When the Express nailed him with a pitch that night in Texas, Ventura took on the man who could have been his father.  Ryan may have been 46 but he was still feisty, prone to grunting and swearing after each heave that missed the strike zone.  He delivered three serious noogies to Ventura’s noggin and then landed a decent punch as Ventura tried to wrestle him to the ground.  After that, it was a sea of players from both benches on the field and into the fray.

The photos from the Ryan-Ventura throwdown have become immensely popular.   Bill Simmons, “The Sports Guy” wrote about it in his ESPN.com blog.

Truth is, it’s a great photo.  And Ryan, despite his somewhat mythic stature, has signed enough to make them readily available through some of the major online outlets.   Here’s a link to several that are on eBay now.  Just buy one with a good letter of authenticity from JSA, Steiner or PSA/DNA.

In fact, authenticity has been a major factor in the Upper Deck process since it first appeared in the sports collector world with their famous inaugural baseball card set 1989. Despite being relatively new, Upper Deck has managed to be quite innovative and often a field leader in the authentication of sports memorabilia.  Plus UDA takes pride in providing a constant guarantee for collectors of autographed sports memorabilia.

Upper Deck provides a five step process for authentication of its sports memorabilia and they stick to it.  Upper Deck uses a very technical printing technology which adds a trademark hologram to the cards. That means an Upper Deck Authenticated piece of memorabilia or trading card is virtually impossible to counterfeit. In other words, Upper Deck has somewhat set the industry standard on authenticity.

The five step authenticity process developed in 1992 includes one feature that will give great comfort to sports memorabilia collectors. Each autograph has to be witnessed by an Upper Deck representative. This guarantee is one of the many reasons Upper Deck Authentication is considered by many sports memorabilia analysts to be top of the line. When you are purchasing an item for a high price, it’s only safe to say that you want to be absolutely confident in that investment. Upper Deck Authentication provides that and more.

The Upper Deck five step authentication process includes a witnessed signing, an authenticated serial number hologram, a certificate of authenticity and a registration card. These simple but often necessary steps provide the safety of mind for consumers that their product is 100% legitimate.

Upper Deck Authentication also has a database where collectors can register their memorabilia. The Hologram Data Center allows prospective buyers to enter a Hologram number to see if it corresponds with the correct registration number. This will give the consumer accurate knowledge if the product they are interested in is actually authentic.

Upper Deck also has signed major sports athletes to the brand. Can you imagine a who’s who list of premium athltes like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Ken Griffey Jr? Those are just a few of the names accompanying the Upper Deck brand.  Knowing one of these top tier athletes with staying power is on board only continues to add value to the Upper Deck brand.

The value continues to increase with a very reliable authentication process.

You can find dozens of high quality autographed items carrying the Upper Deck Authentication guarantee through the links in the upper right portion of the pages here at Diamond Autographs.

As the possibility of fake autographs becomes more prevalent, so does the critical need for having the right company make 100% sure an item or autograph is authentic.

Investors need to know where they are putting their money and if that actual item will have value on a potential future sale. James Spence provides that necessary tool that gives those investors the comfort of knowing what they have is legitimate.  Spence holograms, along with PSA/DNA, Upper Deck Authenticated, Steiner Sports and Mounted Memories, offer collectors a strong level of trust.

Customers need to look no further than the list of dealers and auction companies that use James Spence Authentication on a daily basis. That list can be found here on the James Spence website at http://www.spenceloa.com/why_jsa.asp. The list serves as a who’s who of industry giants in the sports memorabilia world. In other words, if these dealers put their trust in the hands of James Spence Authentication then that speaks volumes about the service he provides.

There are many reasons why consumers and memorabilia collectors choose James Spence Authentication. Some may enjoy the Letter of Authenticity with a corresponding high-resolution image and unique certificate sticker. This provides investors with something more relevant to illustrate that the item they own is authentic.

Some, as the official website illuminates, might just want the simple comfort in knowing that an important piece of baseball memorabilia will be realized as truly authentic. Memorabilia seekers can sleep easier at night knowing the autograph and item they spent a good portion of money on is really what they paid for. If the need arises to sell the item, having a respected authenticator’s name attached to it will make it much easier to unload.

The testimonials listed on the James Spence Authentication website are truly indicative and a great sampling of what the sports memorabilia industry feels as a whole about his service. Words like ethical, dedicated and professional seem to be the first mentioned in reference to Spence and his valuable service. Most importantly, James Spence is always called “accurate”. No authenticator is perfect.  Spence and his team have made mistakes—some of them can be found online, placed there by critics.  They are rare, however.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and The United States Department of Treasury have also used the James Spence touch in their investigations. That simply means the best gets the call in matters of big importance. It’s not surprising the FBI depends on the company in matters that require high levels of accuracy. That’s exactly how Spence has made his mark throughout the years in his respective field. His vast credentials also include a certificate in Forensic Document Examination.

