All the Cubs

[Misunderestimated]

History is really baseball's greatest advantage over the other sports. The Cubs have been around since 1876 (not as the "Cubs, but still). I think the team HOF should have a different standard than the Cooperstown standard. As a lifelong (50+ years!) Cubs fan I'm happy with Kessinger and Buckner despite their modern "analytic" shortcomings. For a few seasons Buckner was the Cubs the preeminent player -- we thought he was their best. That's got to mean something. I felt like Kessinger was their dependable SS forever when I was kid.
A team HOF - as opposed to the big one in Cooperstown -- should be more about fandom and little less about achievement as reflected in the modern "numbers."

[Shankweather]

Originally Posted by Misunderestimated

History is really baseball's greatest advantage over the other sports. The Cubs have been around since 1876 (not as the "Cubs, but still). I think the team HOF should have a different standard than the Cooperstown standard. As a lifelong (50+ years!) Cubs fan I'm happy with Kessinger and Buckner despite their modern "analytic" shortcomings. For a few seasons Buckner was the Cubs the preeminent player -- we thought he was their best. That's got to mean something. I felt like Kessinger was their dependable SS forever when I was kid.
A team HOF - as opposed to the big one in Cooperstown -- should be more about fandom and little less about achievement as reflected in the modern "numbers."

I completely agree. I incorporate a lot of non-stat stuff into my ranking like playing time, all-star games, playoff appearances, awards and so on. Even so my ranking doesn't perfectly measure what a Cubs Hall of Famer is, but for me it's nice to have a starting point that's objective and the same for all players across eras.

Your point about Kessinger is well taken (not Buckner though, I'll never get that). But you used the words "felt" and "when I was a kid." At some point someone felt that way about Woody English and Charlie Hollocher too. Why aren't they in the Cubs Hall? The fact that the selection skews toward one particular team so heavily is a red flag for me. Guys who played in the 60s were honored in the 80s. Not shocking. But "I remember when they played" shouldn't be such a big factor. That's not fair to the players of 80 or 100 or 120 years ago.

[Shankweather]

Finally sent this one in to get authenticated by PSA. 1885 Chicago White Stockings.

Is that a different font on the flip? Is this a new thing, or is it just because it's an odd card?

[molenick]

I can't comment on the flip but what a great card! I would have called it a cdv or cabinet (I have seen both with deckle-edges) depending on the size (it's hard to tell how big it is from the scan). But whatever you call it, it looks amazing to me.

[Shankweather]

Thanks! Not as big as you think, about 3.5" x 5.5". The size seems somewhere between a cabinet and a cdv. Not sure why they went with "photocard." I think they were too busy grading Pokemon cards to give mine a lot of attention. It took them two months to finally decide they would authenticate it.

[Shankweather]

I've been trying to finish this Johnny Evers "rainbow" for a while now. There aren't too many purple options from the tobacco card era. The only one I know is a 1911 E94 Close Candy, and those don't come up often (total PSA pop 28, but only a few of those are purple). Anybody have a purple Johnny Evers for me?



Here's an example of the E94 Evers:

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by Shankweather

Finally sent this one in to get authenticated by PSA. 1885 Chicago White Stockings.

Is that a different font on the flip? Is this a new thing, or is it just because it's an odd card?

Stephen—Great piece. That “card” was given out for the first game at West Side Park, the Cubs new home in 1885. The team had just moved from Lakefront Park leaving behind lots of memories and the ability of Ned Williamson to hit home runs.

[Shankweather]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Stephen—Great piece. That “card” was given out for the first game at West Side Park, the Cubs new home in 1885. The team had just moved from Lakefront Park leaving behind lots of memories and the ability of Ned Williamson to hit home runs.

Wow that's great info! Is there a source for that?

[Shankweather]

It seems very early for the new Cubs Hall of Fame to be having its Harold Baines moment, but I think it's here. My thoughts on the Hall of Fame merits of José Cardenal.

https://allthecubs.com/2022/08/25/jose-cardenal/

[BioCRN]

Yeah, I like Cardenal...but Cubs HOF?

Guy was a decent hitter, but terrible in the field. He doesn't even rank in the top of ABs or PAs for the Cubs to get him there just out of longevity.

I don't have a heavy protest, but it's a weak addition to the Cubs HOF.