Sports and Social Media

As one of Steiner Sports more active tweeters (@JJ_Molesso) I’d like to think I have my finger on the pulse of the sports world. A vital tool to knowing what’s going on every second of every day is social media. The great thing about this day and age is the constant access we have to our favorite teams and players 24/7/365. Wouldn’t it be wild if Babe Ruth was able to share photo’s of his personal life with fans or if Mickey Mantle was able to post updates about his nights out with Billy Martin? Whether it’s via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Pinterest; athlete’s and teams everywhere are embracing social media as a means to connect with fans and potential customers.

Growing up as a kid on long island I would love when local beat writers would pen a piece about my favorite players interests away from the court. If you were able to get the slightest glimpse into who our hero’s were away from the game you felt a instant connection to them. Now in 2012 we are able to feel like we are part of the players lives on and off the playing surface on a daily basis thanks to social media. Some of my favorite athletes to follow on twitter are:

Amare’ Stoudemire (@amareisreal)

Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony)

Nick Swisher (@nickswisher)

Mariano Rivera (@marianorivera)

Justin Tuck (@justintucknyg91)

Victor Cruz (@teamvic)

Ray Rice (@rayrice27)

Nick Mangold (@nickmangold)

So if you’re a sports nut like myself and you’re not on twitter, what are you waiting for?? Log on and get connected, your won’t regret it!

-JJ

JJ Molesso is a account executive for Steiner Sports Marketing and memorabilia, follow JJ on twitter @JJ_Molesso

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.

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!

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

New Logos a “No-Go” for Steelers & Packers

by Bill Pettigrew

E-Mail Bill

The two teams set to battle in Super Bowl XLV, the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, haven’t had many uniform makeovers in their history.  The same can’t be said for other, less-historic franchises in sports.  Typically speaking, new logos and team colors translate into increased jersey sales. 

Chris Creamer’s Sports Logo page, online since 1997, has become an unofficial database for all things logos.  It’s a site that everyone I know has stumbled upon at least once before, myself included.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris about the history of his site.

Creamer not only organizes his logos, but obtains a wealth of knowledge by researching and meeting new people associated with team logos.  According to Chris, the Packers, once blue and gold under Curly Lambeau, have kept the horizontal G logo that actually stood for “Greatness” rather than its city’s first initial since 1961. 

The Steelers share the black and yellow color combination with Pittsburgh’s other major teams, the Penguins and Pirates.  The logo was derived from the U.S. City Steel logo in 1962.  The Steelers are the only team in the league with a one-sided logo on their helmet. 

“It was actually added to just the one side because they weren’t sure if it would look good on their then-yellow helmets,” Creamer said.  “When they decided it looked fine after a few seasons they tried to add it the other side but the fans loved it the way it was and it stayed.”

Having such a vast knowledge of sports logos has become a hobby of Chris’s since he was a teenager.  His website was once a place for him to organize his favorite logos at the time, but has since grown to become a private catalog of every professional and collegiate logo that has been displayed.  The site is full of rich history for every team, having examples of anniversary patches, and subtle changes made in certain years.

The site became an obsession for Chris, who felt the need to complete his set of logos, as any kid would want to complete his card collection.  Finding rare logos and organizing them by team and sport has opened some doors for Creamer, who has gotten to meet some interesting people while running the site.  Some of the perks of running the popular team logo site have been to meet team’s designers and media relations, as well as all-stars who have shared the same passion for logos.  Creamer has even had to chance to view some exclusive logos or swatches before the general public. 

Picking the brains of designers has made Creamer really appreciate all the hard work that goes into the fine detail of a sports logo.  Some of Chris Creamer’s favorite design elements include combining elements to form a logo, such as the initials in the old Milwaukee Brewers glove logo, or the Montreal Expos abbreviation to form the M. 

So what does Chris Creamer prefer when it comes to his favorite logo modifications?  That would be slightly updating the logo to modernize the look while keeping the heritage of the team intact, like the Toronto Maple Leafs current logo.  On the other hand, the overhaul of the Toronto Blue Jays has taken away the emotion of rooting for the same team of the early nineties to today’s Jays, because of the logo change, they seem to be from two separate cities, let alone decades. 

