Considerations while collecting

[ValKehl]

Yes, I take character into considration. This ia one of the reasons that I collect Walter Johnson and Sam Rice.
Val

[Texxxx]

I don't take character into consideration. If I did I would collect Mother Teresa cards but I don't. I collect "Baseball" cards.

[Bocabirdman]

I do take character into consideration. The MORE of a character the player was, the more likely it is that he will wind up in my collection, sooner than later.

[kmac32]

Could care less about a players character. I collect the set I like. Into black and white issue.

[Paul S]

You might be best served by picking up the CD pack of The Glory of Their Times. You would find that players have not changed all that much in 100 years:
Following is a man of excess, a misanthrope, and a cheat. You would deny yourself these cards? As for modern, I dont collect them, so I don't Buy Bonds.

[drc]

I tend to be fascinated by complex historical figures, and complex usually means they aren't all good or all bad.

Ty Cobb wasn't a good person in may ways, but he is a fascinating and full of character historical figure.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by drc

I like Ty Cobb as a historical figure (rather than as a person) because he is so full of character and interesting. If he went to church everyday and and was even tempered, I'd find him boring.

+ 1

[cubsfan-budman]

Originally Posted by Paul S

+ 1

Originally Posted by drc

I tend to be fascinated by complex historical figures, and complex usually means they aren't all good or all bad.

Ty Cobb wasn't a good person in may ways, but he is a fascinating and full of character historical figure.

I think this is interesting. I was going to ask, if Ty Cobb was "bad" person, and you never got to see him play, what would compel you to collect him (of all people)?

I figured there are a few reasons that I could think of:

1. Don't know about character
2. Don't care about character
3. Part of a "set" you're trying to collect

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by cubsfan-budman

I think this is interesting. I was going to ask, if Ty Cobb was "bad" person, and you never got to see him play, what would compel you to collect him (of all people)?

I figured there are a few reasons that I could think of:

1. Don't know about character
2. Don't care about character
3. Part of a "set" you're trying to collect

Because he is one of the top 5 best baseball players that ever played the game. #1 in my opinion, probably not others, especially Yankee fans

[novakjr]

I've got a small number of cards that I have pretty much because of scandals... Outside of baseball, OJ Simpson, Kobe, Lance Armstrong, Mike Vick, Tiger Woods, Marion Jones, Abe Attell, Jim Tressel, Joe Paterno come to mind.. Now if only I could find a card of Danny Almonte.

Not that I feel any attachment with these guys, BUT their falls are quite historic. Without the scandals, these were somewhat historic athletes/coaches in terms of sports, but the scandals and lessons to be learned from their mistakes have crossed that line into mainstream historical context..

[williamcohon]

A fair question.

Collecting cards of admirable historic figures, or those with fascinating stories, is no less valid an approach than the set-building, team-building, or type-collecting, pursued by most on this board.

It's not far from my own approach, which is to supplement my hunt for Obaks with cards that fit into several sub-sets: Jewish players, early Blacks (between Jackie and Pumpsie Green), and funny cards (mostly tongue out, eyes closed, or bad hair).

As for avoiding cards of the players who were racists, criminals, or sleezebags, that's a trickier issue. I suppose if buying a Ty Cobb card were seen somehow to endorse his reprehensible traits, there might be a bit more resistance.

One could argue that buying pre-1947 cards celebrates racism. And (gulp) there may be a grain of truth to it. But surely baseball reflects the values of its time. Prior to the Second World War, our society and its institutions were a good deal more racist, sexist anti-Semitic, and homophobic than they are today. I think my collection documents societal progress.

Here's the thing: we're not perfect. Should we wait until we're perfect before we open a pack of cards? Still, if there's anyone you think needs to be cast out of the garden, it's your collection, and your decision.

[SushiX37]

Originally Posted by drc

I tend to be fascinated by complex historical figures, and complex usually means they aren't all good or all bad.

Ty Cobb wasn't a good person in may ways, but he is a fascinating and full of character historical figure.

Very true. I've worked with Ty Cobb Memorial Hospital in the past. At first I found it somewhat ironic, but after some research I found he wasn't as bad as all the stories made him out to be.

That being said, character has nothing to do with what I collect. I'd likely consider their contributions on the field over character issues, if I had to make that choice.

Rich

[Brian Van Horn]

I take into consideration the body of work of the player, not the character. If I judged character as part of my collecting, I would never have a Cobb.

[Clutch-Hitter]

Interesting about Ruth and Cobb. Ruth was excessive, particularly his generosity to fans. His humanity, strengths and weaknesses, were out there for all to see. The best of the best in living clean had their faults too but those faults were not on display.

Cobb was a very intense man...look at his eyes. He stared men down and they ran off talking among themselves about how the evil man assaulted them with his eyes. People that intense are taken too seriously and exaggerated. Cobb was a racist? Why is he talked about more than other racists from that era? Because he was the best?

The best of the best in popularity and skills are the people most talked about. Extroverted peope are easy to judge. Introverted people not so much.

Cobb wanted to win at any cost.
Ruth wanted people to see him win.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by Clutch-Hitter

Interesting about Ruth and Cobb. Ruth was excessive, particularly his generosity to fans. His humanity, strengths and weaknesses, were out there for all to see. The best of the best in living clean had their faults too but those faults were not on display.

Cobb was a very intense man...look at his eyes. He stared men down and they ran off talking among themselves about how the evil man assaulted them with his eyes. People that intense are taken too seriously and exaggerated. Cobb was a racist? Why is he talked about more than other racists from that era? Because he was the best?

The best of the best in popularity and skills are the people most talked about. Extroverted peope are easy to judge. Introverted people not so much.

Cobb wanted to win at any cost.
Ruth wanted people to see him win.

Very nicely expressed..

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Bocabirdman

I do take character into consideration. The MORE of a character the player was, the more likely it is that he will wind up in my collection, sooner than later.

Mike, you must have handfuls of Germany Schaefer!

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Mike, you must have handfuls of Germany Schaefer!

Not as many as I would like. You must give "props" to anyone who steals first base....