Charlie Sheen Bobblehead Creates Cinco de Mayo Controversy

By Michael Lopez

What are the first images that come to mind when you think of Cinco de Mayo? Mexican independence? Free-flowing margaritas? A Charlie Sheen bobblehead?!! Surprisingly, that's what a minor league baseball team in California is giving away to celebrate the holiday and several Latino activists are unhappy about it.

Born Carlos Estevez, Charlie does have Hispanic roots, but these days he's become much more famous for his chisme antics than for his success as an actor. Nevertheless, the Lake Elsinore Storm is christening May 5 "Sheen-Co De Mayo" and handing out bobbleheads that bear a striking resemblance to the troubled TV star.

Dressed in a red sombrero, a multicolored vest, and a Storm t-shirt, the Charlie bobblehead has plenty of funny references to the self-proclaimed "warlock." For one thing, “Sheen-Co De Mayo” bears the number 99 on its back, which are the same digits Charlie wore in his hit baseball movie Major League.

And though the team's president David Oster says it's all in good fun, some Latinos are upset about associating a Mexican holiday with the negative antics of Sheen. Joe Olague, a rep from the League of United Latin American Citizens said the "Sheen-Co De Mayo" promotion, “diminishes a significant day in Hispanic history.”

Despite the negative reaction, Oster said the event will go on and he's planning plenty of other activities to excite the fans. Apart from the bobbleheads, attendees will be able to indulge in “tiger’s blood” cocktails, an in-game taco eating contest, and a "two-for-one Ho Hos special."

Do you think that a Sheen's bobblehead is an offensive way of celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Charlie Sheen, Charlie Sheen bobblehead, Chisme, Cinco de Mayo, Lake Elsinore Storm, Sheen-Co de Mayo