Pujols Rakes In Third MVP

In what’s one of the most anticipated times of the year for die-hard baseball fans and Major League Baseball memorabilia collectors, Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols took home the National League MVP on Tuesday. Pujols’ award caps a year that saw the 29-year old hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs while leading the Cardinals to the National League Central title. Any sports memorabilia collector who has invested in Albert Pujols autographed items may know the first baseman joins some exclusive company with his third MVP award. Previous three-time winners of the award include Alex Rodriguez, Mike Schmidt, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Jimmie Foxx.

Johnson Races Into History

In what is a day no fan or NASCAR memorabilia collector will soon forget, Jimmie Johnson and his #48 raced their way into history yesterday, clinching their record fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series Championship with a top-five at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson outpaced his only challenger, teammate Mark Martin, for most of the race before coming home fifth and sealing a feat never before seen in the sport’s 61-year history. Just as Jimmie Johnson autographs won’t get the same spike in demand as Yankees team gear did after their championship run, the low-key Johnson will probably settle in to a quiet offseason with his wife at their condo in New York City.

Hendrick Holding On To Johnson, Gordon

When your teams make up the top three positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings, it’s a pretty wise decision to keep them together. Hendrick Motorsports, the practical New York Yankees of racing, announced that Jimmie Johnson was given a new contract through 2015 while veteran Jeff Gordon will race through at least 2013. With a new family and recent back issues, many fans and NASCAR memorabilia collectors have speculated the 38-year old Gordon may be eying his career’s checkered flag.

The contractual news is of course secondary to Jimmie Johnson’s chase for a record fourth-consecutive Sprint Cup Championship, which is only 400 miles away given Johnson can finish 25th or better in Sunday’s Ford 400. While Jimmie Johnson collectibles haven’t come to rival Michael Jordan autographs in demand, the driver of the Lowe’s Chevrolet Impala is moving closer and closer to becoming what MJ was to basketball: the hands-down greatest.

The Ford 400 will go green this Sunday at 2:35 p.m. from Homestead Miami Speedway in South Florida.

Pats, Jets Look To Rebound

This Sunday’s matchup between the sulking New England Patriots and the sinking New York Jets may be the most crucial of the regular season for the AFC East. Coming off a heartbreaking, oft-discussed loss to the Indianapolis Colts on national television, Tom Brady and the Pats will look to put the final nail in the Jets’ once-promising season. Losers of five of their last six, fans and New York Jets memorabilia collectors have to be shocked as to how a team that started out 3-0 fall so far so fast. While their season is on life support, collectors of Tom Brady autographs and other signed Patriots items have been second-guessing head coach Bill Belichick’s now-infamous decision to go for it on fourth down in Sunday night’s loss to the Colts.

The Patriots currently own a two-game lead over the Jets in the AFC East. The teams will meet in Foxboro this Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

Lebron To NFL?

Lebron James is a man that’s used to being in the sports memorabilia news. After declaring he’d switch his NBA jersey number to 6 next season to honor Michael Jordan’s 23, Lebron caused a stir last night when he declared he’d one day consider playing in the NFL. Surely sales of his autographed football memorabilia would become the most in-demand for fans and Browns memorabilia collector. It’s not the most unbelievable idea to conjure up. After all, King James does weigh in at 250 pounds and, at over 6″8, he has the size of a prototypical wide receiver.

Lebron and the Cavs host the Washington Wizards tonight at 7 p.m.

Johnson Closes In On Fourth Cup

In what has been the most dominant stretch any fan or sports autograph collector has witnessed in some time, Jimmie Johnson is 400 miles away from clinching his unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Championship. After a miserable day at Texas that saw Johnson’s point lead cut in half, the 48 team went to the desert and dominated Phoenix to the tune of leading almost 75% of the laps. With all eyes pointed at the season finale at Homestead Miami, fans and Jimmie Johnson autograph collectors have to be feeling good the 34-year old can pull of a feat never before seen in NASCAR.

The Ford 400 from Homestead kicks off at 2 p.m. on ABC.

Greinke Takes AL Cy Young

In what is one bright spot for a struggling franchise, fans and Royals memorabilia collectors had to be thrilled to see 26-year old Zack Greinke win the 2009 American League Cy Young award this afternoon. Greinke dominated batters from start to finish in 2009, posting a 16-8 record and an MLB-best 2.16 ERA, the lowest in the American League since Pedro Martinez recorded his insane 1.74 in 2000. The Royals hurler won handily over second-place finisher Felix Hernandez, taking all but three first place votes. While his win total is relatively low for a Cy Young award winner, fans who’ve invested in Zack Greinke autographed baseballs are quick to note his Royals teammates put up only 13 runs in his eight loses, and he fell short of victories on six occasions when allowing one run or less.

The National League award will be awarded Thursday.

James Urging Players To Retire 23

With Michael Jordan sitting just feet away, Lebron James made a daring challenge to all NBA players: follow my lead and ditch the 23. Lebron, whose number 23 Cleveland Cavaliers NBA jersey is one of the best selling pieces of NBA apparel around the world, is urging his fellow NBA’ers to unofficially retire the number in honor of the former Bulls superstar. James also stated he will switch to the number 6 next season. One has to wonder if that’s the only switch he’ll be making given his pending free agency. While Michael Jordan autographs and jerseys are still some of the most in-demand sports memorabilia items, Lebron’s no slacker as his licensed jersey has been in the top three of sales in each of the past four seasons.

Hornets Slow Start Costs Scott

Let the NBA coaching carousel begin. Fans and Hornets memorabilia collectors have been stunned by the team’s disappointing 3-6 start to the season, but their sports autograph collectors have to be even more shocked that the slow start has cost head coach Byron Scott his job. The Hornets fired Scott early Thursday and will replace him with veteran assistant Jeff Bower. While the slow start hasn’t hurt searches for Chris Paul autographs, the Hornets find themselves 2.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks in the Southwest Division.

Upon Further Review…

The use of instant replay and just how prominent modern technology could be in major sports has been a topic of debate for fans and sports autograph collectors in recent years. On the same day MLB owners struck down an opportunity to expand the use of replay, an NBA game was decided by a 10-minute replay review after the game. The fact it was a nationally broadcast for fans, basketball memorabilia collectors and viewers made it even more intriguing. With the Chicago Bulls trailing the Denver Nuggets 90-89 with 0.3 seconds, Bulls center Brad Miller hoisted a desperation 23-footer that found the net and a raucous crowd of fans in Bulls apparel celebrated what they thought was a miraculous victory. Not so much. After a lengthy ten minute review, the officials ruled the ball had not left yet the tips of Miller’s fingers and the basket was no good. It was not only heartbreaking for fans at the United Center and tuning in on NBA TV, but also fanned the replay flames for fans of Major League Baseball who feel too many calls have been flat out wrong in recent years.