Share your contrarian hobby opinions

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Grading has ruined the hobby.

Very hard to argue with that (says the guy who, sadly, will be bidding on graded cards on eBay tonight). Ugh.

[ullmandds]

Rarer cards of ruth/cobb should be more coveted and valuable than t206's and goudeys.

[Chris Counts]

I like trimmed cards. I bust everything I buy out of the slab it came in. I ignore the constant advice to focus my collection. Instead, I collect just about anything that's vintage, related to baseball and looks cool. I believe Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and 1952 Topps cards are overrated. And I'm puzzled why people take the Hall of Fame so seriously.

[Bicem]

Marilyn Monroe stuff is greatly undervalued, she's every bit the American icon that Babe Ruth is.

[Jason19th]

I second the trimmed cards love. I makes no sense why these beauties are considered to be trash

[Jstottlemire1]

Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax cards are over rated 🙋🏻*♂️

[Clutch-Hitter]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

I LOVE that the 56 Topps set is packed with a combo of HOFers: Mick, Jackie, Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Williams, and on, and on...Plus Jackie's last card and Mick's triple crown year, depicting an amazing catch and the absolute most joyous smile ever.

Mick’s best card imo. Also Feller in the set:

[Peter_Spaeth]

I don't get the point of collecting most sets with 75 percent common players nobody gives a damn about. How someone can be psyched to pick up a Karger or Abbatachio or Hoblitzell or Dooin or whoever is beyond me.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

More Ee-Yah beauty!!

That is a great run!
.

[boneheadandrube]

I crack cards out of PSA to send to SGC for my collection.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by boneheadandrube

I crack cards out of PSA to send to SGC for my collection.

I do the same, although SGC hands out A's way too much due to grader inexperience.

[BearBailey]

T213 are the first reprint cards ever.

[Writehooks]

I really like the SSPC set.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Writehooks

I really like the SSPC set.

Me2

[sreader3]

Kellogg’s are the Van Goghs of baseball cards because of the blurred 3D backgrounds. I never tire of looking at them. Especially the original 1970 set.

[Mark17]

Top pic is Ty Cobb, well documented. So is this T202. Note the stripes on the cap.

[chadeast]

To steal another member's line, A is for Awesome! Especially when they can be had for beat up PSA/SGC 1 prices. Personally having zero faith in any TPG's ability to detect more carefully performed trimming / alterations makes this an easy bridge for me to cross.

[Exhibitman]

The following cards are hideous:
--1933 Goudey Foxx
--1933 Goudey Gehrig
--T206 Young glove showing
--T206 Speaker
--E90 Jackson
--1952 Topps Mays
--National League T205s
--R427 blue tint
--W512, W513, W9316, IFS Blue and Orange, Universal Toy & Novelty strips

T227s are lousy likenesses of the subjects.

The premium for the Obak Ten Million card is asinine.

Just because a player was a great player doesn't mean his cards are worth as much as he was. Frank Robinson, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Rogers Hornsby, etc.: sorry collectors, but their cards are never going to be on the same level as Ruth, Cobb, Johnson, Aaron, Mantle or Gehrig, no matter how much we discuss it.

Willie Mays is not less popular than Mickey Mantle because of race: he was an asshat who played for the least popular NY team for a few years and spent most of his career in the godforsaken frozen wasteland of Candlestick Park. He is less popular because his fan base is much smaller.

Joe Jackson was a crooked player who should never get into the HOF. Ditto Pete Rose.

Racist players from the Jim Crow era who are in the Hall of Fame should stay right where they are: do not erase history, learn from it.

Anything made from 1981-1988 is junk wax. Period. Anything made after 1989 is shiny crap. Period. Have fun with it, play with it, speculate with it, but recognize it for what it is in the end: recycling.

Anyone who spends more than $1,000 on a card, or who owns more than $10,000 of cards, and says that they don't care about the value of their cards, is lying.

The set registry is stupid. Bunch of insecure old white guys comparing pee-pees.

