Hottest Player To Collect...And Why?

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

1. Babe Ruth (no question; unfortunately most of his cards are ugly)
2. Cobb
3. Mantle
4. Wagner (the t206 alone keeps him in popular culture)
5. Lou Gehrig
6. Cy Young (his name is mentioned each year in the award of the best pitcher)
7. Joe Jackson (so long as field of dreams and other black Sox scandal-lore is popular)
8. Walter Johnson (unbeatable record)
9. Joe DiMaggio (unbeatable record and sung about by Simon and Garfunkel)
10. Eddie Plank - bc I just picked up his t206 card and wanted him on this list (I don’t really think he belongs)

IMO, Mantle is the only postwar card (not player-card) on this list. Other players may be more iconic - certainly Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Pete Rose, Cal Ripken- but their cards are so plentiful that I just don’t think their cards make the list.

Then of course their are iconic cards of great players 1933 Goudey Lajoie, 48 Leaf Paige, T206 Magie (error), 1914 CJ Matty, 1888 Anson, etc... but that was not the topic.

Jackie Robinson surely lands somewhere in the top 10 most collectable players of all time and probably top 5 on my list

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Gobucsmagic74

Jackie Robinson surely lands somewhere in the top 10 most collectable players of all time and probably top 5 on my list

I think Jackie is top 3-5 all time iconic baseball player (hell athlete), no doubt, and I basically state as much in my initial post. I just think that there are so many of his cards out there that when it comes to player-cards to collect for investment (and I think this thread intended investment) I think the much less populous, prewar studs are the ones to collect. But, admittedly I am totally biased bc I love the old old and rare stuff.

Regarding old vs new- nobody wins that fight. Everyone has their opinions. The good news is we are all on the same team bc whether it’s a t206 Wagner, a 1952 Topps mantle PSA 9, or a 2017 Judge, they are all cards and their success keeps the hobby and investment relevant and thriving. Go cards (regardless of era)!

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think Jackie is top 3-5 all time iconic baseball player (hell athlete), no doubt, and I basically state as much in my initial post. I just think that there are so many of his cards out there that when it comes to player-cards to collect for investment (and I think this thread intended investment) I think the much less populous, prewar studs are the ones to collect. But, admittedly I am totally biased bc I love the old old and rare stuff.

Regarding old vs new- nobody wins that fight. Everyone has their opinions. The good news is we are all on the same team bc whether it’s a t206 Wagner, a 1952 Topps mantle PSA 9, or a 2017 Judge, they are all cards and their success keeps the hobby and investment relevant and thriving. Go cards (regardless of era)!

Modern cards are vintage’s hope for new blood. Kids want heroes not history. That’s in the modern cards of judge trout and now Ohtani. Got no dog in this fight except I hope modern cards stay popular for my vintage collection.

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think Jackie is top 3-5 all time iconic baseball player (hell athlete), no doubt, and I basically state as much in my initial post. I just think that there are so many of his cards out there that when it comes to player-cards to collect for investment (and I think this thread intended investment) I think the much less populous, prewar studs are the ones to collect. But, admittedly I am totally biased bc I love the old old and rare stuff.

Regarding old vs new- nobody wins that fight. Everyone has their opinions. The good news is we are all on the same team bc whether it’s a t206 Wagner, a 1952 Topps mantle PSA 9, or a 2017 Judge, they are all cards and their success keeps the hobby and investment relevant and thriving. Go cards (regardless of era)!

Modern cards are vintage’s hope for new blood. Kids want heroes not history. That’s in the modern cards of judge trout and now Ohtani. Got no dog in this fight except I hope modern cards stay popular for my vintage collecting

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by joshuanip

Modern cards are vintage’s hope for new blood. Kids want heroes not history. That’s in the modern cards of judge trout and now Ohtani. Got no dog in this fight except I hope modern cards stay popular for my vintage collecting

You can say that again.

[Snapolit1]

Are the Trout and Otani cards being coveted by kids? Doubt it highly as the father of two boys who love baseball. Average collector of these cards is probably a 35-55 years old man. Next time you are on line at a store or show waiting to pay for something look at the person standing in front and behind of you. That’s what we call today a “grown ass man”.

[Snapolit1]

As a former little league coach making an educated guess, I’d say the level of interest in baseball cards in those under 15 is essentially non existent. Yes there are some young kids at shows with their fathers who collect. Young kids today ain’t playing with cardboard pieces believe me. Some interest in Magic and other card games. Baseball cards? With amazingly rare exception, no. Ask your friend the school teacher the last time he or she saw them on a school playground.

[tjenkins]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Are the Trout and Otani cards being coveted by kids? Doubt it highly as the father of two boys who loves baseball. Average collector of these cards is probably a 35-55 years old man

This is an excellent point. A player that is collectible is very subjective to different individuals. The almighty dollar plays the biggest part in most of these forums on who is collectible (profitable).

[midmo]

I setup at a 3 day show in St Louis last weekend. While most of the collectors were older, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of young kids who were looking over the new cards on the tables next to me. I noticed kids with want lists who were really excited when they found cards they were looking for.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Are the Trout and Otani cards being coveted by kids? Doubt it highly as the father of two boys who love baseball. Average collector of these cards is probably a 35-55 years old man. Next time you are on line at a store or show waiting to pay for something look at the person standing in front and behind of you. That’s what we call today a “grown ass man”.

I sure they are coveted. Why wouldn't they want the biggest star or the hottest rookie? Those are the players I hoped to pull in a pack as a kid. The kids aren't the ones paying 4 or 5 figures for the rare autos or superfractors. But I bet they'd be very excited to find one in a pack.