[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

It was clear that the recent announcement of Harold Baines and Lee Smith getting voted into the Hall of Fame that some people were annoyed to now have to add their rookies (or other cards) to their collection, which clearly focuses on HOF players.
How do you all handle upcoming borderline candidates and other candidates with questionable outcomes (PED users, etc.)? Will you try to acquire rookie cards of Curt Schilling, Joe Mauer, Sammy Sosa, Lance Berkman and others before they might be elected? Or do you wait and see what happens?
Obviously, getting a Jeter or Rivera rookie now saves the trouble later, but you might be stuck with Lou Whitaker, Kenny Lofton and other rookies if you try to get ahead of the curve.

The only thing more annoying than having to buy Baines and Smith for me is that I can't find them in PSA 9 at anything near a good price. LOL. As to your question, two part answer. If the only reason someone isn't in the Hall is PED, at least taking their stats at face value (not looking for a debate), I own them already. Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, Palmeiro. For guys who might make it, I have bought them if I would want to own them anyway (e.g. Schilling), or if it's obvious they will get in (e.g. Jeter) but will wait otherwise.