This thread really surprises me.
First of all, doesn't anyone see this as the social phenomenon that it is? The people are starved for an athlete that they can support who has not and is unlikely to let them down because of off-field behavior.
Second, this is a memorabilia board. To see people on a memorabilia board -- including someone who actually charges money to authenticate autographs (
http://richardsimonsports.com/authentication.htm) -- chiding the collecting public and those who rise to the excessive demand in the market, is ironic to say the least.
Since when has monetizing baseball memorabilia been equated with the Devil, or being un-American?
Pathetic.