What player's post-playing days hurt/helped their career?

[Ladder7]

Roger McDowell, on the gravelly road. Had to hurt!

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Ladder7

Roger McDowell, on the gravelly road. Had to hurt!

The second spitter! Awesome!

[t206hound]

I'd have to go with Bob Uecker for the "helped" side of things. What other .200 career hitter has a PSA-8 rookie card go for $250 on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1962-Topps-Bob-U...item35b221d317

Even ungraded versions go for $50+

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

There are obvious MLB players like Billy Sunday who became widely known for their other professions.

Then there are the career minor (or Negro) leaguers whose post-baseball lives just slightly boosted their popularity: Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Kurt Russell, Scott Patterson, Macho Man, and even Zane Grey.

BTW, Scott Patterson was the actor who felt that he was "sponge worthy".

[Jaybird]

OJ? Not sure everyone would agree but his stock went down in my eyes the moment he murdered two people

I don't think the frozen head thing with Ted Williams helped him much either. I think it's pretty much blown over but there were a generation of fans that only knew him as that cryogenics guy.

[Robextend]

I don't think the value of Pete Rose or Joe Namath cards were hurt at all. In fact it is possible that Rose cards have maintained relatively high value because of his off the field nonsense.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Robextend

I don't think the value of Pete Rose or Joe Namath cards were hurt at all. In fact it is possible that Rose cards have maintained relatively high value because of his off the field nonsense.

Rose's issues have kept him in the public eye. Negative or positive, people still want his cards, especially his rookie. Gambling-wise, there's really no definite right or wrong in regards to what he did. According to MLB rules he did something wrong, and the rules are the rules. BUT there's still alot of doubt as to whether or not he ever did anything unethical or detrimental in regards to the integrity of games that were under his influence. If anything, the man used his baseball knowledge in an attempt to cheat at gambling, rather than cheating baseball to benefit his gambling, as most people like to spin it.... Everytime he does something, somebody writes an article about him, or he applies for re-instatement, it creates a small buzz the he may possibly still end up in the hall of fame. If he ever does, I anticipate his stuff will jump. Regardless of outcome, Rose will always be in the public eye, 'til the end of time. As his status currently sits, there will always be articles written about how he belongs in the HOF. If he ever gets in, there will always be articles about how he doesn't. His situation will forever be win/win or lose/lose depending on your perspective, much the same as Joe Jackson. HOF or not, they will forever be two of the most historically significant names in the game.

[cliftons8]

I think several palyers were helped by the book The Glory of Their Times. I have heard that it may have played a direct role in Goose Goslins entry to the Hall of fame.

Mike

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Rose's issues have kept him in the public eye. Negative or positive, people still want his cards, especially his rookie. Gambling-wise, there's really no definite right or wrong in regards to what he did. According to MLB rules he did something wrong, and the rules are the rules. BUT there's still alot of doubt as to whether or not he ever did anything unethical or detrimental in regards to the integrity of games that were under his influence. If anything, the man used his baseball knowledge in an attempt to cheat at gambling, rather than cheating baseball to benefit his gambling, as most people like to spin it.... Everytime he does something, somebody writes an article about him, or he applies for re-instatement, it creates a small buzz the he may possibly still end up in the hall of fame. If he ever does, I anticipate his stuff will jump. Regardless of outcome, Rose will always be in the public eye, 'til the end of time. As his status currently sits, there will always be articles written about how he belongs in the HOF. If he ever gets in, there will always be articles about how he doesn't. His situation will forever be win/win or lose/lose depending on your perspective, much the same as Joe Jackson. HOF or not, they will forever be two of the most historically significant names in the game.

Supposedly he only bet on his team to win, if this is true not sure how horrible that is. But he really sealed his fate when Jim Gray gave him a chance to say he was sorry but instead continued to lie and then a short time later writes a lame book admitting everything. I have always thought that once he died he could end up in the HOF since he has more hits than anybody to play the game and was one of the greatest players ever. Time will tell. As for Kirby Puckett, his life was destroyed by a couple reporters who crossed the line and the outcome was the complete ruin of his life which spun him into a deep depression and eventually killed him, and now his kids have no father and baseball lost one of the most liked, friendliest players to ever step on the field.

[Exhibitman]

To be technical about it, Jim Thorpe, Greasy Neale and Dave DeBusschere were greatly helped by their off the baseball field activities.

[collectbaseball]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

To be technical about it, Jim Thorpe, Greasy Neale and Dave DeBusschere were greatly helped by their off the baseball field activities.

Add Michael Jordan to that list, too