Spence and his team have spent years accumulating a huge inventory of autograph exemplars from which to work.  They’re not guessing when authenticating your autograph.  The exemplars are used and studied, leading to a more educated authentication team and a more accurate letter of opinion attached to the item you’ve decided to purchase.

If you’re looking to buy items with a Spence LOA, you can shop by sport via the links to items offered on eBay located on the right of this page or use the Amazon.com store link at the top of the page.

In short, buyers can feel safe knowing that an autographed sports item with the James Spence Authentication seal is indeed genuine.

Nolan Ryan, the first baseball pitcher to earn one million dollars a year, is respected by fans both for his athletic skills and his character. Collecting autographed Ryan memorabilia makes a statement about the enduring values of American baseball.  The good news is that Ryan believes the more he signs, the less valuable his signature will be and the less money dealers who score freebies will make off him.  That’s good news for fans and collectors, making many nice Nolan Ryan autographed items affordable.  There are dozens of authentic Nolan Ryan autographs right now on eBay

Although most of Ryan’s career was spent in his native state of Texas, he began his career with the New York Mets, where his relief pitching helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Ryan then moved to the California Angels from 1972 through 1979. He played for the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1988. He is revered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for his final excellent career years with the Texas Rangers, from 1989 to 1993, where in 1989 he become the only pitcher to record 5,000 career strikeouts.

Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Collectors looking for affordable items would do well to focus on autographed Nolan Ryan memorabilia. One popular signed Nolan Ryan photograph portrays the memorable fight with Robin Ventura on August 4, 1993, shortly before Ryan retired. The signed photo is available in various sizes and has become a fan favorite. Ryan stated after the game that he used a similar maneuver on Ventura that he used when branding cattle on his Texas ranch in Texas. Many other photos and photo collages of Ryan and his career are available for astute collectors who wish to create a gallery of Nolan Ryan memorabilia.

In addition to photos, baseballs signed by Nolan Ryan are readily available. Jerseys, commemorative programs, autographed baseballs, bats, World Series photos, baseball cards and other excellent collectibles can be found with Ryan’s signature. Reputable sellers will provide a certificate of authenticity or some other proof that the signature on the collectible is really that of Nolan Ryan.

The great news is that if you respect and admire Nolan Ryan, you can still build a stunning collection of items that will highlight his career and emphasize the great enduring values of American baseball. Create a showcase of autographed Nolan Ryan memorabilia in your home and build an enduring collection of affordable excellence before scarcity and time take the opportunity away.

One of the most legendary players in baseball, Mantle holds an amazing number of World Series records, including the most World Series home runs (18), runs (42), and runs batted in (40). Despite battling the effects of osteomyelitis and alcoholism, Mantle spent 18 seasons with the New York Yankees and is considered on of the greatest all-time baseball players. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. Collecting autographed Mickey Mantle items can be an intriguing and satisfying pastime for baseball fans of all ages.

Collectors  can still find a significant number of items with Mantle’s signature. Available items include signed baseballs, signed and framed photographs, and baseball cards with Mantle’s signature.

Some photographs feature Mantle with his good friend Billy Martin, a Yankee teammate and the namesake for Mantle’s son, Billy. Collectors can still acquire jerseys and baseball bats with Mickey Mantle’s signature, although those are becoming rare.   Mantle did a number of autograph shows and private signings in the 1980s and early 90s but the demand was still greater than the supply, and prices rose regularly even before his death.

Because of Mantle’s strength as a power hitter and switch hitter, photographs of the player in action are especially popular. The Yankees won seven world championships during Mantle’s tenure with the team. Photographs of Mantle at Yankee Stadium and with teammates like Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and other famous players from that era make excellent collectibles. Autographed Mickey Mantle memorabilia is still a huge hit with fans in the generation that knew and loved him, and among younger people who enjoy learning about the great players of the past. As you collect items, remember that reputable sellers provide buyers with certificates of authenticity or other proof that the signature is really that of Mickey Mantle.   Here’s a link to some authentic Mickey Mantle autographs on eBay

Mantle won many awards during his storied career. He was the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1956, 1957 and 1962, and won the AL Triple Crown in 1956. He is considered to be one of the top 100 all-time  baseball players. If you respect Mantle and have nostalgic memories of growing up watching or listening to baseball games featuring one of the game’s most popular players of all-time, you can showcase him in your home.  Expect to pay at least $250-300 and up for any quality item with a real Mantle signature–bats and jerseys as well as oversized photos are much higher.