The National should be in Chicago every year. Good venue, easy airport, lots of hotels and food. If the show isn't going anywhere west of Chicago or south of AC, it isn't a National it is a northeastern regional. Just stick it in Chicago and stop pretending.

Long baseball pants are an abomination and should be banned immediately. The players today look like kids in their favorite team PJs.

Pitch counts are for wimps.

Michael Jordan is overrated.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I agree with a lot of what Adam says, but I think many vintage collectors are off base about the strength and lasting power of modern cards. They have and I believe will continue to have a huge following, much bigger than our vintage community.

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The following cards are hideous:
--1933 Goudey Foxx
--1933 Goudey Gehrig
--T206 Young glove showing
--T206 Speaker
--E90 Jackson
--1952 Topps Mays
--National League T205s
--R427 blue tint
--W512, W513, W9316, IFS Blue and Orange, Universal Toy & Novelty strips

T227s are lousy likenesses of the subjects.

The premium for the Obak Ten Million card is asinine.

Just because a player was a great player doesn't mean his cards are worth as much as he was. Frank Robinson, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Rogers Hornsby, etc.: sorry collectors, but their cards are never going to be on the same level as Ruth, Cobb, Johnson, Aaron, Mantle or Gehrig, no matter how much we discuss it.

Willie Mays is not less popular than Mickey Mantle because of race: he was an asshat who played for the least popular NY team for a few years and spent most of his career in the godforsaken frozen wasteland of Candlestick Park. He is less popular because his fan base is much smaller.

Joe Jackson was a crooked player who should never get into the HOF. Ditto Pete Rose.

Racist players from the Jim Crow era who are in the Hall of Fame should stay right where they are: do not erase history, learn from it.

Anything made from 1981-1988 is junk wax. Period. Anything made after 1989 is shiny crap. Period. Have fun with it, play with it, speculate with it, but recognize it for what it is in the end: recycling.

Anyone who spends more than $1,000 on a card, or who owns more than $10,000 of cards, and says that they don't care about the value of their cards, is lying.

The set registry is stupid. Bunch of insecure old white guys comparing pee-pees.

The National should be in Chicago every year. Good venue, easy airport, lots of hotels and food. If the show isn't going anywhere west of Chicago or south of AC, it isn't a National it is a northeastern regional. Just stick it in Chicago and stop pretending.

Long baseball pants are an abomination and should be banned immediately. The players today look like kids in their favorite team PJs.

Pitch counts are for wimps.

Michael Jordan is overrated.

Preach. Although I don’t agree with it all, this post contains is very truthful takes.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Two things:

1. I think the 57 Topps set the standard and model for the modern day card.

I wouldn't say this is even remotely contrarian.

[BioCRN]

1913 National Game/Tom Barker Game cards are underappreciated considering the quality of image for a smaller non-exhibit/postcard sized card.

1911 Sporting Life (M116) has been undervalued for way too long considering it's size and checklist.

Neither issues are common or mega-rare, but it's not too hard to find examples of either of these issues in great shape when you do run across them.

[Tabe]

A couple of mine:

- those who praise the 33 Goudey Lajoie but rip modern cards for manufactured rarity are hypocrites

- the vast, vast majority of T206s are ugly

[rjackson44]

Turkey reds

[seablaster]

Contrarian? How about this:

Stop bumping BST posts with another post to say "Sold!" It now places the unavailable item at the top. Just edit the original post to indicate the item is sold. Case closed. It's not that hard people.

Oh, and yes, the T227 Cobb is based off the T5 Pinkerton image, but he looks like Telly Savalas and it sucks.

[Lucas00]

1953 topps is boring and ugly, especially compared to ‘53 bowman color.

[JollyElm]

519. Fool’s Sold
Adding a new post to your own thread (that everyone is now forced to read) to declare that the card has been sold, instead of simply editing the title to reflect this fact.

