The Best Major League Baseball Giveaways of 2022

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

After a COVID-shortened 2020 season and a lockout-threatened 2022 season that was narrowly avoided, fans are ready to flock back to baseball this year for the second full season in a row. As teams prepare to lure fans back, they’ll also prepare to send them home with some fun souvenirs. Teams have their promotional schedules out and their theme nights planned, both chock full of fun items. 
 
As we enter MLB’s Opening Weekend, I took my annual look around the league at every single giveaway that each of the 30 teams have planned. Here are my picks for every team’s best giveaway item in 2022. (And stay tuned for a bonus article breaking down teams’ nerdy theme nights and giveaways!)
 
Angels
It’s Sho-Time! Shohei Ohtani has taken the baseball world by storm, flashing generational brilliance as both a pitcher and a hitter. The reigning, defending, undisputed, Most Valuable Player is getting a superstar slate of giveaways this summer, including a historic season bobblehead (April 8th), an MVP bobblehead (May 10th), a snow globe (June 24th), and an MVP shirt (July 14th). 
 
Astros
The Astros are showing their mascot some love with an Orbit Sunday jersey giveaway on May 20th. 
 
Athletics
Bucket hats are (somehow?) making a comeback. The A’s are getting in on the action with a reversible bucket hat giveaway on July 23rd.
 
Blue Jays
This list has a lot of bobbleheads on it, and many more are being given out across the league. But none may be cooler than the “Vlad & Dad” bobblehead the Jays are giving out for Canada Day on June 17th. Vladimir Guerrero Sr. in a Montreal Expos jersey and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a Toronto jersey stand atop a maple leaf base and it’s all very perfect. 
 
Braves
No lead is safe in a race with The Freeze! The infamous Atlanta promotion has produced many thrilling and hilarious moments and is a regular in “Top 10” and “Not Top 10” on SportsCenter. Your best bet at beating The Freeze is probably picking up a Freeze bobblehead on May 26th and racing it around the block. But even then, you can’t count him out…
 
Brewers
I’m not sure it gets more “Midwest” than a grilling and tailgating toolbelt that fans of the Brew Crew can take home on August 6th.
 
Cardinals
On second thought, custom cornhole bags designed like Cardinals jerseys are pretty “Midwest” too. Coming to Busch Stadium and cornhole boards across Missouri on May 30th. 
 
Cubs
Nothing beats a beer at the ballpark and the Cubbies are making sure you can still enjoy one during those chilly games with a knit glove drink koozie on April 9th. 
 
Diamondbacks
Arizona’s got one of the league’s best City Connect jerseys with their stunning “Serpientes” alternates. Fans in attendance for Hispanic Heritage Weekend on September 17th will take home a replica of their own.
 
Dodgers
Fans can bring a piece of Dodger Stadium into their homes with replica statues of baseball legend Sandy Koufax on June 18th.
 
Giants
San Francisco is always great at instilling their giveaways with city pride, with lots of local-themed items in the past. This year, Bay Area rap legend E-40 gets his own bobblehead on June 25th. 
 
Guardians
This is the first year of Cleveland’s new team identity. Fans can get a couple Guardians jerseys of their own with a red alternate Shane Bieber jersey on June 25th and a home white Myles Straw jersey on August 6th.
 
Mariners 
Two icons collide when the Mariners celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on April 16th, as the team will give out a Ken Griffey Jr. bobblehead showing Griffey ditching his usual #24 and donning Robinson’s #42.
 
Marlins
Not your usual baseball cap giveaway. Fans in attendance on May 21st can do headwear the Miami way with a fedora giveaway. 
 
Mets
The man with one of the best nicknames in the majors, “Polar Bear” Pete Alonso, will get the bobblehead treatment on May 14th. It looks like the bobble will come with a polar bear head that can be placed over bobble-Pete’s head to transform him into his alter ego. 
 
Nationals
Washington D.C. will be full of caped crusaders on May 14th and 15th when kids will receive caped superhero socks. 
 
Orioles
It’ll feel like summertime in the tropics when O’s fans rock their Birdland Hawaiian shirts on July 9th. 
 
Padres
San Diego routinely makes the most of their beautiful old school logos and color schemes, especially in their giveaways. On May 9th, fans can celebrate Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn on his birthday with a retro shirsey.
 
Phillies
Kids can go back to school in style when they pick up a J.T. Realmuto cooler bag that looks like the catcher’s gear. 
 
Pirates
More regional fun as Pittsburgh gives out anthropomorphic pierogi figurines to kids on July 24th.
 
Rangers
Take some practice hacks in the sand or by the pool with your Texas Rangers on-deck circle beach towel June 5th.
 
Rays
Hype for Tampa rookie Wander Franco is through the roof. They may not sell for as much as some of his baseball cards, but the chain necklaces bearing his jersey #5 will be a cool addition to any fan’s collection.
 
Red Sox
Teams love to get creative with how they capture iconic plays and moments in bobblehead form. Boston is one of a couple teams with a bat flip bobble this season, theirs for Kike Hernandez on May 31st. 
 
Reds
The Redlegs are keeping it classic with a vintage 1960s style Mr. Red bobblehead on July 23rd. 
 
Rockies
The Rox always bring it with their Star Wars night koozies, dishing out R2-D2, Darth Vader, and even fuzzy Chewbacca versions in the past. While the exact design is still yet to be revealed, the Force will surely be with the Mandalorian beverage wrap on July 16th. 
 
Royals
“Okay, Picasso. I like it.”  Two types of Nicky Lopez bobbleheads will be on hand June 12th: regular bobbles for adults and paint-your-own bobbles for kids. 
 
Tigers
The Tigers will pay homage to the city’s diverse and rich baseball history with Negro League Detroit Stars replica jerseys on June 18th. 
 
Twins
The Twins didn’t really have a lot of giveaways and they didn’t have any pictures of the giveaways that they do have scheduled. So, I guess it’s fitting that the best pick is maybe the mystery Hall of Fame baseball cap on August 20th. 
 
White Sox
The Chi Sox adopted their “Southside” City Connect jersey last season. This year, they’re giving away a hockey style version of the jersey on April 30th (and it may look even better in its on-ice form!).

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