Entries Tagged 'Sports' ↓
May 10th, 2012 — Basketball Memorabilia, Sports, Sports Memorabilia
During the 1990s, it wasn’t uncommon to see Michael Jordan posters lining the walls of kids rooms. Born in 1963, Jordan played college ball at the University of North Carolina and began his professional career (and played his best years) with National Basketball Association team, the Chicago Bulls. Now retired, for the third and final time, Jordan’s career brought him fame and fortune, and made him one of the most recognizable names in sports worldwide. Many consider him to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
Some of the best Michael Jordan posters showed him in action. He was famous for his ability to change direction in mid-air, and stay airborne so long than commentators often said that he could fly. He was often called “Air Jordan” because of his amazing ability to leap high and stay there. His presence in the game of basketball made it an even more popular spectator sport, as fans and those curious about the sports phenomenon wanted to see him make his signature moves. He was also one of the first players to earn huge product endorsement deals and benefit from aggressive marketing.
Many Michael Jordan posters that collectors want today are from the period of 1991-1993, because it was during those years he helped lead the Bulls to 3 NBA championships in a row. They seemed unbeatable with Jordan at the helm, though after the second championship, fans and experts alike speculated whether they could actually pull off a third.
But they did win the third championship, sparking cries of “Three-peat,” and Michael Jordan posters stating the same, across the nation. Jordan then decided to pursue a career in baseball and left during the beginning of the following season to do so. His baseball career was unremarkable, however, and he returned to basketball and the Bulls, who won 3 more championships with him on the team, another 3 years in a row, and set an NBA record for the most wins in a season.
He retired for the second time in 1999, but two years later he came back, this time to the Washington Wizards, and was once again the subject of new Michael Jordon posters and with new product endorsement deals. But he donated his salary to help victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. After two years of leading in scoring despite his injuries, Jordan played his last game in 2003, and was honored by a 3-minute standing ovation.
Michael Jordan holds a number of NBA records, including the most points scored in an all-star game, as well as 2 Olympic gold medals, one won while as a college student, and one earned as part of the 1992 Dream Team of players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. When looking for Michael Jordan posters online, those featuring in-play shots during regular games are easy to find, but the ones commemorating his many NBA championships and The Olympic Dream Team are the ones usually prized by fans.
Originally posted 2008-11-01 14:00:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
May 8th, 2012 — Baseball Memorabilia, Baseball Pennants, Sports, Vintage Sports Memorabilia, world series
Collecting baseball pennants can be a fun hobby for a sports memorabilia fan, or a fan of a particular baseball team. A collector can choose to collect pennants that were made during a certain year, a certain era, or pennants spanning the entire history of one team. The variety in pennants in colors, materials and designs is so that any collection is bright and varied, and livens up any room in which it’s displayed.
Baseball cards stand as the leader among baseball collectibles, which causes many people to overlook things like baseball pennants, which are just as collectible and can be quite valuable. In fact, as far as an investment goes, pennants hold their value steady more than cards, which fluctuate based on a number of factors. While it’s unlikely that you’ll find baseball pennants that are worth as much as the top value baseball cards, you’ll have a more steady investment and a great-looking item to enjoy.
Baseball pennants are larger than baseball cards, and more easy and satisfying to display because of that, especially for fans of one team. While they take up more room, the space they occupy is typically on the wall, rather than in albums or boxes like cards, so they’re great for people with limited storage space. They serve as decoration as much as simply a collectible display, and are easy to theme a baseball room around, or feature prominently in a room filled with memorabilia from other sports besides baseball.
Thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets are a good place to browse for baseball pennants. Many people acquire them and never realize that they might have value beyond that of a souvenir, so it’s not unusual to find a true vintage pennant in one of these relatively cheap ways! Some older pennants can even be purchased through Major League Baseball and its affiliates, so it pays to check the official sources. And of course you can purchase new ones there, too.
Online auctions like eBay are a great way to find baseball pennants. While you might not be able to find the exact year a pennant was made when you’re purchasing through yard sales and auctions, this shouldn’t deter you from getting a pennant that you love. You can always research it later to try to find the year, if you’re interested in the history of the pennant.
