Background

Collectors are getting closer to being able to assemble a complete set of all 30 Major League Baseball teams in Lubie form. As we continue our look at Rocket USA’s MLB Lubies series, we bring you three new teams and the third design from another one. The Oakland A's, Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins have all made use of unique - team specific - animal plushies. And we'll be looking at the third design from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Facts



MLB Lubies
Series: Lubies
Manufacturer: Rocket USA
Material: Plush
Dimensions: 5” round
Designs: Oakland Athletics (elephant); Florida Marlins (marlin); Baltimore Orioles (oriole); Philadelphia Phillies (bear - gray)

Tag

Each MLB Lubie includes a small circular tag. While it might look like a generic tag, each team has a unique illustration featuring their stadium as the background. On the inside, the team's logo is featured across from a “Did You Know?” factoid. And even the most devout baseball fan can learn a little something from your Lubies.

Our Opinion

I'm a hardcore Philadelphia Phillies fan. I'll admit it. I proposed to my wife on the old Phan-o-Vision at Veterans Stadium. "Did You Know?" She actually said yes. So, I'll attempt to filter any bias out of this review. 

Since there is a Phillies Lubie, we'll get to that one first. Out of the three Phillies (bear) Lubies released, it's smack dab in the middle. I like the pinstripe version slightly better than the all gray (they both beat the all red bear).

Some non-'baseball fans' are probably wondering why the Oakland A's are depicted by an elephant. Apparently, back in 1905, New York Giants manager John McGraw told Philadelphia media (back when they were the Philadelphia Athletics) that the owner had a white elephant on his hands. The manager (Connie Mack) ran with the name and presented McGraw with an elephant stuffed animal at the beginning of the 1905 World Series. Now it makes sense...right?

The Baltimore Orioles (known as the St. Louis Browns until 1954) use - not so surprisingly - the oriole Lubie plush. This is a new animal, but it appears to use the same pattern as some of the previous bird Lubies (including the St. Louis Cardinals). Thanks to the Florida Marlins (one of two 1993 expansion teams), Rocket USA adds another unique plush character to the available Lubies. Don't worry...the fish's bill isn't pointy.

Both the Orioles and Marlins designs add a little color (yellow on the oriole's wings and orange on the marlin) that are in the team's color scheme, but not on the logo. The Lubies aren't supposed to be exact replicas of the teams' mascot, so I like the addition of all of the team's colors.

Wondering if we've reviewed your favorite team's Lubies yet?

You can pick one up at the following:

MLBShop: $12.99 ea.

MLB Lubies Grades

Plush Quality: 9/10
    Stitching: 8/10
    Material: 9/10
Softness: 10/10
Packaging/Tag: 9/10
Cuteness: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 9/10

Overall: 9.2/10

Athletics: 9.3/10
Marlins: 9.1/10
Orioles: 9.0/10
Phillies (gray): 8.9/10