Not speaking of how others view these 3 great picthers, but this is who gets most of my hobby love based upon what is available in vintage cards within my favorite card era and issued during their playing careers:
Mathewson - probably my favorite period of baseball cards is the 1910 era (1908-1915), due to some great artistry seen, but also because there are so many different issues that were produced, with tobacco, candy and gum, bakery and so on. Christy was at the height of his career, and so is featured in many sets. This makes him my #1.
Johnson - Walter was a relative upstart when the 1908-1915 era began, but managed to make his way into many of the tobacco sets of this period. He also has the advantage of being in many of the strip card and black and white photo issues of the 1920's. If looking at overall availability, he may be tops, but his presence is sorely lacking in the early candy and gum issues which I really like (the only 1910 E card set he is in is the E91C American Caramel, and that facial image is actually of Rube Waddell). So he comes in a close second.
Young - He is pictured in a variety of the 1910 era sets, but not quite as many as Matty due to it being at the tail end of his career (and the disheartening fact that multiple cards picturing Irv Young are designated as Cy Young). He does have the advantage of being in earlier issues such as the E107 set. But of the 3 he has the fewest available different cards during his career, so he lags behind in 3rd according to my guidelines.
Brian
Last edited by brianp-beme; 07-17-2020 at 02:11 PM.
Reason: had 'pictures' instead of 'pitchers' and 'tale' instead of 'tail'...the english language makes me oy vey!
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