One of my favorite collectibles

Back in 2008, the Sports Museum of America opened in New York City. It only lasted until February of 2009, as the number of visitors were vastly over-projected. Frankly, the museum had an awareness problem. Not a lot of people knew about it.

I visited with a co-worker during that quiet time between Christmas and New Years in December of 2008.

While 12 years ago, I do remember it being cool, and it's sad more people didn't visit it. It's before I had a smart phone, so I have no photos. I do remember there being a lot of cards and memorabilia on display.

I guess that was one problem. It had a lot of cool stuff, sure. But no real direction. Just a collection of stuff and they called it a museum.

One other item I remember seeing was boxed Kenner Starting Lineup set of then 1992 Olympic Dream Team. Well, at least 10 of the players. I remember how cool I thought the set was back when it came out, and the trip down memory lane at the museum really hit home.

I wanted to have that set.

The one on display wasn't even in good condition, as I remember the box being pretty beat up.

I went home and search eBay, and to my surprise there were a lot available, for fairly modest prices as well. I believe I paid somewhere between $20-25 for mine:

I still have it to this day, and it remains surprisingly affordable as a boxed set. Many are in the $75 range. Not bad.

Some of the figures are great, and MJ is front and center, of course.

To my knowledge, these didn't come with loose cards like the individuals, but had cards you could cut off the back. That never goes well.

Such a cool set. Now if I could only find an affordable set of the McDonald's Dream Team cups...