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).  

New Addition - Coach Don Meyer

I've been searching for this bobblehead for a long time.  It's not exactly Minnesota related (although he did coach at Hamline) but its cool nonetheless.  This is a bobblehead of Coach Don Meyer from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  I've blogged about this bobblehead before, you can read more here.  

Wanda the Program Lady

This one has been on my want list for a long time.  I saw a picture of it several years ago.  It's not entirely Twins related, since technically she is a Chattanooga Lookouts employee, but its such a cool bobblehead, I had to find it.  It'll go well with my other Lookout bobbles.  A fellow collector reached out to me after seeing a post about it being one of my more desired bobbles.  After a few messages we had a deal.  He assured me he knew how to ship and I'm glad to say he definitely knew how to ship!  It's a masterpiece and one of the highlights of my collection.

New Addition - Nordy

As I'm watching the Wild game tonight (they are losing 2-1 right now...the streak is on the line) I figured I should blog about my most recent addition.  It was one of my biggest wants in terms of bobbleheads that I know about.  I believe this Nordy bobblehead was sold at the Hockey Lodge (inside the Xcel Energy Center) several years ago.  The weird thing (and I've always known this) is there were 2000 of these as its numbered on the bottom.  I've been looking for this bobble for well over 3 or 4 years.  Finally was able to find it and add it to the collection.  And I'm damn happy about that!  Go Wild!

New Addition - Justin Morneau Target Field Exclusive

One of my latest additions is a Justin Morneau bobblehead.  I actually didn't know about this bobblehead until I found it.  I knew about its "set-mates" (Joe Mauer and TC Bear) as the Bear is one of my most wanted (yeah yeah, I'll update my want list at some point soon).  I believe this is a set of 3 that was only available at the Majestic Team Store at Target Field in 2010.  Pretty sweet bobble and I specifically like it because of the base!

Want List - Nordy (Minnesota Wild Mascot)

In the past I've updated my Want List in its entirety within a few different posts, here's the first one I did back in November.  This year I plan on updating my Want List periodically as I run across bobbleheads that I want to add to my collection.  Hopefully my readers might be able to help me out in acquiring said bobbles!

Up first is the mascot of the Wild - Nordy.  This is a retail version but it's the only Nordy bobblehead. It is a Forever Collectibles bobble, which Im not a huge fan of (surprise, surprise) but I'll say, without seeing it in person, it's a pretty good FC bobble.  It was sold at the Hockey Lodge stores in the metro several years ago.  It's not all that rare but apparently is fairly hard to find!

Let me know if you have one that you'd sell!

Doug Simunic Bobblehead

Here's a new addition to the collection, finally found it for something less than a small fortune - Doug Simunic, the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks manager!  This has been on my Want List for a while, but never near the top because I knew at some point I'd find one for less than $20 as thats what they typically sell for - when they sell.  It's a nice heavy AGP bobble!

Ryan Suter - Milwaukee Admirals

This one has been on my Want List for a while, granted on a lower rung, but definitely one I'm happy to finally add to my collection.  I've missed out on this one a few times in the past, but a few weeks ago I got it.  Depicting his time with the Admirals, here's Ryan Suter, an SGA bobble from 2008.

Updated Want List - Part 6 (Baseball Bobbleheads)

I believe this will be my last Want List post...but also my longest.  Which shouldn't be a surprise since baseball teams, no matter the level, love to promote bobbleheads.  So, let's get to it!

Up first, Ron Burgundy...I mean, Bruce Aune from the Cedar Rapids Kernels.  

Next up, another minor league promotion, this time from the Fort Myers Miracle, 

2 variations of Craig Sager!

LaTroy Hawkins, former Twins pitcher has 2 bobbleheads I'd like to add to my collection.  First, from the Fort Wayne Wizards and second, from the Gary Southshore Railcats.  

David Ortiz wearing a New Britain Rock Cats jersey, but I believe 

this was a New Hampshire Fisher Cats giveaway!  

Next up is Duke Snider, a Saint Paul Saints Giveaway.

How about, Eric Milton, from the Belfonte State Spikes.

Then we have 2 SAM's Twins bobbles, first is Rod Carew and then the generic SAMs bobble!

Updated Want List - Part 5 (Football Bobbleheads)

Next up focuses on a few football related bobbleheads I'd love to add to my collection.  None of these will be easy to find...actually its very unlikely I find any of them, but that's what makes collecting so fun, right?  The hunt is on...

