Stories pour out of prized items

By Brandon Steiner

Note: This article originally appeared on ESPN.com.

Collectible Chat With Don Larsen
Brandon Steiner talks to former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen about his perfect game in the 1956 World Series and the items he saved from the historic game.

I’ve been in this business for more than two decades, but one thing about memorabilia still amazes me every day. It’s the magic that takes an ordinary item, such as a glove or a jersey or even a wristband, and turns it into a valuable keepsake — a totem to be revered for all time.

I’m not talking about the simple act of New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera signing a baseball — though we collectors know that Mo

certainly has beautiful penmanship, and an autograph as elegant and straight-forward as his timeless windup.

No, I’m referring to what’s contained in that signature. You look at that signed ball and your mind conjures up visions of all those epic October nights in the Bronx, when Mo came loping from behind the outfield wall, called in to save yet another nail-biter of a postseason game. All the broken bats his cutter has left in its wake. The way he flexes his body at the hips, then rights it just before going into his windup, like a butterfly knife snapping into place. The way he came up in the Yankees’ farm system as a middling starter, then found an unhittable fastball in his first year in the majors, became a relief man and climbed his way up from anonymity to immortality. Five hundred-plus saves.

That’s the magic in memorabilia. The history and the inspiration each item carries with it. A ball is never just a ball. It’s a window into an

enchanted world.

Of course, sometimes that window doesn’t look into an epic life or career. Sometimes it looks in on one singular play or game — and that moment is so magical that it captures our imagination in the same profound way.

Such is the case, of course, with Don Larsen. On Monday, Oct. 8, 1956, at Yankee Stadium, Larsen executed what many (myself included) consider the greatest pitching performance of all time. The sixth perfect game in history would have been special enough. Coming as it did against the Brooklyn Dodgers, as part of baseball’s most historic rivalry, added zest. Coming in the World Series — holy cow, nothing tops that. There have been 20 perfect games in total now, but Larsen’s gem is the perfect perfect game.

Yankees pitcher Don Larsen celebrates his perfect game with catcher Yogi Berra after Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. Photo: Diamond Images/Getty Images

More magic here. Larsen came to our offices recently and I got to chat with him about that famous fall day 50-plus years ago. When he woke up that morning, Larsen had no way of knowing that the next several hours would virtually define his life, that he’d be commemorating it with his John Hancock for decades to come. In fact, Larsen didn’t even know whether manager Casey Stengel was going to have him pitch in Game 5.

Larsen told me that after being clobbered by the Dodgers in Game 2, he didn’t know he’d be starting Game 5 until he arrived at Yankee Stadium that morning. Can you imagine having a day start out pretty much as anonymously as any other, then before you go to bed that night, you’ve become an all-time legend?

I asked Larsen if he ever imagined how many autographs he’d end up signing as a result of that perfect game. “Not really,” he said matter-of-factly, “I just do it when it comes up. I enjoy it.”

Which is not to say the game doesn’t hold a special place in Larsen’s heart. Of course it does. I mentioned it’s one of the greatest performances in baseball history, and he acknowledged that.

“At least they can’t beat it, they can only tie it. I’m very pleased I was part of it. It was a great day. The best day I ever had. Ever thought of having. Especially with Yogi (Berra) behind the plate. I couldn’t have done it without Yog. And the club we had was pretty damn good.”

Of course I asked Larsen if he saved any mementos from that day. He did originally, but over the years he auctioned them all off, to provide for his grandson’s education. Talk about making the most of your pitches!

The best anecdote he told me was how his teammates acted during his quest for perfection. As is the well-worn baseball custom, the other Yankees gave him the silent treatment during the game, lest anyone jinx the whole thing.

“Nobody would talk to me. I was in the dugout, and it wasn’t normal, like it is when they’re joking around and having fun, rooting for everybody,” Larsen said. “I didn’t like that feeling, being by myself. The only time when I was happy was when I was back on the mound, pitching. But those guys have those superstitions. I don’t believe in superstitions. What’s gonna happen is gonna happen, and it did. I was very happy.”

