| Bobbling Bonanza |
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| Written by Troy Chuinard | |
| Wednesday, 28 November 2007 | |
Baseball cards. Jerseys. Posters. These are some of the few items that make up a fan’s collection. While supporting our favorite teams and players is a part of the pastime, we sometimes get sick of spending money on the same old items.
If you’re looking to expand your collection of MLB memorabilia, then you may want to consider investing in a bobblehead doll. These items are designed in a unique fashion, with the head extremely large in size compared to the rest of the body. The head is also connected to the body with a spring attachment, causing the head to bobble with even the slightest tap. Bobbleheads have been used to represent a number of historical figures, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that baseball players entered the scene. In the 1960’s, papier-mâché dolls were manufactured. Featured players included Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Willie Mays. Eventually, there was a shift from papier-mâché to ceramic, which simplified the bobblehead production process. When the hobby of collecting this item grew increasingly popular, there were bobbleheads for every popular name on the market. The Beatles bobblehead set became one of the most popular collector’s items during the 1960’s as baseball players were slowly fading from the fad. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the baseball bobbleheads returned to the market. More efficient manufacturing processes made it possible for the item to be produced in mass quantities. In 1999, 35,000 Willie Mays bobblehead dolls were handed out during a San Francisco Giants home game. Today, there are all types of bobbleheads on the market, with the mini bobblehead doll one of the most popular. Fans will be shocked to know that certain bobblehead dolls that are manufactured today can cost hundreds of dollars. This only signifies how popular the item has become. The MLB sells bobblehead dolls directly from www.mlb.com, and new figures come out on a regular basis. For instance, in honor of the World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox, there are currently featured bobblehead dolls of Mike Lowell and David Ortiz available at shop.mlb.com. Unlike the mini bobbleheads, these models stand 36” tall. Typical mini bobbleheads do not exceed 4 inches in height. Not only does MLB sell bobblehead dolls of current players; historic figures, including Babe Ruth, are also available. In addition, some of the games most humorous characters, including Boston Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster, can be purchased.
If you’re looking to start your own collection of bobblehead dolls, there are a number of web sites other than shop.mlb.com that offer them. For example, www.bobbleheadworld.com has a wide variety of bobblehead dolls to choose from at affordable prices. However, there are also a number of web sites that target baseball fans. Head to www.switsports.com and take advantage of the convenience of the web site and find the bobblehead that you desire. You should always pay attention to your favorite MLB team, as they sometimes offer them to a select number of fans at the ticket gate prior to entering. As a new trend in the baseball market, there is no question that bobblehead popularity has increased substantially over the last few years.
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