Phillies Oddballs - Kail Figurines
In the late 1950s, artist Fred Kail produced a series of figurines - which are now one of the rarest (and consequently, most sought after) collectibles around. Following the success of his "Joe Jolter" and "Bruce Bruiser" football-themed figurines, in 1957 Kail launched a baseball line. Like the football players, the left-handed batter used in Kail's baseball series feature his trademark exaggerated body details.
The original figurines were made of either gypsum or ceramic and hand-painted by the artist. While his football series proved to be very popular - quickly expanding from his home team Baltimore Colts to include then, all 14 professional teams - baseball didn't initially catch on. In a 2007 interview, Kail estimates he sold only about 100 of his original figurines featuring the Phillies, Orioles and Yankees.
Since the first release, the design has been often imitated and in researching this post found that the term "Kail Figurines" now includes not only those created by the original artist, but also newer ones produced in the same style. One of the most regularly found are Japanese reproductions found topping ashtrays. Kail himself still sells some of his own originals, with slight paint variations complete with an artist signature and production number handwritten on the base.
References:
"The Legendary Fred Kail: master sculptor and hobby", Sports Collectors Digest
Inside the Park Collectibles - 9/2014 Auction
Inside the Park Collectibles - 8/2009 Auction (Contemporary Version)
Inside the Park Collectibles - 8/2008 Auction (Japanese Ashtray Reproduction)