Mastro Judge Strikes Down Plea Agreement

[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.

[ctownboy]

Correct me if I am wrong but from what I remember about the ORIGINAL thread concerning the Cobb/Edwards Wagner, the people on this board were saying it was fake and giving reasons WHY it was fake and nothing else.

THEN, either Cobb or Edwards came on the board and started arguing with people as to WHY the card, in their opinion, was real. After they were told it was fake and AGAIN given the reasons WHY, they pulled the race card and said something to the effect that the reason why this board didn't want the card to be authentic was because the people on this board were mostly white, wealthy men and thus didn't want a couple of African Americans to be able to join their club.

After that, the board unloaded on Cobb or Edwards for bringing race into the matter when it hadn't been brought up before.

If I am wrong or, like Andy Pettitte, "misremembering" then someone can correct me.

David Smith

[tiger8mush]

some of you are good w/photoshop. Can someone create a picture of two white guys holding the the Cobb/Edwards Wagner? Make sure the two appear like "white, upper-class guys with plenty of disposable income". Maybe that will change our minds on the card and it will suddenly look real!

[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

[Ladder7]

O'Keefe was looking for some buzz for that article, and got it. Class A doosh.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by MW1

... 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 ...

Somewhat off-topic, but I believe I did sell 2-3 cards to Bill Mastro last year (a couple of Goudey PSA 4's and a Goudey PSA 7, I believe). I didn't think it was actually THE Bill Mastro, but just someone else who had the same name from Illinois. However, after reading that article, I think it might be the same person. I did see the PSA 7 get resold a few months later as a part a high grade set break on probstein.

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by MW1

yet the alleged #1 perpetrator--perhaps the king of fraudulent memorabilia--Barry Halper--gets a pass.

If it wasn't nailed down, it wound up in Halper's collection. The man had no scruples or integrity. The hobby still suffers for it.

Bill

[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

[Leon]

Originally Posted by teetwoohsix

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

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

Sincerely, Clayton

Actually, it is O'keefe who told me I was being racist. But I don't care if the guys are green (in the Marine Corps there is no color except green, everyone is either light green or dark green), blue, white, yellow or whatever. The card is still fake (at least the front of Wags is anyway) as Dolly Parton's boobies, regardless of it's owner.

And PS.....Mike W, Mike O. sends his regards.

[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