Toy giant Hasbro has announced that they will cease production of their line of Starting Lineup sports figurines after this season.  This ends a 13-year run begun by Kenner (which was subsequently purchased by Hasbro) in 1988 that encompassed elite athletes from all four major sports.  Currently Hasbro is licensed to produce figures for Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and the NFL.  The reason given by Hasbro for discontinuing the line was cost. 

Though this year's product is improved, Starting Lineup figures were never known for their likenesses or detail.  Competition from McFarlane Toys (see 'McFarlane Fields Diverse Lineup, Part I') meant that Hasbro would have to retool and spend quite a bit just to get in the same ballpark as the upstart McFarlane.  The way is now clear for McFarlane or perhaps Upper Deck (which makes a line of bobbin' figures) to capture the market for sports figurines.

Hasbro's financial situation dictated this strategic retreat.  The company has recently cut 850 jobs and reported a 27% drop in fourth quarter sales.  Moody's Investor Service has cut Hasbro's credit rating to junk bond status, which makes borrowing money for any purpose, including investment in product improvements, much more difficult and expensive.