Due to the overwhelming popularity of this blog since I started it a few months ago, I’ve had so many request to drop people’s names in it.  A couple of weeks ago, when the Tribe was playing in Los Angeles, my cousin (who lives in LA and was going to the game) asked if I could include his name in it.  I had to quickly explain to Marty that this blog is for business purposes only–to promote to the world how the Cleveland Indians are helping the community through volunteer efforts, fundraising, appearances and the like.  It is not to be used to plug the DeLaat family name.  So I’m sorry, Marty DeLaat, but I will not be allowed to mention your name in this blog per MLB’s rules.

     I am suddenly reminded of a crazy cousin of mine who, growing up, used to take the RTA down to then Jacobs Field during Indians games and get a bunch of autographs from the players.  Being the business savvy kid that he was, he would then go on and sell a lot of those autographs to help keep his cash flow going.  It was a great idea, completely legal, and kept him out of trouble. 

      Cleveland Indians Charities does a similar version of what my cousin used to do; however, we take a slightly different approach with it.  For one, all of the money made from sales goes straight to Cleveland Indians Charities.  We also get the items from the Indians Clubhouse, so they are authentic items (most were actually worn/used by the players) and not replicas. 

     We call these items Clubhouse Collectibles and they are sold in our Progressive Field Team Shop.  Not all of the items are autographed, but we sell anything from bats (broken or just used), signed player photos, old player jerseys, signed baseballs, helmets, etc.

     So the next time you come to a game, or are in the Cleveland area and are looking for some cool team issued/team used memorabilia, swing into the Team Shop and check out the Clubhouse Collectibles.  Or, if my cousin from California is back in town you can just buy something off of him.  We’d prefer you go through us, though!