Needless to say, so was the rest of New York. Well, at least the portion that wasn’t composed of Dodgers or Giants fans. And those deep feelings, the awe-inspired spine tingle of watching each new zero being put on the scoreboard, the great relief at the final out, the visceral recognition of having witnessed something so transcendent, are conjured up every time we lay eyes on that photograph of Berra jumping into Don’s arms, on a scorecard from that game, on Don’s signature on a ball. Or even a slip of paper.

It always amazes me how these simple objects can be so infused with history, that they become descendants of it, pieces of history themselves. This is the inspiration of memorabilia. This is why we collect it.

And it’s why I love hearing the stories from your collections. As I read your emails, I’m reminded that often the way a piece of memorabilia is acquired adds priceless personal value to an item already rich with history.

“What’s It Worth?” Reader Emails

Players ranging from Michael Jordan to David Popson autographed this North Carolina Tar Heels basketball. Courtesy of Ted DesMaisons

Brandon: I’ve got a treasure of a ball from the 1984 University of North Carolina basketball team, Michael Jordan’s last year there.

A dear friend of mine (a woman who had helped raise me soon after my parents divorced) was in nursing school at UNC and worked on the floor of the hospital where all the players would come for treatments. She knew I was a big UNC fan so she got all the guys to sign the basketball as a Christmas present for me and my brother. Needless to say, that was a cool Christmas.

On the ball, you’ve got the Tar Heel greats who were there that year: Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Dean Smith and Kenny Smith. You’ve got some midrange guys who were or went on to be coaches: Buzz Peterson, Eddie Fogler, Matt Doherty and Bill Guthridge. And you’ve got the others: Steve Hale, Joe Wolf, Cecil Exum, Curtis Hunter, Dave Popson, Timo Makkinen and Cliff Morris.

The ball’s been kept under a glass cover for years, though it does have a bit of yellowing on the white parts of the ball. It’s never been played with.

I’d so love to hear your perspective. Thanks so much.
Ted DesMaisons
Northfield, Mass.

Steiner: What a story. At the time, your friend must have known that getting that powerhouse Tar Heels team to sign a ball was a big deal, but considering the careers Jordan, Perkins and Smith went on to have, and Coach Smith’s standing in the game, she couldn’t have possibly known the significance years later.

The Jordan autograph alone on a ball, by itself, is worth at least $1,000. With the rest of them, I have to think this ball is worth at least $5,000, but I wouldn’t sell it for the world. I love that it’s a UNC colored ball, by the way. This is a unique item, very special.

Brandon: This is truly a one-of-a-kind item. Back in 1996, I was a writer for an advertising agency that represented a NASCAR sponsor. We produced a limited-edition poster that digitally recreated the Winston Cup champion cars from

The owner of this historic NASCAR poster took many years to compile autographs of Winston Cup champions. Courtesy of Jeff Barnes

the previous 30 years, and I wrote the headline for the poster. In the course of my work, I often went to NASCAR races — complete with garage passes — and attended trade shows where NASCAR drivers would also be. For the next couple of years, I went to all of these events with poster and Sharpie in tow and was able to get every living driver’s autograph in person. This includes Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Benny Parsons, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, and Jeff Gordon. (Of course, Dale Earnhardt and Benny Parsons have since passed, and Bobby Isaac and Alan Kulwicki were already gone.) David Pearson was the last one, collecting that about 10 years after I started by visiting him in his hometown. Naturally, I’ve got a little story behind each autograph.

A sidebar to this poster: When it came out, it was very popular among racing teams and we supplied to all of them with copies. Gary DeHart, then crew chief for Terry Labonte, told his crew they’d be the next car on the poster; he cut out a picture of the car and stuck it in the corner of their poster. As it happened, Labonte did win the Winston Cup that year. We took a photo of Labonte and DeHart holding that poster for an ad produced for our client; I’ve got a copy of that photo, signed by both men. I’ll have to get that framed to hang alongside.