[rhettyeakley]

-T212 Obak's are superior to T206, and it isn't close.

-1910-1920's cards with actual photos of players are superior to cartoonish representations from most of the litho sets made in the 1910's and 1930's.

-Cards of obscure players are more interesting than those of stars

-True rarity trumps Condition rarity

-People that don't collect sets are doing it wrong

[refz]

-1953 Bowman color is the most attractive set
-1933 Goudey Ruth 149 is the better of the 4
-1952 Bowman’s Mantle and Mays both are far better looking than 1951/2 examples
-1952-54 Topps are not my favorites
-T206 Cobb red portrait is nicer looking than the green
-T205 set is underrated
-Any vintage card high grade is an asset
-Todays prices are absurd

[BuzzD]

Colgan's are the best source of actual player photos

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

T213 are the first reprint cards ever.

Right, so although I don't agree, I think you are on the side of the prevailing view, which is not contrarian. I was thinking this thread would be wilder than it is. Like views on the BSF, etc. It all seems pretty tame. No matter what I say on here, someone has a counterpoint. No matter what it is. Save me the part about Modern Collecting. Buying a new Ferrari is not collecting Ferrari's.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

T213 are the first reprint cards ever.

Better than 1915 Cracker Jack?

[toledo_mudhen]

-1955 Topps is the greatest Postwar Set ever produced and (Per Al)

-1952 Topps is an overrated set (Dont care if I never own the Mantle)
-Grading has been a huge benefit to the hobby
-Modern collectors and investors are all collectors, there's room for all of us

and go..........

[Vintagedeputy]

I buy tobacco cards for the player on the front. The advertising on the back means absolutely nothing to me. I suppose that the different backs are interesting to some, but when I look at a card my first thought is not Piedmont or Uzit? Who cares?

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by drcy

I like the 1940s MP & Co. cards

The Armour Coins is one of the best ever issues

I'm right there with you on both of these.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by trambo

T205 is a much better set than T206..........

Agreed! I'll take a T206 over a T206 any day.

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

For pre-War cards, collecting cards from obscure sets is more fun than collecting T206s, T205s, and 1933 Goudeys.

For post-War cards, collecting cards from regional sets is more fun than collecting Bowman & Topps. The neatest Bowman set is the 1955 TV set.

T206's aren't obscure if you're just looking to complete the set based on the front images but there are many "obscure" combo's in the set even in the "common" backs.

It took me 10 years to find this combo
img837.jpg

I recently picked up this tough combo
img835.jpg

minus the Niles image I posted I will paypal $50 to anyone that can post scans of 2 different cards of this combo and $100 to anyone that can post 3.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Pat R

T206's aren't obscure if you're just looking to complete the set based on the front images but there are many "obscure" combo's in the set even in the "common" backs.

It took me 10 years to find this combo
Attachment 521625

I recently picked up this tough combo
Attachment 521626

minus the Niles image I posted I will paypal $50 to anyone that can post scans of 2 different cards of this combo and $100 to anyone that can post 3.

I think this belongs in the hijack thread!!!!

[bn2cardz]

T202 is the best pre-war set. It has bios, stats, action photos, portrait photos, b/w photos, and color art... All on one card. Plus it has rare variations and back/front combos.

It essentially has everything. The only real knock on it is the size, but even then some have decided to collect the panels themselves.

[Bigdaddy]

With all due respect to Kevin Costner in Bull Durham, "Well, I believe in the soul... the c*ck...the p&$$y... the small of a woman's back... the hangin' curveball... high fiber... good scotch... that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent overrated crap... I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days."

Personally, I believe:

With the exception of Conlon photos, generally color cards are superior to black and white cards

T206 portraits are overrated.

T205 cards are superior to T206.

Pete and Joe Jax should have to buy a ticket to get into the HOF.

Dale Murphy, Don Mattingly, Smokey Joe Wood and Lefty O'Doul should be in the HOF.

