Mini Metrodome

I picked this replica stadium up a few months ago.  I wasn't really looking for it specifically but when I saw it, I figured it'd fit in nicely with my other mini stadiums - even tho it wasn't a giveaway.  This is the Danbury Mint replica of the Metrodome - featuring the Twins playing field (I believe there is also a Danbury Mint replica of the Metrodome with the Vikings surface displayed).

Mini Met Stadium

Here's my next replica stadium.  Met Stadium.  I've only heard things about this stadium, it was pretty much before my time.  This was a stadium giveaway, I believe in 2005.  It was part of the Twins 40th Anniversary celebration.

Mini Target Field

I figured I'd post another mini replica stadium I have.  This mini Target Field was given away at a game in August 2010.  I've came across a few of these.  Its a great collectible for any Twins fan and its just a cool replica because its very accurate of the real deal.  

Mini TCF Bank Stadium

Everyone who reads my blog knows I collect bobbleheads - duh.  But, I also have a very small collection of mini/replica stadiums.  I'm keeping it to only Minnesota based stadiums, so the collection will stay small.  Eventually I'll post pictures of each of the stadiums I have in my collection.  The first (and probably the one I'm most fond of) is from my Alma mater - the University of Minnesota and TCF Bank Stadium.  I came across this one several years ago and wish I would have bought more of them, but I could only get 1.  Since then I haven't seen another one of these.  It might be super rare and hard to find and valuable - I have no idea and it really doesn't matter to me.  

2014 Twins Bobbleheads Announced

The Twins just announced their promotional schedule for the upcoming season.  As I wrote in an earlier blog, that you can read here, the Twins are giving out 4 bobbleheads in 2014.  At the time of my previous blog it was scheduled to be 3, but as you'll see at this link there are actually 4 giveaway days!  It was widely speculated these bobbleheads would have an All-Star game theme to them because the Twins are hosting the 2014 All-Star game at Target Field.  Those assumptions have turned to fact.

Friday June 20th - Harmon Killebrew 1965 All-Star Game bobblehead.
Friday July 4th - Lou Gehrig bobblehead.
Saturday July 5th - Tom Brunansky 1985 All-Star Game bobblehead.
Saturday September 6th - To Be Determined 2014 All-Star Game bobblehead.  (Looks as if the Twins will design a bobblehead based upon whoever makes the 2014 All-Star Game, my bet its either Mauer or Glen Perkins - I'm hoping for a Perkins bobblehead).

I'm excited to see pictures of these bobbleheads.

Kirby Puckett Autograph

I have a handful of bobbleheads that have been autographed.  Every so often, I'll do a blog about a specific autographed bobblehead.  I can't personally say all of them are legit (since I haven't been witness to every autograph), but I'd say more often than not, they are - mainly just because its pretty easy to get a bobblehead autographed especially if you frequent local collectible shows or make an annual trip to Twinsfest.  One of my favorites is my Kirby Puckett bobblehead.  I didn't personally get this one autographed, but I'm 99% sure its legit (as I have other Kirby Puckett autographed memorabilia).  It's special to me for a couple reasons - Kirby was and still is my all-time favorite baseball player and since he's no longer with us, it does make the autograph a bit more rare and collectible!

A Scooter Bobblehead?

Many many years ago I was given the nickname of "Scooter."  During my college years some people didn't even know my real name was Scott - they only knew me as "Scooter."  A few months ago I saw a bobblehead entitled "Scooter vs. The Snowman."  Obviously I was immediately drawn in.  After doing a little research I learned that this was a giveaway at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game in 2011. They are a Class A minor league team for the Milwaukee Brewers.  I definitely wanted this super cool bobblehead.  But there were 2 problems.  First...the Timber Rattlers play there games in Appleton, WI - which is about 4-5 hours from the Twin Cities.  The likelihood of finding one of these bobbleheads in this area was low.  And of course they routinely sold for $40-$50 on eBay and that was just too much for me.

I had some errands to run yesterday for work and figured I'd leave a little early and do them on my way home.  I was next to a local thrift store so I thought I'd run in quick and take a peak to see if they had anything good.  Low and behold - I saw a Scooter vs. The Snowman bobblehead.  Usually when you find bobbleheads that have extra pieces (the bat is removable) those extra pieces are missing.  Not only was I super excited to pick up the bobblehead, but it also had the bat with it.  Lucky me!

Legends of the Dome

Legends of the Dome, otherwise referred to as LOTD are 2 bobbleheads, one of Kirby Puckett and one of Kent Hrbek.  But there are 2 different bobbleheads of each player.  Both Puckett and Hrbek have green bases and are the typical SGA bobbleheads, (each also comes with a COA).  The second variation is actually a set given away to season ticket holders.  I say set because they are packed in the same box within the same styrofoam packaging and come with red bases.  For whatever reason, the sets aren't as valuable, even tho I think they tend to be more rare. Each LOTD SGA comes with its own specialized box, which to most collectors is just as important as the COA (as its not the generic white boxes most Twins bobbleheads come in).  Below are some pictures showing the differences.  I recently picked up the LOTD set from a guy who responded to a Craigslist ad I had posted.  We agreed on a fair price and I met him later that week to pick up the bobbleheads.  Continually getting closer to completing the Twins bobblehead collection!

Want List (Part 6)

In my sixth and final post of my want list series I'm going to focus on one player, one of the greatest Twins ever - Harmon Killebrew.

Killebrew has several bobbleheads, some are extremely rare and therefore extremely expensive.  Others I see on eBay go for modest money.  Below are 4 pictures of Killebrew bobbleheads I'd like to add to my collection.

The first one is from the 65 Heroes giveaway game.  The second one I believe is from a golf invitational Killebrew sponsored.  Third is him in his high school uniform.  Not sure where this one came from.  And last I think is a depiction of him in his minor league uniform - I believe this is an SGA bobblehead.  

Hopefully I'll be able to add these to my collection, but I'm sure it'll take years to complete this as I won't be spending eBay type money on any of them!  

Want List (Part 5)

I think this will be my next to last post in the series of my "Want List."  This post will also include plenty of pictures.  I'm calling this, my minor league want list - because its exactly what it sounds like. No, not that these are less desirable bobbleheads, but they are truly minor league bobbleheads, most giveaways at minor league games.  As you can tell the pictures include bobbleheads of Joe Mauer, Johan Santana, Justin Morneau, Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer and Aaron Hicks.  Quite a wide-ranging group of players.  Im sure there are more bobbleheads that exist of Twins minor leaguers that aren't pictured.  I also have a group of minor league bobbleheads already - not a large group, but its something to start from!