Mastro Judge Strikes Down Plea Agreement

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by MW1

Well, with the help of reporters like O'Keeffe. For the amount of investigating he's done in sports--especially with respect to steroids and PEDs--I find it astounding that he chose to devote an entire chapter in his book to bemoaning the plight of Cobb and Edwards while simultaneously promoting the possible legitimacy of a ridiculously bogus card.

The, "Well, NOW I know it isn't really authentic" excuse, which has already been given by O'Keeffe in subsequent interviews, really stretches the fabric of journalistic integrity, imo.

I remember O'Keeffe was interviewed for an ESPN Outside the Lines segment a year or so ago. From the way I took it, he didn't think these two were scamming anyone and it is unfortunate that a lot of racial slurs have been thrown at them.

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by Bugsy

I remember O'Keeffe was interviewed for an ESPN Outside the Lines segment a year or so ago. From the way I took it, he didn't think these two were scamming anyone and it is unfortunate that a lot of racial slurs have been thrown at them.

Just found the segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXVlHs2rIU

O'Keeffe even brings up Net54 in connection with racial insults.

[MW1]

Originally Posted by Bugsy

Just found the segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXVlHs2rIU

O'Keeffe even brings up Net54 in connection with racial insults.

Here's what Michael O'Keeffe says about the bogus Cobb/Edwards T206 Wagner in the OTL interview:

13:18 "We wanted to examine sort of the race and class issues that come up in collecting and I think that the one thing is that you guys have touched on is that the hobby has not been fair to these guys. And I think maybe the hobby needs to be a little more open-minded before they pass judgement. I mean this has been examined by a paper expert and by a printing expert and the printing expert, by the way, Arnie Schwed said that this card--he didn't believe that it was skinned. So, I think there needs to be a little more of an open mind."

14:01 "Yeah, I mean you know the messages and the insults and the slurs on Network54, on the vintage card forum, were really horrifying.... So to pick on John and Ray to me was always kind of a head-scratcher."

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bugsy

Just found the segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXVlHs2rIU

O'Keeffe even brings up Net54 in connection with racial insults.

Pulling the race card is pathetic, both for these fraudsters and for anyone who supports them. Idiots and thieves are idiots and thieves, regardless of skin color.

I'm curious - does O'Keefe know that the 'Mona Lisa' is the 'Mona Lisa'? Since he's not an expert on paintings, he probably shouldn't have an opinion on that either.

Leon - I know how you get when your friends are picked on, but I hope you realize that our responses (mine, anyway) aren't personal. The book was a great read, but having participated in the Cobb/Edwards discussions before the book was published, when I finally read the book I was amazed that anyone who had read our discussions could really believe that these guys were honest, or that the card might be real. O'Keefe had access to a LOT of expert opinions and he referenced our board repeatedly in the book. What he should have been saying was, "If these guys are legit, they'll send the card to PSA or SGC - end of story." They didn't do that, O'Keefe didn't recommend it. He backed the poor oppressed guys and got better readership. I get it, I just don't agree with his method.

[MW1]

Here's what Michael O'Keeffe had to say about Cobb and Edwards and their bogus T206 Wagner in an interview in 2007:

I don’t know if their card is legit. I’m not qualified to determine that. A paper expert and an ink expert have both said the card appears to be from the turn of the century, but it could be a common T206 with a fake Wagner front slapped on it.

I think their story has a lot to do with being outsiders to the industry, and to a lesser extent, with the fact that they are African-American. I think this hobby is dominated by white, upper-class guys with plenty of disposable income, and they took it as an affront that a couple of black guys were trying to get into their club.

The guys on the (internet) collectors forums were especially brutal. With all the problems the memorabilia hobby suffers from, you’d think these guys would have something better to do than rag on two working-class guys. The comments were vicious and racist and ugly and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Source: http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com...ffe-interview/

[botn]

The Cobb Edwards situation is far from the only time O'Keeffe demonstrated he was an amateur. His numerous articles/blog posts regarding Mastro and Legendary are incredibly biased and not well researched.

[Leon]

I was told today that my statement I made in this thread seems to be racist. I am far from a racist in my opinion and was merely describing how I felt those 2 individuals believe they have been ridiculed because of their race. It's sort of like saying someone is racist and being called a racist for stating the opinion of someone else being racist. At any rate, I don't take any of this personally. I am not the one trying to persuade the world my card is real when it's obviously not. And as far as anyone disagreeing with me about O'keefe, that is fine too. Just make sure your name is public and say what you want to. (per the open rules of course)

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

I was told today that my statement I made in this thread seems to be racist. I am far from a racist in my opinion and was merely describing how I felt those 2 individuals believe they have been ridiculed because of their race. It's sort of like saying someone is racist and being called a racist for stating the opinion. At any rate, I don't take any of this personally. I am not the one trying to persuade the world my card is real when it's obviously not. And as far as anyone disagreeing with me about O'keefe, that is fine too. Just make sure your name is public and say what you want to. (per the open rules of course)

O'Keefe apparently feels that it is okay for you to disagree with someone as long as they are of your skin color. If they are not, then you are a racist.

But by putting such logic into practice, Mr. O'Keefe is failing to treat all people equally, thus making him the actual racist - by definition.

As long as he picks up the check half the time, and he's pleasant to talk with, I guess it's okay.

[MW1]

I find it unusual that Michael O'Keeffe writes so many articles about dealers and collectors like Bill Mastro and Peter Nash and all of the fraud they have perpetuated and yet the alleged #1 perpetrator--perhaps the king of fraudulent memorabilia--Barry Halper--gets a pass. If O'Keeffe has the time to write an article about how Bill Mastro is "still buying cards on eBay" (source: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ite...chases-on-ebay), surely he has the wherewithal to scribble a few lines about the millions of dollars of fake jerseys, autographs, etc. that Halper sold to private individuals and the Baseball Hall of Fame, doesn't he?

Examples: http://deadspin.com/5818225/the-down...-bernie-madoff

“Given the evidence that has come to light in the past several years, the Hall of Fame should immediately reconsider the naming of that gallery to honor Barry Halper. I do not think he deserves the honor.” ~ Fay Vincent, Former Commissioner of Major League Baseball

http://www.guerrillaexplorer.com/mys...f-memorabilia/

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/s...Ck0tZrKbJX1dXN

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by Leon

I was told today that my statement I made in this thread seems to be racist. I am far from a racist in my opinion and was merely describing how I felt those 2 individuals believe they have been ridiculed because of their race. It's sort of like saying someone is racist and being called a racist for stating the opinion of someone else being racist. At any rate, I don't take any of this personally. I am not the one trying to persuade the world my card is real when it's obviously not. And as far as anyone disagreeing with me about O'keefe, that is fine too. Just make sure your name is public and say what you want to. (per the open rules of course)

I didn't read what you said as being racist Leon.

The "race card" is getting old...........

Sincerely, Clayton

[Runscott]

"The guys on the (internet) collectors forums were especially brutal. With all the problems the memorabilia hobby suffers from, you’d think these guys would have something better to do than rag on two working-class guys. The comments were vicious and racist and ugly and they should be ashamed of themselves."

When I read the above I actually blushed in embarrassment for O'Keefe. That is truly one of the most ignorant things I've ever read from a professional journalist.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm curious - does O'Keefe know that the 'Mona Lisa' is the 'Mona Lisa'? Since he's not an expert on paintings, he probably shouldn't have an opinion on that either.

Even the experts aren't sure anymore.

http://news.msn.com/world/fresh-proo...inal-mona-lisa

I just had to link to that. It came up on MSN tonight and the timing was right

Steve Birmingham