Sports Collectibles

Wow!  What a game!  If you’re not already aware, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last night in game 6 of the finals.

I’ve gotta say, the whole series was incredible.  Even if you aren’t a hockey fan, it was hard not to get caught up in all the hype and the exciting games.  The Flyers made a valiant effort, coming from behind and getting all the way to game 6.  I think the Philly fans should be happy to have been able to be a part of this great series.

As for the Blackhawks, the happiest man on the team is probably Marian Hossa.  After going to the finals for 3 consecutive years on different teams, he finally got to taste victory.  I’m happy for him and the rest of the team.

Hockey season is over, and it went out with a bang!  We’ll get back to the NHL on New Year’s…

On Friday May 7th, Jamie Moyer of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched a shut out.  He has set a new record as being the oldest pitcher to pitch a complete game shutout.  He’s 47 years old!  On the same day, he also became the only MLB pitcher to throw a shutout in 4 different decades.  (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s)

Philly fans are always on the fence with some of their players.  One day they love them, the next they hate them.  I personally think Jamie Moyer is a great pitcher.  Granted, he doesn’t throw 90+ mph fastballs, but he still manages to strike players out.  That’s skills!

Imagine still being able to play Major League Baseball at his age.  The Phillies must agree since he’s been a starting pitcher this year.  In my eyes, Jamie Moyer has never done wrong.  He’s dedicated and delivers.

So, go to a game and see him play.  Or watch him pitch from home on your tv.  Either way, you’ll be watching a great athlete do his thing at the age of 47.

Well if I’m right, the Phillies need to win the next 3 games.  As I predicted the Phils took the first game under Cole Hamels.  It was hard to say how Myers would fare but his knack for getting sloppy early sure did him in.  Unfortunately, this time around the offense couldn’t supply the needed runs to offset Myers’ early sloppiness.  I game two, the Rays worked the scoring like a seasoned ball club.  The Phils will do better on their own turf as we saw a few examples of that last night.  Not anticipating the hops a few times allowed for a few unearned base runners.  In addition, what was with some of the umpire’s calls?  Since when does the first base ump override a called strike that would have retired the batter?  I think Jamie Moyer will step up on Saturday.  Let’s hope we don’t get rained out!

October baseball is coming down to the wire.  Now that the Rays have settled the score with Boston we can get on with the big show.

The keys to victory are going to lie with the turf, the pitching and the mindset. The Phils aren’t used to playing on the hard turf at Tropicana Field.  If it was a more veteran team this might pose a problem but I think this still young team will adapt quite quickly to the faster surface.  The Rays get enough play on grass fields throughout the season, so they may have a slight advantage here.

Hamels has been outstanding!  After having lost the first game of the NLCS in ’07 he came back to dominate both payoff games he pitched this year. Throw in the rest of the bullpen and add to that the closers backing them up and I think on balance they’ve got it over the Rays in this department.  Kazmir and Garza are good but they both looked a little shakey at times. In addition, the Rays are a fast ball bullpen and the Phils love a fast ball.  (Look for Ryan Howard to turn on…)  I do see Lidge giving up one of his nail-biters though.

This is where the manager comes into play and this may be the tipping point.  For my money Charlie Manuel is the better manager and strategist. His ‘working’ of the game in at least two of the playoff games gave the Phils the pennant.  His players are very comfortable with him & his decisions.

Otherwise the similarities in the two teams are interesting.  This may end up being one of the best match-ups we’ve seen in many years.  Both teams get contributions across the lineup and both are young teams.  I see more leadership from Rollins, Howard and Burrell however than with the Rays and without any overbearing nature.  The added   hustle with players like Victorino and Werth is the spark that’ll help get it done.

The Phils need to win one in Rays territory.  I see them winning game 1 and taking the series in 5.

Baseball season is heating up!  With 35 games left before the Playoffs, the division leaders are starting to come forward.  The Cubs lead the entire league with 80 wins and 50 losses.  Tampa Bay and the Angels are tied for second in the league.  And the best part…the Phillies are closing in on the Mets!  Less than a game behind! 

On a different note, the US men’s basketball team won the Gold in the 2008 Olympics!  The last game was soooo incredibly close, but the US pulled ahead at the last minute.   The team was very exciting to watch and their shots were accurate and true.  Talk about a Dream Team!

