The Shohei Ohtani bobblehead doll, with the Japanese star holding his canine, Dekopin, was free when the Dodgers handed it out to followers with tickets — and people persistent sufficient to line up for hours outdoors Dodger Stadium earlier than Wednesday night time’s recreation.
Now, if you wish to get one, you higher get able to dig deep into your pockets.
The sought-after bobblehead dolls are at present promoting for lots of of {dollars} on-line, simply two days after the Dodgers’ giveaway.
“I type of cringe, as a vendor, at how a lot some of these things goes to price,” stated Matt Federgreen, proprietor of Beverly Hills Card Store, who has handled sports activities collectibles since 1983.
A complete of 40,000 bobbleheads got away earlier than the sport in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles, however greater than 53,000 tickets had been bought. Until followers arrived on the stadium early, they had been out of luck.
The Shohei Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead doll is listed on-line from $150 to $69,420.
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
Followers did get to see Ohtani’s canine, whose nickname is “Decoy,” throw out the primary pitch.
To get the in-demand collector’s merchandise now, persons are paying wherever between $150 to greater than $1,500, based on listings and bids discovered on eBay and Fb’s Market.
The Dodgers additionally gave away a restricted gold-colored Ohtani bobblehead, which is promoting for lots of of {dollars} extra.
One itemizing for the gold-colored Ohtani on eBay requested for a tongue-in-cheek quantity of $69,420, however it had no bids as of Friday afternoon.
Ohtani’s worldwide recognition has despatched costs hovering for a few of his memorabilia. Among the gold-colored bobbleheads have already bought on-line for $1,500 or extra.
“Every thing Ohtani that comes out proper now, there’s revenue to be made and persons are going to leap on that,” Federgreen stated.
One itemizing on eBay was promoting the Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead for $169.50 on Friday afternoon, whereas one other requested for $227.77. One vendor has bought greater than 30 dolls.
One other posting, on Fb’s Market, requested for $150 for the doll, however famous the field had been opened.
However listings for the gold doll, or for each of them, had been discovered for greater than $1,000.
One individual in Anaheim, in a Fb submit, requested for $1,600 for the gold doll. One other, for each dolls, requested for $1,000, and included an image of the dolls with Dodger Stadium within the background so as to add a bit extra authenticity.
The Occasions reached out to a number of individuals who had been promoting the dolls on-line however didn’t instantly hear again from sellers.
Some postings requested for greater than $2,000 however, as Federgreen famous, confirmed no indicators that somebody had bid or paid that worth.
The Dodgers gave away one other Ohtani bobblehead in Might, 5 months after he signed a 10-year, $500-million deal. Followers additionally stood in line a superb three hours earlier than that recreation to verify they received one.
For Federgreen, he stated Ohtani is among the the reason why his enterprise has been doing so properly lately.
Buying and selling playing cards and memorabilia have seen elevated recognition lately, he stated, and stars akin to Ohtani have helped.
On Thursday Topps, which is owned by Fanatics Collectibles, introduced it was partnering with Ohtani in an unique buying and selling card deal that may embody playing cards, autographs and recreation memorabilia.
Particulars of how a lot the deal is value weren’t launched, Fanatics stated it was a long-term settlement.
For Federgreen, he understands the demand for the Ohtani doll, however points a gentle warning for individuals keen to drop a number of hundred bucks for it.
“There’s a whole lot of profiteering occurring,” he stated. “I don’t mess with stuff with issues which can be possibly short-term worth.”
He notes that some accumulating gadgets that all of a sudden spike up in worth will usually dip down simply as quick.
“It’s a cute bobblehead,” he stated. “However you should purchase one thing classic for a similar sum of money that retains worth.”
