Vintage Undervalued Roookies

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by tkd

Spahn for sure seems undervalued.

We are in complete agreement on this issue. Although there are several players whose cards are generally undervalued, Warren Spahn and Rogers Hornsby receive my top two votes. Spahn is arguably a top 10 all-time greatest pitcher (definitely top 15), and Hornsby is arguably a top 10 all-time great player, including pitchers.

Based on pure numbers, Spahn’s rookie is criminally undervalued. He is the all-time winningest left-handed pitcher, the all-time winningest modern day pitcher, and has the sixth most wins of all time. He is just 10 wins behind absolute legends, such as Mathewson and Alexander. His records will stand forever. He was also a WWII hero. Yet, his rookie cards can be had for a song?

Hornsby is in this same category. He is listed around 10th in most serious all-time greatest baseball player rankings. Hornsby has the highest all-time career batting average for a right hander, and the second highest all-time career batting average for all players (.358 – only behind Cobb). He was a two-time triple-crown winner, and a two-time MVP. Hornsby batted over .400 three times. He is twelfth in all-time WAR.

The problem with Spahn and Hornsby is they are almost forgotten and just don’t get the exposure that their contemporary stars receive. This has kept their cards’ demand and price down. Frank Robinson falls into this same trap. Earlier in his career, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente stole his spotlight.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

We are in complete agreement on this issue. Although there are several players whose cards are generally undervalued, Warren Spahn and Rogers Hornsby receive my top two votes. Spahn is arguably a top 10 all-time greatest pitcher (definitely top 15), and Hornsby is arguably a top 10 all-time great player, including pitchers.

Based on pure numbers, Spahn’s rookie is criminally undervalued. He is the all-time winningest left-handed pitcher, the all-time winningest modern day pitcher, and has the sixth most wins of all time. He is just 10 wins behind absolute legends, such as Mathewson and Alexander. His records will stand forever. He was also a WWII hero. Yet, his rookie cards can be had for a song?

Hornsby is in this same category. He is listed around 10th in most serious all-time greatest baseball player rankings. Hornsby has the highest all-time career batting average for a right hander, and the second highest all-time career batting average for all players (.358 – only behind Cobb). He was a two-time triple-crown winner, and a two-time MVP. Hornsby batted over .400 three times. He is twelfth in all-time WAR.

The problem with Spahn and Hornsby is they are almost forgotten and just don’t get the exposure that their contemporary stars receive. This has kept their cards’ demand and price down. Frank Robinson falls into this same trap. Earlier in his career, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente stole his spotlight.

Eddie Collins belongs on that list too.