Fran Tarkenton is first, this is an extremely rare bobblehead as he's wearing a white jersey instead of a purple one.  I believe there are only 10 of these in existence.  

Up next is a rare Vikings generic bobblehead from SAMs.

Lastly, another Holy Grail for me, Bobby Bell University of Minnesota Graduate bobblehead!

Updated Want List - Part 4 (Hockey Bobbleheads)

In part 4 of my Updated Want List, I'm focusing on a couple of hockey bobbleheads I'd like to find and add to my collection.  I'm sure there are a few other ones out there, but these 3 are my top 3 at the moment.  Ya know, until I see something else that I haven't seen before!

My Holy Grail and all Gopher collector's Holy Grail, Neal Broten!

Next up is a mini Nino Niederreiter bobblehead from his minor league career.  

Lastly, another minor league bobblehead of current Wild Defenseman, Ryan Suter.

Updated Want List - Part 3 (Sports Personalities Bobbleheads)

This part of my Want List might grow the most - as these don't really have anything to do with Minnesota, and are more wanted because I think they are "cool" or something like that.  I don't think many of these were made (maybe only a handful) so it'll be difficult to add to my collection but they all have a spot on my Want List!

First up, Mike and Mike from ESPN

Former Northern State Basketball Coach, Don Meyer

Howard Schwab from ESPN's "Stump the Schwab"

Updated Want List - Part 2 (Mascots)

In part 2 of my Updated Want List, I'm showing pictures of mascots I'd like to add to my collection. I'm 100% positive that there are several more Minnesota related mascot bobbleheads that I don't know about, so if you do...send them my way!

The first 2 are from Minnesota State University - Moorhead.  

The Go Dragons Bobble and the Power Bowl Dragon. 

Next up is Power Bowl opposition, Concordia College Cobbers. 

Here are 2 different Ringo bobbleheads from the Alexandria Beetles.

And then we have Bucky, 2 different styles from Bemidji State University.

Lastly we have the Southwest State Mustangs bobblehead!

Updated Want List - Part 1 (Minnesota Miscellaneous Bobbleheads)

I'm going to blog about my Want List a little different this time.  Only a few posts, categorical specific and several pictures.  These will also appear in an updated Slideshow, just like my old Want List did.  I think I'm going to move that to the top portion of the blog tho!  These are all miscellaneous Minnesota bobbleheads.

     

 The first 3 are Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox bobbles

Next comes Big Ole from Alexandria Minnesota

How bout local attorney, Ron Meshbesher?

And finally, local big time music producers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis!

Coming Soon - Updated Want List!

It's been quite a while since I've put any time into my Want List.  I plan to update this part of the blog over the next week or two.  It'll be a work in progress.  Sometimes I know of bobbleheads I want but finding pictures doesn't prove to be an easy feat!  And to me...a picture is worth a lot, as it shows me (and you) what I'm looking for!  I'm also going to look into different ways of how to show my Want List on my blog sidebar.  I'm unsure of what the possibilities are, but the way it is now might change as well. So...within a matter of weeks, you'll see a new collection of pictures (with a few current ones remaining) of stuff I'm looking for!!

What a journey...Goldy is mine!

Finally.  I've hit a few garage sales the past week.  Yesterday, was the best one ever.  Quality over quantity...its a great motto and for me, that's why I'm calling yesterday, the best garage sale find thus far.  This has been on my "Most Wanted List" for quite some time!  In that blog post I wrote that I didn't think it was super rare and not very expensive.  Since then I've seen 2 of these...both selling for north of $150.  I just couldn't bring myself to pay that.  If I didn't live in Minnesota, I might have pulled the proverbial trigger, but knowing that I basically live in Goldy's playground, I held out hope. That blog was 6 months ago and I had been looking for this specific Goldy for at least a year prior to that.  18 months is a long time to wait.  But wait no more.  As I strolled up to the sellers garage I immediately saw the bobbleheads displayed (about 15-20 of them).  Then, like a tractor beam my eyes focused on a yellow jersey Goldy hockey bobblehead.  Outside, it was no different than any other bobblehead.  However, inside, I was a giddy 3 year old sitting in front of cake, or better yet...my dog Murphy eyeing a piece of steak, drooling in anticipation for what's about to be his.

