Baseball Hall of Fame Rookies Guide

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

That's not how it went down...Phil emailed me today. Thought we'd all connect again to see if you'd still be interested. Phil posted this to get the ball rolling and to gauge interest. I dont think this can be a two (or even three man show), although there's only so much input we can get before it gets overwhelming.

OK, Derek...this really caught me off guard as you can probably imagine.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

OK, Derek...this really caught me off guard as you can probably imagine.

Would it be ok if Phil retracted his statement?

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by Leon

Would it be ok if Phil retracted his statement?

Long story short....this has been a 3-man project for awhile now, but for several personal issues between us (work and family mostly), it's been tough to get this thing going in full force. It may not seem like it, but this is a massive undertaking.

- 310 HOFers now (not counting writers and broadcasters...but do we include them?)
- What's a RC? Collectible? And do we attempt to include it all?
- How should we collect appropriate data and then compile it in an easy to read format with no collectibles left out and (hopefully) adequate pictures?
- How much will this project ultimately cost? And do we create an online resource as well? If so, we are talking about a whole other animal.
- Most of this is "for love of the game" and we'd want this to be something that we can all enjoy, and yet be a solid resource for everyone.

For the record....I was "caught off guard" because I hadn't realize there was a resurgence for this project. I'm happy to help in anyway I can, Phil and Derek. Sorry for the abrupt comment, as it was not warranted.

[bcbgcbrcb]

No problem, Jimi. Your input will make a huge difference on this project.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

Long story short....this has been a 3-man project for awhile now, but for several personal issues between us (work and family mostly), it's been tough to get this thing going in full force. It may not seem like it, but this is a massive undertaking.

- 310 HOFers now (not counting writers and broadcasters...but do we include them?)
- What's a RC? Collectible? And do we attempt to include it all?
- How should we collect appropriate data and then compile it in an easy to read format with no collectibles left out and (hopefully) adequate pictures?
- How much will this project ultimately cost? And do we create an online resource as well? If so, we are talking about a whole other animal.
- Most of this is "for love of the game" and we'd want this to be something that we can all enjoy, and yet be a solid resource for everyone.

For the record....I was "caught off guard" because I hadn't realize there was a resurgence for this project. I'm happy to help in anyway I can, Phil and Derek. Sorry for the abrupt comment, as it was not warranted.

it was a (poor) attempt at humor.....

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by Leon

it was a (poor) attempt at humor.....

LOL....You're fine, Leon. I vented too quickly. Back to your regularly scheduled program....

[Mountaineer1999]

I love the idea... I would buy the book.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

I love the idea... I would buy the book.

+1. It would, however, be of significant interest to me if the book, as noted in several comments above, included (1) not just first cards, i.e., minor league cards, but first major league cards; (2) inclusion of all rookie cards where there are more than one--for example, Ty Cobb's several 1907 postcard issues; and (3) where there is any dispute with regard to which issue is in fact the rookie--see Lefty Grove, for example, or perhaps Jimmie Foxx or Ralph Kiner--recognition of the existence of that dispute.

Sounds like a great reference source!

Highest regards,

Larry

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Leon

Would it be ok if Phil retracted his statement?

I'm surprised that it took 14 posts before retract-gate was brought up!

FWIW, I would also be interested in the book.

[sportscardtheory]

It would be cool if it had EVERY "rookie" collectible from any given Hall of Famer, including all cards, etc. Choosing what is the "best" rookie item is subjective, so show them all.

[bcbgcbrcb]

John:

ALL rookie options will be included for each HOF'er. We are also talking about including a "level of scarcity" for each collectible so hobbyists have a better idea of what they are facing if they choose to hunt down a specific item.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

John:

ALL rookie options will be included for each HOF'er. We are also talking about including a "level of scarcity" for each collectible so hobbyists have a better idea of what they are facing if they choose to hunt down a specific item.

That sounds terrific, Phil--I am always looking for other learned opinions regarding this type of info. Definitely count me in!

Best wishes always,

Larry

[novakjr]

Damn. In my absence, I missed this thread. It's obviously my area of interest, but I'm not sure if I'd need to buy a copy. I think it would be great for someone looking to start a HOF rookie collection(or at least expand theirs into pre-war) and would cut out alot of the research that guys like myself, and the other usual suspects on this page had to do. I will concede that much of my research was made easy by piggybacking off of Phil's work though. Derek's collection helped identify some of the more oddball stuff too. Thank you guys!!!

Either way. I love the idea of the book, either in published or online form.

Any change at an extra chapter on those few crossover HOF rookies? You know, guys that have been elected to ANY other HOF, who happened to have also played baseball and had a card...

Also, if you need scans of anything, let me know.