Most diffcult Hall of Famer?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I will approach this question from a narrowed perspective, because it is within the following guidelines that I have always collected, which is based upon availability of pre-War2 cards.

When I set my self-imposed guidelines, I eliminated all players whose careers were mostly in the 19th century, due to expense. I also eliminated almost all of the executives, broadcasters, etc. due to the lack of availability. Also due to the lack of availability I removed all of the Negro League players. What remains are 20th century HOF players whose careers were mostly before World War 2. The following are the ones I always considered tougher to track down Pre-WW2 cards due to the player being in fewer popular sets during their playing/managing careers.

Big Names:

Honus Wagner - in a decent amount of sets, but less frequently seen because of his absence in almost all the tobacco issues

Eddie Plank - not in that many sets, and incredibly tough in the most popular (T206)

Lou Gehrig - in some more commonly issued earlier 1930's sets, but still not as many as you would think based upon his status


Others:

Willie Keeler: 1910 era cards at the end of his career

Jimmy Collins: in fewer sets than Keeler

Jake Beckley: thankfully in T206 set, otherwise not much available

Elmer Flick: in fewer sets than Keeler

Hugh Duffy: at end of playing career during 1910 era

Joe Kelley: at end of playing career

George Davis: not in many sets

Joe McGinnity: at end of career in 1910

Addie Joss: untimely death in 1911

Jack Chesbro: thankfully in T206 set, otherwise not much available

Gabby Hartnett: in E120, and 1933 Goudey, otherwise surprisingly not in many of the prominent 30's issues (other Goudey, Diamond Star, Play Ball)

Ross Youngs: short career, mostly featured in strip sets

Casey Stengel: not in many of the common sets

Wilbert Robinson: surprisingly in MORE sets than expected

Stan Coveleskie: career falls in the 1917-1932 'dead zone' card era

Bill Southworth: seems to be overlooked in most sets

Charles Comiskey: executive, but featured in prominent sets like Cracker Jack and Sporting News

Branch Rickey: fortunately featured in Cracker Jacks and V100 sets

Bill McKechnie: in limited sets

Ducky Medwick: missing from early 30's sets, and most Goudey issues

Luke Appling: mostly mid to late 30's sets

Billy Herman: besides 33 Goudey, not in many sets

Fred Lindstrom: overlooked in most 30's sets

Al Lopez: not in many sets

Dizzy Dean: short career cut short his card appearances


Brian

3 guys you missed, Grover Cleveland Alexander, George Sisler and Harry Heilmann. They all fall between the t- sets and Goudey sets. I found they were tougher than any of the Hofers in T206 except Wagner and Plank or Hofers in Goudey or other 30's gum sets.

[brianp-beme]

Alexander, Sisler and Heilmann are definitely not as easy as some, as their careers fell in between the T206 and Goudey time frames, but they are pictured in plenty of other period sets, many of them commonly seen, like the E120 and E121 American Caramel issues, Sporting News, and W514, and Alexander even has the Cracker Jack cards. I count 15 or more for each Alexander and Sisler, and about a dozen for Heilmann.

Brian

[BBB]

Originally Posted by rats60

3 guys you missed, Grover Cleveland Alexander, George Sisler and Harry Heilmann. They all fall between the t- sets and Goudey sets. I found they were tougher than any of the Hofers in T206 except Wagner and Plank or Hofers in Goudey or other 30's gum sets.

Beat me to it! Sister and Alexander are huge names with few issues. Both had long careers and yet not easy to find.


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[leaflover]

How about Harry Hooper?