Boldin To NYG?

After a long and drawn-out contract dispute with the Arizona Cardinals, Anquan Boldin has fired agent Drew Rosenhaus and has hired Tom Condon, a agent for a one Eli Manning. Boldin, who helped lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl just four months ago, has been one of the hottest topics of discussion amongst fans and NFL memorabilia collectors about where the 28-year old would wind up come September. After Eli lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory against the Patriots two seasons ago, it’s a sure bet that Manning as well as all Giants memorabilia collectors and fans would love to see Boldin take the place of the exiled Plaxico Burress.

Overshadowed by his public trade demands in 2008, Boldin put up his fourth 1,000-yard receiving season last year while bringing in a career high 11 touchdowns.

Busch Takes Shot At Earnhardt, Eury

In what has become one of the weirder stories in the NASCAR world over the past two seasons, Kyle Busch took another shot at Dale Earnhardt Jr. yesterday. This time it came in reference to Jr’s crew chief Tony Eury Jr. being reassigned within Hendrick Motorsports as the 88 team has struggled for the majority of 2009. Busch, whom Hendrick replaced with Earnhardt at the beginning of 2008, said that “the crew chief is always the problem” for NASCAR’s most popular driver. Busch, whose autographed NASCAR memorabilia has been the hottest in the sports autographs world since he started winning everywhere last season, has been one of racing’s most outspoken drivers in recent years, despite being only 24 years old. While searches for Dale Earnhardt Jr memorabilia hasn’t suffered from his recent struggles, it’s become apparent that team owner Rick Hendrick will not stand pat while one of his teams is running 40th seemingly every week.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the Monster Mile, Dover, Delaware for this Sunday’s Dover 400.

Yanks Set To Auction Stadium Items

The Yankees announced earlier this week that they will begin to auction off some game used baseball items, including some game used Yankee Stadium items, in the coming weeks. After becoming the most prestigious baseball cathedral in the world, Yankee Stadium baseball memorabilia will likely grab top dollar when pieces of the locker room, seats and baseball bases hit the market in early June.

The Yankees, winners of nine of their last ten, are 26-20 and trail the Boston Red Sox by one game for first place in the American League East.

Thome Passes Schmidt

It’s no secret that Philly sports fans and Phillies memorabilia collectors have mixed feelings when it comes to Jim Thome. After the future Hall of Fame slugger belted his 549th career homer and passed Philly legend Mike Schmidt for 13th on the game’s all-time home run list, I don’t think there’s anyone in the City of Brotherly Love who won’t give the 38-year old due props. Thome hit his 549th home run of his career and eighth of the season in a 17-3 trouncing of the Angels on Monday.

It’s pretty incredible just how below the radar Thome flies given his career numbers. A .278 career hitter, he’s averaged over 150 hits per 162 games and has 1,514 runs batted in. He lacks the luster of a David Ortiz or even a Todd Helton, but baseball memorabilia collectors in the know know that Thome is going to be remembered as one of the greatest power hitters ever to grace the diamond.

Breakout Year For Ibanez

Always considered one of the most underrated players in the Major Leagues, Raul Ibanez is finally receiving some recognition playing in Philadelphia. Another treat for fans and baseball memorabilia collectors who were already buzzing over grabbing up all the autographed Phillies items after the World Series last fall, the 36-year old has proven the best offseason acquisition for any team so far this season. Philly fans have always been some of the most passionate for both their team on the field and collecting autographed MLB baseballs and other sports memorabilia, and they have taken especially well to the New York native.

On the year, Ibanez is batting a scorching .349 with an NL-leading 15 home runs and 40 RBIs as his Phils sit at 22-17 at first place in the National League East.

Peavy to ChiSox?

Attention fans and Padres memorabilia collectors, it looks like ace Jake Peavy is finally heading to the Windy City, just not to the North Side. News broke this morning that the Padres and Chicago White Sox have reached a deal to send the 2007 Cy Young award winner to the South Side in exchange for four prospects. This is an interesting trade for a few reasons, mainly because Peavy is one of the hottest names to have for baseball memorabilia collectors, also, his presence alone shakes up the already-potent American League Central. For any Padres fans who might have picked up a Jake Peavy autographed item, fear not, the deal is up in the air until the 29-year old approves the move. Peavy has previously stated a desire to stay in the National League, but it looks like he’ll never be afforded a true shot at a World Series without moving to a true October contender.

The dominant righty would be a shot in the arm for the mediocre White Sox, who currently sit five games under .500 at 17-22. Behind the chance to contend for a title, the biggest plus for Peavy may be the fact he’d never, ever have to wear one of those camouflage Padres baseball jerseys again.

The Wright Stuff

It doesn’t look like even Cy Young could get David Wright out these days. After a slow start to 2009, any Mets fan, baseball memorabilia collector or anyone that drafted the 26-year old on their fantasy team has to be downright stoked at his recent breakout. As of tonight, the Mets’ slugger has reached base in 21 of his last 28 at-bats, making any David Wright autographed baseball or signed MLB jersey ascend in demand. It’s these kinds of streaks that make investing in sports memorabilia both fun and profitable, and I wouldn’t expect Wright to slow down anytime soon.

On the season, Wright is hitting .361 with three home runs, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases, while leading the Mets to first place in the National League East.

Peavy Finally Rolling In San Diego

After fans and Padres memorabilia collectors sat through the longest game of the season on Saturday night (a 6-5, 16-inning victory over the Reds), they were treated to an absolute gem by their star hurler Jake Peavy. Peavy, who hadn’t won in his previous five starts, threw his seventh career complete game Sunday against the Reds and notched his third win of the season. Even though he’s on pace to lose 20 games this season (not a chance this shall actually happen), the 2007 NL Cy Young award winner has been dominant in his last two outings. Searches for autographed baseballs and other Jake Peavy autographed items went sky high after the 27-year old struck out 17 batters in his last 15 innings pitched.

The Padres need all the help they could get from their starting pitching. At 16-22, they are already a full 10 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

Smoke and Mirrors

A favorite among fans and NASCAR memorabilia collectors, two-time Sprint Cup Champion caught a fair share of flak when he announced he was leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to start his own race team last year. After 33 wins and two Championships, it became a heated topic for fellow drivers and prognosticators whether the often-eccentric 37-year could balance owning and driving his own car. While “Smoke” hasn’t been to victory lane in a points race 13 races into ‘09, Stewart chalked up his team’s first victory in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup All-Star Race in thrilling fashion. Stewart grabbed the lead from Daytona 500-winner Matt Kenseth with two laps to go and didn’t look back, snagging the checkered flag and a cool $1 million in the process. There were a ton of Tony Stewart autograph seekers hanging around after the race and a few of them were lucky enough to have their shirts and NASCAR hats signed.

While he soaks up his first career All-Star Race victory, the focus will quickly shift to the Chase and this Saturday night’s Coca Cola 600.

President Obama Welcomes Phils To White House

You know he’s a popular President when the demands for Barack Obama autographs rival the searches for Chase Utley autographs or even Ryan Howard signed baseballs, but on this day the World Series Champions were the stars of the show. The President welcomed the Phillies to the White House today, especially a privilege for closer Brad Lidge. The pitcher who went 41 for 41 in save opportunities mentioned he’d be more in awe than anything else during Friday’s two hour lunch with the President. While Obama makes no secret about his allegiance for his hometown White Sox, I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to accept the customary baseball jersey given to each President during a Champions’ visit.