When looking at baseball pennants, especially online, make sure you ask what material the pennant is made from, as this should affect the price and the value. (Also look into purchasing inexpensive pennant protectors so you can display your treasures without worry.) Felt pennants are the least expensive, and the more easily damaged ones, while wool pennants command higher prices and make a better investment. The earliest pennants from the 1940s will probably cost you more than those made later, but you may be able to find a great vintage pennant for much less than you think, especially if the current owner doesn’t realize its potential value.
Originally posted 2008-11-13 14:00:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
May 7th, 2012 — Olympic Memorabilia, Original Autographs, Sports, Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics
When it comes to sporting events, there are few that capture the hearts and minds of the people as much as the Olympics. As such, the popularity of Olympic memorabilia continues to rise. If you are looking for a unique piece of memorabilia that was a part in a world wide phenomenon, valuable and fun to discuss, these are some of the best items to collect. Since the Olympics only happen every few years, it can be difficult to find some of the rarer collectibles, but with careful shopping, you can have some success. Here are some tips to help you on your search and to make sure you end up with authentic Olympic memorabilia.
1. Start with a licensed dealer.
The easiest way to find Olympic memorabilia is to look for a licensed dealer. Many states will have shops that work with the IOCC on releasing certain pieces to the public. Typically, these dealers will carry a mix of rare and common collectibles that will range from pins, to shirts, and even to items used by the actual athletes that competed in the games.
2. Look online.
Online auction sites are a treasure trove that can contain some of the best Olympic memorabilia. This is mainly due to the fact that stores around the world can post their merchandise and you have access to a much wider selection than normal. When shopping with an online merchant, make sure that they have good feedback and a history of providing authentic merchandise. News travels quickly online and generally, if someone was defrauded by a seller, there will be a way to easily find out.
3. Decide what you are looking for.
Your search will be a lot easier if you have a specific date in mind or a specific Olympics. You can narrow it down even further by event for certain types of Olympic memorabilia, or you can keep your options open to help you find more options. This is an important step for any collector to take. If you are looking for autographs, make sure you have the correct name of the athlete as well as the events that they competed in to make your search easier. It is also helpful to decide whether you want to collect summer or winter Olympic memorabilia.
4. Keep looking.
If you don’t find the right Olympic memorabilia the first time you start looking, don’t give up hope. This is a very popular type of collectible and generally you will be able to find many new items on a continuous basis. The best collectors keep checking back week after week until they find the pieces they are looking for. With a little luck and a lot of perseverance, finding the right Olympic memorabilia is easy.
If you love sports, this is a great way to express your devotion and celebrate the achievements of your favorite athletes, or the countries they represent. Finding a rare autograph from a competitor in these games is quite a lot of fun and many are quite valuable.
Originally posted 2008-08-27 05:00:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
May 6th, 2012 — Sports
Welcome to Sports History.
Originally posted 2008-08-23 18:43:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
May 4th, 2012 — Baseball Cards, Baseball Jerseys, Baseball Memorabilia, Baseball Pennants, mickey mantle, Sports, world series
When asked to list some of baseball’s greatest players, many people would list Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb, but no list would be complete without Mickey Mantle. The Oklahoma native was born to a father who was already a huge baseball fan and actually named his son after Mickey Cochrane, a Hall of Fame catcher in the sport.
Mickey Mantle was an athlete through high school and college, and because of his college football career he developed osteomyelitis, a potentially fatal condition that had only recently been researched enough to find that penicillin could stop its progress. The disease was a crippling disease that could have cost him his leg, if not for proper, quick treatment. Because of this condition he couldn’t serve in the military and some baseball fans looked down on him for not serving in the Korean War instead of playing baseball professionally, as he did.
He was spotted by a Yankees scout when he was just in high school. The scout came back on the day Mantle graduated high school and signed him to the minor league team. He played for the Yankees in 1951 in his first World Series game, then replaced Jo DiMaggio in 1952 after his retirement. Mickey Mantle held the record for the most runs scored and the most runs batted in during the World Series, as well as the most World Series home runs.
Mickey Mantle also was known for hitting the longest home runs, with some estimated at having traveled between 550 and 650 feet. Though Ruth, DiMaggio and two other ball players had been paid more during their careers, in 1961 Mantle became the highest paid active player, with a contract for $75,000.
