Posted By:
Anonymous
I couldn't resit posting this one (Hal's is a better pose).
I doubt there is another PSA graded McCarthy Philly 1887 out there grading better than a "4".... I also, agree with Jay's intimation that there are several (not graded) cards out there in better condition.
As to the player: he is generally considered the most undeserving 19th century HOFer (excluding the "pioneer HOFers).... His big appeal is that legend suggests he was the Andruw Jones of his era in the field (notwithstanding the few fielding stats we have for him)... My sense is that Curt Welch was probably the superior CF of the era. McCarthy was also regarded as one of the key players on a dyansty -- the Boston NL team of the 1890's.
I'm not sure whether -- from a statistical/sabremetric position -- his inclusion in the Hall of Fame is any worse than many subsequent players. Lindstrom, Marquard, Haines, Maranville, Tinker and even Kell were later players that many of the voters may have actually seen at one time or another and they are also considered my many as wholly underserving.