I’d be curious to hear what you think.
Jeff Barnes
Omaha, Neb.

Steiner: Jeff, you’re not kidding this is one of a kind. And I love the header of the poster and the graphics. The sheer length of time you spent rounding up these autographs speaks to the value of the piece. The names on there — the autographs — are a true who’s who of NASCAR legends. And as you mention, a couple of those autographs are sadly already part of limited lines. I estimate this poster to be worth around $2,500, but as I seem to keep writing, the personal value to you is clearly incalculable. What a great job all around on this item.

 What’s Your Collectible Worth?

 Do you have an item of sports memorabilia that you believe might be worth some money?

Each month, Brandon Steiner, the CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing & Memorabilia Inc. in New Rochelle, N.Y., will offer appraisals of fans’ sports  memorabilia items monthly in ESPN.com’s The Life.  Send an email with photos, a description of the item and how it was obtained, along with your  full name and city of residence, to steinerespn@gmail.com, and check back for Steiner’s next installment.

Appraising Yankees items, Red’s stogie

By Brandon Steiner

Note: This article originally appeared on ESPN.com.

June has been a crazy month, as baseball is in full swing and New York is mesmerized by the fact that a New York Yankee has never had 3,000 hits. Derek Jeter is almost there.

Joe DiMaggio items, such as this painting, are always special to baseball collectors. Photo: Edward Krawiec Sr.

I knew June 7 was a special day. The day began in our offices with Yankees great Andy Pettitte coming up for a quick interview for my YES show, and it was my first time seeing Pettitte since his retirement.

Of course interviewing Pettitte is always special, and this day was no different. I’m sure none of my readers are surprised that the interview turned slightly to collecting.

Surprisingly, Pettitte gathered a lot of signed balls in his first few big league seasons, from players he had respected greatly. Then the collecting turned to game-used items, as Andy would get his jersey, shoes and articles he wore in the World Series framed in a large display. After the first World Series, he went on to do this many more times.

Pettitte was most proud of his all-time postseason win total, as well as the win-save record he shares with Mariano Rivera. This is an incredible statistic: 68 times Andy won a game, Mo saved the game, a major league record.

Wrapped it up with Pettitte, then headed straight to the MLB Fan Cave for my weekly show, “What’s it Worth?”

We started with Jim Houlihan, from Houlihan Parnes, who brought three amazing New York Yankees World Series programs from the 1930s. Houlihan and I got a laugh from the fact you could buy a brand-new car for $399, according to the advertisement that graced the back cover. World Series programs in beautiful shape from that era are worth upwards of $500. The 1936 was amazing as it was Joe DiMaggio’s rookie year as well as a year the Yankees went to the World Series.

Then came the type of item I am always hoping to see. Peter Norrito, from Going Pro, came on the show with one of the nicest single signed Roger Maris balls I have ever seen. The signature was strong and in blue ball point, and the ball itself had minimal signs of vintage toning.

I estimated the ball at between $10,000 and $15,000.

I then met collector Greg Carol, who had quite an unusual item, which always shows me the different twists and turns to collecting. It was a 1945 World Series-era Tigers baseball, signed on the sweet spot by Babe Ruth. Must have been a Ruth single signed, and the collector then added Tigers Champs, amazingly. Ball is no question the only one of its kind, and is valued at $5,000.

I logged onto my ESPN email account and saw great stories and entries for my column.

Red Auerbach was almost as synonymous with cigars as he was with the Celtics. Courtesy of Ian Baldwin.

Brandon, I have a partially smoked cigar from Red Auerbach. In 1990, when I was in high school, a friend of mine invited me to the Celtics’ rookie camp because his uncle was some key person at Babson College. He invited me to help out at camp for a day. Red made a short visit, and at one point I saw him throw his cigar on the ground. As someone was in the process of picking it up to throw it away, I ran over there and said I wanted to keep it. It has been in my parents’ house for two decades in one Ziploc bag inside another Ziploc bag because of the smell. It is about 3 inches long or so.
Ian Baldwin
Gainesville, Fla.

