Ruth v. Wagner v. Cobb v. Jackson v. Mantle.....

[pcoz]

I think Ruth cards/memorabilia have been a bit undervalued for far too long, so it seems like he's been running away with the hobby the past couple of years. But, I'd put him and Jackson on the top rung, followed by Cobb and Wagner a close second.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ruth is the best player of all time in virtually every legitimate ranking, if not every one. Add in the home runs, New York, the outsize personality, and so on, and he is in a class by himself. No surprise that he is the dominant player in the hobby. And Mantle, though by no means number 2 as a player, is probably second in hobby stature due to home runs, New York, and for lack of a better word, duende. Mystique, charisma, what have you. Cobb, Wagner, Mays, Aaron, Williams -- all better baseball players than Mantle. But not in the eyes of collectors.

[Leon]

Ruth's mystique has grown more than the others. He is the most famous player of all time in America's pastime sport.

[Huysmans]

Yeah, Ruth had that larger-than-life persona, accentuated by his tape measure home runs and lovable antics, which is a great attraction to collectors. Cobb though, not only arguably the greatest player on paper, had that rough exterior and troubled personality that all great "artists" seem to struggle with, and lament. Terry Sawchuk is another perfect example of an athlete that regardless of fame and success, couldn't seem to garner happiness or contentment.

[chipperhank44]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Ruth is the best player of all time in virtually every legitimate ranking, if not every one. Add in the home runs, New York, the outsize personality, and so on, and he is in a class by himself. No surprise that he is the dominant player in the hobby. And Mantle, though by no means number 2 as a player, is probably second in hobby stature due to home runs, New York, and for lack of a better word, duende. Mystique, charisma, what have you. Cobb, Wagner, Mays, Aaron, Williams -- all better baseball players than Mantle. But not in the eyes of collectors.

Very true about Mantle. His '51 Bowman and '52 Topps (along with early high grade examples) continue to set sales records each time they are offered at auction. It's that Yankees mystique. I'm sure some of you have seen the outrageous prices people are paying for Jeter's stuff lately...

[camlov2]

If there were the same number cards available for each of the five mentioned I believe that Mantle and Ruth would be the most desirable/most expensive/hardest to acquire. Mantle's demand is spread out due to the large number of his cards available within the topps sets.