Burdick Award finalists

[drcy]

As a side note, the Nobel Prize is given only to living people (sorry, Rosalind Franklin fans). There were even questions if John Nash deserved his because, while alive, he hadn't worked in some years due to being schizophrenic.

[Al C.risafulli]

I'm so thrilled to see Mike recognized this way. I have such an appreciation for SABR and all they do, and so I know how much diligence must've gone into this.

If you are of a certain vintage, as I am, the various TCMA issues were absolutely vital - so many of us kids in the 70s and 80s were infatuated with cards but didn't have the budgets for the real "oldies" (as we called them). It was through the TCMA issues that we learned about the '27 Yankees, the '60 Pirates, the great players and teams of yesteryear - and also the thousands of minor league players and teams scattered throughout the country that, in the days before cable TV and 24-hour sports networks, we would never have otherwise learned about.

I remember I would rip out old TCMA ads from hobby publications and circle the sets I wanted, so that my mom could pick out a few for my birthday every year. I still remember getting that 1927 Yankees set, the joy of owning a Babe Ruth baseball card, and reading the stats on the backs of players I'd never heard about before. From there, it was only a few steps away from trying to track down actual playing days cards of some of those guys.

I'd bet that Mike Aronstein and TCMA are probably responsible for creating more vintage collectors than anyone. I know that there were a lot of worthy candidates for this, so, bravo to SABR, kudos to Mike.

-Al

[GeoPoto]

Originally Posted by drcy

As a side note, the Nobel Prize is given only to living people (sorry, Rosalind Franklin fans). There were even questions if John Nash deserved his because, while alive, he hadn't worked in some years due to being schizophrenic.

The Nobel "Prize" is more than recognition/honor, the prize is $$$. It is expected to reward accomplishment and subsidize further discovery, which doesn't work as well with those who have passed.

[drcy]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

The Nobel "Prize" is more than recognition/honor, the prize is $$$. It is expected to reward accomplishment and subsidize further discovery, which doesn't work as well with those who have passed.

Good point. Except many Nobel Prize winners are really old, and it is given when they are retired.

[Leon]

Congrats to all of the recipients. Very well deserved!
I also hope SABR will do an all inclusive HOF of collectors with our founding fathers (deceased) included. Personally, I don't think there can be anyone ahead of the person named for the award.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...Burdick+letter

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[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by Leon

Congrats to all of the recipients. Very well deserved!

I also hope SABR will do an all inclusive HOF of collectors with our founding fathers (deceased) included. Personally, I don't think there can be anyone ahead of the person named for the award.



https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...Burdick+letter



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I will take the idea to the Awards Subcommittee. No shortage of deserving folks!

[Exhibitman]

I'd suggest that Beckett was an overall positive contributor to the hobby but less of a pioneer than a refiner. Card publications and card pricing publications preceded Beckett's work but he definitely took it into the modern age. To analogize, he didn't invent the game of baseball but he did organize the modern professional league.

Echoing Al's comments, as a child of the 1970s I too have a soft spot for TCMA. I even collect the cards today.

[TCMA]

Thought you guys might be interested in my new thread, related to the convention my father hosted at his home 50 years ago today :

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...37#post1962237