Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards
A related concept is a HOF'er who has NEVER been appreciated. Monte Irvin cards were immediately passed in the hobby by Minnie Minoso as soon as he was elected to the hall. Irvin is about the only early black MLB HOF'er whose prices didn't move with the spike most of those players saw after Aaron died.
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Would like to see Irvin get some love from collectors. Maybe after Mays' HBO documentary comes out.
There was a nice
write-up about Irvin after he passed in 2016.
As it points out, Irvin was 30 by the time he finally got a chance to play in the Majors in '49, after a great career in the Negro Leagues. Unfortunately, after a strong year for the Giants in '51 when he lead the league in RBIs and finished 3rd in MVP, he fractured his ankle sliding into 2nd, causing him to miss most of the '52 season and hindering his MLB career.
He was a mentor to Willie Mays, and along with Hank Thompson, formed the first all black outfield. RMY had an
amazing picture of them in their most recent auction.