Very Interesting How Certain Stars are valued

[Snapolit1]

I would argue that the percentage of fans who have interacted with Mays personally are minscule. Yeah, he's a grouchy old man. So was Joe D. Have you heard stories of some of the stuff that Mickey Mantle did to fans. C'mon. "Hey Mickey can I have an autograph." "Fuck you." Many many many of those stories. Was a horribly nasty drunk for many years. Didn't seem to affect his collectibility one iota. Look up his under the bleachers story.

Originally Posted by packs

I would argue that Frank Robinson and Willie Mays suffer from Ted Williams disease. Not too many fans had much to get excited about in their interactions with Robinson or Mays.

As much as these guys grouse about their due they are usually at least partially responsible for being ignored. How many Mays or Robinson or Bench fan stories have we heard on the board where they actively try to ignore, upset or ruin an item.

[packs]

I actually don't think that's true. How can a guy who seemed to sign at every show that ever got put together for 25 or 30 years be someone people associate with as not gracious to fans?

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by packs

I actually don't think that's true. How can a guy who seemed to sign at every show that ever got put together for 25 or 30 years be someone people associate with as not gracious to fans?

True. Mantle without a doubt had some bad moments in 25-ish years of regularly doing the card show circuit, but he was incredibly available - and I would venture to say that most people had a good experience. What's crazy to me is the value of things like authenticated single signed Mantle balls today, given how many of them that were put out during that time. I think on the whole Mantle gets a pass though, due to the same "golden boy" mentality that swirls around everything else related to him and his career. For example, the "grouchy superstar" argument seems to have been leveled at Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Joe D., and Frank Robinson way more than you hear it brought up about Mantle. Yes he was crude at times, but he was generally perceived as a happy drunk in his later years. Forgive and forget, right?

[Snapolit1]

I have no problem with someone who has lived in the spotlight for years retreating and basically being asked to be left alone. DiMaggio sort of did that (though also continued to get then lucrative advertising gigs). What I have a real problem with is someone coming to a card show and putting themselves out there for a a payday and then acting like a a-hole. No one is asking you to do it. Don't act like your skin is crawling that I just handed you $50 for an autograph. You signed on for it.

I also think a lot of bad athlete-fan interactions clearly are the fault of the public. You see a guy at a nice restaurant with his family enjoying dinner, don't walk up to his table in the middle of a meal and ask him to sign something. See a guy rushing through the airport, say hello and leave him alone. I read an article about Paul McCartney once, an amazing cool person, and he said everytime he goes anywhere now a dozen people ask him to stop for a picture. No matter how grateful you are, that has to get grating after a while.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I read an article about Paul McCartney once, an amazing cool person, and he said everytime he goes anywhere now a dozen people ask him to stop for a picture.

And, on average, it takes AT LEAST 30 seconds per person to take selfies with people.

Autograph takes less than 10 seconds each, assuming you write your full name, which most stars do not do.

[Snapolit1]

Great discussion of Mantle v. Mays. I never saw either play live (except maybe Mays on the 73 Mets). Opened my eyes to Mantle a bit. Always just thought of him as some Mark McGwire bruiser type, but clearly he was much more than that.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

I actually don't think that's true. How can a guy who seemed to sign at every show that ever got put together for 25 or 30 years be someone people associate with as not gracious to fans?

Only for people paying for his autograph.

[cardsagain74]

Ruth, Mantle, and Jordan transcended not just sports, but society (in a way that I'd argue no one else has).

And it was one person for each generation there. Doesn't seem like anyone has fit that bill since though.

The two current choices would be Lebron or Tom Brady, with Lebron having the edge. But I don't think either is idolized in the same way as those prior guys.

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

The two current choices would be Lebron or Tom Brady, with Lebron having the edge. But I don't think either is idolized in the same way as those prior guys.

It's interesting how opinions differ. I'd take Brady by a country mile in that debate and I'm certainly no fan of the teams he's been on.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

It's interesting how opinions differ. I'd take Brady by a country mile in that debate and I'm certainly no fan of the teams he's been on.

Oh I would too. But I'm referring to the presence and popularity as an icon in the sports world, and I'd say LeBron is above Brady there

[rats60]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

It's interesting how opinions differ. I'd take Brady by a country mile in that debate and I'm certainly no fan of the teams he's been on.

Brady is only popular in the USA. LeBron is popular world wide except for Hong Kong. Ali definitely transcended sports, more so than Mantle. Tiger had his chance, but personal issues derailed that.

[Snapolit1]

Brady has about as much personality as a tree stump.
People may dislike LeBron for the stands he takes but at least he’s interesting. Controversy never hurt any celebrity.
Very suprised Ali not a bigger deal. Or even Tyson.
It’s interesting how Pele cards have skyrocketed lately.
Soccer cards exploding. It’s a big world.

[cardsagain74]

Ok everyone, I am fine with making Ali fourth on my list. Worldwide, he is definitely above Ruth and Mantle. I admit to being the typical american bastard and thinking mostly of the impact here at first.

[Ricky]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

Ruth, Mantle, and Jordan transcended not just sports, but society (in a way that I'd argue no one else has).

And it was one person for each generation there. Doesn't seem like anyone has fit that bill since though.

The two current choices would be Lebron or Tom Brady, with Lebron having the edge. But I don't think either is idolized in the same way as those prior guys.

Ali? Tiger?