Topic: Spirits who changed the soul of the game and their definitive cards

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by dbussell12

ha! i agree. my historical time period specialty is 1909-1919. what a fascinating period for the sport on all levels. so much happened during this period of rapid industrial, technological, and global shift in the game and in the country too. photojournalistically (with type 1s and orgs like bain and paul thompson + spooner and wells especially), with card drawings, design + lithography (caramels, t206s, et al) + of course the style and method of which the game was played.

running, defense, and pitching focused. what a time to watch the pitching duels and feats of pitchers like reulbach, wiltse, powell, etc. mathewson, wood, johnson. strategy minded and focused players like speaker. great stuff.

I agree with it too. But then Ruth came along and made "Home Run" Baker look like kindergarten. And he saved the game from the negativity surrounding the likes of Hal Chase and the 8 men out. Some great ballplayers there, to be sure, but the corruption surrounding them was something the game could not endure. Do I think Ruth is overrated? Absolutely not! Look at what he accomplished in comparison to any of his peers, and how beloved a figure he was. I wish I could chase girls all night, eat a package of hotdogs boiled in a clubhouse coffee urn, washed down with 2 quarts of beer, and then go out and play at that level, consistently. Heck, even the haters loved him, all over the world.