Finally, I can add this one to my collection.  University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Goldy Gold Country Hockey (Yellow Jersey) bobblehead.  Hell yes!

Wow...found it! AJ Pierzynski

This particular AJ Pierzynski bobblehead has been on my Want List for quite some time.  I found this one while doing some random searching about 2 years ago.  Since then, I haven't seen one.  2 weeks ago, my buddy Ross emailed me to let me know it was on eBay.  I put a bid on it and after 7 days, nobody else bid on it, so I got it.  Received it in the mail last week, with the original box and its in great shape.  The New Britain Rock Cats gave out this bobblehead several years ago.  This is a classic case that if you keep looking, eventually you'll find what you want (or get lucky - exactly how it happened for me).

What's on your "Want List?" I can help!

I've been meaning to put this out there for a while.  If you are a consistent reader or casual reader of my blog, you might know that I enjoy hooking people up with bobbleheads from their "Want List."  I want to let everyone know if you are looking for specific bobbleheads (I'll have better luck with Minnesota bobbleheads) please let me know!  I'd be happy to put some feelers out for you and chances are I'd be able to find what you are looking for.  

I've helped several people in the past year.  I bet I've put over 200 bobbleheads in other collector's hands!  It's really gratifying for me too.  I have fun searching...its that hunt that drives me.  So, email me directly and let me know what you are looking for!  I'm more than happy to help!  

2015 Goals

My last post did a little rewind on 2014 and looked back to see the results of my 2014 goals.  Here's my first stab at my goals for 2015.

1. Clear off some of the bobbleheads on my Want List! (Hint - I've already found one)

2. Connect with another manufacturer and do another interview - of course to share with you, the reader!

3.  Meet a few more bobblehead collectors and introduce them to my blog!  I've talked to several of you already and as I've said several times  in the past, its always a pleasure to meet and chat about bobbleheads and your collection!

4. Find a few "new" Minnesota related bobbleheads.  It seems like every month or 2, I'll come across a bobblehead that I've never seen before that has some sort of Minnesota ties, depending on that tie, I may or may not add it to my Want List, but it's always fun to see new ones.

5. Collect all the 2015 Twins bobbleheads - from what I know, they haven't been announced yet, but once they are, I'll be sure to blog about them!

6. Find out more about Northwoods League bobbleheads.  This is one collection that seems to be never ending. There are mascots, players, local celebrities and so far I haven't been able to come up with a full list.

7. Complete my SGA COA card collection.  As most of you know, most of the Twins SGA bobbleheads came with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) card.  I think this ended in 2010 as they haven't been included the past several years.  When I started collecting, I didn't care about the card, but as my collection has grown, I've been able to nearly complete the COAs, I believe I only need 1 or 2 more.

8.  I'd love to be able to talk with any of the pro sports teams and their marketing department about bobbleheads.  I just have to get in touch with the right person on the right team!

9.  Connect more bobblehead collectors!  This past year I've connected a couple different bobblehead collectors.  It's nice to be able to connect a couple collectors or find specific bobbleheads for a fellow collector.  I also have a feeling this increases my karma points - who knows if it works, but I'll keep telling myself it does!

10.  Finally...just like last year, have fun hunting!  I don't have any doubts that I'll complete #10, but it is important, as this is a hobby of mine, to keep it fun.  The hunt continues...

Want List (Part 15)

Finally!  I know you are thinking the same thing...the final part of my Want List.  However, I reserve the right to add to this list whenever I want. :)

This is also most likely the part of the list that will grow the most as I'm sure there are several out there that I don't know about!  So, if you have pictures of other bobbleheads like these or any of the previous 14 blog posts, please share them!  I'd really appreciate that and hopefully other readers will too!!

Below are two high school bobbleheads.  First is a Blaine Bengals bobblehead and then an Elk River Elks bobblehead!  The Elks bobblehead is hockey themed, they also did a football themed bobblehead.

Then we have a couple different college bobbleheads.  The first is Cobber from Concordia College. Then we have a "Power Bowl" bobblehead.  The Power Bowl was played between Concordia and Minnesota State University - Moorhead.  I'm guessing Moorhead also has a bobblehead, but I haven't been able to find a picture of it.  Last is a Southwest State University (now known as Southwest Minnesota State University) bobblehead of their Mustang mascot.