Founder of
Keymancollectibles.com,
and a long time
collector, Steven
KeyMan has more than 30
years of experience in
researching, and
cataloging information
on Baseball
Memorabilia.
Researching his own personal
collection, and helping others find
information on their
collectibles, the
website grew into the
largest online resource
for baseball
memorabilia
Ask
Steven: Direct your questions or feedback,
about Baseball Memorabilia to Steven KeyMan
Steve@keymancollectibles.com You can also Send
KeyMan pictures of your personal Memorabilia Display,
and get your own Free
Collectors Showcase Room featured on the website..
When we were kids, it was
simple. Girls played with dolls, and
boys played with action figures. The
Lone Ranger, G.I. Joe, Johnny Hero,
Stretch Armstrong.... Sorry Guys, by
any other name they are still dolls.
"Action figure" was coined for
marketing reasons to help secure our
boyhood. Separate us from our Barbie
toting sisters. Now that we are men and
collecting memorabilia from our
childhood, I will use the term Action
Figure when ever possible, to preserve
our manly manhood. I'm sure the ladies
have no problem collecting baseball
dolls that we call action figures.
Nodders
are, and always have been accepted by
the masculine collector as being a
Doll. The bobblehead dolls were first
introduced into the U.S. Market by
Danny Goodman in 1956. The idea brought
over from Japan, the Los Angeles Dodger
marketing genius, Goodman first sold
the bobble head doll at Gilmore Field,
home to the Hollywood Stars of the
Pacific Coast League. When the Dodgers
moved to LA in 1958 the Dodgers adopted
both
Danny Goodman and the Nodder. By
1960 All Major League teams were
selling bobble head Dolls at the
stadiums.
Another Doll that was made available at the stadium souvenir stands
was thiscelluloid, and stuffed cloth
baseball uniform Doll with a team pin
attached to it. These 8" Dolls were
made in Japan and sold during the
1950's inside and outside the
ballparks. The Dolls came with a
baseball bat attached to the right
hand, and another with a ball and
glove. Stadium souvenir pins that were
also sold separately, were attached
with a ribbon to the Doll. There were
other variations of these Dolls, with
pins, made by other manufactures and
sold from the 1940's through the
1970's.
The Flagg Doll Co., manufactures of
flexible play dolls, produced special
baseball player Dolls for Danny Goodman
concessions, wearing a Dodger uniform.
The company specialized in miniature
dollhouse dolls, and also created 7
inch, hand painted dolls with such
themes as storybook characters,
professions, and international custom
dressed dolls. By 1951 Flagg issued a
7" flexible sports Series doll, that
included a baseball player in uniform,
hat, and bat. The generic baseball
player dolls, came in the same style
box as all the other dolls, but with no
team name on the jersey. The Dodger
dolls were sold as souvenirs at
Memorial Coliseum, and were also made
available by Danny Goodman Concessions,
through the mail for $2.00.
The All American Athlete,
Johnny Hero ACTION FIGURE! "Takes
any sports position" Thanks to his foam
latex body reinforced with wire, he
assumes any sports action pose. In 1965
Johnny Hero sold for $2.75, and came
dressed in gold trunks, Johnny Hero #16
shirt, socks and sneakers. In 1968
Johnny Hero was repackaged as Olympic
Hero Sports Star, and was outfitted in
a number 16 red jogging suit with
"Johnny Hero" printed across his chest,
but the uniform was not detachable.
Other baseball and football uniforms
could also be ordered of your favorite
team. The Olympic Hero baseball uniform
pack came with a team cap,
stirrups/socks, glove, ball & bat to
complement the Johnny Hero figure. All
MLB and NFL teams of the days had
accessory packs for the doll uh..ah.. I
mean Action Figure. (sorry guys)
In 1990
Sports Impressions presented
the Porcelain Doll/Figurine Collection.
"Figurine" was added to the box for the
masculine collector. By definition
Figurine: a SMALL carved or molded
figure, a statuette. At 14" tall this
Porcelain Doll is not even close to
being a Figurine. Mickey Mantle was the
first of a series of three Porcelain
Doll/Figurines issued. Don Mattingly
was 2nd in the series limited to 1,995
made, and Nolan Ryan was 3rd numbered
to 1,992.
The Mickey Mantle Doll was numbered to 1,956, came in a "Mickey Mantle
Locker" box, removable cap, and wooden
Bat with Mantle facsimile signature.
The manufacturer tag also features
Mickey Mantle's facsimile autograph,
with a short bio, and also came with a
Certificate of Authenticity. The "Mickey
Mantle Locker" Box measures 4.75 inches
by 5.75inches by 15.75 inches. Artist
Proof Editions limited to 195 made, for
each of the three doll/figurines in the
series were also issued.
In 1999 Major League Baseball Player
Barbie made her MLB debut with
different editions for the New York
Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles
Dodgers. Made by Mattel this Special
Edition Barbie was dressed in an
authentic jersey bodysuit with attached
socks, pants, dugout jacket, shoes, and
a baseball cap that features an
authentic team logo.
The Doll also includes a miniature Wilson glove, a Louisville Slugger bat,
and a Rawlings baseball. The back of
the box features a brief history of the
team Barbie represents. No Man-cave
should ever display this doll unless: A"I'm
Saving it for my daughter"
B"I
bought it for my Wife" C"It's
an Action Figure"
KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES
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Memorabilia
Nodders
are, and always have been accepted by
the masculine collector as being a
Doll. The bobblehead dolls were first
introduced into the U.S. Market by
Danny Goodman in 1956. The idea brought
over from Japan, the Los Angeles Dodger
marketing genius, Goodman first sold
the bobble head doll at Gilmore Field,
home to the Hollywood Stars of the
Pacific Coast League. When the Dodgers
moved to LA in 1958 the Dodgers adopted
both
Another Doll that was made available at the stadium souvenir stands
was this
The Flagg Doll Co., manufactures of
flexible play dolls, produced special
baseball player Dolls for Danny Goodman
concessions, wearing a Dodger uniform.
The company specialized in miniature
dollhouse dolls, and also created 7
inch, hand painted dolls with such
themes as storybook characters,
professions, and international custom
dressed dolls. By 1951 Flagg issued a
7" flexible sports Series doll, that
included a 
The All American Athlete,
In 1990
In 1999 Major League Baseball Player
Barbie made her MLB debut with
different editions for the New York
Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles
Dodgers. Made by Mattel this Special
Edition Barbie was dressed in an
authentic jersey bodysuit with attached
socks, pants, dugout jacket, shoes, and
a baseball cap that features an
authentic team logo.