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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

Trust Andy Pettitte.

For sixteen seasons, he dramatically stared down opposing batters and came up big in the biggest of spots.  More times than not, Pettitte delivered, earning the trust of his teammates and his fans alike.  Tomorrow afternoon, Pettitte will stare down a throng of media at Yankee Stadium to announce his retirement.  When he does, trust him when he says, he’s thrown his final pitch in baseball.

Pettitte's Reliability Will Be Tough To Replace.

Pettitte will not pull a “Brett Favre” and un-retire.  He gave the game of baseball, and the New York Yankees specifically, everything he had.  Joe Namath once said, “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?”  Pettitte, a workhorse, and a perfectionist on the mound, must have asked himself this very question.  Most likely, the answer wasn’t up to his standard of excellence and he decided to move on rather than perform at a level below what he expects.

So Andy Pettitte will call it a career.  One of the most beloved and reliable players in Yankees history, he will retire a 3-Time All-Star and a 5-Time World Series Champion.  He is the all-time leader in Postseason victories (19), finishes with a 240-138 career regular season mark, and a 3.88 ERA. 

Along with teammates Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera, Pettitte helped make up the “Core 4” of longest-tenured Yankees, despite playing three seasons in the middle of his career for the Houston Astros.

Perhaps his most memorable moment in pinstripes came during his second season in baseball.  It was Game 5 of the 1996 World Series, and the Yankees and Braves were tied at 2 games each.  The Yankees called on their young lefty to win a pivotal game in Atlanta, squaring off with John Smoltz.  Pettitte threw 8.1 innings allowing 0 runs on just 5 hits.  That night, his reputation as a big-game pitcher would be born.

Over the next 14 years, Pettitte would appear in 7 more World Series (once with Houston in 2005) and would consistently answer the bell when called upon.  Whenever the Yankees were in need of a big win after a Game 1 series loss, Pettitte could be trusted with the ball.

In 2007, Andy Pettitte confronted the allegations of his HGH use with the same class he displayed throughout his tenure in the big leagues.  His admission to wrongdoing restored faith among fans and his sincerity allowed him to turn a dark page that other offenders never could.

With his retirement, Pettitte will most likely settle back down in Texas, with his family, and leave behind a legion of adoring fans and a suspect pitching rotation in the Bronx.  The 38-year-old Yankees legend will depart as an iconic figure in franchise history and a fan-favorite.

Tomorrow, when Andy Pettitte tells the world he’s retiring, trust him.  He will not be making any comebacks, not if he doesn’t believe he can pitch at the level he expects.  While his final statistics place him in the Hall of Fame discussion, there is no guarantee he will ever find himself enshrined in Cooperstown.

Monument Park is a different story.  Andy Pettitte Day at Yankee Stadium will happen one day soon and his #46 will be removed from pinstriped circulation.  He’ll be honored for his remarkable body of work, his class, and for the way he represented the Yankees.

The game of baseball says goodbye to one of its greats.  Yankees fans will miss him and his reliability on the mound will be nearly impossible to replace.

That you can trust.

Reserve a piece of Andy Pettitte memorabilia!  Contact Jason at 800-909-9162!

For instant updates, and more exclusive insider access:

E-Mail me at jklein@steinersports.com

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!

Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” might not be playing, but everyone will know when Mariano Rivera enters the room.

On Monday, February 7, the greatest closer in the history of baseball will be meeting and greeting fans at the Steiner Sports Corporate Headquarters in New Rochelle, NY.  Rivera commands a room just as well as his cut fastball, and will have the lucky audience captivated with his pinstriped stories.

Want to Meet Mariano Rivera?

A 5-Time World Series Champion and 10-Time All-Star, Rivera’s legendary career with the Yankees is mind-blowing.  At age 41, he has shown no signs of slowing down, and has remained at the top of his craft for over 15 years.  He is currently just 42 saves behind Trevor Hoffman on the all-time saves list, a number he could potentially pass in 2011. 

During the hour-long event, Rivera plans to recount his past successes and entertain questions from fans. After posing for photos with those in attendance, fans will receive a special limited edition photograph, signed and inscribed specifically for the event.  Restricted to just one hundred total people, this unique opportunity to spend time with the future Hall of Famer is not to be missed. 

Among the most intimidating pitchers of all-time, Rivera is warm and respectful in person, reinforcing his place in the hearts of Yankees fans. 

Raucous crowds welcome him nightly in the Bronx.  When the Sandman enters the room on February 7, he will have the audience silent, in awe, hanging on his every word.

Reserve a spot at the Mariano Rivera 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

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