OT: Trout vs. Mantle

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by tedzan

As much as he was a fan favorite, the problem with Mays is that he has become quite a bitter person in recent years. And, he is turning off a lot of his fans. I see
Mays in Cooperstown every Summer on HOF weekend, and he is not a "friendly" guy.


TED Z

Ted, I think you are correct, but why did attitude not affect the value of Ted Williams' stuff? (you know - the 'other' Ted )

Like Mays, I think Hank Aaron has also been the victim of his own attitude. As a kid, his card was just a notch below Mays and Mantle, but when, in later life, I read his negative comments toward Texas, expressed because of the racism he had to endure when playing there, I lost a lot of respect for him. I lived in East Texas, where racism was as bad as anywhere in Texas, and Aaron was just a great baseball player - plain and simple. Perhaps the adults were as bad as he portrayed them, but kids loved him - we didn't realize that to him we were just little racists who hadn't yet grown up to be losers. Guys like Aaron and Mays make you appreciate Jackie Robinson that much more.

Note to Hank and Willie: Old and bitter is no way to spend your golden years.

[packs]

If the Giants had stayed in New York I have no doubt Willie Mays cards would be valued the same as Mantle.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by packs

If the Giants had stayed in New York I have no doubt Willie Mays cards would be valued the same as Mantle.

I disagree. While I do think you have a point that it may have made some difference, still not equal to Mantle...

[packs]

Maybe not exactly equal but I would think as close as you could get. For example, whenever you look through a price guide throughout the early 1950s issues the guide values common Yankees, Dodgers and Giants higher than other commons. But I seem to remember it stops making that distinction after the Dodgers and Giants move from New York.

Although I haven't looked at a guide in a while.

[Runscott]

Looking forward to Mike Trout on the Keith Olberman show tomorrow (Wednesday). I've been really enjoying this show lately.

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Looking forward to Mike Trout on the Keith Olberman show tomorrow (Wednesday). I've been really enjoying this show lately.

you've only started enjoying KO's show recently?

i think it's wise if trout's power is up then to limit his running. he doesn't need the wear n tear and freak injury that could occur. he's still one of the fastest runners in the league so i think it's the front office call and not a natural decline in speed. i'd rather he goes off for 35-40 hrs and 20 steals than 20-25hrs and 60 sbs.

[tedzan]

Most likely the most memorable BB card experience from my youth occurred in the Fall of 1952. I remember this event as if it happened just yesterday.
I opened 1952 Topps 5-cent waxpack and I was very excited to find these 5 cards. They have been in my collection for exactly 62 years.



TED Z
.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

I disagree. While I do think you have a point that it may have made some difference, still not equal to Mantle...

I too disagree. I think Mantle was just the perfect storm and Mays was not, great though he was -- white, NY, Yankees, Paul Bunyanesque strength, the aw shucks Oklahoma mines personality, the mystique of playing hurt, and a team that won almost every year. Or to put it another way, he had more "duende" than Mays.

[packs]

Man, it has been a long time since I heard duende.

Kudos to you my friend. Have you ever read Pedro Paramo? Juan Rulfo was one of my favorite authors.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I haven't read it, but it's a great word, one of those words that can't quite be translated, like some Yiddish words.