Baseball card HOF help

[terjung]

Originally Posted by cdn_collector

I think I can see the argument for every card on this list. For me, however, I'd have to replace the Ruth pick with his #144 Goudey. In my opinion, what makes the T206 Wagner significant has a lot to do with its prominence outside of the hobby. I think Ruth's Goudey wins over either the Baltimore News or M-101-4/5 for that reason.

Regards,

Richard.

That's actually a great point. In terms of asking the average modern card collector who the greatest player of all time was... I'd bet that at least a fair number would say Babe Ruth (at least a fair number of laymen would). Regardless, if you asked modern card collectors (again... intentionally trying to avoid people knowledgeable in vintage), "What is his most significant card?" I'm sure you'd get either an "I don't know", "any of them", or "his rookie card."

Before you go debunking this thought because I intentionally am excluding vintage folks (and thereby skirting the actual hobby significance line), hear me out. My point is this... I would imagine that there are many who would suggest that Babe Ruth's rookie card should be one of the most significant cards in history. Not only is it is not the holy grail, we are having very serious discussion that up to 5 other cards may deserve the honor first. That leads me to think that the M101 Ruth RC is underappreciated... but also lends credance to the argument that it is not his most significant.

I was of the opinion (rather strongly actually) that the M101-5 should be his card's representative, but am no longer convinced. I think a strong argument could be made for the #144 Goudey to be the representative. Yes, the B.N. creates a hobby buzz when it is sold, but much of that surrounds cost and similar buzz is created around the T206 Doyle Nat'l for the same reason... it's doggone expensive. The Goudey set is arguably one of the more "important" sets (in terms of significance in the hobby). Outside the 1933/34 Lajoie, the #144 Ruth is probably the most widely recognized card in that set. Tough to rule out the #53 and friends, but if one were selected, #144 would be the one, in my book.

I guess I have trouble with a pre-rookie card from a regional, sparcly populated set being Ruth's most significant card. Most expensive - undoubtedly, favorite of some - probably, most hobby significant? ... not in my opinion. I don't imagine that kids are getting into the hobby aspiring to get the B.N. Ruth one day... like they are with the T206 Wagner, for example. I would contend that the '33 Goudey Ruths are more inspiring that way (with the dream of owning a Ruth RC one day once they figure out that the Goudeys aren't it). So, does inspiration = hobby significance? Perhaps. I contend that highest value doesn't equal highest hobby significance.