Steiner: Ian, great item and story. You know what collecting is all about. I would say to take this cigar from the Ziploc bag, add it to a great Red Auerbach photo, and frame it up, so you can enjoy the item and savor the memory. I estimate the value at $500.

Brandon, here is my item: It’s a painting done in 1991 of Joe D. It is on thick acid-free stock. It’s 22 inches by 29 inches unframed. Included is the show flyer photo, signed by Mr. D. on July 27, 1991, and in blue Sharpie. I do have a photo of Mr. D. signing it.
Edward Krawiec Sr.
Old Bridge, N.J.

Steiner: Ed, Joe DiMaggio items are always special. The painting looks to be in great shape and the signature strong.

I have good news, this particular DiMaggio is worth well into the $750 range.

Keep the requests coming, as nothing beats finally knowing what it’s worth!

 What’s Your Collectible Worth?

 Do you have an item of sports memorabilia that you believe might be worth some money?

Each month, Brandon Steiner, the CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing & Memorabilia Inc. in New Rochelle, N.Y., will offer appraisals of fans’ sports  memorabilia items monthly in ESPN.com’s The Life.  Send an email with photos, a description of the item and how it was obtained, along with your  full name and city of residence, to steinerespn@gmail.com, and check back for Steiner’s next installment.

Morning with Andy Pettitte and a Day at the MLB Fan Cave

Andy Pettitte Signs for Steiner Sports

by Lee Pitofsky – The morning of June 7, 2011, the 6th day of my summer internship here at Steiner Sports, I was instructed to arrive at the office at 8:00AM. After waiting patiently for an hour or so, the 6 foot 5 inch former New York Yankee great came through the door to the signing room. I immediately stood up out of my chair in excitement. My first thought was why is this guy who is still so fit retired? Andy looks like he could be pitching for the Yankees right now. As Andy approached, I looked at him as he turned to me putting out his hand saying “Hey bud how ya doin?” We shook hands and I let it sink in. I just shook hands with one of the greatest Yankee pitches of all time, the all-time leader in post-season wins. It was an amazing experience to be in the very presence of such an unforgettable New York Yankee. During his signing, I was like a sponge as I easily absorbed everything I heard him say. Of course, I was very interested. Andy was asked if he ever misses the game of baseball. To my surprise he replied, “not at all actually.” He even went on to say how he doesn’t even watch the game anymore. He told us how it was just the other day that he watched a game for the first time this season. Andy then began to explain how he has never been happier and how there isn’t anything in this world that he enjoys more than being with his family.” This, however, was not surprising.

After spending time in the signing room watching Andy Pettitte sign multiple items, it was then time to get ready to head to New York City to the Major League Baseball Fan Cave, located at the corner of 4th and Broadway in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. I could not be more excited to be going to this place that I know very much about. The Fan Cave consists of 32 14-foot windows and has regular visits from Major League Baseball players. After meeting the two winners who get to be in the Fan Cave every day, and get to watch each and every game in the 2011 season, I then took multiple pictures of all the different decorations including the “Cave Monster,” which is all the TV’s where the two winners get to watch all the games.