1954 Topps is the worst Topps set of the 1950s.

The A's of the 1970's are underrated.

90% of the shiny new stuff will severely depreciate in the next five years.

Teddy Ballgame was a better player (on the field) than Joltin' Joe. Off the field is another story.

Baseball cards from the mid 1930's to 1950 suck.

1954 Bowman cards have gotten better with age.

TPAs have brought more money into the hobby.

More money in the hobby has ushered in more bad actors.

How many 1971 Thurman Munson's are enough? Just one more.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by seablaster

Contrarian? How about this:

Stop bumping BST posts with another post to say "Sold!" It now places the unavailable item at the top. Just edit the original post to indicate the item is sold. Case closed. It's not that hard people.

I am guilty of that and I apologize. I did not initially realize how to edit the title of a thread to reflect that an item had been sold.

[Eggoman]

OK, I'll stick my neck on the chopping block, too!

I NEVER liked the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee card and I do NOT think that The Mick looks good on his 1956 Topps, either!

There, I said it and I feel better now. I should probably run and hide, too!

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Eggoman

OK, I'll stick my neck on the chopping block, too!

I NEVER liked the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee card and I do NOT think that The Mick looks good on his 1956 Topps, either!

There, I said it and I feel better now. I should probably run and hide, too!

Pee Wee card is indeed highly overrated. So blurry you can't make out details. Is it a painting or a photo? Musial card is his best, however. Same for Hodges and Lockman.

[Eric72]

Contrarian views:

• T205 cards look hideous
• Nolan Ryan was overrated (and his rookie card is U-G-L-Y)
• I have a great deal of respect for the Baseball Hall of Fame
• The two greatest team sports are Baseball and Hockey. Watching football or basketball instantly lowers the intelligence level of the viewer.
• 1955 Bowman Baseball cards are beautiful
• Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens belong in the Hall of Fame

[Jerry G]

I really dislike horizontal cards like 1955 and 1956 Topps. My hands were perfectly made to hold and appreciate cards vertically. With a horizontal card I need to twist my hand down awkwardly. This is supposed to be fun? A premium price for T206 Pelty because it is sideways? Please.

1953 Bowman set is beautiful but, that Pee Wee Reese card? The majority of the picture is sky and dirt. Reese's whole body is represented by less than an inch tall. Why is he wearing a red sweatshirt? Is that a Dodger teammate laying on second base? Why is there no flying dust? Where are the other players and umpires? AND it's horizonal!

[vintagechris]

Collecting cards of lesser known players is more interesting than collecting HOFers. I really enjoy learning interesting facts about the lesser known players.

[rats60]

The 1952 Topps set is the ugliest set ever made. As kids when we got a Flexichrome card (such as the 1959 Bob Gibson), they looked hideous and we hated them. What could be worse than a whole set of them?

The 1953 Topps set isn't much better. They look like failed High School art projects and many don't even look like the players. I don't know how Topps stayed in business in 1951-1954 with such poor designs compared to Bowman.

1949 Leaf and 1955 Bowman are ugly too. The printing quality was so bad on the Leafs, it is no wonder the 2nd series sold poorly and the rest of the set was never made. The color TVs are ridiculous on the 1955 Bowmans and it doesn't help that you open a pack and the cards are different sizes. It is no wonder that it was Bowman's last set, they clearly were out of good ideas.

For prewar cards, I don't get the fascination with Delongs, Diamond Stars or Cracker Jacks. An oversized player in an undersized stadium? No thanks. The backgrounds on Diamond Stars? Yuck. The only thing worse is all bright red backgrounds of Cracker Jacks.

The 1952 Topps Mantle is the 1951 Bowman Paul Richards of Topps cards. Who thought it would be funny to give Mickey a bright yellow bat? Flexichrome was bad enough, an ugly cartoonish card just made it the worst.

Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax cards are under valued. Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb cards are way over valued.

