The Cult of Costanza: Why Seinfeld Bobbleheads Keep Hitting Home Runs with Baseball Fans
In a few days, the New York Yankees will be giving away a George Costanza bobblehead, and it’s already outselling the game itself.
On Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, the first 18,000 fans through the gates of Yankee Stadium will receive a mini-diorama of George napping under his desk — a scene straight from the classic Seinfeld episode “The Nap.”
The design includes one of the series’ many memorable lines (“I love a good nap. Sometimes it’s the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning.”), and the bobblehead itself is already showing up in online preorders for $200-plus.
That’s four times the price of an average game-day ticket in the Bronx.
The demand for this particular giveaway isn’t a one-off. In recent years, bobbleheads of the George Costanza character have quietly become one of baseball’s most oddly beloved promotions, popping up everywhere from the Bronx to Brooklyn to minor league ballparks in Florida and Connecticut.
Each one is rooted in a specific episode, packed with personality and coveted by collectors who appreciate a good crossover between sports memorabilia and sitcom lore.
But why George Costanza? Why baseball? And what makes these giveaways such a hit?
Let’s dive into the short, stocky, bald-headed phenomenon that turned an assistant to the traveling secretary into one of the hottest collectibles in stadiums around the country.
Why George Costanza Belongs In Baseball History
On paper, George Costanza may seem like an odd choice for a sports collectible. The character isn’t an athlete, he isn’t particularly coordinated, and he once declared his cowardice by saying, “I’m much more comfortable criticizing people behind their backs.”
But in the Seinfeld universe, George is baseball royalty — a neurotic, underqualified Yankees employee who somehow always finds himself entangled in front-office chaos. Though fictional, this made a lasting impression on baseball fans.
For nine seasons, Costanza was embedded in Yankees lore, eventually becoming as much a part of the Bronx Zoo as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. The character managed to bridge the gap between sitcom absurdity and actual sports culture, especially for New Yorkers who grew up watching both the Yankees and reruns of Seinfeld.
But it’s not just George. Seinfeld itself has long been tied to baseball.
The show featured cameos from MLB stars like Jeter, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, and Keith Hernandez. It also regularly referenced other baseball legends, like when Kramer sparred with Mickey Mantle at a baseball fantasy camp or when he tried to get Joe DiMaggio’s attention at a donut shop. (Turns out the Yankee Clipper is a dunker.)
Baseball wasn’t just a backdrop. From George’s job to Jerry’s love of the Mets to Elaine’s refusal to remove her Orioles cap at Yankee Stadium, baseball was part of the show’s DNA.
It also helps that Seinfeld and baseball share an audience overlap rooted in history, nostalgia, routine, and hyper-specific details. The same type of fan who can recite George’s “The sea was angry that day” monologue could probably also recall Andy Pettitte’s ERA during ’96 regular-season.
So, when teams give away bobbleheads that merge these two passions, it’s practically a guaranteed home run for fans, teams, ticket offices, and collectors.
That’s why George Constanza isn’t just a novelty figure. He’s a character who belongs in the ballpark. And as front offices have realized, tapping into “the cult of Costanza” from time to time can pay off in a big way.
The Top George Costanza Bobbleheads (and What They May Be Worth)
From Minor League creativity to Major League promos, George Costanza bobbleheads blend classic sitcom nostalgia with baseball tradition. The following are the standout Costanza bobbles that have driven fans to the ballpark and memorabilia auctions:
1. “The Nap” - New York Yankees (Aug. 21, 2025)
Design: George sleeping under his desk at Yankee Stadium, pulled from Season 8 episode “The Nap” — his quote, “I love a good nap…” printed in the background
Giveaway: First 18,000 fans at Yankee Stadium as the team hosts their rivals, the Red Sox
Currently Selling For: Presales ranged from $200 to $250 weeks before the actual giveaway
Why It Hits: The diorama-style detail and memorable quote from the show make this one of the most creative and pre-hyped Costanza bobbleheads to date.
2. “The Batting Stance” - New York Yankees (July 2024)
Design: George showing off his best batting stance, dressed in slacks and a button-down, in reference to his improbable hitting lesson (“Hitting isn’t about muscle. It’s simple physics.”) with Jeter and Williams in “The Abstinence”
Giveaway: First 18,000 fans at Yankee Stadium
Currently Selling For: $199 to $215
Why It Hits: This was the Yankees’ first-ever Costanza bobblehead, and collectors jumped on it fast.
3. “The Ocean Called” - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (July 2021)
Design: George diving face-first into shrimp cocktail, to which his coworker quipped “The ocean called, and they’re running out of shrimp,” in “The Comeback”
Giveaway: First 2,000 fans at this AAA Marlins affiliate
Currently Selling For: $80 to $140
Why It Hits: The perfect mashup between the character and the team’s brand (shrimp!) make this a fan-favorite Minor League oddity.
4. “Marine Biologist” - Brooklyn Cyclones (Aug. 2023)
Design: George in marine biologist mode, holding the golf ball he heroically removed from a whale’s blowhole, as depicted in the episode “The Marine Biologist”
Giveaway: First 1,500 fans attending this High-A Mets affiliate game
Currently Selling For: $95 to $150 range
Why It Hits: Featuring both Costanza and the whale, this is one of the most narrative-accurate and detailed Seinfeld-themed bobbleheads.
