The satisfying sound of maple hitting leather, overlapping an echo of ecstatic cheers.
The intoxicating smell of fresh-cut grass mingled with fully loaded hotdogs.
The first taste of salty peanuts and popcorn, washed down with an ice-cold soda pop. The rousing sight of a sea of fans anxiously awaiting the referees call to play.
The feeling that whether you’re watching from your recliner or from the bleachers, the power of 9 brief innings could conjure pure magic and summer just might last forever.
For baseball fans, the much-revered sport is not just a game – it’s a way of life. It’s an institution. It’s a nostalgic part of American culture that has existed as long as most can remember. And with millions and millions of fans both young and old, there’s no wonder baseball is often called “America’s favorite pastime”.
If you’re one of those fans who counts down the days until spring training, is riding high all summer long and wants to stretch out game play as long as possible come October, you probably keep your love of baseball going in the off season too. Perhaps you have some unique MLB™ collectibles you like to show off in your home or like to sport your love for your favorite team with officially licensed apparel and jewelry. If so, stick around, because today’s blog is going to knock it out of the park.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Baseball
So, where did a sport that fits America like a glove come from? The answer might surprise you. Baseball actually evolved outside of the states, mostly from English games like rounders and cricket. Though its exact origins are debated, here’s a summary of the game’s historical progression:
Proto-Baseball Era (pre-1845): Various bat-and-ball games were played in America, with different regional rules and variations. English immigrants brought their games to the states, which then merged with local traditions.
Modern Baseball Era (1845-1870): Alexander Cartwright and the New York Knickerbockers™ established the first formal baseball rules in 1845, including the diamond-shaped field. The first recorded baseball game was played in 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Professional Baseball Era (1870s): The first professional team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings™ (1869). The National League™ formed in 1876, while the American League™ emerged in 1901. The first World Series™ was played in 1903.
Dead Ball Era (1900-1920): Characterized by low-scoring games and strategic play. Ended with rule changes and the emergence of Babe Ruth.
Golden Age (1920s-1950s): Baseball became America’s dominant sport. Legendary players like Baby Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio defined the era. The game remained segregated until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.
Modern Era (1960s-present): Expansion added many new teams, the players’ union gained power, and the game became more international. Key developments included free agency (1975), the designated hitter rule (1973), and the steroid era of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Today, Major League Baseball™ consists of 30 teams and continues to evolve with new rules and technology while maintaining its traditional appeal and fueling the nostalgia of generations after generations.
MLB™ Collectibles from The Bradford Exchange
Why is there such an enthusiasm among sports fans when it comes to collecting? Consider the popularity of baseball cards. They’re a huge clue to understanding that collecting enthusiasm. Baseball cards enjoyed a heyday that lasted much longer than anyone every could have imagined. That’s because when fans are not watching baseball or playing baseball, it’s the perfect opportunity to think about baseball: learning about the history of the game, memorizing your favorite player’s stats, pulling the most up-to-date team rankings, making predictions for the season and putting loads of energy into making sure your team goes to the World Series™ this year. You might even call it America’s second favorite pastime.
Fans collect things to remind them of the sport, the teams and the players they love. And baseball collectibles can transform fleeting moments of athletic brilliance into lasting, physical touchstones of memory, meaning and nostalgia. Whether it’s a commemorative trophy recognizing their team’s accomplishments as champions, a framed collectible print honoring their favorite pitcher or home run king, or even a floor lamp or windchime so that both family and guests always know who the “right” team to cheer for is, tributes like these can be sacred relics for collectors. Each is a direct line to baseball’s pantheon of heroes. These collectibles bridge the gap between past and present, allowing collectors to hold a piece of baseball’s rich tapestry in their hands, transforming statistics and stories into tangible connections with the game’s greatest moments and athletes.
The Bradford Exchange has long been a premier destination for baseball fans, offering unique MLB™ collectibles officially licensed by Major League Baseball™ and available for all 30 pro teams. And since the 2025 baseball season gets started on March 27, 2025 (Opening Day) we thought now would be the perfect time to put some of these awesome MLB™ baseball collectibles in the spotlight. Our knowledgeable Gift Advisors drafted an incredible list of choices for today’s post, and we are thrilled to share them with you today. Please enjoy 10 Unique MLB™ Collectibles That Are a Home Run.
Los Angeles Dodgers™ Express Train Collection
Will the 2024 World Series Champions™ do it again in 2025? One thing is certain, every season is a winning one when you have a ticket to “ride” this Los Angeles Dodgers™ train. Expertly handcrafted with a solid metal chassis and steel alloy wheels, this HO electric train collection barrels down the track, led by a locomotive with a working headlight. Every car is richly detailed with Dodgers™ colors and symbols, and it includes a free 14-piece track set, power pack and speed controller – a $100 value. Don’t cheer for the Dodgers? No worries. We have many other teams to choose from!
2024 World Series™ Champions Dodgers™ Trophy Sculpture
Of all the awards in profession sports, the World Series™ Commissioner’s Trophy™ is certainly one of the most coveted. The legendary Los Angeles Dodgers™ brought it home in 2024 and now you can too with this 1:4-scale replica tribute inspired by the iconic trophy. It’s expertly handcrafted and features silver-plated flagpoles, golden pennant flags and dramatic stadium imagery from the 2024 series, along with official team logos and stats. It’s an accolade baseball fans are clamoring to own but it’s available only in a strict limited edition of 10,000 worldwide.
