Over the past few years, Funko Pop figures have spread in popularity and assumed the role of the latest collecting craze. As “Pops” cover all aspects of pop culture from musicians to video games, it is no surprise that baseball fans are also being treated to miniature versions of their favorite players. The MLB line was first introduced in 2018 and returns with a new collection of players for the 2019 season. MLB Funko fans will certainly have to open their wallets this year to add all of these figurines to their collection.
2019 MLB Funko Pop Figures Arrive
2018 saw the release of 19 different players, with an additional five used as stadium promotional giveaways. All of the promotional Funkos, Felix Hernandez, Joey Votto, Kevin Kiermaier and Ken Griffey Jr. debuted as limited releases. With the exception of Griffey, all 2018 funkos were current players.
Now in 2019, the MLB Funko’s checklist features 22 player models, including two of Mookie Betts. The Boston Red Sox are most represented with three players in the lineup, Betts, J.D. Martinez and Chris Sale. Both the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels are the only other teams to have multiple players represented by Jose Altuve with Justin Verlander and Mike Trout with Shohei Ohtani, respectively. Also hitting the market this summer are 19 mascot pops featuring 13 different mascots. A pinstripe-clad Babe Ruth “Calling-his-shot” figure will also be released as a part of their all-sports ‘Sports Legends’ line in mid-May.
This season, there are currently five announced limited-edition Funko Pop stadium giveaways. On June 28, San Fransico Giants fans can receive a uniform-clad Bruce Lee. On July 20, both the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds have giveaways, Edgar Martinez and Eugenio Suarez respectively. Atlanta Braves fans arriving early on August 30, can receive a Freddie Freeman figure. Two more releases in September round-out the giveaway calendar. On September 2, the St. Louis Cardinals are giving away a Yadier Molina figure. Finally, the Seattle Mariners are giving away an Ichiro Suzuki figure. Ichiro is one of only two non-current players announced for 2019.
A full checklist can be found here.
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