JOEL'S STORY
“The epic 80 year journey of the foremost curator to preserve the memories and achievements of the world’s greatest athletes”
Sports Immortals is the lifelong vision and effort of Joel Platt. For him, sports represents the best of the human spirit–every individual striving to reach their maximum potential. After suffering life threatening injuries from a gasoline explosion at the age of four, Joel has spent the last eight decades assembling what the Smithsonian Institution has claimed is “absolutely the greatest collection of all sports.” Joel has traveled over one million miles to curate over one million mementos. However, it’s more than just uniforms, gear, autographs, photos, etc., Sports Immortals exists to ensure the memories created by the world’s greatest athletes continue to inspire us for generations to come. To that end, Joel and his son, Jim, have created the Sports Immortals Projects Company to develop various projects that will utilize their vast content together with the latest interactive and immersive technologies.
The Story of Joel Platt, Founder of Sports Immortals
Depicted on Canvas by Artist Yuri Liaboh Pictured around the perimeter of the painting are Joel’s favorite Sports Immortals: (Clockwise from top-left) Roberto Clemente, Muhammad Ali, Satchel Paige, Red Grange, Jesse Owens, Gordie Howe, Honus Wagner, Sid Luckman, Babe Didrikson, Jim Thorpe, Ted Williams, Pelé, and Mickey Mantle.
TIMELINE
Joel Platt is Born
Injured in Gasoline Explosion…
Bedridden for over a year Joel's parents bought him baseball cards to entertain him during his recovery. One night Joel had a dream that Babe Ruth visited him and said, "Kid don't give up, one day you could be a Major Leaguer like me or build a shrine to honor sports heroes." That was the spark that ignited his 80 year journey to curate over one million mementos from the world's greatest athletes.
Joel Recovers!
Joel starts collecting card, programs, tickets, autographs, etc.
Famous Firsts
Joel attends his first Pittsburgh Pirates game and has his first Sports Immortals encounter with Boxing Champion, Ezzard Charles, who was also there to watch the game. After timidly approaching him, Joel was thrilled to obtain his first autograph from Charles who was impressed that Joel recognized him and happily provided his signature.
Joel's First Curating Trip
Joel meets Mrs. Honus Wagner in Carnegie, Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. His positive encounter gave him the confidence to continue contacting other athletes and their relatives in order to acquire mementos for his growing Sports Immortals Collection.
Joel Meets Mrs. Babe Ruth
After being stopped by the door man of her high rise apartment building, Joel decided to climb the back stairwell to gain Mrs. Ruth's apartment. After knocking on the door and introducing himself, she invited Joel and in and they spent a delightful two hours together after which she provided Joel with a bat , a plaque and a autographed baseball.
Joel at Bat
Joel's Major League dreams are cut short after a career ending elbow injury while playing shortstop at Duquesne University.
Joel's Journey Continues
Joel Platt meets Mrs. Christy Mathewson and Wilt Chamberlain’s mom.
Meeting Jesse Owens
Joel Platt meets Jesse Owens.
Joel and Ali
Joel has his first encounter with boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, in Miami, Florida at The Fifth Street Gym.
Acquiring the Jack Dempsey Collection
Joel Platt acquires a collection of Jack Dempsey items.
Perseverance Pays Off
After visiting Mrs. Jim Thorpe 5 times between 1960-1970, each time coming home empty handed, Joel Platt received a telegram in 1970 from Mrs. Thorpe to “come and get all of Jim’s things" for the Sports Immortals Collection.
Meeting Kareem
Joel Platt meets Lew Alcindor (a.k.a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) at the All Star Game in Philadelphia.
Platt and Clemente
Joel Platt and his good friend, Roberto Clemente
The James Armstrong Baseball Collection
Joel Platt acquires the James Armstrong Collection.
Joel and Franco
Joel Platt becomes friends with Franco Harris during his rookie season.
The Harry Evans Baseball Collection
Joel Platt acquires the Harry Evans Baseball Collection.
Joel and Ali's Reunion
Joel Platt visits Muhammad Ali in Deer Lake, PA.
Meeting Red Grange and Pelé
Joel Platt meets Red Grange and Pelé.
The Tommy Farmer Boxing Collection
Joel Platt acquires the Tommy Farmer Boxing Collection.
The Ed Rowlands Sports Collection
Joel Platt acquires the Ed Rowlands Sports Collection.
Meeting Satchel Paige and George Mikan
Joel Platt meets Satchel Paige and George Mikan.
Meeting Joe Louis
Joel Platt meets Joe Louis.
Meeting The President
Joel Platt loans several items to the National Heroes Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. Joel dines with President Ronald Reagan.
Joel and Ali Together Again
Joel Platt visits Muhammad Ali in Deer Lake, PA again.
The Michael Lopota Sports Collection
Joel Platt acquires the Michael Lopota Sports Collection.
Meeting Cassius Clay Sr.
Joel Platt visits Muhammad Ali’s father, Cassius Clay Sr., in Louisville, KY and acquires several mementos from Muhammad Ali.
The Connie Mack Baseball Collection
Joel Platt acquires the Connie Mack Baseball Collection from his grandson, Tom Mack.
History in the Making
Sports Immortals, Stories of Inspiration and Achievement is published.
Discovery Channel Feature
Sports Immortals is featured on Discovery Channels 'Million Dollar Collections" Television Program
Joel Celebrates 85th Birthday
FOUNDERS
Joel Platt
Founder, Sports Immortals
Graduated from Duquesne University in 1959, where he majored in Finance and Commercial Real Estate and was an outstanding shortstop on the varsity baseball team. Mr. Platt became a successful business entrepreneur, excelling in the areas of Commercial Real Estate, Merchandise Sales, and Amusement Attractions. His Sports Immortals Collection has been featured in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, Forbes, New York Post, Discovery Channel, ESPN and numerous national television features. The Smithsonian Institution has recognized the Collection as “…absolutely the most outstanding collection of all sports…” With over 60 years of experience, Mr. Platt is a renowned authority in the field of sports curation. He is a consultant, appraiser and historian. Joel was elected to the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jim Platt
President, Sports Immortals
Mr. Platt has extensive experience in the areas of strategic marketing, strategic management, curation, preservation, and valuation of vintage sports memorabilia. He is currently in charge of business development for Sports Immortals, specifically in the areas of immersive exhibits, merchandising, and content creation. Both an avid sports enthusiast and writer, Jim Platt’s first book, Sports Immortals, Stories of Inspiration and Achievement, has already been purchased by over 150,000 sports fans. Mr. Platt received his BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from the University of Miami.