History of the World Series™ Collector Pin Collection
Each year in October, the top team in the American League™ meets the top team in the National League™ for a best-of-seven series. Only one will be crowned champion. The rest is baseball history. Now all these landmark moments that defined America’s national pastime are forever captured in one collection. These World Series™ commemorative pins take you back in time to experience each monumental game with official art and team logos highlighted with hand enameling and 24K gold plating. Plus, a free custom display box lets you display every historic Fall Classic™. Available to only 10,000 lucky baseball fans, you don’t want to miss this epic document of the game.
Boston Red Sox™ Wind Chime
Is the best place to watch the game next to your sweetheart on the couch? Now you can celebrate the love you have together and your shared love of baseball. Choose your favorite MLB™ team to be featured on this adorable figurine handcrafted of fine bisque porcelain and painted by hand, the sports-loving couple and their precious pup come alive and all dressed for the occasion in your chosen team’s colors and gear. They even have a #1 fan “foam” finger to show just how loyal they are.
History & Heritage MLB™ Team Ford Pickup Sculpture
Baseball season is the perfect time to take a drive down memory lane to enjoy the excitement of game day, and this 1:18-scale 1948 Ford pickup sculpture is your ticket to get there. Choose your favorite MLB™ team to be showcased on this handcrafted tribute truck sporting the classic style of the original F-Series pickup, period-specific Ford badging, logos from different eras of your team’s history and reproduced vintage images. Painted by hand with team colors, this limited-edition sculpture even has a surprise in the truck bed: a list of the dates of all your team’s World Series™ wins.
San Francisco Giants™ Levitating Baseball Sculpture
A San Francisco Giants™ slugger steps up to the plate. The pitch and a crack of the bat sends the baseball soaring into the air. Where will it land? THAT is what makes the game so exciting. That feeling is captured in time with this extraordinary levitating baseball sculpture. A unique C-shaped base boasting team colors, historical logos and icons holds a regulation-sized Giants™ baseball in mid-air with hidden electro magnets. And when you see it floating and spinning, that’s pure baseball magic. The base even lights up to cast a spotlight on the ball, enhancing the drama. Edition limited to only 10,000, so HURRY to catch this one. Not a Giants fan? We have more teams to choose from!
Cruising to Victory Woody Wagon Sculpture
Take your love of the game back in time for a true American classic: the 1937 Studebaker Woody Wagon. The legendary vehicle is recreated in BIG 1:18 scale down to the very last authentic detail, including its iconic flared fenders, whitewall tires, wood-look elements and pointed grille. Best of all, your favorite MLB™ team is championed all over this limited-edition ride. Handcrafted of artist’s resin and hand-painted in bold, glossy hues of your team’s colors, it boasts iconic logos and vintage-inspired graphics from bumper-to-bumper.
Chicago Cubs™ Floor Lamp
The Chicago Cubs™ have some of the most devoted fans in the league. If you count yourself among them, it could be time to let your spirit shine. An easy way to do that is with this impressive five-foot-tall floor lamp. Boasting Cubs™ logos, colors and legacy stats on all 4 sides of a wrinkle-resistant fabric shade, this modern lighting device stands atop a wood-finished base, sure to add style and pride to any room. Plus, this limited-edition lamp has a convenient, hands-free on/off floor switch to control the illumination with ease. Arrives with 2 free energy efficient light bulbs. Root for another team? No problem. We have many more available.
New York Yankees™ Wall Clock
Remember all those intense, down-to-the-final-inning games that happen when you’re a New York Yankees™ fan? In just seconds, a modest hit, a stolen base or a snagged fly ball could mean everything. Just imagine you’re in the middle of one of those big games and glance over to check the time on this handsome atomic wall clock. Ideal for indoor or outdoor use, this limited-edition timepiece is completely self-setting and accurate to a fault. It even lights up automatically when it detects darkness. And with the Yankees™ logo, colors and team establish date emblazoned on the clock face, everyone will know who your home cheers for.
How’s that for a grand slam? We hope today’s read got you all pumped up for the start of another exciting baseball season (and gave you a few ideas for your trophy case as well). If you’re reading this after the start of the season, we wish you and your team the best of luck for advancement to the playoffs this year.
And if you enjoy games beyond the baseball diamond, we wanted to let you know that The Bradford Exchange has a wide selection of sports collectibles for NFL fans, NHL® fans, NBA fans and even college sports too. Visit our website to see them all! Have fun shopping and thanks so much for reading.
And if you’re a hardcore baseball fan, be sure to catch these blog posts from our archives too:
5 Fast Facts: MLB™ All-Star Games
10 Unique MLB™ Collectibles That Are a Home Run by The Bradford Exchange
About The Bradford Exchange
The Gift Advisors @The Bradford Exchange are thrilled to help you discover a wealth of artistic treasures, all of which began with passion. Whether you are looking for that perfect personalized gift or a unique collection for yourself, we are driven to make your shopping experience as joyful as possible and hope you are surprised and delighted with what you find. Thank you for your continued support.
