Shoeless Joe Jackson

[glchen]

Out of curiosity about Joe Jackson since I haven't been following the hobby that long, did the value of his cards explode after the movie "Field of Dreams?" Basically, I'm wondering if that very popular movie had any effect on the value of his cards, where people wanted to collect him more.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by glchen

Out of curiosity about Joe Jackson since I haven't been following the hobby that long, did the value of his cards explode after the movie "Field of Dreams?" Basically, I'm wondering if that very popular movie had any effect on the value of his cards, where people wanted to collect him more.

Both "Eight Men Out" and "Field of Dreams" came out during the baseball card boom of the late 80s. Jackson's cards grew in value quite a bit at that time. It would be hard to isolate a percentage of that value due to one of the movies, but it certainly contributed.

[George]

There is absolutely no question that Shoeless Joe accepted $6,000 in cash, through his teammate Lefty Williams, and that he knew all about the plan to throw the 1919 World Series. There is also no question that Lefty Williams and Ed Cicotte, two of the Sox' leading pitchers, did actually throw the games in which they pitched. The fact that the Shoeless One did hit .375 is of minor importance, in my opinion. His known actions were inexcusable, and he richly deserved to be banned from baseball for life.

[esd10]

well first off jackson was not educated and probably didnt understand what he was doing all he knew he was getting paid some extra cash. second if arod,clemens ect get into the hof then jackson,weaver and rose should be in there. steroids is cheating to no mater how you try to twist it "saying everyone was doing it" thats a load of crap not all the great players like griffey jr didnt use steroids and he had a great career even with all his injurys. Jackson was one of the greatest players of the dead ball era and he needs to be in the hof for all the great things he has done.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by esd10

well first off jackson was not educated and probably didnt understand what he was doing all he knew he was getting paid some extra cash.

Sorry, I don't buy this idea that Jackson was so ignorant he didn't understand what he was doing was wrong. From all accounts Joe Jackson was not well educated BUT he was not mentally challenged or anything. Betting on baseball, throwing games, etc. are the "cardinal sin" of baseball--there were signs at every ballpark in america stating it was fobidden at the time to bet on baseball--Jackson knew what he was doing when he accepted the money.

[esd10]

well what im trying to say he might not understand the penaltys and the after effects of this scandal when he did it.

[Ladder7]

Why collect?.. Great ballplayer and a good man, just got caught. Doesn't deserve the Hall of Fame Hall of Fame though... Sorry to say, neither does the Ginger Kid.


Joe's testimony in Sept 1920, to the Asst DA;

...Q Did anybody pay you any money to help throw that series in favor of Cincinnati?

A They did.

Q How much did they pay?

A They promised me $20,000 and paid me five.

[bbcard1]

Shoeless Joe is a romantic character...his omission from the Hall of Fame, much like Pete's, has done more to make him famous than his inclusion would have. Had everyone just vote in him ago, he would have been spoken of in more or less the same way as Cap Anson or Al Simmons are... which is to say not much. Which is why I would open the doors wide for McGwire, Bonds, Clemens and not worry much about it. But I can certainly respect hard core opinions on the other side of things. Folks in the middle are the problem.

[ls7plus]

I think that Joe's iconic status is due not only to his performance throughout his career, but also in part to the fact that maybe we like our heroes tragically flawed--makes them a bit more real, more human, just like the rest of us!