Why on earth is Mookie’s RC so cheap compared to Trout’s?

[TedWill1939]

Red Sox and Betts fan here. A few years ago a commentator, ARod?, was questioning why Mookie isn't a household name? I agree. I got the impression that Mookie is lowkey and possiably didn't seek hype and branding maybe it was the Sox fault? His new home with LA will be telling. If he becomes the "new face of baseball" LA is the place to do it, if he wants it.

I would add that the Sox are a real "hometown" team being on the Dodgers may have a more national appeal. Just some thoughts

I'm glad I have my Betts rookies and happy with the price I paid!

[bxb]

Reminds me of Mantle vs Mays controversy from the 1960s.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I'm a Dodger fan and have quickly fallen in love with Mookie, but Trout has been so damn consistent at such a high level, plus, and don't underestimate this, the hype train was SO huge when he was a prospect coming up at the same time as Harper, and turning out to be clearly superior to him, that it drove his value and there's never been so much as a hiccup in his performance to derail that train.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by bxb

Reminds me of Mantle vs Mays controversy from the 1960s.

Don't overlook the obvious difference:

Mantle is to Mays

as

Trout is to Betts

No controversy, it's just there.
.

[Mike D.]

With Mantle and Mays, the WAR tilt is actually significant in Mays direction.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

With Mantle and Mays, the WAR tilt is actually significant in Mays direction.

Career OPS+

1st Ruth 202
5th Trout 176
7th Mantle 172
19th Mays 156
113th Betts 135

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Career OPS+

1st Ruth 202
5th Trout 176
7th Mantle 172
19th Mays 156
113th Betts 135

OPS+ only measures offense, though, WAR measures offense, defense, and baserunning.

Of course, WAR is also a counting stat, so the fact that Mays had 12,497 plate appearances in his career vs. 9,910 for Mantle is taken into consideration.

[samosa4u]

Mickey Mantle went to the World Series twelve times! When he retired from the game, he had seven rings! He was a true champion! There is a reason why his cards are expensive! As for Trout, I don't know man! This guy has zero World Series appearances, and made the playoffs just once! And despite this, statheads are just punching away at their calculators going "Let me divide his ABs with his WAR and let's multiply this by 52.385 and then subtract this total from his ... oh my godness! Oh my godness! This guy is the best! Wow! Wow! Wow! " It's quite laughable!

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by TedWill1939

Red Sox and Betts fan here. A few years ago a commentator, ARod?, was questioning why Mookie isn't a household name? I agree. I got the impression that Mookie is lowkey and possiably didn't seek hype and branding maybe it was the Sox fault? His new home with LA will be telling. If he becomes the "new face of baseball" LA is the place to do it, if he wants it.

I would add that the Sox are a real "hometown" team being on the Dodgers may have a more national appeal. Just some thoughts

I'm glad I have my Betts rookies and happy with the price I paid!

Maybe he should have someone take his picture kissing himself in the mirror, that ought to do it for the branding.

[sbfinley]

Statistical comparison aside, it boils down to:

1. While similar talents, Trout is widely regarded as the player of this this generation both by the hobby and the sport at large. You could debate the two as long as you like but in almost every facet Trout is “generational” and Betts is “exceptional” by majority. I tend to fall into this camp as well, and it’s direct correlation to hobby prices is obvious.

2. The 2011 Topps Update Trout has taken a life of it own and can now be easily regarded as the most important modern baseball card in the hobby (sans manufactured scarcity) and it could be argued it has cracked the top 10 most important post war baseball cards. The 2014 Betts, while valuable and important, is not in the same standing.

[chaddurbin]

trout is babe ruth mookie is jimmie foxx, that's the more apropos comparison in term of performance. and i love mookie being a dodgers fan, he's been everything and more with the already high expectations.