This year’s Super Bowl features two teams with rich traditions, and logos that have remained the same for the better part of the past fifty years.  No doubt, whichever team raises the Lombardi Trophy will have no intention of changing the logo in the near future.

Special thanks to Chris Creamer, founder of www.sportslogos.net for taking the time out to chat and share your knowledge on sports logos.  Take the time to visit his site!

College Dorm & Tailgating Tips

Notre Dame Replica Sign Autographed by Coach Brian Kelly

by Bill Pettigrew

E-Mail Bill

Wherever you are in your college experience, there’s no doubt that you want to outfit your dorm to show school spirit come game day.  College life revolves around your social life and your studies, so it’s important to liven up your living quarters to make it feel like home.  The college dorm is as much a place to entertain friends as it is a place to get homework done and get some shut-eye.

Steiner Sports is affiliated with Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Alabama Universities and has plenty of unique and affordable gifts available…even on a college budget.  While college students’ money typically gets allocated towards snacks, drinks, books, and dreaded student loans, it’s vital to make sure the best years of your life filled with memories supporting your school’s colors. 

The dorm room is a blank canvas when you first move in, with bare walls and wooden block furniture.  It’s up to you to create an identity with what you fill your room with, a place where both you and your friends can socialize.  What better way than to show school spirit in that small space that you call home during the semester?  This carries over to the tailgating scene on game day, your space before you head into the stadium has that special characteristic to make a name for yourself on campus.

There are plenty of options to outfit your dorm and tailgating setup.  Steiner Sports may be the answer for some of your game day needs, but here’s a list of items that can help..

- What’s missing on your desk or night table at Syracuse?  An orange piece of the Carrier Dome court

- Cover up your blank white walls with a large University of Alabama Fathead decal to celebrate the 2009 BCS Championship for the Crimson Tide

- Let it be known that you “Play Like a Champion”

- Have a favorite Golden Domer? Hang up a photo from his college years.  Earn style points if its autographed

- Show your team’s colors with party tables and beanbag toss sets from portopong.com

- Protect that wooden furniture and prevent damage charges at the end of the semester in style with Field, Court, or Jersey Swatch  Coasters

- Save your molars with a Basketball Court Bottle Opener

- Freezer Mugs beat Solo Cups at any meal

- No room for a full sized helmet next to your TV? Make it a mini-helmet

- Bring a piece of the Fighting Irish locker room to your room with game used locker room nameplates

- Pressed for space for snacks?  Try a caddy to keep the junk food organized and to a minimum.  The Freshman 15 is inevitable

- Let your presence be known before the game with a sound system.  Mix CD’s at tailgaters’ digression

Fourth Down and Out – Health Insurance For Retired NFL Players

By Pattie Roberts

Contributing Writer to the Steiner Sports Blog

Ordinarily I would not give a nanosecond’s thought or care to the health benefits woes of professional football players.  The average salary of an NFL player in 2009 was about $770,000.   Even the lowliest benchwarmer makes about $310,000, compared to the average, ordinary American mortal’s salary of $46,000, so what do I care if they have to pay for their own health insurance?   Boo Hoo!

Patriots QB Tom Brady Will Need Health Coverage After His Career is Over

Don’t get me wrong – I love the wealthy as much as the next girl.  Seriously, I love rich people, particularly those who flaunt it – they have money and they spend it, which I, as an ordinary American mortal living in a faltering economy, appreciate.  We’re all doomed if the people with money don’t spread it around.  Which is why I am taking the potential lockout that could wipe out the entire 2011 football season personally.  I keep seeing stories about NFL bruisers who are banking their last few 2010 season paychecks to cover their bills in case the NFL and NFLPA can’t reach an agreement by March.  Again:  Boo Hoo!

But here’s the thing:  the NFL is threatening to take health care off the table, and that’s driving the standoff.  If the players don’t get health care, they won’t approve an agreement.  No agreement, no football in 2011.  No football in 2011, no $160 million in local spending, and no 3,000 jobs, in each league city.  That’s a big Boo Hoo for the economies of 32 major cities.