After walking around the Fan Cave for a little while it was time for Brandon Steiner, founder of Steiner Sports, to interview a few people who have very unique memorabilia in their collections. As the interviews with Brandon were finishing up, I noticed the face of current New York Yankee reliever David Robertson approaching the entrance to the Fan Cave. Robertson, along with his wife Erin, came in and I introduced myself to both of them. Robertson and I began to discuss the Yankees vs Red Sox series which begins tonight. We talked about how the Yankees can’t lose yet another series to the Red Sox. He seemed to be confident that the Yankees will come out on top. We then talked about the recent MLB Draft which began yesterday, June 6th. This year’s first overall pick, Gerrit Cole out of UCLA ,was previously drafted by the Yankees 28th overall in 2008. We discussed how unfortunate it was for the Yankees that he didn’t sign and chose to go to college instead, considering the fact that his value rose from 28th three years ago to the best player in the entire draft in 2011. He could have been a Yankee. Robertson then told me how he’s disappointed that the Yankees don’t even get a first round pick this year because of the Rafael Soriano signing. Instead, the Yankees’ first round pick went to Tampa Bay as compensation for the signing of Soriano as a Type A free agent. Having such a lengthy conversation with a professional baseball player on the Yankees who you watch nearly every day is indescribable.

After Robertson left the Fan Cave, everyone there then had some late afternoon pizza before our group got our stuff together and heading back to the New Rochelle offices. It was an amazing day, and the whole car ride from Manhattan to New Rochelle I thought about how lucky was to have been part of such a memorable experience.

Cleveland Indians Finally Back in the Game

It hadn’t been since 2007 that the Cleveland Indians were in playoff contention. The following year, 2008, the Indians barely made it to a .500 winning percentage finishing the season even, with an 81-81 record. Things only got worse for the Indians in 2009 as they finished the season with a dreadful 65-97 record. In 2010 they failed at their attempt of a comeback season winning just four more games with a record of 69-93. Losing superstar Grady Sizemore to season-ending microfracture surgery definitely did not help their cause.  Sizemore played a mere 33 games in 2010. Without many additions in the off-season, in 2011 things have been looking up for the Indians, way up. With a League best 31-20 record, the Cleveland Indians have found resurgence. They are tied in the loss column with the Major League best Philadelphia Phillies who have actually played three more games than the Indians. It has been their young Right Handed hurlers leading the way for the Indians in 2011. Led by Josh Tomlin with a 6-2 record and a sparkling 2.74 ERA, the Cleveland Indians are no longer looking up but instead finally looking down in 2011. Stud catching prospect Carlos Santana who is receiving everyday playing time in 2011 has done quite the job behind the plate this season. The Indians are confident his average will go up from the current mark of .214, and are very pleased with his poise and ability to handle their young pitching staff. With Carlos Santana, hitting is of no concern. Both the Indians and scouts know the hitting will come along. Now, for those of you wondering “What about Cabrera?” don’t worry here it is. The biggest surprise this season for the Indians has been their 25 year old shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera has never hit more than 6 homeruns in any of his 4 major league seasons, 3 of which were full. In early 2011 Cabrera was asked by a teammate why he doesn’t try and hit more homeruns during games like he does in batting practice. (Cabrera is a homerun machine in BP).  He felt that if he were to go for the long ball more often, his batting average would go way down. His teammate suggested however, that instead it could go way up. Cabrera clearly took the advice as he now stands with an impressive line of .298 10 HR 35 RBI which is on pace to shatter all of his career highs. His 10 homeruns in 2011 is already more than half of his career total coming into the season of 18. Only time will tell if the Indians can keep up their surprising and successful first 51 games of 2011 but as of now, the Cleveland Indians are the League’s best.

3000 Hits what does it mean?

3000 Hits, is quite an achievement since Cap Anson gathered his on a warm day in July, 1897.

Then was 4,000 Hits, which is quite an exclusive club, not even enough people to Judge American Idol contestants.

It is a group of two Pete Rose and Ty Cobb, two of the most hard nosed gritty players to ever step foot on the diamond.

So the Yankees with all the rings and all the history, and Babe Ruth, and all that, have never had this until now.

F0r those of us that grew up in the sixties, like myself, we thought we saw everything.

Jets Superbowl 69, Knicks Chamionship, 69-70, Mets oh so Amazing, and we managed to put a man on the

moon, and he swung a golf club.  All so amazing.

So here we go, milestone city, and my apartment is 3.4 miles from the stadium, history sign me up.

