Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoda
I believe we can all agree (I know, this is Net 54) that Willie Mays is the greatest living ballplayer and certainly among the top 5 of all time. I know nothing more than he is 90+ and in good health and long may he continue to be so.
I have watching the price movements of his vintage cards for about a year and it is clear to me that the gap between Mantle and Willie's cards is shrinking. For example, in the current Premier Auction, or whatever they call it, there are 2 beautiful PSA7 1951 Bowman RC's of both. At the moment, Willie's bids are around 9k ahead of the Mick. Early days, but I have never seen that scenario before. Perhaps due his longevity collectors are beginning to realize what a fabulous player he was.
I actually had the pleasure of seeing Willie play in 1954 when my Dad took me to the old Polo Grounds for a game. He electrified the field.
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So I think this thread started because of a comparison of 1951 Bowman Mantle and Mays Rookies in PWCC's February Premier Auction?
The PSA 7 Mantle ended up selling for $96K and the Mays for $60K. Not sure if that constitutes a narrowing of any historical gap between the two cards, but at a more than 50% premium for the Mantle, there is obviously still quite a gap.
I believe the populations of both cards are similar. Maybe the gap will get closer some day given that most people think Mays was one of the two best players ever, and many don't have Mantle in the top 10.