Which brings me back to health care for big, beefy footballers:  I’m for it.  I have now spent more than a nanosecond thinking about the long term health of 6- and 7-figure income guys who weigh an average of more than 200 pounds.  Here’s why I now care:

• The average tenure in the NFL as an active player is 3.6 years.  It would likely be less than that if it weren’t for the geriatrics, who shall remain nameless, but not initial-less (like BF, and I don’t mean Best Friend).  These oldies are distorting the curve!
• Under the current agreement, players are not vested in their health care benefits until they’ve been in the NFL for 5 years.  I don’t know who came up with the 5-year vesting requirement, but I bet they had access to the 3.6-year tenure figures.
• Once vested, NFL players may continue their health care coverage for 5 years after leaving the NFL.  After that they have to buy their own, which can come to quite a sum given the injuries that our favorite national bloodsport brings about.  And scientists say injuries are not the only health-related problems aging football players face.  Due to the size of NFL monsters – they’re BIG, and as they age, their big-ness can become fat-ness – they also have a high level of associated health problems like coronary disease.  Oopsy.

So we have high-density, injury-magnet  men, at high risk for bulk-related illnesses, who make a lot of money, but only for 3.6 years, and they’re facing a future with no health benefits at all, which could cascade into no football in 2011, and a loss of 96,000 jobs and about $5.1 billion in lost revenue.   I’m siding with the players on this one, Mr. Goodell – put the health insurance back on the table and you can single-handedly change that Boo Hoo into a big Boo Ya for everyone.

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

Enough Holiday Procrastination. Make a Donation!

By Erika Miller

E-Mail Erika

They say it’s greater to give than to receive, but why not do both this holiday season. Last year when I finally realized it was almost Christmas, I thought, what gift can I get that everyone will enjoy, and has sentimental value? Also I wanted to find something that kept me from having to rush out onto the shopping scene to find last minute holiday gifts. Of course, the logical choice was to donate money to a charity as my holiday gift. The donation gifts went off without a hitch because I was able to choose charities that meant something to my giftees, and do something nice for others in need during the holidays!

To help you with your last minute gift giving, I rounded up 5 charities that could really use our donations this holiday season:

1)       Sickle Cell Anemia Association of America: Recently I read an article in the New York Times about Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes, and his son Santonio III who has the disease, so I thought this is a perfect fit for the last minute gift guide because you’d actually be supporting a cause that one of your famed Jets players battles everyday at home.

2)       Evelyn Sachs Steiner Home for Girls: After making the Wagner Home for Boys a reality in 2010, its time to make a warm home for girls. Every young girl dreams of having a warm home full of love, light and inspiration, so by making your last minute holiday gift donations to the Evelyn Sachs Steiner home for Girls you can help make that dream possible today. The Girls Home is also looking for tangible donations, like old desks, clocks and even a treadmill to help keep the girls in good shape for the New Year.

3)       Allan Houston Legacy Foundation: For every Knicks sports fan Allan Houston is a legend, especially when it comes to his game winning shot against the Heat in `99. Every father knows the value of sharing a special experience with his son, and it is the goal of the Allan Houston Foundation to facilitate individual and collective growth through initiatives that restore a strong family unit and provide economic entrepreneurship education and training. Your donation gift can help keep father and son relationships strong into the New Year.

4)       Freedom Is Not Free: Last but not least of course are the soldiers- they are like a sports team, but they don’t get paid even after being injured. Thus, its up to people like you and me to make donations to help the wounded soldiers. Freedom Is Not Free is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting wounded service members and their families, and the families of the fallen. Please consider helping a wounded solider this holiday season- it is the best thing you can do as a last minute gift this holiday season.

5)       Boys and Girls Club of America: Many kids across the USA are left without a parent at home when they come off school, but there is a solution. The Boys and Girls Club of America is a non-profit that offers programs for youngster and teens who need a mentor. Without the donations of caring people like you and I, these little kids and teens might not get on the right track in life. Please make a small gift donation today, and help the Boys and Girls of America to stay encouraged.

Donate to the above organizations in the name of someone you love this holiday season. Instead of buying a gift they will easily forget- donate in the name of someone special because it will also really help someone in need, and your giftee will never know it was a last minute holiday gift.