Now we are just w0ndering, when, where, how, and how long.

Buckle up, this will be a wild ride as the first New York Yankee in their fabled history is about to crack

3,000 hits.

That’s a wow.

Want A Deal? It Can Happen At Steiner Auctions

Papa K (link: http://whoispapak.com/wanna-know-me/) is a freelance writer out of Oklahoma who obsessively tracks the Steiner Sports websites for the next “great deal”. As self professed “super-baseball fan” he enjoys writing about his memorabilia collecting and obsession with Texas Rangers baseball (link: http://whoispapak.com/category/baseball-is-better-than-football/) among other things on his blog: www.whoispapak.com.

As a child, I remember attending many farm auctions with my father and rooting through the endless piles and boxes of farm equipment and supplies for a hidden “treasure”. I’d read plenty of stories where a person bought an unimpressive item at such auctions only to find out later that it had a gold bullion hiding in some secret compartment.
I wanted to get that deal. I wanted to find the one truly unique item out of the massive amount of uninteresting farm equipment. I’d usually pick out the most unassuming piece of junk and pray that my father would help me buy it at which point I’d race home and search for the gold bullion.
This never happened but fortunately for my father my imagination kept me entertained
I still have the same wish of wanting to find “the big deal” to this day.
With online auctions, I don’t have to fight crowds of people to look through stuff. Websites like eBay allow you to find exactly what you need without having to leave your house.
Steiner Sports has provided for some time the same kind of service as eBay with exclusive offers on autographed memorabilia and other unique items you won’t be able to find on its main website.
Steiner Sports created the auction side of its business to appeal to those collectors who like to get “the big deal”. Those who like the thrill of chasing down their next prized possession will enjoy tracking the progress of their bid against others as the closing date draws near.
Steiner Sports Vice-President and purveyor of the auction department Steven Costello says, “Everyone likes that one of a kind item! As a collector you like things to be unique and we like to give that to them.”
Costello knows what it means to be a collector of memorabilia; he’s one himself. In fact, he was once a corporate client of the company for whom he now works. Making sure the auction site has unique items is something he takes very seriously.
“Just recently, we’ve gotten involved with [famous New York sportscaster] Warner Wolf’s collection. It’s a really exciting collection and we are really excited to get it up on the website.”
With collections like these, Costello and his crew are responsible for itemizing and confirming all signatures in an effort to guarantee authenticity.
“We use James Spence Authentication to authenticate all our signatures if we’re not there to see the autograph take place. They’re the real industry leader for this kind of thing. If it isn’t real, then we don’t sell it.”
It’s easy to see how Steiner has become a leader in the sports memorabilia industry. The company takes great care to ensure its products are real, and remind you with a seal of authenticity. As the company says, “The Steiner Seal Means It’s Real”.
So if you’re a collector of unique items like Lawrence Tyne’s signed New York Times cover photo, freeze dried grass from the original Yankee Stadium or a Don Mattingly signed figurine, then the Steiner Sports auction is where you should be looking.
Who knows — if you’re like me you might even get a deal!

Hello Melo, Goodbye Complacency

By Jason Klein  Archive.  Facebook.  Twitter.  Contact Me.

It was an opportunity for the New York Knicks to honor their past, but instead, Legends Night was all about their future. 

Chants of “Me-lo…Me-lo…Me-lo” rained down from above on Wednesday night at the World’s Most Famous Arena.  With team icons like Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, and John Starks in attendance for scheduled halftime ceremonies, Carmelo Anthony made his debut in a Knicks uniform.

Carmelo Anthony Came Home, to New York.

After an electrifying video tribute, and a dramatic introduction, the prodigal son dropped 27 points, pulled down 10 boards, and put the buzz back into Madison Square Garden.

He came home.

Less than twenty-four hours after officially being acquired by the Knicks, the Brooklyn-born, and Syracuse Alum, Anthony joined forces with Amar’e Stoudemire to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 114-108, and in the process, give Knicks fans hope. 

