FIREBRICK, Ky.

Monday, June 19, 2000

FIREBRICK, Ky. – John Carpenter’s collection just got a couple of additions.

One addition was some pennants from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. But the other will come from the media.

Carpenter has more than 4,000 items in his sports memorabilia collection which is regarded by Reader’s Digest as the largest personal sports memorabilia collection in the world.

The collection will get some national exposure Monday evening when WSAZ-TV 3 sports anchor Matt Shepherd presents a story on Carpenter’s collection on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts.

WSAZ-TV 3 is an NBC affiliate and the segment is expected to air nationwide between 6 and 11 p.m. The feed will reach more than 220 stations.

And the collection continues to grow even as the segment airs.

"(Hall of Fame pitcher) Sandy Koufax sent me an autographed ball a while ago, and I’ve got (Los Angeles Dodgers manager) Walter Alston’s cleat," said Carpenter.

The collection offers a wide variety of sports memorabilia including items from announcer Mel Allen, heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, and boxing’s only undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.

Carpenter also has items such as an autographed shirt from Indiana coach Bob Knight, various NFL team jerseys, a 1927 knife commemorating the ’27 Yankees World Series championship, and a home run baseball hit out of Tiger Stadium in Detroit by the legendary Babe Ruth. And team jerseys and shirts.

And now it can add 25 pennants commemorating the Yankees 25 World titles.

Steinbrenner’s secretary called Carpenter about the pennants and offered them to the collection.

"She said Mr. Steinbrenner had heard about the collection and wanted to make a contribution. To have George Steinbrenner want to give me some items is something pretty special," said Carpenter.