On ESPN radio in NY today Michael Kay was questioning how "bad" it looked for AROD to be hawking game used balls from the night he hit the three homers at $399 a piece, the day after the event and that it gace the appearance of being cheap and money hungry. They called AROD authenticated to ask if the money was going to charity, and were told it was not. One hour later they announced on the show that they were told that AROD authenticated was offcially being disbanded by Alex and would no longer exist... I guess Alex reached the breaking point with those guys...Poof
After they broke the story about Arod disbanding the company. Lo and Behold, Kay had Brandon Steiner on (what a joke) who said that he trys to maintain a certain amount of integrity within the hobby and isn't in it for only the money but to "provide the the everyday fans a piece of the game" and the ability to "capture a memory tastefully"...It was then funny to hear Kay ask him how long he waited to offer the Jeter "Dive" picture (against the Redsox) to the public. Kay was hoping to show the difference between a tasteful company like Steiner and the bush league play by Arod Authenticated, but I think to Kay's surprise Steiner uncomfortably admitted that he had them signed and began selling them within a week or two of the game, BUT he tried to explain that he did it "tastefully" (please) and that those pictures became "life inspiration pieces" for many who bought them (LOL!). Steiner of course forgot to mention how he exploits his ecxlusive relationship with the Yankees to be sell game used memorabilia at a price that the "everyday fan" would need to take a 2nd mortage his house to purchase. And, how he used Jeter to monopolize that market to allows him to be the exclusive disributor at whatever price his imagination can come up with...
Don't forget this article from two days ago. I was shocked and disappointed. Hope Brandon was misquoted. Even if he is right that is a pretty rude response. Also wondering what the $232,000 settlement was about. Anyone know?
I would pay for an audiotape of that radio show (including the stuff about AROD and also the interview with Steiner). I'm serious. Please contact me at rgf2@hotmail.com if you have an audiotape of this stuff. Classic.
Rodriguez cuts ties with memorabilia company over 10-RBI game
BY SAM BORDEN
New York Daily News
NEW YORK - (KRT) - Alex Rodriguez on Friday abruptly cut ties with a memorabilia company attempting to sell autographed baseballs commemorating his three-homer, 10-RBI game against the Angels on Tuesday, claiming he never had given permission for such a venture.
The company, known as "A-Rod Authenticated," is a division of Elite Sports Marketing and advertised the "once in a lifetime" opportunity on the radio in New York. The asking price was $399 for the balls, which had A-Rod's signature and his stat line from the game. They were not actually used in the game.
"I reached the people and I said, `If you're trying to do things without me, that's not right,' " A-Rod said. "I'm very upset about it. . . . To go out and sell this crap - that's BS."
Scott Monette, president of Elite, declined comment on Friday. But when a caller posing as a potential customer inquired about the balls, she was told that a "presale" was currently being conducted; A-Rod, according to the sales representative, would sign the balls on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
"Obviously that isn't going to happen," Rodriguez said when told of the claims.
Rodriguez has worked with the company in the past, most notably on "The Ultimate Event," which was a $7,500-per-ticket private function held over the winter at which he appeared with Barry Bonds. Elite has had issues with authenticity (it was formerly known as Authentic Sports Investments), but A-Rod did not comment on any previous problems he may have had with the company, saying only that he was pleased to be free of it and was not pursuing a new memorabilia partner.
"I think there's a lesson to be learned and I've learned it," he said. "There's no relationship with anyone right now, and I'll probably stay idle for a while."
He added that he currently isn't planning to pursue any legal action against Elite because "this should be enough of a sting."
Rodriguez was skewered by fans and talk-show hosts on Friday after a mention of the advertisement appeared in the New York Daily News, and Gary Sheffield alerted him to the criticism early in the afternoon. A-Rod said he discussed the situation with his representatives and that his agent, Scott Boras, dealt with Elite. Boras did not return a call Friday.
A-Rod added that he "doesn't enjoy" signing and donates much of the money made from memorabilia sales to charity. He said he didn't know how much money he stood to lose by ending his relationship with Elite.
Rodriguez said he does most of his memorabilia signing during spring training or after the season. In a request unrelated to Elite, Steiner Sports Marketing & Memorabilia - which has a partnership with the Yankees - inquired about authenticating A-Rod's jersey and bat from the game. Rodriguez declined, saying he is still using the bat ("I'm not that superstitious, but come on!" he said) and wasn't interested in parting with his pinstripes.
"That night I want to remember forever as a very special night," he said. "It's certainly not something I want to capitalize on. . . . It's not who I am."
Thanks for posting that article. I'd like to see someone ask AROD and his associates about the never-ending boat-loads of pre-Yankees jerseys (mostly Texas ones, but Mariners, too) that are signed "game used" that do not show an ounce of wear. I had heard that MLB had a discussion with AROD last season about all of his memorabilia that he was signing as either "game used" or "game used HR # xx" ... does anyone know anything about that? Were there any articles written about that exchange? Also, if there is a way to download that Mike and the Mad Dog radio show from the internet, please let me know (or, better yet, post it on gameusedforum.com). Thank you,
Reid-
I have no knowledge of his Yankee situation on equipment (Ron Fukashima indicated on his site that Aroad was trying to order bats void of the Yankees name, allowing him to sell them through his company), however, I have a bit of history on his days with the Mariners.