The NBA in 2011 is all about power alliances – top players hand-picking their landing spots to play alongside other superstars.  With STAT and ‘Melo, the Knicks now have their two stars.  For suffering Knicks fans, this development couldn’t be any more comforting.

The Batman and Robin-like union brings new expectations to the orange and blue.  Over the last nine seasons, the Knicks have averaged 31 wins.  That futile result is no longer acceptable.  It will take time for this team to gel, but they are now in a position to compete for a title every season.  No more excuses.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Knicks Owner, James Dolan confirmed Wednesday that Donnie Walsh – not Isiah Thomas – is responsible for this turnaround and for Anthony’s acquisition.  It took three seasons, but Walsh has managed to dig New York out of the dark hole Thomas left them in when he departed in 2008.

Wednesday night was not about the past though.  It was about a bright future, on the brightest of stages…Broadway.  The Knicks certainly paid a hefty price to land Anthony, but the players they parted with were nice role players at best.  Carmelo is a legitimate superstar – a top 5 talent in the NBA.  They are better equipped to compete with teams like Miami and Boston with ‘Melo.  Without him, they were just an above average team.  With him, they can be great.

Together, Stoudemire and Anthony will attract a lot of attention, and future big-name free agents, back to Madison Square Garden, setting the Knicks up to compete for a championship in the coming years. 

Yes, like the history they honored Wednesday night, the future appears bright for the New York Knickerbockers.  Stoudemire was the first piece to the puzzle, but Anthony’s acquisition has put the sizzle back in MSG.  The Knicks are relevant, exciting, and capable of achieving greatness.

All because, he came home.

Were you at MSG for Carmelo Anthony’s first game?  Even if you weren’t, contact Jason at jklein@steinersports.com or 800-909-9162 to commemorate the historic event.

For instant updates, and more exclusive insider access:

 

 

E-Mail me at jklein@steinersports.com

Shonn Greene & Ray Rice Meet & Greet Scheduled for March 7

By Jason Klein  Archive.  Facebook.  Twitter.  Contact Me.

Are you ready for some football…in March?

Why wait until September to talk football?  Pitchers and catchers may be reporting to camp this week, but Steiner Sports is preparing for an unforgettable evening featuring two of the bright, young runners in the NFL today.

Meet Greene & Rice on March 7!

On Monday, March 7, a limited group of people will be talking football and enjoying time with Shonn Greene of the New York Jets, and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens.  The event will take place in New Rochelle, NY at the Steiner Sports Corporate Headquarters.

Greene’s tough, bruising running style and Rice’s quick, elusive feet have made these two studs invaluable parts of their respective teams, keeping them on top of the competitive AFC.  These two backs figure to be among the league’s elite for the foreseeable future – this is an opportunity to pick their brains and hear their stories.

This event will be limited to just 100 people (50 total packages of 2) and each package will take home mini helmets or photos signed by each athlete.  Plus, fans in attendance will have the chance to take pictures with both players, enjoy food and beverages, and tour the world famous, Steiner Sports facility.

In 2011, the Jets and Ravens will no doubt be competing for a spot in Super Bowl XLVI.  Before they begin that journey, they’ll be headed to New Rochelle on March 7^th for an unforgettable “chalk talk” with fans.

Are you ready?

Reserve a spot at the Shonn Greene/Ray Rice Meet & Greet Event!  Contact Jason at 800-909-9162 or jklein@steinersports.com.

For instant updates, and more exclusive insider access:

 

 

E-Mail me at jklein@steinersports.com

You Gotta Have Heart, Miles and Miles of Heart!

By Pattie Roberts

Contributing Writer To The Steiner Sports Blog

February is a cruel month.  With apologies to T.S. Eliot, February is much worse than April:  everyone is still broke from Christmas, it’s way too cold, and there is only President’s Day to break up the deadly ennui that sets in right after the World Series in October and doesn’t end until Opening Day.  Fortunately, Valentine’s Day is also in February, and while we don’t get a day off for it, and it doesn’t raise the ambient temperature, at least we can be reminded of the people and things that touch our hearts as we wait for baseball to begin.

