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The Bobble Hall Starts National Bobblehead Day With Hinkle And Butler Bulldog Bobbleheads

by | Jan 7, 2022 | Sniper Rants

This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two officially licensed, limited edition Butler University Bulldog Bobbleheads. The first bobblehead features former legendary Butler University coach and athletic director Tony Hinkle while the second is a replica of the Butler Bulldog Statue that is outside the Atherton Union on Butler University’s campus. The special edition bobbleheads were produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and are being released on National Bobblehead Day.

 Wearing a Butler T-shirt with tan slacks and brown shoes, the Hinkle bobblehead is standing on a base bearing his name in front of a replica of Hinkle Fieldhouse, Butler’s home basketball arena. The Hinkle bobblehead is holding a football in his right hand, a baseball in his left hand and a basketball under his left arm. The Butler Bulldog Statue Bobblehead is a replica of the bulldog statue that is proudly displayed outside the entrance of Butler University’s Atherton Union. The statue was a gift from the class of 1996 and is a favorite photo spot on campus.

 Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,021 and they are available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $25 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. They will also be available through the Butler Bookstore, which is in the Atherton Union. The two new bobbleheads follow previously released bobbleheads of Butler Blue I, II, III, and IV. Butler Blue IV has had both puppy and adult bobbleheads, with the adult bobblehead just arriving.

 Born in Logansport, Indiana, Hinkle was a standout three-sport athlete at the University of Chicago. After graduation, he moved on to Butler University where he did it all for the Bulldogs for nearly a half-century. After serving as an assistant coach for five seasons, Hinkle had three stints as the school’s head football coach (1926, 1935-41 and 1946-69), compiling a record of 183-104-16 and winning 17 conference titles. He also had three stints as the school’s head baseball coach (1921-28, 1933-41 and 1946-70), compiling a record of 335-309-3. While he coached three sports, he was primarily known for his two stints as the school’s head basketball coach (1926-42 and 1945-70), compiling a record of 560-392 with 10 conference titles. Hinkle’s 1929 team was crowned as the national champion and he was instrumental in ending the jump ball after every basket rule, and the introduction of the three-second rule.

 Along with winning more than 1,000 games across the three sports, Hinkle served as the school’s athletic director for 40 years. Hinkle was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the College Basketball Hall of Fame, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Hinkle’s legacy is remembered on the Butler campus with Hinkle Fieldhouse, the longtime site of Indiana’s state high school tournament which was featured in the film “Hoosiers.” Originally named the Butler Fieldhouse, it was the largest basketball arena in the U.S. for decades. It was renamed Hinkle Fieldhouse in 1966. While he retired in 1970, Hinkle remained in Indianapolis and loyal to Butler University until his death at the age of 92 in 1992.

 “We are excited to release these bobbleheads of Butler University legend Tony Hinkle and the Butler Bulldog Statue on National Bobblehead Day,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “The Butler University community has a deep pride in their school, and these bobbleheads will be must-haves for Bulldog fans of all ages.”

The Amarillo Sod Poodles And Ruckus Bring The Texas Heat Back In 2019

by | Jan 5, 2022 | Sniper Rants

The Amarillo Sod Poodles, nicknamed the Soddies, started their inaugural season back in 2019 as a minor league team of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They play their games at Hodgetown Stadium in Amarillo, Texas as they are located in the heart of downtown Amarillo. The community has gathered and has enjoyed many ball games, concerts and events in Hodgetown Stadium since the Sod Poodles were established. 

Back in 2019 fans were elated for the promotional schedule to be released and many took notice when they saw that a Ruckus the Sod Poodle bobblehead was to be given out. I can’t imagine how long the lines were on the night of July 21st of 2019 for fans to receive their SGA bobblehead. From what I was told, 1,000 of the Ruckus bobbles were handed out and as we sit here now, it’s a very hard to come by collectible. 

I recently obtained this prototype Ruckus bobble and I can see why fans were so excited to get their mitts on this one. AGP did a smash up job on this as the letters are all raised which we know improves the quality of the product. Ruckus is proudly wearing a red bandanna around his neck with the state of Texas belt around his waist. The cowboy hat adds a great feature as Ruckus shows how proud people are in Texas who wear the cowboy hat. 

Apparently, when the Sod Poodles promotional team contacted AGP about manufacturing their first ever bobblehead, this specific prototype is the one they saw prior to production. If you have this Ruckus SGA bobble in your collection, I’m sure you love it as much as I do as the features and overall quality are as good as you’ll see. 

Mark Pysyk And Popeye’s Team Up For A Delicious Biscuit Bobblehead

by | Dec 28, 2021 | Sniper Rants

Mark Pysyk is no stranger to being in the spotlight no matter how old he is. At the age of just 15 years old, Pysyk became the first-ever draft pick of the current incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings when he was selected third overall in the 2007 Western Hockey League (WHL). Due to his age, he would only be able to play with the team as an affiliate player for the 2007–08 season. He began the season with the AMBHL but was told by Oil Kings head coach Steve Pleau he would make his WHL debut after the Christmas break. Pysyk subsequently made his debut on December 28, 2007. He eventually returned to the Oil Kings for the 09-10 season and dealt with a broken foot for many games. One the next few years, Pysyk bounced around from the Sabres, Panthers and now of the Dallas Stars. 

