2014 TC Bear Bobbleheads

Back in 2014, the Minnesota Twins hosted MLB's All Star Game.  It was a week long party and plenty of stuff for fans to enjoy and see.  Of course there were bobbleheads.  3 mini bobbleheads were given away on 3 different mornings at Fanfest.  Joe Mauer, Tony Oliva and TC Bear.  TC was only given to kids under 13 (maybe 14) and they were pretty strict about that.  1000 bobbles of each were produced.  Mauer and Oliva were gone within 20-30 minutes of Fanfest opening.  There were plenty of TC's leftover.  And the TCs you found on eBay sold pretty quickly.  Ultimately the Twins sold the rest of them at Twinsfest a couple years later.  

What is unknown, by many collectors is the full version of TC that was sold during All Star Week.  These bobbleheads weren't numbered but I have a feeling that less than 300 were produced, most likely either 144 or 288.  I never saw one that week and I went to a few different events, including the ASG itself (thanks to one of my best friends, Matt).  

I've meant to show the difference of these 2 bobbles for a while.  As I know several people are looking for the full version and usually the mini version comes up.  So here is a picture showing both!  As you can see they are quite similar, for the most part, the same pose, but a different base and obviously different height.  The full version is definitely one of the harder to find TC Bear bobbleheads!  

Closer Look - Twins Hall of Fame Bobbleheads

So I wanted to take a closer look at the most wanted Twins bobblehead set in the history of bobbleheads.  Everyone was thrilled when the Twins announced this set was being produced and I talked it up big time.  From those with direct knowledge I was lead to believe these bobbleheads would be awesome and holy shit, they didn't disappoint.  

If I could create/design bobbleheads, the detail (to me) is what sets bobbleheads apart from one another.  As bobbleheads have gotten more and more popular and more and more teams/towns/events are doing them, the quality has suffered.  Typically not to a great degree but the detail has been minimized.  The raised lettering of a player's name or logo on their chest or number on their jersey - typically those are all stickers or decals.  

Below is the Earl Battey bobblehead, completely detailed with his catcher gear.  All of that is raised, the straps on his back and legs.  Sometimes nowadays those are just a different color.  The TC is also raised on his helmet as is his jersey number.  The detail is just amazing.  And while there are little paint issues, to me thats what reminds all of us that these things are hand painted - and I would never say a bobblehead is in "mint" condition.  

Next, the quality of the box, maybe not a big deal to some, but I absolutely love the graphics boxes that most teams use these days.  Thats something that has come along way and from what I know, isn't a significant expense over the plain white box.  Also each bobblehead has its own full styrofoam holder - which is something I like more than the plastic clamshells. Yes - its messier but I think in the long run, it keeps much better than plastic and in general I believe it protects the bobblehead better.  The bottom of the base has a nice touch with the Twins 20th Anniversary logo stamped on it!  

Lastly, the overall appearance and quality of the bobblehead.  You can see that the name is raised on the front (and even tho I didn't picture it) the Twins HOF induction year on the back is also raised.  One of my favorite pieces of detail is on the base of the bobbles - the HOF logo, which is on a raised little block and then the decal is slid onto the block.  

All of this begs to ask one simple question.  What happens when the 2021 inductees are named.  I can only hope/beg the Twins will release bobbleheads of them that will slide right next to these 34 marvelous bobbleheads.  Joe Mauer is a lock and his bobblehead absolutely belongs next to this group.  I'd also say TC Bear should be a lock at some point.  TC is an iconic mascot (no matter who is inside the bear suit).  I can only imagine how sweet a TC Bear bobblehead would be sitting alongside the other HOF members.  

David Backes Bobblehead Minnesota State Mankato

 Here's another new addition of mine - former standout David Backes.  The Mavericks gave this out earlier this year and I've been looking for it since.  Mankato bobbleheads are pretty scarce to start with because their fans love to keep the giveaways!  Definitely am pumped to add this one!  

Paul Molitor HOF Induction Speech Bobblehead

Here's a new addition of mine.  Paul Molitor giving his Hall of Fame induction speech.  It's a pretty cool bobblehead and I don't believe there were many made (guessing around 500).  Fun to add these new ones in the middle of winter!!  

Bomba Squad Bobblehead Set

Well, this was supposed to be a giveaway by the Twins (of course not in the setting) but FOCO released a Bomba Squad bobblehead set today.  I like the dual more than the 3 individuals and am curious why Mitch Garver isn't represented.  But a nice little Twins addition in the middle of "winter."  

It's not cheap but you can find foco discount codes fairly easily.  See them up close for yourself at this link!  Nelson Cruz, Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler!  

Francisco Liriano SGA or not Bobblehead

Here's another former Twins pitcher - Francisco Liriano, while he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Liriano was traded at the deadline in 2016.  From what I know, the bobbleheads were produced but then destroyed because of the trade.  The giveaway (scheduled shortly after the trade deadline) never happened and its quite possibly one of the more sought after Pirates modern day bobbleheads.  Typically when bobbleheads are "destroyed," a few, some or even many get past the destruction and eventually find their way to the secondary market.  That doesn't seem to be the case with this one.  

