Remember the Cardinals rally cat? A second bobblehead is out
ST. LOUIS/MILWAUKEE (Heartland Newsfeed) — One year ago today, a kitten ran into the outfield area at Busch Stadium and following the capture of the cat by a grounds crew member, catcher Yadier Molina hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning from a pitch from the Kansas City Royals’ Peter Moylan.
Upon this anniversary, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has released an officially licensed, limited edition bobblehead featuring the brave rally cat in a red Cardinals uniform is now available for sale.
Additionally made available for sale, according to Phil Sklar, co-founder of the museum, is the licensed Yadier Molina and Fredbird High Five bobblehead.
Limited quantities of this run numbered to 1,000 for both bobbleheads are available for sale for $40 each with $8 flat shipping and were exclusively manufactured by FOCO.
Courtesy photo, FOCO/NBHFM
A prior version of the Rally Cat bobblehead in a white Cardinals jersey was made available in February via pre-sale and sold out on release day.
Of course this isn’t the first time a furry intruder rushed onto Busch Stadium and become immortalized in bobble form. A stray squirrel rushed onto the field during the 2011 World Series and became an icon in baseball when a bobblehead was released following the Gateway City’s home team won the title.
Most of the Rally Squirrel bobbleheads are very difficult to find, with a rare one commanding more than $100 when they pop up on eBay.
“We knew Cardinals fans are among the most passionate when it comes to their team and bobbleheads, but we were blown away by how quickly the first edition came out,” Sklar said.
Sklar noted that the museum was inundated with requests following the first edition selling out and noted they were glad they were able to make the red jersey edition in time for the anniversary.
Although the Cardinals organization did not keep the Rally Cat, the instant celebrity status brought light to animal welfare issues.
The Cardinals hosted a Rally Cat Appreciation Day, with proceeds being split between former manager Tony LaRussa’s Aminal Rescue Foundation and the St. Louis Feral Cat Outreach and the museum donated Rally Cat bobbleheads to both organizations to help support their various missions.
Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