I have a fantastic contact with the M's, and was told that during his playing days there, Griffey Jr. got Arod involved with selling his game used items-easy money. Griffey even used his 2 friends from Ohio to front for him as employees of a charity. I personally purchased several Griffey jerseys, bats, gloves and shoes from these guys, and was told the $$$ was going to a half-way house being built by Griffey. No such house, however, was ever constructed in Seattle as far as I know. As such, Griffey took A-Rod under his wings and SHOWED HIM THE MONEY!!!! Remember, Griffey was the first one to sell bats with noted home runs, etc. Both Griffey and Arod ordered anywhere from 50-100 extra jerseys PER SEASON, simply with the intent to sell them as "game worn/used". Like Reid, these shirts show little if any use. Both also ordered extra fielding gloves, and "used" Nike to get whatever extra shoes, jackets, wristbands, batting gloves, etc. they could disnk their claws into. Reid, this habit started in Seattle has carried over with Arod from the Rangers to now the Yankees. What's odd, however, is that Griffey appears to have eneded this practice. I have not seen any of the game used bats and jerseys autographed with "HR #10" etc. in the hobby from Griffey's current Reds days.
Where does Mill Creek Sports fit into this? I thought they had some type of agreement with A-Rod for obtaining his game used items?
If I'm a betting man, don't put too much down on the recent radio report and newspaper story that Arod will be ending this nasty little habit any time soon.
Thanks for your post. You are always a wealth of interesting information. It does appear that Griffey stopped selling his own items after going to the Reds. As for AROD, we'll have to see if he follows through with his promise. Another contributor to gameusedforum.com (see his note above) shares your belief stating: *I'll believe it when I see it*. I agree with you both...I'll believe it when I see it.
To all collectors reading this thread, you need to read the thread entitled Palmeiro as it deals with several issues related to authenticity of game used items that are sold by the players themselves. With all of the commotion regarding the Rose glove, the DiMaggio glove, etc., I would think that this topic (addressed in some ways on this thread and addressed in other ways on the Palmeiro thread) would be of incredible interest to all game-used collectors.
I want to clarify that I inspected and purchased many AROD and Griffey items back when these players were on the Mariners. The items came from Coast to Coast Sports, Mill Creek Sports, Unique Sports (I believe this was Griffey's company), and California Sports Investments. Every single one of the items I saw and purchased was a top-of-the-line 100% authentic game used and signed item, I am certain. A lot of the stuff was hammered with game use. A lot of the items were some of the finest AROD and Griffey game worn/signed items I've seen to date.
If you are serious and you are going to buy a set, please let us know if you actually end up getting the product. It would be interesting to know if this product will still be available after AROD's assurances and promises.
Emil had asked about what the reference to the $232,000 settlement was about. Here's the story
Baseball, Sports Memorabilia Firm Settles Deceptive Promotions Suit with NYC
(New York-AP, April 9, 2005) — The company behind major league baseball's Web site and a sports memorabilia firm reached a $232,000 settlement with the city Saturday over an allegedly deceptive e-mail promotion, agreeing to cover the cost of refurbishing a Manhattan Little League field.
The settlement also provides that the city receive $33,000 worth of autographed baseballs and other memorabilia to sell, said Gretchen Dykstra, commissioner of the city Department of Consumer Affairs.
The agreement capped an investigation that began two years ago, and settles a lawsuit filed last year by the city against MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) and Steiner Sports Memorabilia, Inc., Dykstra said. MLB Advanced Media is the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball.
According to the lawsuit, MLBAM and Steiner e-mailed thousands of New York-area fans in May 2003 promoting an offer of free or discounted collectibles. Fans were offered a free framed photograph when they bought a baseball signed by one of a half-dozen major league stars, the suit said.
But to get an autographed Derek Jeter baseball and a photograph, fans had to pay $516.95 - which was $67 more than MLBAM's regular price for the two items, the suit said. The cost of an autographed Jeter baseball on Steiner's web site was $217 less, the suit alleged.
A week later, the same items were sold at the same price - but advertised as 20 percent off, the city charged.
Under the settlement, MLBAM paid the city $123,000 to restore the Little League field at Highbridge Park in Washington Heights; paid for new uniforms and equipment for four Little League teams; and paid the city an additional $60,000.
Steiner gave the city $33,333 worth of memorabilia; paid the city an additional $16,666; and paid $340 in restitution to buyers who bought items offered in the e-mail pitch.
"We went to bat for baseball fans throughout the city, and are thrilled that the Little League athletes who play at Highbridge Park will reap the benefits," Dykstra said.
A message left Saturday at the office of Brandon Steiner, head of the memorabilia company, was not immediately returned. A spokesman for MLBAM also did not return a message left Saturday for comment.
The city's new memorabilia items will go on sale Monday at the Municipal Building in lower Manhattan.
On the original BREAKING NEWS post about AROD cutting off his relationship with ESM, I wasn't buyin it. Now I just got this email so it looks for real!
AROD
Until further notice ALL sales have ceased in reference to Alex Rodriguez merchandise. We will update
you when further information is available. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
