Which non-HoFer do you collect? (and why)

Exhibitman · #1 08-20-2016, 10:55 PM

Frank "Lefty" O'Doul is the greatest eligible position player not in the Hall of Fame. Over 970 games (30 shy of the 1,000 used for official records) from 1919 to 1934, Lefty averaged .349, winning two batting championships and setting the NL record for most hits in a season, which still stands. Not in any way a "homer" like Chuck Klein (whose numbers were greatly aided by playing in a small park in Philly), Lefty hit .352 at home and .347 on the road, proving he belongs among the elite hitters in history. After his days in the majors ended, he returned to the Pacific Coast League, where he was the longtime manager of the San Francisco Seals and later the San Diego and Seattle teams. He had a restaurant in San Francisco and was a bon vivant and man about town. Lefty was instrumental in organizing Japanese baseball, whose premiere team, the Giants, was named in his honor. Lefty is one of only 3 Americans in the Japanese baseball hall of fame. He is also one of the few players to have played for the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants while all 3 were in New York City. Lefty died on December 7, 1969. His epitaph reads "He was here at a good time and had a good time while he was here."

I collect his cards because I used to go to his bar in San Francisco when I was in law school. I got interested in the history. He is also a great choice for a type card collection because he was on so many late 1920s-early 1930s issues and western regional issues.

glynparson · #2 08-21-2016, 05:48 AM

Pre War: Sunday, Berg, Chase, and the Black Sox
Post War: Connors, Uecker, Rose, Maris

GaryPassamonte · #3 08-21-2016, 07:19 AM

Ross Barnes was born in my hometown and should be in the HOF.

Piratedogcardshows · #4 08-21-2016, 07:31 AM

I collect Dutch Revelle for the hometown connection and the great image presented on his T210/T206. I only need the T206 Hindu to finish the run. But come to think of it all I collect are non HOF players. I dont have a single prewar HOF card in my collection currently. One of my top goals is to upgrade this card one day.

tedzan · #5 08-21-2016, 10:15 AM

My favorite non-HOFer is Hal Chase.

As a kid I read quite a number of books on Babe Ruth; and, in them Chase's fielding (and hitting) prowess were often mentioned.

Babe Ruth once said.... "Hal Chase is the best 1st baseman he had ever seen".

So when I returned to this wonderful hobby in the late 1970's, my first T206 was this one.........

.

Does anyone on this forum know of a blue Chase with a DRUM ? ...... I have been searching for 37 years, and have not seen this combo.

------v

.

TED Z
.

bwbc917 · #6 08-21-2016, 04:05 PM

Some wonderful cards displayed here. Congrats to their owners. I realize this is a pre-war site, but even so I am amazed there has been no mention of Rocky Colavito. Where are the late 50's and early 60's boomers from Cleveland and Detroit?

I have a fourth of my curio case dedicated to him. Signed bat, HR Derby card, 59 Bazooka, '57 yearbook I had him sign as "Rocco Domenico Colavito", not just "Rocky". There's a scorecard with him and Maris in the lineup together- wonder how the Tribe woulda done in 61 with them??

leaflover · #7 08-21-2016, 07:32 PM

1. He is in the 1948-49 Leaf set.
2. He hit 4 homeruns in one game.
3. To my knowledge the Leaf card is his one and only.

rfurnish · #8 08-22-2016, 06:48 PM

[QUOTE=bwbc917;1575142]Some wonderful cards displayed here. Congrats to their owners. I realize this is a pre-war site, but even so I am amazed there has been no mention of Rocky Colavito. Where are the late 50's and early 60's boomers from Cleveland and Detroit?

My extensively-collected non Hall of Famer player is also a post-war guy. Steve Garvey was my favorite player growing up. Was a complete gentleman and somehow, despite the pedestal I had put him on, didn't disappoint when I met him at the age of 10 in 1975. Met him again about 5 years ago and had the pleasure of talking to him for about 30 minutes...another awesome experience! My black-bordered 1971 Topps is a PSA 9. Best I've been able to get (so far) on the even crueler O-Pee-Chee rookie card is a PSA 6.

Now back to our regularly scheduled pre-war programming...

tedzan · #9 08-21-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Frank "Lefty" O'Doul is the greatest eligible position player not in the Hall of Fame. Over 970 games (30 shy of the 1,000 used for official records) from 1919 to 1934, Lefty averaged .349, winning two batting championships and setting the NL record for most hits in a season, which still stands. Not in any way a "homer" like Chuck Klein (whose numbers were greatly aided by playing in a small park in Philly), Lefty hit .352 at home and .347 on the road, proving he belongs among the elite hitters in history. After his days in the majors ended, he returned to the Pacific Coast League, where he was the longtime manager of the San Francisco Seals and later the San Diego and Seattle teams. He had a restaurant in San Francisco and was a bon vivant and man about town. Lefty was instrumental in organizing Japanese baseball, whose premiere team, the Giants, was named in his honor. Lefty is one of only 3 Americans in the Japanese baseball hall of fame. He is also one of the few players to have played for the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants while all 3 were in New York City. Lefty died on December 7, 1969. His epitaph reads "He was here at a good time and had a good time while he was here."

I collect his cards because I used to go to his bar in San Francisco when I was in law school. I got interested in the history. He is also a great choice for a type card collection because he was on so many late 1920s-early 1930s issues and western regional issues.

Hey Adam

Lefty is one of my favorites, also.

His 1929 season with the Phillies.... AB= 638....R= 152....H= 254....HR= 32....RBI= 122....BA= .398 (and struck out only 19 times)....is a season that dreams are made of.

.

TED Z
.

Exhibitman · #10 08-26-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedzan

Hey Adam

Lefty is one of my favorites, also.

His 1929 season with the Phillies.... AB= 638....R= 152....H= 254....HR= 32....RBI= 122....BA= .398 (and struck out only 19 times)....is a season that dreams are made of.

.

TED Z
.

And then some...

DBesse27 · #11 08-27-2016, 11:26 PM

Really enjoyed this thread. The connections some of you have with your players (family relations, same hometown) are pretty cool. I'm hoping Jimmy Knowles (xplainer) will chime in, as he has a cool player collection.

My only non HOF player collection isn't a baseball one. I have a pretty robust collection of Boston Patriots great Gino Cappelletti

wolterse · #12 08-28-2016, 06:39 AM

Fred was born in Georgetown, MA where I have lived for the past 5 years. A street is named after him here as well.

clydepepper · #13 08-28-2016, 06:58 AM

I collect my cousin, Whitlow Wyatt and anyone with a local connection.

Jay Wolt · #14 08-28-2016, 06:17 PM

Been collecting Arlie Latham's cards & memorabilia for awhile.
Only player from the Buchner set to see the 1950's & to be on T205 & T206 cards

Here's a neat press photo from 1950 at a Yankees Reunion which shows Connie Mack at age 87, Latham at age 91
(stating he's the oldest living ex-Yankee, though he never played w/ the Yankees)
and the guest of honor, the youngster Ed Barrow at the spry age of 82.

1888 Harpers woodcut

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