Most underappreciated/undercollected players

[phikappapsi]

Hey fellas - this is probably a topic that's been hashed out on these boards a few times; but who doesn't like circling back on old conversations?

Just curious if anyone has strong feelings about guys they think are just massively undervalued, under-collected, or underappreciated in the hobby relative to their contribution to the game.

For me; I've always found it curious just how small the premium is for Rogers Hornsby. Maybe just the era he played in was that gap period that seems to exist between the Tobacco and Gum card waves? Or maybe he's just not a name that gets enough play in the history of the game? But one of the greatest pure hitters in the history of the game, right there in the conversation with Cobb and Teddy, but seems to get very little love.

[rainier2004]

Pre was - WaJo. I know, he is collected by a bunch of guys but still... He is arguably the best pitcher in history, was always a class act and riddled with misfortune throughout his life. IMO he isn't collected near as much as the other 4 in the inaugural HOF class and his cards seem to be worth the least of those.

Post war - Al Kaline, Mr. Tiger, as solid as they get. His lifetime stats aren't quite as impressive as some but he is as big of art of an organization as player can get. Does anyone remember he refused his bonus one year b/c he said he didn't play well enough to deserve it?

[Throttlesteer]

Harry Heilmann. Overshadowed by Cobb, but quietly lethal at the plate.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

Pre was - WaJo. I know, he is collected by a bunch of guys but still... He is arguably the best pitcher in history, was always a class act and riddled with misfortune throughout his life. IMO he isn't collected near as much as the other 4 in the inaugural HOF class and his cards seem to be worth the least of those.

Post war - Al Kaline, Mr. Tiger, as solid as they get. His lifetime stats aren't quite as impressive as some but he is as big of art of an organization as player can get. Does anyone remember he refused his bonus one year b/c he said he didn't play well enough to deserve it?

Walter did suffer several devastating tragedies, beginning with the death of his young daughter in 1921 and especially his wife's passing suddenly in 1930 at the age of 36. He never really got over that one. But "riddled with misfortune all his life" overstates the case, in fact he had the kind of charmed life most people could only dream about until he was in his mid-30s.

[stutor]

Grover Cleveland Alexander

[luciobar1980]

Eddie Collins

[WahooSam]

Larry Doby, Hank Thompson, Willard Brown and Dan Bankhead. Jackie, Campy and Satchel get all the attention.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Frank Robinson.
To some extent, Stan Musial.

[Fred]

Indian Bob Johnson

[Bram99]

Harold Baines?

Just kidding.

Early 1900’s: Hornsby, Alexander.Chase
1930’s: Dean, Gehringer and Greenberg
Golden age 40’s-50’s: Doby, Allie Reynolds,
1980’s: Golden and Fernando
1990’s: Visquel
All Martinez team: Edgar, Pedro
All Morris team: Jack
Flashes in the pan: Karl Spooner and Herb Score (due to injury)

[bcbgcbrcb]

Lots of good candidates on the Negro League side but I'll go with Oscar Charleston, great 5 tool player.

[ejharrington]

Generally, stars who fall short of HOF, especially if there's still a shot they can get in later.

[fairport4]

I have not seen a Jim Shaw autograph appear in any of the ususal sports memorabilia auctions and Ebay over the past several years of sports collecting and am enquiring if any one either possesses a Shaw autograph or cut or knows of one which another collector has. Given he lived to 1962, there should be late in his life autographs available to the sports marketplace but the supply seems limited to almost non-existent.

[Tripp Trapp]

I’m partial to the “what could have been”...
Addie Joss
Smoky Joe
Buck Weaver
Ross Youngs

[Bram99]

Originally Posted by fairport4

I have not seen a Jim Shaw autograph appear in any of the ususal sports memorabilia auctions and Ebay over the past several years of sports collecting and am enquiring if any one either possesses a Shaw autograph or cut or knows of one which another collector has. Given he lived to 1962, there should be late in his life autographs available to the sports marketplace but the supply seems limited to almost non-existent.

There was a guy who this board "outed" recently would could probably make one for you.

[fairport4]

anyone come across a Jim Shaw autograph (he played for the Senators from 1913 to 1921 deceased 1962).... have been looking for a while and even large scale vintage autograph collections coming to market in auction catalogues are missing this autograph

if you find one out there please contact me