Cuban & Negro League Baseball Pick-Ups

[Kenny Cole]

Sort of a focus of mine.

[autocentral]

^Wow Kenny. Definitely a focus of yours. That is one of the most impressive collections I have seen.

-Nick

[Kenny Cole]

Nick,

Sort of the blind squirrel thing. I was a huge baseball fan forever, sort of wandered into the great books about the Negro Leagues, started figuring out that there were actually cards of some of them out there and made GREAT friends with others like Ryan Christoff and Matt Goebel, both of whom I cannot tell you how much I respect and admire. Jump in to this fun and be welcome!!! Best,

Kenny

[autocentral]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Nick,

Sort of the blind squirrel thing. I was a huge baseball fan forever, sort of wandered into the great books about the Negro Leagues, started figuring out that there were actually cards of some of them out there and made GREAT friends with others like Ryan Christoff and Matt Goebel, both of whom I cannot tell you how much I respect and admire. Jump in to this fun and be welcome!!! Best,

Kenny

Awesome, I just started discovering all the cards of these players and it has been amazing so far. I've read about four books for far on the Negro Leagues and two on Cuban baseball.

Thanks for sharing Kenny,
-Nick

[Kenny Cole]

Nick,

The cards, and the history they represent in general, are awesome. I love the Old Judges, the T206s, the '33 Goudeys and whatnot. I'm a big HOF collector. But IMO there is nothing like getting a new card of a guy who couldn't play here because of race issues and who you maybe didn't know much about until you got it and looked into what he did. That's pretty special.

The history of baseball is always fun, and the history of the other leagues is really interesting IMO. If you enjoy your time here 1/4 as much as I have enjoyed mine you will be really rewarded. There are great people on this forum and lots of knowledge. Soak it up and be happy to be the sponge. Best,

Kenny

[Comiskey]

I love baseball history too and would like to read about the Cuban and negro leagues. What books do you guys recommend?

Jeff

[Kenny Cole]

Only the Ball was White is the starting point IMO. There are a bunch of books that follow, most of which are good. They are obviously written from viewpoints that the authors have a stake in, so sift the information. James Riley wrote the Negro Leagues Encyclopedia about 20 years ago, and it has a wealth of information. I blew off literally a week of paid for golf games, which I used to never do, to read it cover to cover. I could simply not put it down. That probably makes me a massive nerd but I suppose I will have to live with that.

Cuban baseball-wise, "Smoke" by Mark Rucker et al. is an awesome book. I feigned illness and stayed home for two days simply to finish it. Insofar as Cuban baseball goes, "The Pride of Havana" is also pretty damn good. I would start with those and they will take you where you need to go. Best,

Kenny

[autocentral]

Originally Posted by Comiskey

I love baseball history too and would like to read about the Cuban and negro leagues. What books do you guys recommend?

Jeff

All those books Kenny recommended are great.

One of the books I'd recommend is The Soul of Baseball. It is the story of Buck O'Neil told in a very interesting and different way. It is really a short read and I read it in under 30 minutes because it was just that good.

Nick

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Sort of a focus of mine.

Let me know when you are a seller Kenny!!! Hope all is well with you!!

[autocentral]

Thanks to Derek. I have a nice 1949/50 Toleteros Album on the way. Though it isn't the most colorful album it still is a nice add to my collection. I will post pictures once it arrives.

-Nick

[Scocs]

Anybody know what the accepted price was on this Torriente card?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1923-1924-Na...p2047675.l2557

Weird that the seller seemed to have taken the phrase "the card has a tear in it so it would grade Authentic" out of the listing in its final current state....

[Scocs]

Originally Posted by Scocs

Anybody know what the accepted price was on this Torriente card?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1923-1924-Na...p2047675.l2557

Weird that the seller seemed to have taken the phrase "the card has a tear in it so it would grade Authentic" out of the listing in its final current state....

$3550. That's what it sold for, which was half the asking price.

Disturbing though that the seller changed his description several times, ultimately eliminating the tear that goes through the card....

[Exhibitman]

I almost bid on that photo, Phil. What dissuaded me [FWIW] was the description of its condition: "The photo (10 x 8 inches) displays numerous creases and three tears that have been repaired by clear tape (one on the front, two on the reverse), a slight trim along the left border, and paper residue on the reverse from its having once been mounted in an album. The photo has also been laminated." Sounded just terrible, like the list of side effects for a new drug.

Meanwhile, the items displayed in this thread are awesome. I particularly enjoyed Kenny's group of snapshots. Please post more stuff, guys!

[Jeffrompa]

Not a Cuban player .. Got him because he is the only HOFer from near where I grew up .