G.I. JOE UNDERAPPRECIATED FEATURING “HARDBALL”!
Welcome to the Outpost. Today I’m taking a look at a 1988 G.I. Joe figure that I feel is under appreciated, “Hard Ball“. Hardball was part of the yearly sports figure that Hasbro started doing in 1985 with Bazooka. I did not have a Hardball back in the day, but this is a really cool figure. I did play baseball in high school and much like Hardball I played centerfield and no scouts were looking at me.
All jokes aside I don’t remember Hardball in the cartoon and I couldn’t find much more then 1 issue where he was in the comics. He has a solid classic baseball look to him and even though this may have been the dawn of the oversized weapons his huge gun still looks really cool and looks like he could be a one man show to pull off the triple play. Big beef there was no modern version, no repaint, no 12 inch, and probably no 6 inch, although I think that would look very cool. Overall Hardball is a unique figure and I’m glad I have one now. Who loves Hardball? Who had or wanted one as a kid? Share your stories with us in the comments below. Make sure to check back for my next Joe discussion.
I remember him as a kid, but never had much of a desire to purchase him. Fast forward to my adult years where I’m an avid baseball fan, the character appeals to me much more. I’ve thinned out my ARAH collection due to space, but you’re right in that I don’t see him getting any kind of modern update so I may just have to seek out a complete, loose specimen of this classic figure sooner than later.