Get your sports merchandise at The Sports Collectibles Store!  While the weather is still warm and Summery, why not have a BBQ with your favorite team’s MLB BBQ Supplies?  Or get ready for football season with our Licensed NFL Party Supplies!

One might think so after I predicted that Brett Favre would come out of retirement AGAIN, but alas, no.  I am not psychic even if I was right.  Ok, seriously…why?  Why even go into retirement if you are already thinking of coming back out…AGAIN?  Weren’t the Packers willing to give him 20 Million bucks to stay retired?  Doesn’t that SAY something?

Please pardon the short rant.  I know people love him and all, but come on.  He’s getting old and honestly, he could get seriously hurt and ruin the rest of his life.  He’s had his time in the sun and even came out of retirement before, so why does he feel the need to do it again? 

Anywho…I guess we’ll see what he does now. 

I’ve gotta say though, this Favre news has got me thinking about the upcoming NFL season!  I’m getting ready for a fun season.  Get your NFL gear at The Sports Collectibles Store.  Check out our NFL tailgating supplies for your next BBQ!  We also have added NFL Rear Window Film for your car, truck or SUV.  Get ready for some football!

Well, some changes.  The NBA exploded with activity and the Clippers turn out to be very angry.  Well, who wouldn’t be?  They lost Elton Brand…but guess who got him?  That’s right!  The 76ers finally got someone that they wanted.  I almost feel badly for the Clippers, but then I think…forget that!  The Sixers finally have a chance to do something with themselves. 

Other than trading and getting players, the NBA is seeing a change of scenery.   The Seattle SuperSonics are picking up stakes and moving to…Oklahoma City?  I’m sure that Oklahoma residents are happy but what about Seattle?  They get to keep the team’s colors and name, and 75 million bucks. 

Show your team spirit with sports team merchandise from The Sports Collectibles Store.  Get your Seattle SuperSonics merchandise before it’s all gone!

The first round of the NBA draft was yesterday and boy were there some surprises!  For one, I almost feel bad for OJ Mayo.  First Minnesota, then Memphis?  Sigh.  I was hoping for more for him.  I loved watching him play in his high school games.  Such an exciting player!

Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley made sense as the first and second picks for their respective teams.  I honestly thought that Kevin Love would have been a lower pick, but hey…it is all about strategy.  And to think, he was traded for Mayo. 

Come check out our awesome NBA merchandise!  From clocks to NBA neon signs…you can’t go wrong at The Sports Collectibles Store!

So, the Lakers LOST to the Celtics.  Actually, more like the Celtics whooped the Lakers.  Also, the word “destroyed” comes to mind.  I mean…131-92???  They were behind by double digits for at least 3 quarters of the game.  Did they just give up?  I mean, how many offensive rebounds did they give up?  Like, a billion?  I can’t take credit from the Celts though.  They were awesome!

I’m sure Boston is just loving this.  The Red Sox even beat the Phillies last night.  What more do they want???  So, Boston fans…get your NBA merchandise at The Sports Collectibles Store. 

I know everyone is talking about the Mets, but I just can’t help myself.  What exactly are they trying to do?  I mean, three o’clock in the morning?  You don’t fire ANYONE at 3 am.  Let alone the General Manager!  It just don’t make any sense.  Why would they do something so disrespectful and, well…rash?  I mean, they have been talking about this for awhile now, so why suddenly fire him at 3 am?  You seriously can’t wait a few hours?  Weird.

Not all teams in the MLB are this wacko.  Get your favorite MLB car accessories with us and save money!

Who would have guessed that the Celtics would be OWNING the Lakers like this?  Certainly not me.  They are now 2-0 in the Finals!  Though the Lakers came back from a huge deficit in last night’s game, they still lost to the Celtics 108-102.  Talk about insanity!

In MLB news…the Phillies are destroying everyone!  Hahaha!  Between Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and good ole Brett Myers…they have the third best record in the entire league!  I have to say, as a Philly fan, I am excited.  Maybe, finally, at long last, we will have a winning team.  I really want to go to a Phillies game now, despite the 96 degree heat.  Ah, Summertime and Baseball.  What a winning combination.  My neighbor saw my awesome MLB Grill Cover and decided to get one of his own!  Now, that’s some team spirit.

You too can get into the team spirit with discount sports merchandise from The Sports Collectibles Store!