Will Andy Pettitte's Heart Carry Him Into Cooperstown?

Heart is all February has going for it, and this year it’s on my mind more than ever.  This year, in the wasteland that is February, the great (yes, I said great) Andy Pettitte retired because his “heart’s not where it needs to be.” This of course touched off the inevitable cyber-wildfire of Hall of Fame talk.  I didn’t measure it scientifically, but it seems that most of the opinions I saw were not optimistic about Andy’s chances.  I read a lot about his 4-ish ERA, and how he never “dominated.”  After making a few (well, maybe more than a few) on-line frenemies over Andy’s HOF-worthiness (I say he is), I really started thinking about the whole heart thing, and not just in relation to Dandy Andy,  but also in the context of how we define “great.”

According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame:

Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played

While I respect the numbers (Record), as well as the besmirching (and potentially redemptive) effect of a player admitting to substance use (Integrity), I have to stand up for heart.  Nowhere in the voting rules is there any reference to heart.  In a game completely besotted with mathematical gymnastics, there has to be a tip of the hat to the guy who never phones it in – the guy who is consistently clutch, especially in the Big Games, and for sure in the post season.  The benefit of the doubt should go to the guy who feels obligated to his team, and the fans, during every start.  If he loses, it’s because he got beat, not because his head and his heart were not in the game.  That’s the guy with miles and miles of heart.  I don’t know how the Baseball Writers’ Association of America measures heart – it’s subjective and mushy – but in my book, without heart, baseball’s just a game.

Pattie Roberts is a sports fan, writer, and marketing  consultant based in Annapolis, Maryland.  You can follow her on Twitter @hughsboo.

New NHL All-Star Game Format A Hit…Now What?

By Doug Hayden

Contributing Writer To The Steiner Sports Blog

The 2010-2011 NHL All-Star game recently held in North Carolina featured a brand new, never before seen format which featured many new wrinkles but some old classic all-star weekend action as well.  The biggest change, the “Fantasy Draft,” puts all of the All-Star players into a pool for picking by Captains, Eric Staal and Nick Lidstrom.  The East vs. West of years past was, for this season at least, a thing of the past.

Over the years each league has seen their All-Star games dwindle in TV ratings and overall excitement.  Creating new, fresh changes like the NHL did last weekend, was an attempt to really liven up the All-Star game experience for the fans in person and also on TV.  It seemed to have worked.  Versus reports that they had a 38% increase in ratings over the 2009 All-Star game (2010 was an off year for the game because of the Olympics) and a 33% increase in ratings for the Saturday night skills competition.  These ratings were up despite All-Star Sidney Crosby missing the game with injury, arguably the face of the NHL.  This is obviously great news for the NHL and Versus but it still raises some questions.

With the NHL and Versus’ TV contract up for renewal at season’s end, will the NHL stand to take this new, exciting All-Star game format to a bigger network (ESPN, NBC?) instead of staying with Versus?  If this new All-Star game format sticks around, and continues to be successful, the NHL can stand to gain market share on the other 3 major sports and attract new fans when they showcase their stars on All-Star weekend, on a much bigger network.  A much bigger network not only equals possibly higher ratings but more revenue in advertising, sponsorships and ticket sales at the arena.

It’s a known fact that some of the NHL’s best players are not from the United States and some of those players have trouble speaking English early in their careers.  This can hurt marketing for the league but a move to a bigger TV network, along with continued fantastic All-Star game ratings with these format changes, can make that a mute point.  The world, through the All-Star game and subsequent prime time games on a big network, can see for themselves the likes of Patrick Kane, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Steven Stamkos, Marc Staal, among others, who they may not have been aware of because of the lack of appropriate exposure.

Follow Doug on Twitter @Boogiedowndoug