s baseball, business, and cultural communities with international flare, a very special and rare thing at the minor league level.

“This award celebrates our partnership with Toyota and the hard work of our staff, including the extraordinary efforts of Morris Morioka,” said Garrett Fahrmann, Trash Pandas executive vice president and general manager. “It’s another proud moment following our Baseball America honor and first Southern League championship.”

The event, which took place right before the season from March 30-April 1, was the first preseason series hosted by the Trash Pandas and the first appearance by an international team at Toyota Field.

The Red Cruisers, Alabama A&M University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the Trash Pandas all enjoyed three nights of baseball and cultural exchange. It included Japanese-style cheering featuring drums and trumpets during play, traditional Japanese drum and dance performances, and an appearance by the Red Cruisers’ mascot, who traveled from Japan.

There was even a ceremonial cherry blossom tree planting before the final game with the national anthems of Japan and the United States. In the final game, the Trash Pandas were able to defeat the Red Cruisers 6-3 in front of more than 4,000 fans with two home runs from Tucker Flint.

The Golden Bobblehead adds to a growing list of accomplishments for the Trash Pandas, both on and off the field. In 2025, Baseball America recognized Rocket City as its Double-A Organization of the Year with the prestigious Bob Freitas Award. This September, the Trash Pandas captured their first Southern League championship, capping a memorable 2026 season that now includes national recognition for the Global Baseball Series and the organization’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for its fans and community.