Today was the 3rd annual C.C. Sabathia Toys 4 tots drive in Vallejo, CA. C.C. was wonderful, not only signing all 12 of the photos that we brought with us, but also gave 1 Official Major League Baseball to each of the first 100 people in line to donate toys. C.C. really did a great thing for a downtrodden community. Vallejo, California has been officially bankrupt for a year now. Although the moral of the community has likely been at a low point for quite a while now, C.C. always comes back to his hometown and donates his time and money to give back to the city where he was raised. C.C. not only signed nearly 400 autographs (aproximately 200 fans showed up for the signing), but he showed up at the Toyota dealership at 10am this morning, and personally took 15 kids to the local Sports Authority, and treated those 15 wonderful kids to a $200.00 shopping spree per child. Not only did the kids have a wonderful time shopping for goodies, they were able to hang out with their hometown hero. Now that’s a Merry Christmas!

Every single year we attend the Toys 4 Tots autograph signings in the San Francisco bay area. We have been donating toys for probably 10 years now, often in exchange for an autograph. C.C. and Vallejo Toyota really know how to handle the goal of obtaining as many toys for the kids as possible. Although their policy was one autograph per person in the line, they were more than willing to accept more toys for additional autographs. In my humble opinion, thats the purpose of the toy drive is to raise as many toys as possible. After going through line once, and offering the initial gift, C.C. told many of the fans that wanted additional signatures to get back in line, and he would take care of them. Thats truely shows me that C.C. is willing to give back to the community. At some of the other Toys 4 Tots events over the last few years, it really seems that the purpose of the drive is to gain good public relations in the media, but not to raise the maximum number of toys. Just earlier this month, we attended a Oakland Raiders Toys 4 tots event in Hayward, CA. The event featured Hall of Famer Willie Brown, Richard Seymour, and Chris Johnson. Both Chris Johnson and Willie Brown were both gracious about signing any item. After Richard Seymour signed New England Patriots items for the first few fans in line, he imposed a “No Patriots items allowed” rule for the remaining fans in line. Why would it matter which item is being signed, as long as the toys are being donated to the cause? Richard even told me that I should buy a Raiders item from the team store (where the signing was being held). Is this a fundraiser for toys, or a fundraiser for the Oakland Raiders? We were in line with a family that donated over 20 toys to the toy drive, and requested that Richard Seymour sign 6 items, and they told this man that his family would have to get back in line, and that it was strictly one autograph per person, even if you donate multiple toys. I personally witnessed multiple families leaving the signing with some of the toys in hand, because the Raiders didn’t want to sign multiple autographs. Why not sign as many autographs as toys donated? Isn’t that the point of the toy drive? I understand that this decision was made by the Raiders, but the Toys 4 tots foundation was the one turning down opportunities to raise additional toys. Very surprising, considering that I saw on the local news, just that morning, that the Toys 4 Tots donations were down this year, from previous years. A real shame, when people were willing to donate.

Check out some of the photos from the C.C. Sabathia & Oakland Raiders Toys 4 Tots autograph signing sessions.

Check out my website for New York Yankees, C.C. Sabathia, and Oakland Raiders autographed treasures at:

http://www.southwestconnection-memorabilia.com/

Chad Ochocinco chose not to wear his fallen friend’s jersey number 15. I feel that was a great classy move made by Chad, because if he would have honored his friend, although a great gesture, it would have made the story about Chad, and not about the memory of Chris Henry. The fine that would have been implemented by the NFL, can now be used to help Chris Henry’s family in this tough time.

The Dallas Cowboys showed last night that they still have what it takes to make a late season run and win the NFC East championship. The Cowboys made the New Orleans Saints go from Superior NFC competition, to a beatable team even in the bayou. The New Orleans Saints can now just worry about home field advantage, as the Minnesota Vikings have been flying below the radar due to the Saints 13-0 start.

The Tennessee Titans went from the best record during the 2008 regular season, to a 0-6 start during the beginning of the 2009 season, to remarkable resurgence behind Vince Young’s arm and legs. By beating the Miami Dolphins today, the Titans have kept thier dream alive of returning to the playoffs. The Titans are my pick to be the cinderella team during the playoffs. They are a scary mix of the fastest running back in the NFL-Chris Johnson, the arm and running ability of thier quarterback-Vince Young, young recievers, and a dominant defense.

Today the San Diego Chargers clinched a playoff berth, after their late game winning field goal by Nate Kaeding. 

The Oakland Raiders stunned the Denver Broncos in the Mile High city.  After trailing for most of the game, the Broncos took the lead late in the fourth quarter.  After the Broncos knocked Charlie Frye  out of the game, Jamarcus Russell took his career in his own hands, and led the Raiders down the field for a game winning touchdown pass to Chaz Schilens.  Jamarcus didn’t look wonderful in his performance, but showed enough grit to possibly start next weekend.

Many autographs of the stars from your favorite NFL teams are available on our website:

http://www.southwestconnection-memorabilia.com/category/31292401981/1/NFL-AUTOGRAPHS.htm

The biggest trade of the hot season so far was the blockbuster 3 way trade between the Mariners, Blue Jays and Phillies.  The Phillies made the move that emerged them to become favorites to return to the World Series in 2010, by obtaining the superstar pitcher that they wanted last summer by trading for Roy Halladay.  They gave up some top prospects, but the “untouchable” Kyle Drabek seemed to be the final piece in the trade that eventually took the 2008 American League Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners.  Who will benefit more from this blockbuster trade?  In my opinion it will be the Seattle Mariners as they have made a multitude of trades and free agent signings during the winter meetings including signing the ultra utility player in Chone Figgins, and then just traded for Milton Bradley yesterday to bolster the outfield.  In what seems will be a down year in the American League West division, the Mariners have to be the front runners for the 2010 American League West champions.

The 2009 World Series Champions New York Yankees have been a hot topic during the MLB offseason.  The Bronx Bombers lost important pieces from the championship, but have attempted to fill those holes with the power bat of Nick Johnson.  The Yankees lost their full time designated hitter Hideki Matsui to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and recently cut ties with World Series hero Johnny Damon.  The Yankees front office was previously stating that they would fill the hole left by Hideki Matsui with a DH by committee including Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez to give them rest during the long dog days of summer.  Will the new additions to the Yankees lineup, become tomorrows hero’s?  Only time will tell, but if history is a guide, the Yankees will be champs again in the near future.

We have a wonderful variety of MLB autographed memorabilia, check it out at:

http://www.southwestconnection-memorabilia.com/category/31292401361/1/MLB-AUTOGRAPHS.htm