My Hall of Fame Collection - 1 Down, 1 To Go

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Posted By: Paul

As many of you know, I am trying to put together a collection of one card of every Hall of Famer whose name does not begin with "Spaldin". Ever since I picked up my Harry Wright and Ban Johnson, I've been telling everyone that I needed just one more card -- Bid McPhee. But in my heart, I knew it wasn't true. I knew there was another. My secret shame. Hugh Jennings.

Sure, I have a T206 of Jennings. But it shows him as a manager. And, rightly or wrongly, Jennings was elected as a player. As a player, Jennings has just two cards that I know of. The first is his Alpha. There's only one of those known and I don't have it. The second is his 1902 W600 Sporting Life Cabinet, which shows Jennings at the tail end of his playing career, as a first baseman for the Phillies.

With the help of a fellow board member, to whom I will be forever indebted, I have now aquired a W600 Jennings. So now, I really do need only McPhee, assuming I don't expand my collection to include Hall of Famers whose names begin with "Spaldin".

For what it's worth, in my estimation, Jennings has to be the toughest Hall of Fame player out there. Spalding and Selee are tougher, but not players. Day, Smith, Charleston, and Lloyd from the Negro Leagues are all very tough, but I suspect Jennings is tougher. I've seen only one other example of this card. I would be very interested in hearing from others who may have more accurate estimates of the number in existence. Anyhow, here is the card.

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Posted By: Ben

I know how long you've been hunting for that elusive w600 Jennings, and I couldnt be more delighted to see you finally get it. Just a great looking card too, regardless of rarity. Now somebody get this man his Mcphee!

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

that is a very distinctive piece. Very vintage, nice find !

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Posted By: J Levine

That is truly a tough card. As a Phillies collector, I have seen several other W-600s of stars of that day (Magee, Bransfield jump to mind). I have never seen a Jennings. I have a feeling that the 1902 Jennings was produced in smaller quantities than other cards (yes, I know some were produced for several years in a row). Great card...congrats.

Joshua

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Posted By: Brian McQueen

Great card of Jennings! Really nice portrait of him-love the photo. I've never seen a w600 of him until now either so I agree that they can't be easy to come by. Good luck on your continued search for McPhee!

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Posted By: Zach

SO Paul as a hof collector myself I was wondering how do you define your collection..did the person have to play the game etc.

p.s.

sweet card

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

that doesn't count with you. Do you have a 19th century Davis? I'd like to see the list!

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Posted By: Paul

Thank you Ben, Brian, and all for your well wishes. I can't wait until I can find a McPhee with clipped corners or that is otherwise affordable.

Julie, my Burkett is a T204. It was issued just 3 years after his last major league game and while he was still active (as a player and manager, I believe) in the minors. As far as I know, the only cards issued of him during his major league career are the Just So and two different W600s. As we all know, the only known surviving Just So is Andy's, which is the original picture restored into a Just So actress mount. As far as I know, neither W600 of Burkett has ever been found. So, I think the T204 is the closest thing to a regular card that Burkett has that has survived to the 21st century.

Zack, my collection includes players, managers, owners, umpires, commissioners, everything. But only if the person has a card issued while he was active (as a player, if he was a player; as a manager if he was a manager, etc.). It turns out that the non-players are often the toughest. Selee and Spalding are unique. Bill McGowan is very tough and Billy Evans and Bill Klem each have just one card.

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Posted By: Hal Lewis

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jennihu01.shtml

Paul: Jennings batted 4 times in 1909, so why would you not count his 1909 cards as being issued during his "playing" days??

There are hundreds of guys who play a whole year as a utility infielder and don't get 4 at bats.

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Posted By: Zach

Hey Paul thanks for the response what card is Bill Evans on..some exhibit ? Also do you have a list with all the hofers you have and there cards you have for them ? thanks

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Posted By: Andrew Parks

"Eeee-Yah!!!!"

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Posted By: Zach

Is it just me or do Jennings eyes freak anyone else out ?

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Posted By: Matt Goebel

Paul,

Congrats on the Jennings card - what a great coup for your collection!

I am wondering if yours is the most complete HOF collection in existance? Considering the Negro Leaguers, tough 19th century guys, umpires, and now the Jennings - is there anyone out there who has any more than this?

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Posted By: Kevin Cummings

Zach:

I was going to post the same thing before, but wasn't sure if it was just me.
Since you brought up the topic though....

Paul's W600 is a great acquisition, but Hughie's eyes make him look like an extra from "Night of the Living Dead."

Kevin

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Posted By: Ben

True, his eyes may be a bit "night of the living dead-ish", but at least he's not doing that stupid turkey dance, like on 99% of his other cards (ok, slight exaggeration there, but you know what I mean). I think he's a dreamboat

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Posted By: Paul

Zach, Evans is on one of the early white border exhibit cards. They used to be classified as 1921-24, but they are now classified by individual year. I think Evans is considered 1922. It's in the Standard Catalog.

Matt, thanks for the kind words. I do have a leg up on others because of my Frank Selee card from the Allegheny set. But it looks like the Spalding will elude me for a long time. If you can convince Ryan to part with his uncut sheet that has Bill Foster, I would be greatly appreciative.

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Posted By: Mark Tylicki

Paul - Obviously I love the card being that it's a portrait. Congrats on the addition to a wonderful collection.

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MY COLLECTION: http://www.rustywilly.com/MYCOLLECTION.htm

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Posted By: Hal Lewis

I'm still curious as to why 1909 is not considered as being during his playing days?

I could see it if the T206 card said "Manager" on the front...or if he were shown in "street clothes"...

but those are not the case.

Heck, Jennings played first base and recorded 2 putouts in a game in 1918...so I don't see how anyone can ignore those facts and say that his playing career didn't span all the way until 1918.

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Posted By: Paul

Hal, that's how I used to justify ownership of the T206 Jennings to myself. But I always felt it was more of an excuse than a justification. Jennings completely retired during the 1903 season. He did nothing in baseball (at least he wasn't a manager or player) in 1904, 1905, or 1906. He came back as a manager in 1907. For the next few years, he would put himself in a game to pinch hit once or twice a year, up to four times one season, I think. And yes, he seems to have played one game at first base in 1918 -- for the first time since 1903.

If Yogi Berra took a couple of swings for the 1973 Mets, I wouldn't be satisfied with his 1973 Topps card. If Frank Robinson pinch hit once or twice this year, I wouldn't be satisfied with his 2005 cards. I would want a card from their playing careers, even if they pinch hit once or twice years later when they were managing a team.

But it's all a question of your personal preference. As everyone says on this board, collect what you like.

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Posted By: Hal Lewis

I understand Paul, I understand!

Nice job of using the Mantra:


CWYWC!!!!!

Collect What YOU Wanna Collect!!!!