Joe Mauer Prototype

Wow, its been a long time since I posted a blog.  Not sure if blogging is still a thing (probably not) but this one deserved a post!  A fellow collector of mine found this one several years ago.  Upon selling some of his collection, he knew I'd like this one so we made a deal for it.  Its definitely a prototype made by BDA.  This was made for the 2014 season when Target Field hosted the All Star Game.  I believe this Mauer bobble was originally offered to the Twins as a potential giveaway that year.  They pivoted to do a Harmon Killebrew instead.  You'll see the similarities between the two bobblehead icons.  

Safe to say, this Joe Mauer bobble is one of my new all-time favorites.  

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!  

 

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!!  

New Add - Neal Broten Team USA Prototype

Here's another new addition of mine and another prototype, Neal Broten in his Team USA gear representing the Miracle on Ice.  It's not the most wanted Broten I have on my want list, but its a very sweet bobblehead and possibly the only 1 in existence.  Of course the Broten on the top of my list is the Gopher version, however, the head of this one and that one appear to be the same.  Perhaps one day I'll find the Gopher version! 

New Add - Brad Johnson Prototype

Pretty excited to add this one to my collection.  I had seen a picture of it (marketing flyer only) so I knew it was out there but since its a prototype, you can never be certain if it was actually made or not.  I had reliable resources tell me there were a couple of them and now one happily resides in my collection.  Introducing one of my latest acquisitions - Brad Johnson, Minnesota Vikings. 

My first Prototype!

I had been looking at this one for a while on eBay.  After talking with the seller a little bit, I finally pulled the trigger.  This is Jacque Jones when he played for the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins).  In the early 2000s they did a giveaway of Jones and this is one of the prototypes the team used in determining the final product when going through the revision process with the manufacturer.  I hope to dig out my other Jones bobblehead to do a side by side comparison at some point, but right now, its in storage.