J.J. Clarke's Nickname

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

For that matter, J.J. isn't mentioned either. Last names are all that are displayed on T206 cards.

You're just flat-out wrong about this. While it's true that most T206 cards just have last names, the name on this card is "J. J. Clarke" -- see the scans just above your post in this thread.

[nolemmings]

No offense but I think you guys are missing the point. His name is J.J. Clarke. The card says J.J. Clarke. If it said Nig Clarke that would be one thing. But it doesn't. You have to go an extra step to put Nig on there.

You have to take the extra step when dealing with most cards of Chief Bender and Chief Meyers, among other Native Americans, many of whom were not fond of the moniker. Dummy Hoy and Dummy Taylor were also known by insensitive nicknames, and both their cards and the players are remembered as such. It is historically accurate. So too with many players disparagingly called Rube. There is nothing wrong nor disrespectful with wanting to know and identify them by their names of the time. If anything, IMO, it serves to remind us of what things were like in those times.

[nolemmings]

Apparently Mr. Clarke did not mind his nickname so much that he refused to acknowledge it when signing: (on ebay now)

[packs]

If you look at the graded T205s of Bender and Meyers you will see that they are often designated as Chas Bender and J.T. Meyers on the flips. That is because the card says Chas Bender and J.T. Meyers. On occasion there is a "Chief" label but it seems to me that the cards are labeled that way because that's what appears on the card. The C46 Taylor is listed simply as Taylor on the PSA flip as well. I can't speak for their T206s. There seems to be a difference when it comes to the T206s.

[bmarlowe1]

SABR and Baseball-Reference use "Nig Clarke" (and Nig Cuppy and others), etc.

Note also the term "Negro" Leagues - is still always used for historical reasons. Also there is a Negro League Museum in KC, and a Negro League committee within SABR. These have not been changed to "African American" League.

This all is very important as it constantly reminds us about the way things were. This usage will not likely be changed.

[nolemmings]

Many, many of the cards for Meyers and Bender are last-name only and yet are slabbed with their nicknames. SGC even labels T205 Meyers as Chief, when his card carries a faux auto and back name of J.T. Meyers. They label him as Chief and not J.T. "Chief" Meyers or John "Chief" Meyers even when Chief is nowhere to be found on the card. Same for Cracker Jack Bender.

As for C46, while I don't collect them, I believe they label all cards in that set by last name only, so uniformity might dictate why he is not labeled Dummy Taylor.

[tiger8mush]

the cruelty ...

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

the cruelty ...

What's so bad about Deacon ? I'm 28 so maybe this is an older term I'm unfamiliar with ?

[Bpm0014]

They called him Nig to diminish him and make him feel less than. It's not some antiquated nickname. It was meant to do him harm by insinuating he was a little too dark for comfort.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he signed his name with his nickname. I remember seeing a single signed baseball up for sale last year somewhere where he signed his nickname...

[Big Lou 309]

For what its worth.......



Louis

[Bob Lemke]

PSA Jap.jpg

Another example of hobby kowtowing to political correctness is manifested in PSA's avoiding the now-perjorative "Jap" on its slab labels for many World War II era cards.

[clydepepper]

How about all the Topps cards that called Roberto Clemente, Bob - I realize by some comparisons, it is not as bad, and it may seem like splitting hairs, but this was a Great player and a Great Man and he should have been treated with more respect.

Sure Bob and Bobby are almost universally accepted nicknames for Robert, it may not have been that way for Roberto in Puerto Rico and just like Giancarlo Stanton, Mr. Clemente should have had the right to be called what he wanted to be called.

[clydepepper]

The use of Melvin Upton, Jr. seems much more like the witness protection plan than a plea for respect.

Dan Uggla should try it too.

[byrone]

Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish

I'm trying to think of something to add but I just can't