What drives the hobby love for certain players? Ozzie Smith as an example...

[bk400]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

OP, we're begging you!!

Three easy steps:
1. Hit "Edit" in the original post
2. Hit "Go Advanced"
3. Correct the frickin' title of this thread by changing the "Why" to "What" (and perhaps add "the" before "hobby")!!!!!!!!

Sorry about that -- done and done.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by bk400

Sorry about that -- done and done.

Thank God, now I can finally sleep at night!

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Thank God, now I can finally sleep at night!

:OCD:OCD:OCD

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[Exhibitman]

The conviviality factor is definitely there. I was a big Willie Mays fan as a kid. He was at the end of his career with the Mets when i got to see him play in a game in person for the only time. I even assembled a complete run of his Topps cards. Then I 'met' him at a show. Not even a hello or an acknowledgment of my existence. Just a scrawl on a ball, rolled across the table to a handler. I was so disappointed, I dumped my Mays cards. I've since bought back several. Now, Willie is at the pinnacle of the game regardless of his being a shit, but for a middling HOFer, being a fan favorite is a definite plus in terms of hobby memory. I think that add something to value.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The conviviality factor is definitely there. I was a big Willie Mays fan as a kid. He was at the end of his career with the Mets when i got to see him play in a game in person for the only time. I even assembled a complete run of his Topps cards. Then I 'met' him at a show. Not even a hello or an acknowledgment of my existence. Just a scrawl on a ball, rolled across the table to a handler. I was so disappointed, I dumped my Mays cards. I've since bought back several. Now, Willie is at the pinnacle of the game regardless of his being a shit, but for a middling HOFer, being a fan favorite is a definite plus in terms of hobby memory. I think that add something to value.

In point of fact, I'm not sure if Ozzie is even the best example of a player who gets outsized hobby love. How about Dwight Gooden and Dale Murphy? Neither are in the Hall of Fame (Murphy might have a chance?), but their rookie cards in good condition seem to trade like those of Hall of Famers.

But as it relates to conviviality, both guys seem to have a massive following with fans as a general matter.

[Exhibitman]

Bo Jackson was far less popular before he became a regular on the circuit. Now, I sell all of the Jackson cards I put out at shows. Little kids know him.

[tulsaboy]

I think there are some guys who have "cult" followings, groups of people who loved watching those players as a kid and still have a nostalgic fondness for them. I will agree, though, that other than his 1979 and 1980 cards, pretty much most every other "regular" card of Ozzie Smith is basically worthless. The real question might be, is that a product of his status as a player or just the reality of the junk wax era? Even monster players' cards aren't really worth that much after their first couple of years, at least during the junk wax era.

I think that Ozzie, Sandberg, Mattingly, Gooden, Dale Murphy, and Strawberry all get some major hobby love overall that is maybe not in strict keeping with their career stats for a number of reasons, almost of all of which are rooted in nostalgia.

kevin

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

:OCD:OCD:OCD

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Should have been

:OCD:ODC:O:CD

[mrmopar]

First thing I thought of was the Family Fun Center Ozzie cards. Those sell very well, as does his RC, but guessing all the rest outside of the newer, scarce stuff doesn't do as well.

How about Satchel Paige? Especially in recent years, everything vintage at least is pure molten fire.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

First thing I thought of was the Family Fun Center Ozzie cards. Those sell very well, as does his RC, but guessing all the rest outside of the newer, scarce stuff doesn't do as well.

How about Satchel Paige? Especially in recent years, everything vintage at least is pure molten fire.

Yes, I noticed the same thing about Satchel Paige. Would love to understand what is catalyzing the recent interest. The Ozzie Family Fun Center card is weirdly awesome. One of my all time favorites.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

First thing I thought of was the Family Fun Center Ozzie cards. Those sell very well, as does his RC, but guessing all the rest outside of the newer, scarce stuff doesn't do as well.

How about Satchel Paige? Especially in recent years, everything vintage at least is pure molten fire.

Originally Posted by bk400

Yes, I noticed the same thing about Satchel Paige. Would love to understand what is catalyzing the recent interest. The Ozzie Family Fun Center card is weirdly awesome. One of my all time favorites.

Satchel Paige fame is that he is a tall tale, a Chuck Norris. No story sounds unrealistic. And then, well past his prime, he is signed and helps the 48 Indians win a championship. All the public schools teach about Jackie Robinson, and have taught about him for decades. He became more famous with his movie. Kids who like baseball who do any research about Robinson and the Negro leagues are going to discover Paige. And then they discovered that his cards and photos were super cheap, much cheaper than Jackie.

Monte Irvin, Larry Doby, and a few others don't carry the legendary weight that Paige carries.

Bo Jackson carries that legendary status too.

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