Underrated postwar players?

[jchcollins]

Ever wonder why that certain Clemente card you want always seems ridiculously expensive, but then there is some other HOF'er in the same set that can be had for a compartive pittance? Thought I would start a list of "underrated" stars and HOF'ers from the postwar era.

I'll start with a couple of Phillies. I'm a Cubs fan, but have always had a soft spot for the Phils because my Dad was from near there: Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton. The '73 Schmidt rookie isn't normally cheap - but the rest of his cards are, even 70's issues in high grade. Carlton may be an even more glaring example - one of the greatest starting pitchers of all time; 4 Cy Young awards and more than 4,000 K's. But today fans are like who? Even younger fans can tell you all about Nolan Ryan and his strikeouts and no-hitters, but Carlton is nearly forgotton. A far cry from the early 1980's when most fans would have told you without hesitation that Carlton was easily a better pitcher than Nolan Ryan. His '65 Topps RC can be pricey in top-grade, but still can be had for a fraction of the cost of a Ryan / Koosman rookie from 3 years later in the same shape. Carlton didn't exactly do himself a favor in terms of the value of his sportscards (a subject he may literally never have even considered...) by not speaking to the press and being a notorious recluse and weird character for decades - but I'm not sure in the end how much that plays into what people remember him doing on the field.

Who else from the era is underrated - more easily collectible in terms of price - and why? I just find this an interesting subject. Thanks.

[Exhibitman]

Rod Carew. Seven AL batting titles (the award is now named for him) yet his 1970s cards other than the 1972 are readily found for very little in nice shape. I fished them out of $1 and $2 boxes at the National last year.

[rats60]

Tom Seaver's RC is under priced. Others that I would add to those already mentioned are Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by rats60

Tom Seaver's RC is under priced. Others that I would add to those already mentioned are Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan.

Underpriced where? It's a high number and has been expensive for decades. PSA 3's sell for like $400. If it were in the regular series given his populartiy, I would think it would be priced more like a Carlton RC than a Ryan. Perhaps between the two.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Underpriced where? It's a high number and has been expensive for decades. PSA 3's sell for like $400. If it were in the regular series given his populartiy, I would think it would be priced more like a Carlton RC than a Ryan. Perhaps between the two.

It is a short print high number. For the scarcity the card is cheap. Seaver was better than Ryan or Carlton. His RC is cheaper than the common Ryan RC and should be worth more, even if it was from a low series.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by rats60

It is a short print high number. For the scarcity the card is cheap. Seaver was better than Ryan or Carlton. His RC is cheaper than the common Ryan RC and should be worth more, even if it was from a low series.

I would disagree it's that scarce; there are at least a dozen of them on ebay at any given moment. Seaver and Carlton were both better than Nolan Ryan. Seaver in his prime was probably slightly better than Carlton, but for career I think they were pretty close. Seaver has more ERA titles. Carlton has more CYA's, although he hung on too long there at the end.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Rod Carew. Seven AL batting titles (the award is now named for him) yet his 1970s cards other than the 1972 are readily found for very little in nice shape. I fished them out of $1 and $2 boxes at the National last year.

Agreed. Although that '72 #695 is a pain. I've bought two already this year that I didn't keep due to condition issues I couldn't get comfortable with once the card was in hand. Finding that card in high grade is not a problem, but it's usually either OC, diamond cut, printed with horrible tilt, or some combination of all three.

[Harliduck]

Totally agree on Steve Carlton. Just picked up a nice 67 and 69, still feel like I am stealing his cards in high EXMT shape. Others that still surprise me as underated are - Joe Morgan, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Billy Williams, Willie McCovey...and even Ron Santo to some degree. Outside Ron's rookie card, most cards seem to be just above common price, and you will often find him left in lots. I remember pre-HOF he barely was above a common, but his needle hasn't moved much. Same with Joe Morgan...I absolutely love his 66 Topps second card, and it an be had rather cheaply.

[Bigdaddy]

Agree with Morgan and Carlton. Morgan is certainly in the conversation of greatest 2Bs ever, and Carlton should be in the conversation for greatest LHPs ever. Also agree with Carew.

Another that I'd add is Jim Palmer. Three Cy Youngs and won more games in the 1970's than any other pitcher - including Ryan, Seaver and Carlton.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Another that I'd add is Jim Palmer. Three Cy Youngs and won more games in the 1970's than any other pitcher - including Ryan, Seaver and Carlton.

Agreed. And Ryan, Seaver and Carlton never even did any underwear ads...

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Totally agree on Steve Carlton. Just picked up a nice 67 and 69, still feel like I am stealing his cards in high EXMT shape. Others that still surprise me as underated are - Joe Morgan, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Billy Williams, Willie McCovey...and even Ron Santo to some degree. Outside Ron's rookie card, most cards seem to be just above common price, and you will often find him left in lots. I remember pre-HOF he barely was above a common, but his needle hasn't moved much. Same with Joe Morgan...I absolutely love his 66 Topps second card, and it an be had rather cheaply.

I got Carlton's '67 this week as well in a PSA 5 and have his '68 and '71 on the way in about EX-MT. The latter two were about $12 apiece. Not bad for arguably the greatest LHP of all time.

[Jim65]

Bill Madlock, 4 batting titles and his RC is one step above a common.

[olecow]

Eddie Mathews. The best third baseman in baseball during the 1950’s and one of the three greatest third basemen of all time.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by olecow

Eddie Mathews. The best third baseman in baseball during the 1950’s and one of the three greatest third basemen of all time.

This was my vote!

[Chris Counts]

Minnie Minoso. He had a higher career OPS than Clemente or Yaz; he was at one point the White Sox all-time home run leader; He was arguably the most exciting player to watch in the American League in his prime; he got a late start due to the color of his skin; he got hit with more pitches than Jackie Robinson; and when the first Gold Gloves were awarded, he received one over Clemente, Ashburn and others. Plus, Bill James writes that's he's the most underrated player of all-time, and Bill's got the numbers to back it up. Minnie should be in the Hall of Fame.