The PSA 8 t206 Honus Wagner belongs in a PSA 8 holder. PSA graded sheet cut cards for a long time. I believe Beckett still grades sheet cut cards. In the junk wax era, Topps sold uncut sheets by the pallet to other companies because they did a much better job of cutting them. I would be willing to bet most if not all PSA 10s from this era where cards not cut by Topps. Why do people pick on one card when there are thousands of sheet cut cards in PSA holders with numbers?

Speaking of the t206 Wagner, if a 52 Topps Mantle sells for 7 figures as do a few modern cards, all t206 Wagners should be 8 figures. Also, t206 Planks and 1933 Goudey Lajoies should be worth more than any post war card, as well as several other key prewar cards. Prewar cards and way under valued and postwar cards are way over valued.

Nolan Ryan is one of the greatest pitchers ever. He has one of the lowest FIPs of the live ball era, the lowest H/9 ever and his ERA of 3.19 is solid despite having some pretty bad defenses behind him. He should have won 4 Cy Young awards (1973, 1977, 1981 and 1987). Although his cards are as overrated/overvalued as his on field performance was undervalued.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

The 1952 Topps set is the ugliest set ever made. As kids when we got a Flexichrome card (such as the 1959 Bob Gibson), they looked hideous and we hated them. What could be worse than a whole set of them?

The 1953 Topps set isn't much better. They look like failed High School art projects and many don't even look like the players. I don't know how Topps stayed in business in 1951-1954 with such poor designs compared to Bowman.

1949 Leaf and 1955 Bowman are ugly too. The printing quality was so bad on the Leafs, it is no wonder the 2nd series sold poorly and the rest of the set was never made. The color TVs are ridiculous on the 1955 Bowmans and it doesn't help that you open a pack and the cards are different sizes. It is no wonder that it was Bowman's last set, they clearly were out of good ideas.

For prewar cards, I don't get the fascination with Delongs, Diamond Stars or Cracker Jacks. An oversized player in an undersized stadium? No thanks. The backgrounds on Diamond Stars? Yuck. The only thing worse is all bright red backgrounds of Cracker Jacks.

The 1952 Topps Mantle is the 1951 Bowman Paul Richards of Topps cards. Who thought it would be funny to give Mickey a bright yellow bat? Flexichrome was bad enough, an ugly cartoonish card just made it the worst.

Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax cards are under valued. Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb cards are way over valued.

The PSA 8 t206 Honus Wagner belongs in a PSA 8 holder. PSA graded sheet cut cards for a long time. I believe Beckett still grades sheet cut cards. In the junk wax era, Topps sold uncut sheets by the pallet to other companies because they did a much better job of cutting them. I would be willing to bet most if not all PSA 10s from this era where cards not cut by Topps. Why do people pick on one card when there are thousands of sheet cut cards in PSA holders with numbers?

Speaking of the t206 Wagner, if a 52 Topps Mantle sells for 7 figures as do a few modern cards, all t206 Wagners should be 8 figures. Also, t206 Planks and 1933 Goudey Lajoies should be worth more than any post war card, as well as several other key prewar cards. Prewar cards and way under valued and postwar cards are way over valued.

Nolan Ryan is one of the greatest pitchers ever. He has one of the lowest FIPs of the live ball era, the lowest H/9 ever and his ERA of 3.19 is solid despite having some pretty bad defenses behind him. He should have won 4 Cy Young awards (1973, 1977, 1981 and 1987). Although his cards are as overrated/overvalued as his on field performance was undervalued.

End the thread. No one can possibly top this outpouring of contrarian views. Fantastic. As to Wagner, the card is both sheet cut and then trimmed again on top of that. Question, if you can forgive the original sheet cut, does the further deliberate trimming matter?

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by skelly423

I don’t think anyone disagrees with this. DeLongs are the best

I disagree. Delongs are rather drab and unappealing to me. Dont see the attraction at all. Goudeys are way better.

[maniac_73]

Jackie Robinson Well Made Pants and Champs pictures are not a rookie card


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