...collections...My Sports Memorabilia!

A few days ago, I talked about the collection of artifacts that I used in decorating my husband's office.

I used one of my own collections of sports memorabilia to put together a funky display in the loft area in our house.  The space provides a second family room and overlooks the main family room.

I think that my interest in sports came (in part) from growing up in between two brothers.  Although my older brother usually loathed anything sports-related, my younger brother played baseball for many years.  ...also, it seems like there was always a game blaring on our televisions (all of them)...Mets, Knicks, some type of hockey, and of course--Broadway Joe!

I have this memory (from when I was about 4 or 5 and living in Brooklyn) of my father and uncles driving away in a gray and pink convertible heading to a Mets game and me running after the car trying to convince them to take me with them.

... and my collection begins...

In our last house we had a bonus/media room.  I displayed many of the sports collection on walls and tables.  When we moved to our current house, I decided to use the items as decorating tools.

I began with a glass-door cabinet.  I knew I wanted to keep with the bungalow style, but, wanted to add some funkiness. 

The cabinet:  Ethan Allen Horizons piece that has the look and feel of a bungalow cabinet.

Next, I started to gather the items that I thought would be "worthy" of the cabinet.  The glove in the picture above was my father's.  I found the football mask at an antique show in Maine last summer.  ... and speaking of football... I was not a fan until the Titans came to Nashville.  ... and the rest is history.

Here are several other baseball-related items:

Framed photo I took at a Braves game in the 1990s.

Framed letter and signed card that Jeff Blauser sent to my first grade class (along with a signed card for each student!).

Framed cover of the Baseball Weekly that appeared after 9/11.

 Limited edition Subway Series commemorative

 The cabinet includes mini spot lights for added focus.  (Mike Piazza bear on the left!)

Collection of sports-related books.  Some given to me by a colleague who has now retired.

Titans football signed by the members of the Music City Miracle Team!

Season Ticket Holder Program and Lanyard (Music City Miracle!)

Framed and signed picture of Jevon Kearse (The Freak) from his rookie year.

...and the final display...  There are several other framed items that I have in other places in the house, but, the cabinet with the current display assembled adds a funky touch to a bungalow!

The cabinet is in a second family room in our house.  Future plans for the room--I am on the lookout for Stickley easy chairs for game watching!

On this wonderful spring day, I can almost hear blue yelling, Play Ball!

...on second thought, how many days until Titans Training Camp!?