Johnson Dominates Dover…Again

It seems that one of the most dependable investments when it comes to autographed sports items has to be snatching up Jimmie Johnson autographs. The reigning three-time Sprint Cup Champion furthered his cause for a fourth after dominating and taking the checkered flag this past Sunday at Dover. Along with closing in on points leader Mark Martin, searches for Johnson’s NASCAR memorabilia shot through the roof. It was Johnson’s second victory of the season at the famed concrete mile and his first of the 2009 Chase.

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas for this weekend’s Price Chopper 400.

Braves Inch Closer To Rockies

The must-see race for fans and baseball memorabilia collectors has to be the race for the National League Wild Card. Just a week ago it certainly looked as if ticket holders and Rockies memorabilia collectors would be treated to their second postseason in three seasons. The Braves, a team synonymous with October, have closed their Wild Card lead to a mere two games as we enter the season’s final week. The streaking Braves may be the team that nobody wants to meet in the playoffs. Winners of eight of their last ten games, the Braves sport possibly the deepest starting rotation in the Majors.

Garnett Ready To Go

With the opening of training camp, fans and Celtics memorabilia collectors had to be happy to see a familar face in a Celtics jersey on the practice court: the number five of Kevin Garnett. Garnett returned to the court and is expected to be 100% when the Celtics open the preseason in less than three weeks. The Celtics forward had to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that forced him to miss most of the final two months of the NBA regular season and playoffs.

The Celtics open the regular season on Tuesday October 27th against LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the rest of the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Sox and Yanks Set To Battle

It may be their least important September series in years, but don’t think fans and baseball memorabilia collectors aren’t excited for this weekend’s Red Sox - Yankees series in the Bronx. While a sweep would pull the Red Sox within reach of the American League East title, this series seems like more of a warm-up then a showdown for both teams. Both teams have issues to work out in their rotation, Yankees autograph collectors want to see how A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain finish the regular season while fans who collect Red Sox memorabilia are anxious to see if Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett can pitch consecutive solid games before heading into October.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 at the new Yankee Stadium.

Ryan Gives Fan Game Ball

After literally calling fans and Jets memorabilia collectors to bring some noise to the Meadowlands last Sunday, head coach Rex Ryan made good on giving the game used NFL football to the fans in attendance Sunday. Ryan personally invited famous Jets fan Fireman Ed to the team’s practice facility this morning to give him the game ball from the team’s 16-9 victory over the Patriots this past Sunday. The loud Meadowlands crowd was key in the win, causing three delay of game penalties while the Jets defense shut down Tom Brady and a potent Pats’ offense on the field. Clad in a helmet and a Jets NFL jersey at every home game, Fireman Ed will likely cherish his new piece of football memorabilia before heading back to the stadium to lead the Jet fans against the Titans this Sunday.

Jets Flying High After Victory Against Brady, Pats

After a week of bickering and assertions, the New York Jets, their fans and their NFL memorabilia collectors have to be ecstatic after defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 16-9 Sunday. The victory ended an 8-year drought for the Jets against their division rival at the Meadowlands and moved Gang Green to 2-0 on the young season. With their rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez leading the offense and their defense taking no prisoners, it’s no surprise that searches for Jets memorabilia and Mark Sanchez autographs are at all-time highs.

Sanchez and the Jets take their first place swagger into week three when they welcome the Titans to the Meadowlands for a 1 p.m. start.

Two Rare King James Signings

He’s no regular for sports autographs signings, so it’s no shocker that the city of Cleveland is in an uproar with news they’ll have a shot at LeBron James autographs in coming weeks when the superstar hosts two book signings. The 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player co-authored a book called “Shooting Stars” and will have two 90-minute signings on Friday (tonight) and Saturday at suburban Cleveland Barnes & Nobles. Unfortunately you can’t bring basketball memorabilia to be signed, as James will only be signing copies of the book.

Favre Jersey On Top

It seems that no matter where he goes, Brett Favre will always be a favorite of NFL memorabilia collectors. News broke today that Brett Favre’s #4 Vikings NFL jersey is the highest-selling in all the land. This of course comes just a year after Favre’s Jets jersey was the league’s top seller amongst licensed football apparel.

Favre and the Vikings head to Detroit to take on Matthew Stafford and the Lions this Sunday at 1 p.m.

Rolling the Dice

Nobody knew what Daisuke Matsuzaka could bring to the Wild Card leaders, but fans and Red Sox memorabilia collectors had to be thrilled with what they witnessed Tuesday. Matsuzaka, making his first appearance since June 19th, pitched six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. The 29-year old allowed only three hits while striking out six en route to his second victory of the season. As anyone who follows the Sox or has collected Daisuke Matsuzaka autographs knows, the Japanese right-hander had suffered with poor control before hitting the DL with a right shoulder strain in mid-June.

The help comes at the perfect time for the Red Sox, who with a healthy Matsuzaka regain their status as having one of the deepest rotations in the Majors.

Brady Shines In Return

Fans of Patriots collectibles and their sports memorabilia collectors have been waiting to see him back in live NFL action for over a year. The wait was well worth it. Despite struggling for much of the first half, the three-time Super Bowl Champion and 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player lead the Pats to a 25-24 victory over the Bills on Monday night with some vintage Brady magic. Trailing by 11 with just over two minutes remaining, Brady would toss two touchdown passes in 76 seconds and pull out an improbably victory on Monday night.

The Patriots head to the Meadowlands to take on Mark Sanchez and the rival New York Jets this Sunday at 1 p.m.