Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>The 1936 R312 (his earliest issue)?<br />or<br />The 1941 Double Play (major issue, but he shared it (obviously))?<br />or<br />The 1948 Bowman (his first single card in a major issue)?<br /><br />Thanks for the input

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>George Dreher</b><p>I would think that the R-312 would be his rookie card. Someone on eBay recently sold a newswire photo of him fielding from 1935 spring training with the Reds.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Phil Garry</b><p>Definitely the 1936 R312...........<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/bcbgcbrcb/MizeJohnny.jpg">

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>One of the reasons for my confusion is that SGC will often label the flip with the word "Rookie", but I don't see it on your R312, nor is it on my 48 Bowman...do you need to request that they include that on the label? or perhaps they aren't a definitive authority on identifying the Rookie Card of a player?<br />curious...

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Phil Garry</b><p>They label some Rookie Cards as such but not always, I'm not sure what their determining factor is.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Rhett Yeakley</b><p>While not technically a card, Mize also is pictured on a 1936 Overland Candy Co. "wrapper"<br />-Rhett

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>How about that; I actually have a rookie card...<br /><br />But why is he wearing make-up?

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Ed Ford</b><p>Does any one here own a Mize ? If so, could you show it. thanks

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>George Dreher</b><p>He's wearing make-up because he was Boy George's grandpa.<br />Seriously, he was a great guy. I met him and Willie Stargell in-person at the same event about 10 years before he passed away.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>Well, I am going to consider my 1948 Bowman his rookie, because:<br />1) I own it<br />2) I don't collect candy wrappers<br />3) I don't collect cards of men wearing make-up, and <br />4) I don't want to consider a multiple player card his rookie, but mostly, see #1!<br /><br />also, please note, by no means do I mean to disparage anyone who may collect wrappers or cards of men wearing make-up.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Anthony</b><p>Jason-<br /> This should take care of #2-4, but I can't help you on #1.<br /><br />No makeup, no candy wrapper, no multiplayer card. 7 years before Bowman.<br /><img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/griffins/41cardinalsteamissue/icons/Cards021.jpg">

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>very nice card (outstanding condition!), that one there....thanks for posting - never seen it before<br /><br />But that really gums up the works, because as you say, my first condition is in the way...<br /><br />Is there a definitive rule when it comes to identifying a player's rookie card?<br />because during the pre-war era it becomes difficult with many issues not being nationally distributed or from large companies, etc...<br />I'm sure this has been asked before, but I don't recall ever seeing a final answer...<br />

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Anthony</b><p>I think you can rationalize it any way you want. If you call a rookie card the first major league, nationally distributed non combo non premium card of a player, you're right back at '48 Bowman. If it's the first appearance of a player on a card, it would be the R312. Or this one if you want a regular card.<br /> There are no rules- collect whatever makes you happy!<br /><br />PS The Cards team issue isn't hard to find, and isn't expensive. And they are usually in very nice condition.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>And it isn't expensive at all.

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Ted Zanidakis</b><p>Also, let's add the 1943 MP (R302-1) and the 1947 Homogenized Bond Bread cards of Johnny Mize<br />into the mix.<br /><br />Anyhow, the 1936 R312 is Johnny's 1st card and the R312 is Joe DiMaggio's 1st Major League card.<br /><br />TED Z

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>Anthony</b><p>I've found Brett Dumue's site to be very well researched and informative for questions such as these.<br /><br /><a href="http://members.aol.com/metsbwd/hofers.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://members.aol.com/metsbwd/hofers.html</a" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://members.aol.com/metsbwd/hofers.html</a</a>><br /><br />

Which is the Johnny Mize Rookie?
 

Posted By: <b>RayB</b><p>I would agree with any consensus here about first major league card = rookie card. I am definitely not fussy about it being a major card issue.<br /><br />The R312 set (50 cards; or paper photos depending on how you look at it) were an in store give away Premium. Store owners gave these to kids when they brought back a batch of wrappers, likely National Chicle Diamond Star wrappers, in 1936.<br />Not only is the 36' R312 Premium the first card of Mize and DiMaggio but they are both sparkling images of the future HOF'ers.<br />The colorized look is a little disconcerting at first, but in person these cards are really cool. Looks great in that new SGC holder above.<br /><br />Premiums were a very popular way to stimulate more gum card pack buying in the 30's and thereby stand, in my opinion as real baseball card collectibles.<br /><br />As others said though, we all establish our own parameters for "rookie cards".<br />RayB