SGA vs Retail Bobblehead. Who wins?
So the ongoing debate that many collectors have is what is better? A stadium giveaway (SGA) bobblehead or a retail bobblehead?
Typically, the first 15,000 or 25,000 people to enter the gate at a ball game get a bobble as a free giveaway. The Giants, Mets, Dodgers and Red Sox for example have been doing some really cool bobble giveaways the past few years. They have players in different stances, arms in the air, follow through pose on a pitcher, diving for a ball and players making a wall-catch etc.
There’s many factors that go into each. Quality, detail, sturdiness, what box it comes in and overall, how well does the spring “bobble” the head. Companies often are known to produce the same pose or stance on a player. For example, Derek Jeter can have a certain stance on his 2002 bobble and the same fucking stance in 2003 but the uniform is different. This also applies to different players as Jeter and Arod have the same stance which is a bullshit move.
Forever Collectibles is one company known to do this year after year. Although, I think it’s a lazy move, I do like the quality FOCO puts forth. The base design is cool and the structure of the bobble is sturdy as fuck. The special exclusives they come up with are what makes them so great.
Companies like AGP “Bobble Dobbles” (Alexander Global Productions), come out with awesome detail but their overall creativity lacks . For years, back in the day, AGP has had the same body structure for years. The typical fat body player with the same stance. I personally don’t like them but they are highly collectible.
Recent SGA’S made by AGP that the SF Giants and Athletics have done for example have been pretty unique.
BD&A have made some good quality bobbles. The Oakland A’s have been using BD&A for years and have caught my attention.
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have been using Promotional Adventures for a few years and have brought the fucking heat! They have creativity and the Quakes always have a good product for their fans.
Success Promotions, which is a new company as of late have produced some killer ones.
So the question continues to frequently exist, what is the better overall bobblehead? A SGA or a retail? Although it’s a very close call as there are many pros and cons but gun to my head, I’d lean toward retail. I’m a huge FOCO collector and the various stances and poses do it for me. FOCO has been coming out with their “springy” bobbleheads and player name/number background which makes them pretty bad ass. The special exclusives they come out with can’t and won’t compare to an AGP, BD&A, Promotional Adventures or Success Promotions. Now, the experience of going to a game, waiting in line for hours and the anticipation of getting a SGA as opposed to buying one through the Internet is worthy of another blog.
Always think the fans win because the ticket prices don’t usually change, so you’re essentially getting the bobblehead for free. So you get to enjoy am aqesome game and get a bobblhead of an icon that you know and love.
great point my dude. How many games have u been to when there was a giveaway?
Well I got my first one 2 years ago at an Orioles game when they played the Redsox, it was a fan voted Chris Tillman one. But it wasn’t until this season started, a local team had a series of bobbleheads that they’re still giving away. Every where I go now, I look for them, and being around other smaller local teams and even near some MLB teams, I can check the schedule and pick the bobblehead dates.
Very cool dude. What local team is near u that gives out bobbles?
Hey man this comment is for the Ty Cobb giveaway on instagram, plus I personally like sga better, they may not have as much detail or look as cool, but you pay usually around the same price and you get to watch a game out of it also
the more sturdy they are the better. I’ll take any Bobblehead that looks good and feels good in the hand no matter if it’s a SGA or a retail.
I gotta go with SGA’s for my own personal collection. Although the retail ones from your collection are making me really consider starting to purchase retail bobbles. Keep up the good work!
Thanks dude I appreciate it! ?
That miggy triple crown bobble is fire and I like the SGA’s better.
cool dude. I love that Miggy one.
Awesome article! I personally like the SGA’s more, but still collect Fo’cos! That Hunter Pence is pretty creative, and the detail is spot on. I think the Cubs mainly now use either BDA, or Igdey Promotions for their bobbles. Great article!
thanks dude I appreciate it!
I personally think sga will always be the best it’s all about going to the ball game early enough to not miss out lol, also they just seem more original as the retail ones are a little bit too fancy sometimes
ya man i hear ya.going to a game is the ultimate experience.
I love crafty beer too bro already lol
Thanks Vinny!
Hey this comment is to enter the Jim Harbaugh bobblehead giveaway. Also I prefer the sga mostly because those are the only ones I currently have but also they seem to be more creative and cool poses which I really like.
Welcome aboard Shane. Thanks for joining! We all start somewhere and its only a matter of time that your collection grows! Good luck to you my dude.
I like SGA better
Hey Gabe,how come?
SGA bobbles have a unique style and look. I prefer them over retail.
very cool…..thnaks for the response my dude
SGA by far….they just feel better to have…and you know that there is a limited number as well. They put a little more time and effort with these pieces.
excellent point my dude. thanks for doing and welcome!
I like THE SGA bobbles myself.
thanks for the reply my dude
SGA! For me I like the fact of the experience of going to the game and getting one. It’s the real life experience of hunting bobbles!
I really enjoy getting a sga at a game. Always adds some excitement to the game
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For the most part SGA flood eBay forever with so many non fans just selling them. Its your hard core collectors buying retail pieces which can make finding them later much more difficult and expensive
yes i agree Jim. People that are not collectors just get them at games and flip them on the bay. good point.