Last minute baseball gift ideas
While the northeast was blanketed by a fierce snow storm, the weather was plain ol’ crazy here in Georgia – 65 F in mid-December, so I was able to do my last minute holiday shopping (I suspect I’m getting the Wire’s full series box set… just a hunch). But if you were entombed in snow, I’ve put together a handy online guide for baseball related gifts for the fan in your family. And because I’m extra merry, I’ll throw in some special discount links from some of our vendor affiliates: you get a good gift, you get a good deal, and UmpBump makes a little money. Everybody wins.
The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2009
For the stat-head in all of us, this is not your daddy’s baseball almanac. Chock full of insightful articles from the likes of Rob Neyer, John Dewan, Richard Lederer and Tom Tango, as well as hundreds of pages of statistics, this is the book to get for some real inside baseball.
The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2009
MLB Superstar for the Nintendo Wii
I don’t own a Wii, but I’ve played it, and I gotta admit it’s one of the most interesting video game experiences. Who would’ve thought that barely standing and moving your arms around and about, depending on what game your playing, can actually make you break a sweat. Naturally, baseball is a logical sport for a Wii video game and a great fit for the system. This game takes actual MLB players and likenesses and lets you play them in different mini games and puzzles. From the description: “Utilizing the Wii’s motion sensing capabilities and easy pick-up-and-play functionality, MLB Superstars puts a brand new spin on classic games with Baseball Pachinko, Baseball Bocci, and Baseball Golf.” Baseball golf? Go figure…
MLB Superstars
2008 World Series DVD Set
I don’t know about you, but I might need to watch a couple of these DVDs to remember exactly what happened during this year’s Fall Classic. That nasty weather in Philly sure threw a wrench in things. If not, you can bet any proud Philly Fan wants to remind us all about the fact that they won it all in 2008, so this is the perfect gift (but really, what have they done lately?).
The Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Collector’s Edition (2008) – $59.99
Or, try the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies: The Official World Series Film (2008) – $13.99.
A&E Store: Essential Games of Yankee Stadium
Save 33% off on the Essential Games of Yankees stadium six-DVD set, which includes 1976 ALCS game 5 against the Royals, 1977 World Series game 6 against the Dodgers, 1995 ALDS game 2 against the Mariners, 1996 World Series game 6 against the Braves, 2001 World Series game 4 against the Diamondbacks, and 2003 ALCS game 7 against the Red Sox. The set also includes a bunch of discs with extra bonus material.
Essential Games of Yankee Stadium six-disc DVD set - $40
(Link takes you to the A&E store)
A&E Store: Red Sox 2007 World Series Collector’s Edition DVD Set
Only hardcore Red Sox fans need apply. Get a box set with all 4 games of the 2007 Fall Classic, including the marathon game 3 (clocked at 4 hours and 19 minutes).
2007 World Series Collector’s Edition – $40
(Link takes you to the A&E store)
BaseballSavings.com: Holiday Gift Guide
Our friends over at baseballsavings.com have a slew of gift ideas, ranging from your typical fitted New Era caps, to baseballs in display cases, to baseball gear for the minor-leaguer in your family. Get gifts from under$25 to over $200.
BaseballSavings.com Holiday Gift Guide
MLB.com Shop: Free 2 to 3 day shipping
Can’t get any last minute than this. MLB.com’s shop is offering free 2 to 3 day shipping free for all qualified offers over $75. This deal is good until midnight tonight (12/21).
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Full disclosure: Most of the links above take you to our affiliates’ sites, through which UmpBump makes a small percentage of each sale.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
What about the Baseball Prospectus annual! It won’t be ready until after Christmas but you could pre-order it now…good stocking stuffer!
[hint, hint]
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December 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
The following must hold true for the BP to fit in a stocking:
- Stocking must be attached to fireplace w/ a railroad spike, or liquid nail
- Stocking must be about 2 feet wide and 4 feet deep
- Stocking should be made from fishing twine, or 8 gauge wire
I wish the BP would come out before Christmas, then I wouldn’t have to watch the Family Matters Christmas special.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Sean, these are all incredibly valid points. But since the BP annual won’t be available until *after* the big day, the printed-out pre-order confirmation will definitely fit in a normal size, woolen stocking hung from the mantel by the usual means. :)
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December 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Oh, and I should say, there’s one totally unbeatable really great baseball gift:
TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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December 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Good point Sarah – well, I hope that special someone gets you the BP. My wife bought my first BP for me, and I think she regrets the decision. When it arrives, I lock myself in a room, until I motor through all of the essays, and find all of the comedy gems hidden in some of the player profiles.
Your linked article raises a valid point, I’ve never seen a female with the BP. It’s the equivalent of seeing a woman purchasing the “Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook.”
Happy reading.
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December 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
You should link to the Blu-Ray version of the World Series movie as well. If you have a Blu-Ray player, it really is worth the extra bucks to see that final out in all of its HD glory.
It’s also really loud.
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December 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
“It’s the equivalent of seeing a woman purchasing the “Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook.”
OMG. You’re so right. Or, hypothetically, a collection of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes on VHS!!!!!
I fear I’ve already revealed too much.
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December 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I think I’ve learned my lesson about getting my dad baseball gifts…he’s got very little sentimentality. For his birthday, I got him the Red Sox hat that was the 1948-1952 original, worn by Teddy Ballgame, and it was way more expensive than a normal hat, (cuz they don’t them anymore, obviously). He looked at it, was like “looks just like the one I have.” and I had to point all the ways in which it was different from the one he already had.
this year I got him Celtics tickets to one of their final home games, they are great seats, and they were ridiculously expensive, so he better not complain about how much better he can see the players when he watches it on TV.
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December 24th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I can’t recommend the Phillies DVD. It sucks. No matter how many times you watch it, the Phillies still win.
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December 24th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Lyndsay, if your dad doesn’t like those presents, I’ll take them. :)
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December 26th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
A quick note on the video game for all those looking for a baseball game on their new Wii: I’d instead recommend MLB Power Pros 2008. Unlike MLB Superstar it’s actually a baseball game rather than a bunch of baseball-themed party games.
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December 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Lindsay – I hope your dad liked his gifts. I know it is too late, but for some awesome old school baseball stuff, these guys are amazing:
http://www.ebbets.com/
Sarah – I want to see a pic of you with your BP waiting in line for the new Star Trek movie in May.
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