5. “Bubble Boy Coat” - Brooklyn Cyclones (Aug. 2024)
Design: George bundled up in a massive Gore-Tex coat with “The Original Bubble Boy” printed on its base, blending references from two episodes: “The Bubble Boy” and “The Dinner Party”
Giveaway: Limited to 2,000 with ticket packages
Currently Selling For: $65 to $175
Why It Hits: The design is bold and funny, and collectors love the bundled sets from these Seinfeld nights featuring other characters from the show.
6. “Assistant to the Traveling Secretary” - Connecticut Tigers (Aug. 2017)
Design: Classic George in business attire wearing a team jacket and cap while pointing his finger, his iconic title and “Vandelay Industries” printed on the base.
Giveaway: Just 1,000 produced for this Class A Short Season affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (now known as the Norwich Sea Unicorns)
Currently Selling For: $200-plus
Why It Hits: This is one of the earliest and rarest Costanza promo giveaways — an MiLB promo that helped kick off the entire Seinfeld/baseball bobblehead trend.
Beyond George: The Wider Seinfeld Bobblehead Scene
While George Costanza remains the undisputed MVP of Seinfeld-themed stadium giveaways, he’s not the only character who’s been immortalized in bobblehead form. Here are others you might find for sale in online auctions:
It should come as no surprise that Jerry Seinfeld, who was an avid fan of The Blue and Orange on the show, got his own Mets bobblehead in 2019. Featuring the comedian in a suit with a mic in hand, this collectible was handed out to 20,000 fans at Citi Field.
The Brooklyn Cyclones have gone all-in on the Seinfeld series, promoting annual Seinfeld Nights with bobbleheads featuring everyone from Kramer (his famous portrait) and Frank Costanza (with his Festivus Pole) to Mr. Lippman, Jean-Paul the marathon runner and even Fusilli Jerry.
There’s even a Brownstone Marble Rye bobblehead. That’s right — it’s literally a loaf of rye bread on a string, referencing Jerry and George’s bread-replacement scheme in “The Rye.”
These character and episode tributes — some of them deep cuts in the series — show just how far teams are willing to go to turn sitcom nostalgia into demand for ticket sales.
As for fans? They eat it up — like it’s the last chocolate babka in the bakery.
Shrinkage in Supply, Surge in Demand
It’s funny to think that George Costanza, arguably one of the least motivated characters in sitcom history, has become one of the most collectible figures connected to professional baseball. But in both Minor and Major League ballparks, he’s now a fixture in the bobblehead world, with resale prices that rival actual player memorabilia.
At the heart of it all is a mix of scarcity, nostalgia, and clever design. These aren’t just figurines. They’re miniature tributes to legendary Seinfeld moments produced in small numbers and handed out to just a few thousand fans … if that.
That limited availability makes them tough to track down, especially as demand has surged with each new release.
For those who love Seinfeld but can’t get their hands on one of these stadium exclusives, there’s still a way to build your collection.
Funko has released an entire line of Seinfeld-themed Pop! figures that feature George, Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and even side characters like the Newman and the Soup Nazi. These Funko Pop! figures may not have the same stadium tie-in, but they offer a fun and widely available way to celebrate the show’s legacy.
Still, there’s something special about a bobblehead that was handed out to fans during an actual game. If you’re lucky, persistent, and ready to bid, you might be able to land one for yourself.
Check out what’s available now at Pristine Auction, and let the Festivus for the rest of us begin.
FAQs About George Costanza Bobbleheads and Seinfeld Collectibles
Q: When is the Yankees’ George Costanza bobblehead giveaway in 2025?
The New York Yankees will give away the George Costanza “Nap Under the Desk” bobblehead on Monday, August 25, 2025, when they host the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The first 18,000 fans through the gates will receive one.
Q: How much is the 2025 Yankees George Costanza bobblehead worth?
Even before the giveaway, resale prices are ranging from $200 to $250 online. That’s more than four times the price of an average Yankees ticket, and values may climb once the bobblehead is officially released.
Q: Why is George Costanza connected to the Yankees?
On Seinfeld, George worked as the “Assistant to the Traveling Secretary” for the New York Yankees. This fictional role made him part of Yankees lore, with memorable episodes featuring cameos from real players like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Paul O’Neill.
Q: What are the rarest George Costanza bobbleheads?
Some of the hardest-to-find Costanza bobbleheads include the 2017 Connecticut Tigers “Assistant to the Traveling Secretary” bobblehead (only 1,000 produced) and the Brooklyn Cyclones “Marine Biologist” bobblehead from 2023. Both are highly sought after by Seinfeld and baseball collectors.
Q: Have other Seinfeld characters received bobbleheads at baseball games?
Yes! The Brooklyn Cyclones and other minor league teams have featured Kramer, Frank Costanza (with his Festivus pole), Elaine, and even oddball items like the Marble Rye. Jerry Seinfeld himself received a Mets-themed bobblehead giveaway in 2019.
Q: Where can I buy Seinfeld bobbleheads if I missed the stadium giveaway?
Limited-edition bobbleheads often appear on resale sites like Pristine Auction, eBay, and collector marketplaces. For a more accessible option, Funko also produces a line of Seinfeld Pop! figures featuring George, Jerry, Kramer, Elaine, and other fan-favorite characters.
