The New York Times puts their two cents into the Jeter memorabilia story

[David Atkatz]

Of course athletes have changed. Bloodsuckers like Steiner have shown them, nay, produced for them, a new "business model." Extreme greed. And all it took to make it work was folks like you--ones not only happy to pay, but, more than that, honored to pay.

"Thank you, sir; may I have another."

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Of course athletes have changed. Bloodsuckers like Steiner have shown them, nay, produced for them, a new "business model." Extreme greed. And all it took to make it work was folks like you--ones not only happy to pay, but, more than that, honored to pay.

"Thank you, sir; may I have another."

Never paid a red cent for anything Steiner has sold. Don't collect modern stuff unless I happen to have a ticket to the game and something special happens -- I've been to three no hitters, two perfect games, the Aaron Boone game, etc.

But I rest easily about the changing athlete and the rising fees. You give way too much credit to Steiner. That's like blaming PSA for the rising cost of baseball cards. Steiner and PSA fill a need in the market for collectibles. They didnt manufacture the demand, they answered it.

The greed you speak of began when the first kid waiting for Ruth after a game turned around and sold it to someone who wanted it more, even if he wasnt the original recipient. That's when the innocence you seem to miss so badly began to die.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The greed you speak of began when the first kid waiting for Ruth after a game turned around and sold it to someone who wanted it more, even if he wasnt the original recipient. That's when the innocence you seem to miss so badly began to die.

Nonsense, once again. The difference between then and now, is, simply, that Ruth didn't give a shit. He just kept on signin' and signin'.

For free.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Nonsense, once again. The difference between then and now, is, simply, that Ruth didn't give a shit. He just kept on signin' and signin'.

For free.

According to you, Ruth wasnt a greedy bastard, but Koufax is?

[T206Collector]

I agree that Ruth didnt give a shit; because his signature wasnt being sold after he left it on your orphan girl's ball... At least, not while he was still alive.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I agree that Ruth didnt give a shit; because his signature wasnt being sold after he left it on your orphan girl's ball... At least, not while he was still alive.

Orphan? Do you ever stop makin' shit up?

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

According to you, Ruth wasnt a greedy bastard, but Koufax is?

By Jove! I think he's got it!

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

By Jove! I think he's got it!

When will you wake up and realize that i am just baiting you into making ridiculous comments like "Sandy Koufax is a greedy bastard, but Babe Ruth wasn't"?

A more rationale opinion might take into account the fact that Babe Ruth never attended a baseball card show, and never saw the ball he signed for little Billy in the hospital sell for thousands at auction. But you apparently think comparing Koufax's behavior today is at all relevant to Ruth's behavior 80 years ago.

You dont see any relevant difference there? Seriously?

[David Atkatz]

You didn't bait me. Anyone (who doesn't need to do it in order to feed his kids) who sells his signature for $600 a pop, is, indeed, a greedy bastard. It's really pretty simple, and very close to being black and white.

You can keep pretending, if it makes you feel better, that had Ruth only known he could sell his signature, he'd a stuck a price tag on it. There is, of course, not a shred of evidence for believing that. (Except, of course, extreme cynicism: "All people are greedy bastards; if one acts contrary to that, it must be because he didn't know he could.")

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Of course athletes have changed. Bloodsuckers like Steiner have shown them, nay, produced for them, a new "business model." Extreme greed. And all it took to make it work was folks like you--ones not only happy to pay, but, more than that, honored to pay.

"Thank you, sir; may I have another."

+1!!!