Mickey Mantle often battled injury during his career, with knee problems and frequent pain. He hit his last home run in 1968 and retired in 1969. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974, and the Yankees retired #7 in his honor. Mantle admitted alcoholism late in life and underwent treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic in 1994. In 1995 after the bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal building he worked to raise money for the victims and their families. Soon after, he received a liver transplant to replace the one ravaged by alcoholism and hepatitis. This caused controversy because of how quickly and easily he received an organ when others had been on a waiting list for months and years.
He also created the Mickey Mantle foundation to raise awareness about the need for organ donation and to help families struggling while waiting for an organ for a loved one. Despite the transplant, he died about two months later because the liver cancer had spread before the transplant.
Mickey Mantle memorabilia can be found in shops dedicated to sports memorabilia or in online auctions, where a huge variety is available. There is usually a lot of competition for these items, so be sure to research what’s most valuable at the time before placing your maximum bid.
Soon you can expect to see old fashioned bats considered collectibles, once only BBCOR certified baseball bats are available.
Originally posted 2008-12-13 05:00:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
May 2nd, 2012 — Baseball Cards, Baseball Jerseys, Baseball Memorabilia, Baseball Pennants, Ken Griffey Jr, Sports, Sports Autographs, Sports Memorabilia
Ken Griffey Jr is a baseball player from Cincinnati who has played for the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. The 39-year-old Griffey is a center fielder, and known for his home-run hitting power. He ranks fifth in home runs, and is tied for first place on the list of those who’ve made home runs in the most consecutive games. In late 2008, Griffey became a free agent. His father was baseball player Ken Griffey Sr. who played for Cincinnati.
Ken Griffey Jr started his career with the Seattle Mariners and played there for 11 distinguished and successful seasons. Not known for just home runs and his effortless swing, he was also lauded as a great defensive player, able to dive and slide when necessary and make difficult catches, often leaping high to catch a ball before it could become a home run.
The Seattle stadium that was built to replace the Kingdome, known as Safeco field, is often referred to as The House that Griffey Built. He was an all-star, won numerous awards and made numerous lists of all-time great baseball players while he played for the Mariners. He was even named to the All-Century team in 1999. That same year Ken Griffey Jr. asked to be traded to the Cincinnati Reds, the team his father played for, so he could live closer to his relatives.
He began playing for the Reds during the 2000 season, but with less impressive numbers than his previous years with Seattle. Frequent injuries caused problems for Ken Griffey Jr and slowed him down on the field. In 2004, he became the 20th player ever to make 500 career home runs. In a fitting moment, he made that home run on Father’s Day, with Ken Griffey Sr. watching from the stands in a hit that also tied him with his father’s career hits record of 2, 143. But he finished the year on the injured list.
Despite injuries that benched him throughout the years, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run, making him one of only 6 players in baseball history to do so, on June 9, 2008. In July, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox, and by September, had added to his home runs to his 611, making him 5th on the all time list. In October, the Sox declined his expensive contract option, and he became a free agent.
His memorabilia is popular among baseball fans, especially those who are still watching and waiting to see what team he’ll play for next. Petitions were signed by fans who wanted him back to his original baseball home with the Seattle Mariners. Autographed photos of him as well as jerseys and caps are popular items you can find places like eBay. Just be sure to compare the signature with one you know to be authentic to avoid buying a forgery. A photo, signature, or ball hit by Ken Griffey Jr could be the crowning jewel in a baseball collection
Originally posted 2008-12-27 10:23:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
April 17th, 2012 — Sports, Sports Autographs, Sports Memorabilia
If you are interested in sports, then there is a growing business trend that you should be aware of, which relates to buying, collecting and selling signed sports memorabilia. This is a sound investment that would be well worth considering if you are into sports, but the first consideration that you need to make when it comes to collecting signed sports memorabilia is what type of sport you are going to pursue.
