In baseball, the big sluggers are usually the players that get all the glory, but insiders know that the key to any team’s success are the pitchers. It takes skill, savvy, and focus to prevent the other team from scoring runs in order to secure a win.

To do this, pitchers use a variety of throws. Typical pitches include a curveball, slider, changeup, forkball, a shifty knuckleball, and the infamous fastball. A cannon-armed hurler may top 100 miles per hour on his fastball, striking fear into batters while striking them out.

Nolan Ryan is one of the most famous fastball pitchers in history. Ryan struck out a record 5,714 batters and had 61 shutouts over a career that spanned from more than 25 years. His amazing career and love for the game makes him one of the most cherished baseball players of all time. Nolan Ryan memorabilia commemorating his accomplishments, including a MLB-record six no hitters, a welcome addition to any baseball fan’s collection.

Labels: Sports_Memorabilia_Basics

Are you looking for a gift for a sports fan and having trouble deciding on what to get? You know he loves sports and know he would love a piece of sports autograph memorabilia, but when it comes to choosing the exact item, you are stumped.

Why not let him choose? Give him a gift certificate to Steiner Sports. Show that you understand what he wants but are willing give him the freedom to find the right piece for himself. He will appreciate the sentiment and love the opportunity to pick out his own gift.

Steiner Sports has autographed memorabilia from just about any sport you could think of, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, auto racing, golf, tennis, boxing, the Olympics, and horse racing. Any sports fan is sure to find the perfect item to add to their collection or find an item that inspires them to begin collecting.

Labels: Gift_Ideas

 Are you looking for a cool gift for a new graduate but can’t figure out what to get? Most people will probably give him new sheets, towels or other items he needs for his dorm room, but those types of graduation gifts are bland and lame. How excited can a teenage boy get opening a new pillowcase?

For a first-rate gift that he will love and that will look great in his dorm room, give him sports memorabilia. If the new graduate will be going to school in a different state, give him a collectable from his favorite team as a reminder of home. Or if he will be going to a school known for its sports programs, get him a gift that represents a memorable moment from the new college team he will be cheering for.

When choosing college sports memorabilia, do a bit of research by the school name on Steiner Sports. You’ll find items celebrating Duke’s and North Carolina’s rich basketball traditions (Christian Laettner’s jumper comes to mind) along with football memories from Notre Dame, Michigan and Alabama. Your new grad will definitely appreciate these gifts a whole lot more than a new bathmat.

Labels: Gift_Ideas

The most dedicated sports memorabilia collectors started when they were kids, so it only makes sense to pass this tradition down to the next generation. Here are some tips for how to pass the torch:

1. Decide when he is ready to take on the responsibility of caring for his collectibles. He might want to start as soon as he realizes he could have his own memorabilia, but make sure he is ready and responsible before you give in.
2. Educate him on the types of memorabilia available. This will help him to start thinking about the areas he wants to focus in and give him a goal.
3. Start small, with unsigned items like bobble heads or framed photos. If he proves he can care for these items, he is ready to move onto his first autographed collectable.
4. Make him work for it. Don’t just give him what he wants, make him earn each and every item so he will feel proud and better appreciate the value of his collection.

 

Labels: Collecting

Is Valentine’s Day swiftly approaching and you don’t know what to get your guy? If he is not exactly the romantic type (and few guys are), finding gifts for him can be a challenge. You want to give him a gift that is meaningful, but not sappy. It certainly is a fine line to walk. So, if flowers and a poem won’t do the trick for your guy, give him something that will really touch his heart instead.
Outside of his wonderful girlfriend or wife, it is likely there is nothing he loves more than his favorite sports team. He probably remembers the day his team last won a championship or big playoff game more vividly than any romantic gesture you have made in the past. For football fans, consider Eli Manning’s Super Bowl XLII scramble (Giants and Patriots fans know the play!), Dwight Clark’s “The Catch,” or any one of Derek Jeter's amazing catches.
So to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember, celebrate his love for the game by giving him an autographed photo of a memorable play from the last big win. He will be so excited he might even take you out to dinner to celebrate. That’s truly a championship victory for you!

Labels: Gift_Ideas

The most passionate baseball fans began collecting cards of their favorite players as kids, and as they grew, so did their fascination with collecting baseball sports memorabilia. Now, all types of collector items accompany their card collection. Here are just a few of the categories collectors can choose from:

• Hand Signed Memorabilia: This category used to refer to photos and baseballs only, but now collectors can get almost anything signed by their favorite player. Items available include photos, baseballs, bats, batting helmets, cards, cleats, framed photographs, hats, jerseys, lithographs, posters, shadow boxes, sneakers and subway signs.
• Game Used Items: This category offers collectors the opportunity to purchase items that have actually been used by their favorite player during a game. Some of the most popular items include baseballs, bases, bats, batting gloves, cleats, fielding gloves, hats, jerseys, locker tags and warm-ups.
• Unsigned Keepsakes: This category includes keepsake items that represent a collector’s favorite team or player. They might not be signed, but that doesn’t mean they are not just as special. Options include baseball cards, board games, bobble head dolls, cuff links, light-up key chains, mugs, pennants, programs, street signs and coins.

Labels: Sports_Memorabilia_Basics

In order to keep a collection in mint condition, it is important to handle all autographed sports memorabilia with care. An autographed helmet, whether it is a game used batting helmet or a mini football helmet, are particularly fragile because the ink does not have any fabric or grain absorbed it. This makes the autograph more likely to smudge or fade if it is not cared for properly.

The best way to protect this keepsake is to keep it in a UV protected display case. This will protect the item from damage caused by natural elements like sun and dust. Also, keeping a helmet in a case will reduce the amount of people who touch or handle the item. While collectors like to show off their prize possessions, it best to have friends and family admire from a distance. Since a helmet features a slick surface, oils from skin can compromise the quality of the autograph.

Labels: Care_and_Storage