Jordan Items Set For Auction

Sports memorabilia company Upper Deck is set to hold a one-of-a-kind auction of Michael Jordan items in Chicago. UD has assembled a collection of over 80 rare pieces of basketball memorabilia including Jordan jerseys, shoes and even pieces of MJ-used golf memorabilia. The auction is set for September 27th at the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago, Illinois.

Tigers Winning Behind Cabrera

Fans and Tigers memorabilia collectors have to be happy their team look as if they’re finally coming together. The Tigers are rolling at home of late, notching a 24-9 record in their last 33 games at Comerica Park. One reason for their successes as of late is MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera, in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak in which he’s batting .522, is finally rounding into form after a rather pedestrian start to 2009. It’s no surprise that Miguel Cabrera autographs are one of the top search phrases for sports memorabilia seekers in recent weeks.

The Tigers look to keep rolling as they begin a weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Sanchez To Start For Jets

It should be no shock to NFL memorabilia collectors and others in the industry that search phrases for Mark Sanchez autographs were tops for sports items searches today. It comes with the territory for a kid coveted by all but (apparently) four teams in April’s draft and named an NFL starting quarterback two weeks into his rookie preseason.

Mark Sanchez gets his first taste at regular season action when the Jets open their 2009 campaign on the road against the Houston Texans on Sunday September 13th.

Lackey Guns For No. 100

An interesting note for baseball memorabilia and Angels autographs collectors, when John Lackey takes the mound against the Detroit Tigers tonight, he’ll try to become only the fifth player to notch 100 career wins in an Angels jersey in franchise history. One of the game’s best when he’s healthy, Lackey has had an up and down season, resulting in his 8-6 record and his even 4.00 earned run average.

Santana May Miss Season

It just doesn’t end for the fans and Mets memorabilia collectors. With 11 players already on the DL, manager Jerry Manuel announced franchise cornerstone and sports autograph favorite Johan Santana will miss his next start and possibly the rest of the season. Santana has been suffering from a sore pitching elbow for the last six weeks that has decreased his pitch speed and control. If Santana is to hit the disabled list, he’ll join an All-Star squad currently home to David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, J.J. Putz and John Maine.

Wainwright Continues Impressive 2009

One of the hottest names in sports signatures of late is that of Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. While his autographed baseball items have been a favorite of Cardinals memorabilia collectors since clinching the World Series back in 2006, his recent success has moved Wainwright to an audience outside of St. Louis. One of the most impressive streaks in recent memory, Wainwright has recorded an incredible 24 quality starts and has allowed two runs or less in 11 of them.

Cliff Notes

When the top search item for autographed sports items this morning was for Cliff Lee autographs and signed Phillies items, I wondered how fans and Indians memorabilia collectors felt after watching yet another ace make a splash for a different team. It was only last season that Cleveland fans had to watch C.C. Sabathia relocate to Milwaukee and become damn near untouchable. It seems the same is happening this season with Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee collected his fourth win for the world champions last night, pitching a complete game two-hitter while striking out 11 in a 8-1 victory over the Diamondbacks yesterday.

Brewers’ Fielder Continues Dominance

Having an MVP-type season, it’s no surprise the demand for Prince Fielder autographs amongst Brewers memorabilia has gone sky high in recent weeks. Fielder is in the midst of a ten-game hit streak, during which he’s blasted six home runs and driven in 13 RBIs. Combined with the hot hitting of Ryan Braun in recent weeks, the duo have the Brewers back to within shouting distance of the National League Wild Card lead. Having the duo in the Brewers lineup as well as in your sports memorabilia collection is key. If you’re looking to build a stout MLB memorabilia collection, you don’t have to look past Braun and Fielder.

Washington Inks Strasburg

Let’s be honest, nobody thought this one was going to get done. In the face of the hottest adversity in franchise history, the Washington Nationals signed the #1 overall pick, Stephen Strasburg, to a deal worth over $15.1 million late last night. With Strasburg set to be one of the most sought-after baseball autographs in the near-future, this deal was absolutely imperative for the Nationals, their fans and their sports memorabilia collectors to be done before the midnight deadline. The San Diego State product will likely join the team’s double-A affiliate in the coming weeks and has a shot to join the Nationals rotation early next season.

Wright To DL, May Be Done For ‘09

It’s been easy to pick on the Mets for their injuries in 2009, but Saturday’s injury to sports memorabilia investor and fan favorite David Wright was no laughing matter. The Mets third baseman was hit on the side of the head by a Matt Cain 94-mph fastball and was taken to a hospital in Manhattan for tests. Wright, who suffered a concussion, has been placed on the 15-day DL and may miss the remainder of 2009 with post-concussion symptoms. After the much-debated treatment of Ryan Church by New York Mets doctors in the months following his concussion last season, look for the team to be extremely careful regarding bringing Wright back to the ballpark.