Autographed Mickey Mantle items take us back to a simpler time when a kid from a tiny Oklahoma town could become the toast of New York.

Stars, semi-stars, and less heralded players are all represented equally. In fact, the autographs of many commons may be harder to come by individually than many stars. While the accomplishments of a team in a given season can be dubious like the 1988 Baltimore Orioles or glorious like a World Series Champion, baseballs autographed by a team represents those accomplishments equally.

Usually, the absence of a signature by a player can help define when a ball was signed due to the date of the transaction either by trade or free agency. Of course, the more stars or Hall of Famers on a team signed ball will result in a greater value and a higher price.

Finding an authentic team signed baseball in great condition can be a bit of a challenge, especially older balls. Because of the nature of the item, if all team members attempt to sign the ball right after one another smudges and smears were prone to happen. These defects not only affect the value of the ball, but may also make authentication more difficult.

Vintage signed items present a unique challenge. Depending on the price of the ball in question, a buyer may seek to have a third party authentication service certify the team signed baseball prior to completing purchase. However, a higher valued ball, for example the 1927 Yankees, will likely already have the necessary documentation proving its authenticity. One guideline however, a certificate of authenticity is only as good as the company providing it. Collectors should recognize the name, and perform some research before spending a lot of cash.

Team signed baseballs are a great way to recall a World Series year, a record year for wins, or other team accomplishment. Because collectors have favorite teams and favorite players, this type of collectible benefits both desires. Sometimes just reading the names (though handwriting is sometimes questionable) can help a collector recall each individual player and the ups and downs of a baseball campaign. The nostalgia can be somewhat overwhelming ten years down the road, as these great snapshots of history capture every player that was on the team at that specific moment.

One of the most coveted baseball keepsakes–even for members of the current generation–is autographed Ted Williams memorabilia.

My Dad used to tell me that Williams was the greatest player he ever saw.  It didn’t seem to be any myth coming out of his mouth when he spoke these truisms.

Word of Ted Williams and his ability to hit just about any pitch spread very quickly well before the age of computers and social media.  He was one of those precious few players who was considered a legend while he was playing.  Williams didn’t seem to need any PR machine to become one of the greatest  players of all time.  Red Sox fans loved him beyond compare. and Williams’ long retirement allowed for him to corroborate many of the stories whispered among fans for years.

That’s why autographed Ted Williams memorabilia still remain at a premium these days. These days Williams is still fourth on the all time list for Career Batting Average with a .344 average. The buzz he created from many years ago still seems to remain in the form of his signed baseball memorabilia.

Those who watched the man play are still in awe of his ability to hit for average while knocking 521 balls out of the park. These days an autographed Ted Williams baseball can be found rather easily since he signed so many. An autographed Ted Williams jersey is a little harder to locate but not impossible.

The bottom line is the demand is still there for autographed Ted Williams memorabilia after all this time. That’s because of the grass roots campaign the last generation started thanks to just being in awe of one heck of a baseball player.

What happened at Fenway Park and around the rest of the American League from the late 1930s to the early 1960s  still has a huge impact on the pricing of sporting memorabilia in 2010.  Feats like hitting .400, winning all of those batting titles and ending his career with a home run put Williams in a place shared by few across more than a century of big league baseball.

When Ted Williams passed away in 2002, many baseball fans mourned the loss of one of the all time greats. Even those who didn’t like the Boston Red Sox or Williams had to admit #9 deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the game’s greatest icons. That’s why many still covet Williams signed items  to this day-even if they never saw him play.

Here’s a link to some authentic Ted Williams autographs on eBay right now.  These are items with a stamp of approval by PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentication.

The stories like my father told me aren’t done by the way just because we live in a different generation. As the years pass on, so will the grass roots effort of explaining the Ted Williams legend through stories and signed memorabilia. That’s why autographed Ted Williams memorabilia will tell stories by their mere existence for years to come.

He signed thousands of autographs every year.  Before games, after games, and especially in public.

The Babe was no hermit.

He truly enjoyed being around fans and understood their importance to the success of professional baseball.  He also had a soft spot for kids having grown up in an orphanage.

You could argue that it was Babe Ruth signing baseballs that really kick-started the autographed baseball craze.  Signed baseballs have been around since the turn of the 20th century but Ruth made them into valuable collectibles to be treasured, not played with.

So why is it, then, that autographed Babe Ruth items are still worth four figures..sometimes more if they’re in pristine condition on a ball or bat?  The simple law of supply and demand.

