Source: McFarlane Toys

BASEBALL SEASON HAS BEGUN, AS ACTION FIGURES REACH RETAIL
Plus, Two Extremely Rare Babe Ruth Are Still Waiting to Be Found

April 03, 2009
Copyright 2009 TMP International, Inc.

Around this time of year, as the air gets warmer, Spring Training begins, and people start thinking about baseball. We do. And we've made sure that retailers will be well-stocked with McFarlane's Sports Picks -- the official action figures of America's favorite pastime -- to carry you through the season.

IN STORES NOW

3-INCH MLB BASEBALL (Series 7) -- TARGET EXCLUSIVE
The 3-inch Sports Picks figures capture amazing detail, and position each player in a custom pose atop a replica MLB base. Carried exclusively by Target stores.

? David Ortiz, N.Y. Yankees
? Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
? Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
? Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers
? Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs
? Derek Jeter, N.Y. Yankees

MLB 2009 TOYS "R" US EXCLUSIVE ASSORTMENT (Series 23)*
For the fourth consecutive year, McFarlane Toys and Toys "R" Us have teamed up to bring you the first modern MLB lineup of the year. 2009 delivers another star-studded series.

? Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
? Chipper Jones 2, Atlanta Braves
? Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
? Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks
? Jorge Posada 3, N.Y. Yankees
? Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

COOPERSTOWN 2009, (Series 6)*
Six of the greatest names in baseball comprise one of our most distinctive Cooperstown collections ever.

? Rollie Fingers, Oakland A's
? Lou Gehrig, N.Y. Yankees
? Babe Ruth 2, N.Y. Yankees
? Babe Ruth 2, Red Sox
? Nolan Ryan 3, Texas Rangers
? Bo Jackson, Kansas City Royals
? George Brett, Kansas City Royals

JACKIE ROBINSON DAY 3-PACK*
This trio of 6-inch scale figures is a salute to the courage, grace and determination of one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

? Ken Griffey Jr. 3, Cincinnati Reds
? Robinson Cano, N.Y. Yankees
? Jackie Robinson, L.A. Dodgers

YANKEES 2-PACK*
Two of the Yankees true powerhouses team up to knock this 2-pack right out of the park.

? Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez 2

MAY
MLB 2009, WAVE 1 (Series 24)*
The lineup features three players making their Sports Picks debuts.

? Derek Jeter 4, N.Y. Yankees
? Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Johan Santana, N.Y. Mets
? Josh Beckett 2, Boston Red Sox
? Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago Cubs SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Alex Rodriguez 5, N.Y. Yankees
? Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Torii Hunter 2, Los Angeles Angels

JULY
MLB SERIES 25*
Four players join the Sports Picks family for the first time.

? Joba Chamberlain, N.Y. Yankees SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Mark Teixeira, N.Y. Yankees SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Josh Hamilton 2, Texas Rangers
? Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox SPORTS PICKS DEBUT
? Jose Reyes, N.Y. Mets
? Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers (Toys "R" Us Exclusive)

DEREK JETER COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOXED SET*
This figure commemorates Jeter's salute to the fans after the final game played at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21, 2008.

*WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts & small ball. Not for children under 3 years.

BABE RUTH SUPER CHASE AUCTION UPDATE
The first of three Babe Ruth super chase figures (read about it here) was found in mint condition in Colorado, and auctioned on eBay through Beckett Select Auctions from March 22-29. A bidding war ensued, and the winning bid was a staggering $13,600!

"Obviously we were thrilled with the results," says David Sliepka, merchandise manager for Beckett. "We knew $10,000 was likely, based on previous super chase results. What we could not gauge is how the economy would affect bidding. As it turns out with most key, short-run items recently, that was not a factor. It was truly a special item you can not find elsewhere. Beckett is proud to have been chosen to auction this historic piece."



Two additional Babe Ruth super chase figures are still out there. The hunt is on.