Who are the most "over-valued" players

[bk400]

Seditious, perhaps, but I'll say Jackie Robinson. I think he's overvalued, especially when compared to Hank Aaron.

[judsonhamlin]

Dizzy Dean. Admittedly a what-if with his injury and I get his broadcasting career helped but he should be in the same tier as Vance/Grimes/Lyons/Gomez et al

[JimC]

I think Dizzy and Sisler get extra love becuase of how truly great they were before career altering injury. A bit like Koufax or Gale Sayers. Sisler's War 7 is essentially the same as Greenberg's. For the 6-7 year stretches they were healthy Sisler and Dean were as good as anyone.

Joe Wood is well collected too, probably for similar reasons.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by bk400

Seditious, perhaps, but I'll say Jackie Robinson. I think he's overvalued, especially when compared to Hank Aaron.

I love Jackie Robinson, but I have to agree. Although a 54 Topps Hank Aaron kind of brings these two to parity, at least somewhat.

But as stated above, Mantle and Wagner have to be at the top of overvalued.

And dare I even mention Babe Ruth? There is no real shortage of Babe Ruth's cards or memorabilia. I guess it's just that he was Babe Ruth.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jingram058

But as stated above, Mantle and Wagner have to be at the top of overvalued.

Cards perhaps (I'm not going to say the T206 Wagner is overvalued given it's lore and enduring myth presence), but just in terms of garden variety fandom Cobb seems to be way more popular than Wagner. And that to me seems a bit messed up.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Cards perhaps (I'm not going to say the T206 Wagner is overvalued given it's lore and enduring myth presence), but just in terms of garden variety fandom Cobb seems to be way more popular than Wagner. And that to me seems a bit messed up.

Why? I have no wish to denigrate the legendary Honus Wagner but Ty Cobb's lifetime batting average and OPS of .388 and .944 were higher than Honus Wagner's marks of .328 and .862 respectively. Moreover Ty Cobb's record for lifetime hits wasn't broken until Pete Rose did so in 1985. Finally Ty Cobb is still #4 (#3 under the present day definition) in the all-important category of stolen bases.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Why? I have no wish to denigrate the legendary Honus Wagner but Ty Cobb's lifetime batting average and OPS were .388 and .944 were higher than Honus Wagner's marks of .328 and .862 respectively. Moreover Ty Cobb's record for lifetime hits wasn't broken until Pete Rose did so in 1985. Finally Ty Cobb is still #4 (#3 under the present day definition) in the all-important category of stolen bases.

My apologies; I had to spend 5 minutes scrolling up looking for the context of what I wrote in January:

I wouldn't split hairs if you want to call Cobb the greater player - ok. Most would agree.

But Cobb was not more popular than Wagner to fans of the day. It's not as if Cobb were Cobb and Wagner was a Harold Baines level HOF'er. He's kind of up there.

I forget the premise detail points that have already been made, but as we know - card values aren't necessarily a direct tie to a player's accomplishments on the field in equal measure with other players.

[Balticfox]

But are Ty Cobb's cards far more expensive overall than those of Honus Wagner? Looking at the same sets of course.

[Popcorn]

If Clemente lived to 80 and didn’t die so young his cards would be similar in value to Kaline imo.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

But are Ty Cobb's cards far more expensive overall than those of Honus Wagner? Looking at the same sets of course.

I couldn't say personally; I don't do a ton of prewar. But if they are more expensive on average, you would be making my point. Say Wagner was 95% the player that Cobb was. His cards likely don't reflect that. Much in the way that Aaron, Mays, Musial, Williams and others in the long run were easily better on the field than Mickey Mantle. But you wouldn't know that looking at prices in the garden variety 1950's Topps set.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by bk400

Seditious, perhaps, but I'll say Jackie Robinson. I think he's overvalued, especially when compared to Hank Aaron.

As a player perhaps, but he's only just now starting to realize the value he should have been accorded as an American historical figure.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

As a player perhaps, but he's only just now starting to realize the value he should have been accorded as an American historical figure.

Totally agree about Jackie Robinson's place in American history. This said, I'd argue that Hank Aaron may have had it worse -- and for longer -- than Jackie Robinson did.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by bk400

Totally agree about Jackie Robinson's place in American history. This said, I'd argue that Hank Aaron may have had it worse -- and for longer -- than Jackie Robinson did.

You may not be completely wrong, but it will never be viewed that way. It's because of the story and him being first. It's hard to imagine a worse situation than what Jackie faced in Philadelphia with Ben Chapman though. But to your point, there are likely other stories that may never be fully known.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

As a player perhaps, but he's only just now starting to realize the value he should have been accorded as an American historical figure.

Because of that historical significance, I have to think there's much more room for growth in Jackie's prices over the next 10, 20, 50 years when compared to Mantle or about anyone else. If the day ever comes when there are a lot more non-white collectors in the market, it should really take off.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Brent G.

Because of that historical significance, I have to think there's much more room for growth in Jackie's prices over the next 10, 20, 50 years when compared to Mantle or about anyone else. If the day ever comes when there are a lot more non-white collectors in the market, it should really take off.

Congratulations! That's the most painfully racist comment I've seen on any board for months.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by bk400

Seditious, perhaps, but I'll say Jackie Robinson. I think he's overvalued, especially when compared to Hank Aaron.

I agree.

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by bk400

Seditious, perhaps, but I'll say Jackie Robinson. I think he's overvalued, especially when compared to Hank Aaron.

+1