Ruth’s star burns so bright even today that owning anything that he touched at one time–even for a few seconds–is very desirable to fans and collectors.  His larger-than-life story still plays well today.  The fact that he was a Yankee doesn’t hurt.

“I can’t keep Babe Ruth autographs in stock,” one dealer told me recently.  “Unless you price them at a level that doesn’t make sense, there are always buyers for Ruth signed items.”

Babe Ruth autographs have proven to be an excellent investment.  The last generation of people who remember him are now long-retired and seeking a connection with their past.  Modern collectors love to boast about having a signed Babe Ruth anything in their hobby room.

The cheapest way to buy an autographed Babe Ruth item is to purchase a cut signature, taken from a scrapbook or penned on a piece of ordinary paper.  You can then create your own framed baseball memorabilia if you like using the autograph as the centerpiece.  Signed Ruth baseballs will cost you more, but if they’re authenticated and if you’re not fussy about condition, you can pick up a lower grade ball for a few thousand dollars.  Photographs are plenty and nice ones are a really fabulous piece of the Babe to hang in your own baseball dugout.

The graceful, iconic predecessor to Mickey Mantle, the “Yankee Clipper” was regal in his approach to the game and fans were awestruck by the grace he displayed on and off the field.

“Joltin’ Joe” was a main cog in the Yankee Machine that won ten pennants and nine world series titles during his 13-year career. He was an All-Star every year during that span and won the MVP award three times including 1941, even though Ted Williams hit .401 that year.

Despite a career .325 batting average, DiMaggio stepped aside in 1951, claiming he had lost the needed intensity to play the game. His decision made room for another promising rookie to take his place, Mickey Mantle.

Autographed DiMaggio material is in great demand and commands a premium price as Yankee fans try to capture and display the greatness of a by-gone era.

An signed collectible item is a solid connection for the fan that can be put on display, rather than in a card album that has to be taken off of a shelf.  By displaying a ball or a bat in a protective covering, the fan can make sure that the item will remain undamaged and the autograph secure and protected. Given the cost of signed DiMaggio items these days and his place in Yankee lore, any damage to the autograph would be catastrophic.

He signed a lot of items, especially after his playing days ended when he was a guest on the autograph show circuit and did some private signings but a DiMaggio autographed bat can cost in the $1500-3,000 range and a jersey can go higher.  Signed DiMaggio baseballs can be found anywhere from $350-$800 or so with photographs in the $150-500 range.

You should always try to buy material that comes with a certificate of authenticity or tamper-proof hologram to protect against fraud and forgery.  Searching through the listings we have linked to here at Diamond Autographs offers the peace of mind that a trained authenticator has offered their opinion that the item is genuine.

Autographed DiMaggio memorabilia is a great gift item for Yankee fans of all ages  to display and cherish through the years and is a great way to reflect on the era in which he played.

Huge and steady growth just may be a major indication of how well respected Mounted Memories has become in the sports memorabilia industry.

Mounted Memories even claims the company is “the ultimate destination for sports memorabilia authentication”. Mounted Memories, according to various memorabilia analysts, isn’t doing anything to disprove that theory. The company serves as one of the more reputable sports card authenticators in the country.

This fast-growing company has already landed exclusive contracts with some of the contemporary giants in sports like Peyton Manning, Pete Rose, Dan Marino and Dick Butkus.

Mounted Memories also continues to make a name for itself by handling autograph sessions at major sports card collector shows around the country. Appearances from major names like Terry Bradshaw, Barry Sanders and George Blanda are not uncommon at their shows. The star power is extremely high with Mounted Memories-often packing shows with multiple big name athletes from a variety of different sports. The association of so many top name athletes with this company makes it extremely hard to overlook Mounted Memories as a major player in the Sports Collectibles industry.

If variety is your game, this company might be worth checking out. That’s because Mounted Memories isn’t limited to just standard sports like baseball, football and basketball. Mounted Memories is one of the few sports memorabilia authenticators to truly handle sports like Auto Racing and the PGA. Mounted Memories currently has autograph contracts with Jack Nicklaus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and many of the premiere NASCAR teams. The company has an open mind to the future and doesn’t just narrow choices to a particular sport.

Mounted Memories instead carries an incredible inventory of athletes with a wide variety of products associated with those players. The price levels also range in accommodation for the low level collector to the big time spender. Mounted Memories doesn’t just stop with sports authentication. The company also prides itself on acrylic display cases and high quality custom framing. These extras are more reason why many sports collectors turn to Mounted Memories.

Is Mounted Memories reputable?  No question.  If you’re interested in seeing some of the thousands of autographed items they have, visit Mounted Memories 24/7.