If you are looking for an alternative method of investing that is always going to hold some kind of value in it, then collecting signed sports memorabilia is definitely a good way for you to go. This is because it is very rare for signed sports memorabilia to lose value, but rather most pieces of signed sports memorabilia are going to appreciate in value over time, meaning that more often than not you will have a sound vehicle for investing. Not only are these items going to hold their values, they are going to appreciate greatly in value over time, allowing you to realize a return on your investment if you ever decide to sell the signed sports memorabilia that you have spent time collecting through the years.
Unfortunately, there are some things that you are going to want to watch out for. For example, you are going to want to watch out for pieces of signed sports memorabilia that are not actually authentic. You want to make sure that the signed sports memorabilia pieces that you buy are authentic, and you can do this by choosing a reputable source for purchasing your pieces of memorabilia. You should not simply buy from random sellers until they have built up a reputation. If you cannot get good references, reviews and recommendations on the seller in question, then you should not trust them or the products that they are selling.
Here is a rule of thumb for when it comes to buying signed sports memorabilia online. If the store selling the signed sports memorabilia does not have a loyal following of buyers, completely positive feedback ratings or references to provide you, they can’t prove their reputation and should not be trusted. Any reputable dealer of signed sports memorabilia is going to have plenty of satisfied customers.
You don’t have to be driven by monetary gain in order to enjoy collecting signed sports memorabilia because owning a piece of sports history is rewarding in many ways, and they do not all relate to investing or getting a return on your investment in any way. Imagine owning a real, genuine article that has sports history attached to it. Does it sound enjoyable? Collecting signed sports memorabilia is something that you can do with your children and other family members, and you can pass your collectibles down to your children in the future as well.
Photo Credits: Chris Devers
Originally posted 2009-08-22 05:36:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
April 16th, 2012 — Football Helmets, Football Memorabilia, Sports, Sports Memorabilia
Official NFL memorabilia comes in all shapes and sizes, but some very distinctive collectible items are NFL football helmets. Whether you want to collect one from each of the 30 teams, or just your favorite team or teams, it’s a fun way to show your support for a team or the sport in general. Several helmets make a varied collection, with the different colors and team logos. Or helmets from the same team over a period of years can serve as a mini-shrine to your favorite football club.
Football helmets were first worn in 1893 in a game of Army against Navy. One of the players, Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, had been warned that to play again could kill him, and that on the other hand, by playing he risked “instant insanity” should he receive another kick to the head. A shoemaker from Annapolis created the leather helmet to protect him during the game. In 1896, George Barclay, a halfback from Lafayette College, feared that by playing bare-headed, he might develop cauliflower ear. He began wearing a headgear designed by a harness maker that was held on by three thick leather straps.
Football helmets weren’t mandatory until the 1930s. Helmets started out rather flimsy, looking more like aviator caps than protective headgear, but more padding was added as the years passed. During football’s Golden Age in the 20s through the 40s, helmets were made of leather, and usually bore no logos or symbols. Then college and high school players started painting their helmets by hand to make certain players more noticeable on the field. It wasn’t until 1948 when the first logo, a set of Ram’s horns, was painted on a professional’s leather helmet. That practice caught on and eventually helmets were wildly adorned, but not while the leather helmet was the common headgear. After 1950 when helmets were made of hard materials, then their adornment became all the rage.
Sports memorabilia like football helmets are easily found in online auctions like eBay, with so many available at one time it might be hard to choose. If you can narrow down your type of collection before you shop, you’ll probably enjoy the process much more. Decide if you’re going for (and if you have the room!) to collect 30 helmets, one from each team. Or if you’d rather collect helmets from just the American or the National conference, or just one or two favorite teams.
Many collectors opt for mini-helmets that offer the same colors and designs in a small size, and a smaller price tag. And often, one of the more interesting aspects of collecting football helmets is the history involved. Older versions of helmets add interest to any collection and are especially exciting if you’re collecting just your favorite teams. Most teams’ helmets have been redesigned at least once, maybe several times. Autographed football helmets are great additions to a collection, but are best purchased where you can get the autograph in person, or through charity auctions where you’re confident the signature is authentic.