I recently acquired this prototype bobblehead of Mark Pysyk in his Edmonton Oil Kings uniform. He apparently loves Popeye’s as his favorite choice of food as Popeye’s is sponsored just about everywhere on the bobble. The biscuit on top of his head, to him skating on a warm and toasty biscuit as the base. The defenceman is clearing out the puck as his position dictates with his hockey stick in motion. 

I have looked just about everywhere regarding when and where this was supposedly given out and have come up empty. It is unknown the direct correlation between Pysyk and Popeye’s as there is a Popeye’s in Alberta, Canada where the Oil Kings play. 

Correction: A fellow Sniper just informed me that this was a Season Ticket Holder giveaway. 

Local Artist Jeremy Fish Pays Tribute To His Street Gang “The Silly Pink Bunnies”

by | Dec 21, 2021 | Sniper Rants

Jeremy Fish, born and raised in upstate New York quickly found himself in San Francisco where he attended college to pursue an art career. From designing artwork on Nike sneakers to collaborating with well known artists, Fish made quite the name for himself in a short period of time.

In 2011, Fish created a sculpture and mural at the corner of Haight Street and Laguna Street in San Francisco, featuring a large, pink rabbit head widely opening its mouth to reveal a skull. According to Fish, “My gang, THE SILLY PINK BUNNIES, is celebrating 20 years of being a mean gang this year. Coincidentally 2011 is the year of the rabbit. This statue and mural is a tribute to the the gang and our history in the lower Haight.”

I recently acquired this very unique prototype bobblehead manufactured by Alexander Global Promotions. Although I’ve never had a bunny in my bobblehead collection, the back story of a well-known artist paints the perfect picture of Fish’s gang in San Francisco. The opening of the bunny’s mouth that reveals the skull is the most eye-catching aspect of the collectible.

Unfortunately, the Silly Pink Bunnies was removed in 2013 due to construction. A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign was started and raised over $50,000 to erect a permanent bronze bunny near the same location in the future. If you’re ever in the Laguna are of San Francisco, make sure to look out for the newly renovated “Bronze” Bunny. 

 

The Hall Doesn’t Clown Around As Hank Aaron Indy Clowns Negro Leagues Bobbles Are Here

by | Dec 10, 2021 | Sniper Rants

This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two officially licensed, limited-edition bobbleheads featuring Hall of Famer Hank Aaron wearing the uniform of the storied Indianapolis Clowns, who were the last of the Negro League teams to disband in 1962. The two bobbleheads commemorate the three months that Aaron spent with the Clowns during the 1952 season – his first in professional baseball. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum collaborated with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Dreams Fulfilled to produce a series of officially licensed Negro Leagues bobbleheads.

Wearing a blue No. 5 Clowns’ uniform with red and white trim, the first bobblehead features a smiling Aaron batting cross-handed as he did with the Clowns, while the second bobblehead features a smiling Aaron waiting on deck and holding four bats. Both bobbleheads are on a baseball field base. Along with his name in gold on the front, the bobbleheads include “In Memoriam: Feb. 5, 1934 – Jan. 22, 2021” on the back.

The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are available for purchase through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. They are individually numbered to 4,136 to correspond to Aaron’s career hit total (41 Negro Leagues, 324 Minor Leagues and 3,771 Major Leagues). The bobbleheads are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. Hank Aaron Bobbleheads

On November 20th, 1951, 17-year-old Aaron was signed by scout Ed Scott to play shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns, one of the storied franchises in the Negro American League. Scott, who became the first African American scout in the history of the Boston Red Sox, spotted Aaron playing in a softball game in Mobile, Alabama. “If that boy can hit a softball that far, how far can he hit a baseball?” Ed Scott Jr. quoted his father as saying. In his three-month stint playing for Clowns manager Buster Haywood during the 1952 season, the cross-handed hitting Aaron played shortstop and batted third or cleanup. In 26 games, Aaron batted .366 with five home runs, 33 RBI and nine stolen bases, according to the Howe Sports Bureau.

Aaron, who earned $200 month with the Clowns, received two MLB contract offers via telegram due to his standout play. In the end, he chose the Boston Braves over the New York Giants. “I had the Giants’ contract in my hand, but the Braves offered 50 dollars a month more,” Aaron once said. “That’s the only thing that kept Willie Mays and me from being teammates – 50 dollars.” Once in the minor leagues, the right-handed hitting Aaron changed his cross-handed grip (left hand above his right) – a grip that he credited for developing his legendary quick wrists, allowing him to wait on pitches longer than a mortal baseball player. “I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball,” he said. “All of the time. I never worried about the fastball. They couldn’t throw it past me. None of them.”

In his 23-year Major League career in which he played for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers from 1954 to 1976, Aaron recorded 755 home runs. He famously broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record with his 715th home run on April 8th, 1974. Aaron is MLB’s all-time leader in RBI (2,297), total bases (6,856) and extra-base hits (1,477). Aaron was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, which was his first year of eligibility.

“Hank Aaron will forever be one of the best players in baseball history, and part of that history includes his time with the Indianapolis Clowns,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “It’s important to remember the history of the Negro Leagues, and this bobblehead will help keep that part of Aaron’s legacy alive.”