[jsfriedm]

Because he was considered the GOAT long before that term was invented. The relationship between player accomplishments and card prices aren't linear, not for Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker or for Willie Mays and Frank Robinson. An old joke that many have probably already heard:

A man walks into a bar and says, "my dog can talk."
Bartender: "Yeah, right. If your dog can talk, you can drink for free."
Man: "Okay, here, I'll show you. What's on top of a house?"
Dog: "Roof!"
Man: "How does sandpaper feel?"
Dog: "Rough!"
Man: "Who was the greatest player of all time?"
Dog: "Ruth!"
Bartender: "That dog can't talk! Get out of here!"
Dog to man on the way home: "Think I should have said Ty Cobb?"