 

Johan Santana Bobblehead - Prototype

Here's a prototype of mine, this bobblehead was never mass produced and it's probably only 1 of 2 or 3 in existence.  Featured with the New York Mets and standing on a K-counter its a pretty sweet bobblehead.  If you come across prototypes, many aren't in pristine condition as it was most likely handled by several people, shipped to different departments, etc.  Since Johan was one of the best Twins pitchers, this one is staying in my collection.  But I certainly wish he was wearing a Twins jersey!  

 

PJ Fleck Golden Gophers Bobblehead

With the Big 10 announcement that football is back in October I thought it was fitting to share this PJ Fleck bobblehead.  This is a custom University of Minnesota Golden Gophers bobble.  Its full size, of course rowing the boat.  I like the detail of this one, sharp yellow jacket with maroon tie, complete with headset.  

  

Stump the Schwab Bobblehead

Stump the Schwab was a game show on ESPN in the 2000s.  Stuart Scott hosted it and the Schwab was Howie Schwab, who was ESPN's first statistician.  ESPN made several bobbleheads of their on-air talent.  This has no Minnesota connection (that Im aware of) but it'll go nicely with my other ESPN bobbleheads!  

  

Anthony Carter University of Michigan Bobblehead

 Here's a bobblehead that I had my want list for a while.  I knew of it but also knew it rarely became available.  Most of the older Michigan Wolverine bobbles tend to be like that.  I believe this was sold on campus.  He was a favorite of mine when he played for the Minnesota Vikings (ding ding, there is the MN connection).  It's even autographed on the back (something that won't be seen as I don't display them backwards).  

Neal Broten Golden Gophers Bobblehead

 This had been towards the top of my want list for some time.  I always have said the hunt is whats addicting.  The more you hunt, the more you find (crazy, right)!  Having 2 little girls means I'm hunting less and less but try to find new avenues of how to hunt.  And then sometimes they just come to you.  I was able to buy this one from a fellow collector and a very reasonable price.  

As is typical, the more you hunt, the more you strike out too.  But at this point, striking out is irrelevent.  But completely worth it when you find something you've wanted for a while!  From pictures, I knew this one was pretty detailed, but seriously, the detail is amazing!!  

Troy Bell Bobblehead

 In this day and age, typically its not too hard to find a bobblehead that was just given away.  It might be more expensive than one would hope, but they are typically out there.  That was definitely not the case with this one.  The Boston College Eagles gave this out earlier this year.  I've been searching for it since, and finally, with a little luck, I found it.  Fits right into my "Minnesota" theme as he was a stand out high school basketball player at Holy Angels in Richfield.  I'm fortunate to add this one to the collection!  

Lindsay Whalen Set

 Lindsay Whalen is one of Minnesota's most beloved hometown heroes!  The University of Minnesota captured her throughout her years from high school to now.  This was a giveaway set last winter, not many were produced and even less people knew about it.  Definitely a hard set to come by as I haven't seen many of them.  

The set features Whalen wearing her hometown Hutchinson jersey, her Gophers jersey, her Lynx jersey and then her as the coach of the Gophers Women's basketball team!  Definitely a nice set, good detail, well made and of course has the state outline as the base!  

Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame Bobblehead Set

Well, I never officially retired so I don't need to file the paperwork to unretire.  But it has been a long time, which was never my intent.  But, life happens, 2 little girls happen and before you know it they are both talking, running and getting into trouble.  Priorities change, so the blog had to be put on the back burner.  Im hopeful this post spurs a little in me to find the time to blog a bit more often (probably never to the degree that I once did) but once, sometimes twice a week.  Thats my goal.  

Now, onto the topic at hand.  Today, the Twins sold their 5th "set" of bobbleheads.  This set is based on the players and team members that make up the 34 people in the Twins Hall of Fame.  It's a very impressive set and definitely from the picture, the most detailed and best looking set of the bunch.  Ever since I heard about this since a few days ago, I've been giddy.  

Based on the hero image of the 5 bobbles displayed (Killebrew, Carew, Puckett, Kelly and Hunter) the design and creativity of each is impressive.  Im sure the others will be just as awesome.  (When I'm able to share more pictures, I certainly will).  With a price tag north of $500 (after taxes) it's certainly a set that made people contemplate how to go about collecting it.  Several people I know were only looking to get a handful of players.  Others said at this time (during this damn pandemic) it was just too expensive.  Then others, like myself who are completists, knew we needed it and had to figure out a way to pay for it.  Proceeds (just like the previous 4 sets) benefit the Twins Community Fund.  

In the collecting world, people are raving about this set, even if they aren't Twins collectors or fans, they are wishing their favorite team would do something similar.  I tend to think, we'll see more of these come out over the next couple of years.  

I certainly wonder what will happen to future electees, they'll get a giveaway bobble (as is typical of the Twins the past few years) but I certainly hope there are update sets to this one in the future!  For now, lets appreciate the Twins and their marketing/promotions team for making this happen.  They've been hitting home run after home run the past few years and it certainly appears they aren't slowing down anytime soon.