How well do you know the players you collect?

This is mainly geared towards set collectors since HOF collectors know those players pretty well.

I've always loved the history of the game regardless if it was about the superstars or the unknown player. I think this is why I've always been set collector. I've been running the historical fantasy baseball league for awhile now and I even though I thought I knew who most of the really good players from the 19c were, I've learned about a lot of other really good players and one year wonders that I never knew about.

I set collect strip cards. I agree, when set collecting I nearly enjoy spending $40 on a common over spending $400 on a quality HOF, because I spend more time learning about the more colorful characters, and strange stories in the game. Players like my icon on this forum Pickles Dilhoefer; aside from being one of the great names in the sport, he played two years in the majors for the Philadelphia Quakers/St. Louis Browns. This was the only one card issued of this player (1919-21 w514).

Pickles was the second of a tragic trio of teammates (1916 Portsmouth) who passed away in the prime of their careers. These teammates included Ray Chapman, killed by a pitch thrown by Yankee Carl Mays in 1920, and Austin McHenry who after hitting .350 in 1921 (2nd in the league only to Rogers Hornsby) was diagnosed with and later passed away from a brain tumor (November 1922). Pickles passed away February 1922 from typhoid fever.

A sad chapter in the history of baseball, but of great significance, the Chapman beaning led to many changes in the rules ushering in the live-ball era. It was also speculated that McHenry's tumor was caused by the effects of a beaning in 1916.

funny story, i've always admired nap lajoie and try to collect his stuff. found out last year my brother-in-law's boss is like the direct great grandson of nap himself. he has some cool nap setup and memorabilia in his office.

(ok just reread what i wrote, maybe not that funny...)