Player collectors

Bravesguy44

I am quite active on other boards, but have been more or a lurker here. While I haven't posted much here, I have enjoyed looking at collections and gaining knowledge.

I am a set collector at heart, but I did start a Reggie Jackson registry set a couple of years ago (currently have #5 Topps Master Set). I began wondering about why we collect what we do. For me, Reggie was always my favorite player as a kid, even though I never saw him play (I grew up in the Atlanta area). As a young kid in the mid-70's, Reggie was just cool. He and the A's were so different, I was mesmerized. I continued to follow him as he changed teams throughout his career. To me, he is (arguably) the most iconic player of the 1970's. One of my fondest childhood memories is when I FINALLY convinced my mother to let me stay up late to watch the 6th game of the 1977 World Series. Watching Reggie hit those three homers was a thrill that I will never forget.

As I got back into collecting a few years ago, I resisted starting my Reggie collection because I read all of the stories about how rude he was. After a while, I realized that shouldn't matter. Reggie is a huge part of my childhood and nothing can change that. To be honest, there probably aren't many players that don't have some negative issues tied to them. They are just human. To me, my Reggie player collection is more about my memories of childhood. It represents how I enjoyed baseball and card collecting as a 8-year-old. It has nothing to do with hero worship.

Enough about me. I would love to hear from other player collectors to find out about why you collect certain players.

LarkinCollector

I grew up on the Reds side of Indiana, have vague memories hearing of the Big Red Machine so was always interested in collecting the Bench, Rose, etc. Reds of those days. When it came time to decide who to start a player collection of on the registry, Larkin was the easy choice. I remember fondly going to many Reds games in the mid-80s with my dad and one of those happened to be Larkin's first game in the bigs on a September call up in 1986. I was also there the night Pete Rose became the Hit King, but really only remember the tail end of his career. I collect several other Reds, but they're relegated to binder/raw collections.

VictorLaszlo

Comes down to a few things with me. Did I respect/like the guy when he played or does he have some tie in that helps (Lawrence Taylor for instance, huge respect, and has UNC ties). Memories of being a young collector and not having the $$$ for a top shelf RC at the time but do now (Rickey Henderson). 2 Examples for me. Much like the OP, I at first resisted starting an LT collection because of all the "noise". Then I said f-it it's my money and dude was a monster on the field so I don't care what people say or think otherwise. He's human. Collect what you like, and have fun.

travis t

Frank Robinson. Notoriously unpleasant. Collectible anyways. Willie Mays makes Frank look like a warm cuddle.



Reggie provided me with an unforgettable moment at the '77 WS as he roamed the right field line signing autographs and some young kid handed him a ball and a pen. At that exact moment, a Yankees coach hollered at him to return to the dugout, so he handed back the pen and the ball, unsigned. The kid was crushed.



I was shocked that Reggie actually obliged a coach.

SpinFadeSplash23

The first player I collected was Eric Davis. One of my high school classmates was drafted by the St Louis Reds and somehow met Eric Davis and brought me back a signed black/white photo. Between the photo and his batting stance, I was hooked on Eric Davis. I spent countless hours trying to perfectly mimic his battling style. As years went on, I leaned more towards Michael Jordan, but I just started getting back to collecting Davis. Good memories.

DanBessette

Originally posted by: SpinFadeSplash23

The first player I collected was Eric Davis. One of my high school classmates was drafted by the St Louis Reds and somehow met Eric Davis and brought me back a signed black/white photo. Between the photo and his batting stance, I was hooked on Eric Davis. I spent countless hours trying to perfectly mimic his battling style. As years went on, I leaned more towards Michael Jordan, but I just started getting back to collecting Davis. Good memories.

The St Louis Reds were a monster club. Remember when they had Ozzie Larkin at SS??

TNP777

Originally posted by: DanBessette
The St Louis Reds were a monster club. Remember when they had Ozzie Larkin at SS??

Ozzie Larkin was a terrific Designated Left Fielder, but advanced metrics show that Stan Griffey Jr was far superior, especially with the ladies.

travis t

Aw crud. I high-tailed it to mlb.com in hopes of finding out this merge was real. Anything to rid Earth of the Cardinals.

LarkinCollector

I think it was Ozzie Stillwell when Davis started In all seriousness, Davis was a beast for a few years. IIRC, he was the 2nd highest priced RC for a while in the 85T set behind the McGwire OLY, topping out around $6 in some of the mid-late 80s Beckett mags.

bishop

The St Louis Reds were at least better than when they were only Brown

SpinFadeSplash23

Originally posted by: bishop
The St Louis Reds were at least better than when they were only Brown

You guys are all killing me LOL I would edit it, but the laughs are worth it!!!!!

craig44

I collect players mainly. Collecting them brings me back to being an 12 year old kid. Baseball cards are my time machine

gregmo32

When I was in high school, Magic Johnson was my favorite human being on the planet. I just short of worshiped him.
I hated Larry Bird with a passion, but some of my best friends loved him. Now he is my second favorite player of all time.

I collect them both as Player Sets because they remind me of the carefree days of my youth, when sports were about the only thing I cared much about.

arex

I collect Mike Schmidt and loves watching him play even if it was towards the end of his career. Played third base in HS and played with a card of his in my back pocket lol.
I also love the late 50s-60s hall of Famers. Especially the high end HoFers like Mantle, Koufax, Aaron,Mays,Clemente etc.
so as a kid those were the guys I would hear my dad talking about and they have wedged their way into my heart. So as an adult with more free and disposable income I am now buying those cards when I can find ones that fit my parameters.
There is some OCD involved for sure. I like to stay inside a grade range for whatever year I am in. For example for 58 topps HOF I want 4-5s. But go to 64 topps HOF I want 6-7s but all need to be well centered and have good pictures.
I'm enjoying collecting again which is the most important part