Who am I to judge, really? After all, collecting memorabilia is not a one-size-fits-all kind of scenario. But, the Phillies have offered a few pieces of memorabilia for sale over the past month that have really had me scratching my head and asking, "Is this really collectible, or just a marketing machine at work?"

For example, a recent online Phillies Authentics auction included a number of lots pertaining to fireballer Ken Giles' Major League Debut. I like Giles and all, but despite his rise up the ranks this season, he has rarely been included in the team's top-ten prospects lists. It reeks of the hype they spewed with Darin Ruf last Summer - regularly listing his game-used gear at prices comparable to those worn by Ryan Howard or Cliff Lee. I'm all for prospecting, but the chances of him living up to a $700+ jersey value are pretty slim.

The same auction also listed a ball pitched to Jimmy Rollins during his record-breaking "hits" at-bat. Not the ball he dumped into right field - instead, it was one he fouled off prior to the hit. Is it any different than any other foul ball he ever hit? Not really. But in the world where MLB Authentication puts a sticker on everything it's now meaningful (to someone).

Finally, I especially take issue with the tactics the team employed to label boxes of programs as "Jimmy Rollins All-Time Hits Leader June 14, 2014." Unlike when programs were printed for series', or way back when lineups were printed on scorecards daily, the Phillies are publishing their programs monthly this year - meaning this program is no different than those sold the day before or after. All the sticker signifies is that it was first sold on June 14th. Technically, hundreds of programs boxed in storage "were there" for the hit - wouldn't doubt if they slap a sticker on those June remnants and make them "collectible", too....