Ted Toles’ statue available to buy

By John Kovach

The 81-year-old former Negro League pitcher also has his own Topps baseball card.

WARREN — Ted Toles Jr. of Warren is becoming more famous as a retired Negro League baseball player than when he performed on the diamonds for five teams in the 1940s.

Toles, 81, was a left-handed pitcher, outfielder and switch-hitter for the Pittsburgh Crawfords (1946), Cleveland Buckeyes (1947), Newark Eagles (1947) and Jacksonville Eagles (1949). He also played for the Jackie Robinson All-Stars.

He continues to reap much of the recognition, respect and enjoyment that were denied to him as Negro League player.

How? Through his own baseball cards and miniature collectible statues designed and sold by companies.

Last year, Toles received the distinction of becoming the first Negro League player to have his own baseball card published by Topps.

And earlier this year, he became the second Negro League player to have his own miniature statue created and marketed by Hartland of Ohio LLC, a company located in Mentor which produces regular and “signature” series figures (hand-signed figures) and licensed sports figures. Clients include Major League Baseball, the NFL and NBA.

Hartland’s origin dates to 1958 when the first Hartland sports figures were produced by Hartland Plastics of Hartland,. Wis. Over the years, company ownership has changed.

Toles said that Hartland has made a limited and fixed production of 100 of his bobbleheads. Each comes with his signature, a Hartland identification tag and a certificate of authenticity. They are numbered to 100.

“I signed 100 of them and they gave 10 of them to me for myself, so they have 90 to sell,” Toles said.

“I will give mine to family, friends and acquaintances,” said Toles, who signed a contract with Hartland giving them the license to sell the statues. “They paid me $750 plus the 10 statues.”

Toles’ statue was announced by Hartland of Ohio LLC on March 16, and is for sale on-line at www.hartlandllc.com. for $40.

Fay Halliwell, president of Hartland, said that Toles “is the second Negro League player that we have done with a signature. The first player was Buck O’Neil in 2006.”

Halliwell said that demand has been high for the Toles statue.

“I have to tell you we only have 30 of them left,” Halliwell said. “We have sold 60 already, 20 of them to the Toles family.”

She said such quick sales with good quantity are new to her.

“It’s never happened to me before,” said Halliwell, noting that she may make more Toles statues.

“There is a possibility we will re-negotiate our contract [with Toles], depending on demand,” Halliwell said. “I have been talking to Ted’s son, Ted Toles III.”

Thus, Toles takes his place among the likes of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Milt Pappas and Dick Allen, just to name a few of the famous athletes who have been honored with Hartland statues.

Because of limited production. the statues, like the baseball cards, are expected to grow in value to collectors in the years ahead.

Last year, Toles became one of four Negro League players from the pre-1947 era — and the first one — to be honored with his own baseball card.

“I will be the first person from the Negro League that [Topps] will be making a card for,” said Toles last year in May after the announcement. “They will make 200 cards. I signed a contract for $1,000.”

Also last year, Dr. Layton Revel, the founder and executive director of The Center for Negro League Baseball Research in Dallas, said that, “This is the first time Topps made baseball cards for a Negro League series.

“Topps asked the Center to select the players.”

Toles is becoming a popular personality in the baseball world and has been making public appearances and giving talks about his experiences in the Negro League.

He is scheduled to appear at Pittsburgh’s Parade of Stars on June 21 and the Josh Gibson Days on July 18-19.

Toles also will serve as an usher for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers baseball games at Eastwood Field, beginning with Tuesday’s season opener against the Williamsport Crosscutters at 7:05 p.m.

Toles will be wearing a Scrappers’ jersey.

He also will be on hand for the Scrappers’ Negro League Day on Aug. 27 at Eastwood Field.

kovach@vindy.com