J.J. Clarke's Nickname

[HexsHeroes]

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I suspect J.J. Clarke had had some degree of acceptance of his nickname.
That simple opinion is based solely on the handful or two of autographed items
I have encountered (including two of my own), signed by J.J. Clarke, that
nearly all include his nickname.

This is not a "thing of the past". I drive by "N***** Creek" everyday on my way to work. Look it up, "N-word Creek, Kittitas County Washington". Washington State Department of Transportation replaces the sign every time it is stolen.

While the name for the Creek has it's roots in 1890's, even then editorials were written in the newspaper that indicated the name should be changed. It's been 120 years, still nothing. Signs still there. Two years ago, there was an attempt to change it to MacPherson Creek or something, but it never took and the sign remains.

People like to bury the past, or say.... "oh that was just the times", but wake up! Yes it happened yesterday, still happens today, and unless something is done to address it, it will probably happen tomorrow. I don't think it is "overly sensitive" to address wrongs past or present.

[packs]

I've brought this up before and everyone more or less called me a wuss for thinking PSA shouldn't put "Nig" on their flips. I still stand by that stance. There's no reason for them to put "Nig" on a flip. His name is J.J. so they can just put J.J. I see no valid argument for perpetuating "Nig" since that was not his given name.

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by packs

I've brought this up before and everyone more or less called me a wuss for thinking PSA shouldn't put "Nig" on their flips. I still stand by that stance. There's no reason for them to put "Nig" on a flip. His name is J.J. so they can just put J.J. I see no valid argument for perpetuating "Nig" since that was not his given name.

I agree that PSA shouldn't but general conversation I have no problem with it. The reason I agree because I haven't seen any nicknames of other players on a PSA slab so why JJ Clarkes ?

[z28jd]

How many people think Three-Fingers Brown or One Arm Daily are acceptable nicknames? The only reason those nicknames from back then acceptable now is because that's how they were referred to during the time. If people want to ignore those names based on what it means, we all still know who J.J. Clarke is, so no big deal calling him that too. The nickname tells a story of the time, just like players being called Deacon or Lady.

BTW, Clarke is one of ten MLB players that went by that nickname, so he isn't an isolated case.

[packs]

But what is the valid argument for perpetuating the nickname for anyone? You can say that it is a reflection of the time, and that is fair. But how is that a valid reason for perpetuating it? It's clearly a dig at Clarke and can only be seen as derogatory. PSA and anyone else can just use his given name. The card says J.J. Clarke.

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by packs

I've brought this up before and everyone more or less called me a wuss for thinking PSA shouldn't put "Nig" on their flips. I still stand by that stance. There's no reason for them to put "Nig" on a flip. His name is J.J. so they can just put J.J. I see no valid argument for perpetuating "Nig" since that was not his given name.

PSA labels the cards the way they are cataloged.

[arc2q]

Originally Posted by Pat R

PSA labels the cards the way they are cataloged.

I assume you are referring to the ACC?

I would imagine SGC follows the same catalog in labeling variations and errors. But somehow SGC is smart enough to make an editorial decision and not include Clarke's nickname on their label.

The "that's how we've always done it" argument is not an excuse for PSA or BVG.

[nolemmings]

No he's not referring to the ACC, which would not catalog individual cards. I suspect he's referring to the price guides or online checklists, in which, BTW, some also list Nig Cuppy as part of the Just So set.

[Pat R]

I don't agree with using his nickname on the flip either but I also don't think
it's fair to single out PSA. Long before they started grading cards most
baseball references referred to him by his nickname and still do today.

[arc2q]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

No he's not referring to the ACC, which would not catalog individual cards. I suspect he's referring to the price guides or online checklists, in which, BTW, some also list Nig Cuppy as part of the Just So set.

A price guide seems a reflection of how the TPGs label the cards and not an authoritative source of what is standard or proper.

I just don't see a logical argument for perpetuating this offensiveness. His own wife apparently thought the nickname was offensive, surely 100 years later we've arrived at a point where we collectively realize the absurdity of it.