Photo Credits: RLEVANS
Originally posted 2008-10-16 14:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 22nd, 2012 — Mugs Cups and Glasses, Sports, Sports Memorabilia
There are an endless variety of different items that you can collect relating to sports, depending on what your own preferences and interests are. For example, one collection that you may want to consider pursuing is to collect sports mugs as memorabilia. Learning how to collect sports mugs as memorabilia is not a difficult process by any means, and it opens up a completely new world of collectibles for you to pursue. If you are looking for a new type of collectibles to pursue in the realm of sports, consider collecting sports mugs for a change of pace and a new world of excitement.
If you are looking for sports mug memorabilia, then you have made a good choice in the world of collecting. You have made what is fast becoming a truly popular choice in the world of sports memorabilia collecting. Today there are many individuals out there that are showing interest in drinking from sports mugs and otherwise collecting sports mugs from their favorite players, teams and championship games.
So why do so many people want to collect sports mugs memorabilia? The truth is that many people are interested in collecting anything that has to do with their favorite sport star, sport team or championship. If you have a favorite sports team, then why not consider being able to collect sports mugs memorabilia? There are all kinds of sports memorabilia mugs that you can collect, and you should have no trouble finding mugs that you can collect that mesh with your favorite player or your favorite team. If you take a look online, you will see that you are not the first person to want to collect sports mugs memorabilia.
Jump online and you will find all kinds of online auctions that will allow you to get the different sports memorabilia mugs that you are looking for. Millions of people collect sports memorabilia including mugs, shirts, balls, jerseys and plenty of other equipment and memorabilia items. Once you begin to look at what is being bought and sold online, you may be surprised to see that there is a real market for people that collect sports mugs memorabilia. What this means is that if you are also interested in this type of collection that there is a lot out there in terms of help and resources, and there will be no shortage of mug and other memorabilia for you to collect.
When it comes to the art behind collecting sports memorabilia mugs, you should be aware that you can collect sports mugs memorabilia in all different shapes, sizes, colors and styles. You will be able to collect sports mugs memorabilia for basketball teams, soccer teams, football teams, hockey teams and anything else under the sun that you can think of. There are plenty of mugs to choose from out there and you are bound to find plenty to purchase for your collection.
Photo Credits: Klobetime
Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:39:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 19th, 2012 — Sports, Sports Autographs, Sports Memorabilia
Are you thinking about collecting autographed sport memorabilia? If you are interested in creating a sports collection of some kind, one of the options that is available to you is collecting autographed sport memorabilia. If you want to add autographed collectibles to your own personal collection, what you may like to do is write personal letters to the sports stars that you appreciate the best, asking them if they can send you an autographed piece of sports memorabilia. This is a relatively inexpensive way for you to add autographed souvenirs to your sports collection. The process of collecting autographed sport memorabilia is definitely not difficult, but it takes patience to get responses from sports stars.
What many people do when they are going about collecting autographed sport memorabilia is that they send items that they hope to have signed like vintage photographs, newspapers, magazines and sports cards. Send the item to the sports star with a personalized, hand written note and mail out the parcel in hopes to receive a response. If you really want to receive an autographed response, then you are also going to need to include an SASE which stands for Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope, which is going to allow for the item to be returned to you more efficiently. This shows the sports star how serious you are about receiving a piece of autographed memorabilia for your collection. In advance of mailing out an item, you are going to have to decide what kind of item you really want to have signed, because you are really only going to have one shot at getting the autograph that you seek when you are collecting autographed sport memorabilia.
A really popular item to choose when you are collecting autographed sport memorabilia is sports cards because they are really inexpensive to purchase as well as to mail. You should only need to use a single first class stamp in order to mail an index card or a sports card in a letter, where as newspapers as well as magazines require larger envelopes and more postage. You should make sure to bubble wrap or otherwise protect the memorabilia so that you get back a mint condition autographed piece of sports memorabilia rather than a folded or torn one.
It is generally advisable that you not send large items like jerseys, bats and balls in the mail when you are collecting autographed sport memorabilia. These types of items are better off being signed in person when you attend a convention or a game. There is nothing wrong with wanting these types of items when you are collecting autographed sport memorabilia, but they will not travel well through the mail. When you are asking for autographs through the mail, you should be asking for autographs on small pieces of memorabilia like sports cards and ticket stubs.
Photo Credits: Cindy Funk
Originally posted 2009-07-25 05:30:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
