-----Better Rookie investment: Miggy or Trout?-----

[George_Calfas]

By the current market it appears that Trout is the answer but Miggy has fewer desirable RC and many or condition sensitive.

By the time both are retired I say Miggy, you?

 

[kerryfan5]

I would go miggy, but he is from PED era. Trout is from the so called post Ped era. With that said I go Miggy and it is t close for about 5 more years.

 

[fordman]

Miggy for now. That little Triple Crown thing that he has kinda trumps Trout's career to date. Now if Trout were to belt 700+ homers, my opinion would change.

Fordman

 

[hoopster3977]

I'm in the Miggy camp.

 

[AmishDave]

Depends on when you got in on the 'investment'. If you were in on the first few floors of either, I'd say Trout. I am a huge Miguel 'mark', but the way Trout has exploded, I don't see it slowing down anytime soon, price wise or performance wise. That's what we all thought about Griffey too, then he got traded and never was the same.

 

[bobthewondercat77]

They are both likely at their peak right around now. Neither is a good investment. What could they do to justify further price increases? They have done it all the last couple of years.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

in this hobby? I'll take the white guy.

 

[michaelstepper]

I would love to say miggy BUT it doesn't matter what the career numbers say, I think if trout keeps at this pace or even rounds out and becomes a .290-.310 hitter with 500 hr he'll still get the attention and collectibility of mantle where miggy would be say... Musial? Still nothing to spit at

 

[JoshHamilton]

I don't see how Miggy could get any higher than $1k, especially after his Triple Crown season.

Trout, on the other hand, will see huge gains on his three
"rookie" on-card autos

 

[Brewer Andy]

As an investment? Neither. Both are probably worth more now than they will be 5 years after retirement. But if you're talking who will be "worth" more after retirement regardless of current prices, my betting money would be on miggy

 

[jbhofmann]

Trout.

Highlight plays, fluent English, handsome.

He might be a marketing dream aka Griffey.

 

[Lars]

in this hobby? I'll take the white guy.

Maybe your being ironic or sarcastic, but this is spot on.

 

[bobthewondercat77]

in this hobby? I'll take the white guy.

This is generally true and something I've noticed for a long time (just look at the supremacy of Mantle over Mays and Aaron in vintage). However, I think this trend subsides when there is a profit motive... in the modern RC market, everyone is looking for something that will be valuable in the future, rather than simply collecting a player that they have a personal draw to. Pujols BC, Delmon Young, Puig, there are a lot of examples of the top selling cards being of players that are not exceptionally popular in the fan base.

 

[Topnotchsy]

This is generally true and something I've noticed for a long time (just look at the supremacy of Mantle over Mays and Aaron in vintage). However, I think this trend subsides when there is a profit motive... in the modern RC market, everyone is looking for something that will be valuable in the future, rather than simply collecting a player that they have a personal draw to. Pujols BC, Delmon Young, Puig, there are a lot of examples of the top selling cards being of players that are not exceptionally popular in the fan base.

Mantle had the benefit of Pinstripes. To point to race is ridiculous. And even if then it played a role it's a different generation. Griffey was the most popular player in baseball for a decade. During the home run race in the late 90's Sosa was easily as popular as McGwire. Baseball had only a small percentage of black players so it makes sense that they'll be proportionally more popular white players.

 

[gmsieb]

Trout. Trout on a winning team, may have his 2 mvp's. Trout at 21-22 is as good as miggy in his prime.

 

[matfanofold]

If I had to chose right now, Miggy and it's not really close imho...

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Mantle had the benefit of Pinstripes. To point to race is ridiculous. And even if then it played a role it's a different generation. Griffey was the most popular player in baseball for a decade. During the home run race in the late 90's Sosa was easily as popular as McGwire. Baseball had only a small percentage of black players so it makes sense that they'll be proportionally more popular white players.

Sorry, but your last few posts regarding this topic reeks of your obvious investment in Pujols.

To say that Mantle is FIVE TIMES more valuable than Mays is because of pinstripes? i dont buy it, and I'm not alone.

 

[bobthewondercat77]

Mantle had the benefit of Pinstripes. To point to race is ridiculous. And even if then it played a role it's a different generation. Griffey was the most popular player in baseball for a decade. During the home run race in the late 90's Sosa was easily as popular as McGwire. Baseball had only a small percentage of black players so it makes sense that they'll be proportionally more popular white players.

Mantle was / is an icon to baby boomers. Similar to Elvis or JFK in a certain way, he had a fame that went far beyond his baseball abilities and accomplishments. A black or Latino player couldn't have achieved that kind of status at that time.

Things have changed a ton since the 50s, yes. But fans are still going to identify with the athletes that they see themselves in. MLB fanbase is very white and very affluent compared to the more diverse NFL and NBA fanbases, and this is a problem that MLB acknowledges. Trout being from Jersey, being from the kind of background that he is, presenting the public persona that he does, is part of his being popular. Bryce Harper is similar, although he has had a more invested media savviness and celebrity vibe, and thus less of a All-American image projected.

It's true that Griffey and Sosa and other non-white players have been extraordinarily popular at times, and no one is saying that only white players become popular. But race is a factor in popularity, endorsement deals, media opportunities, jersey sales, and yes even baseball card values. It's true in every aspect of society and it's true in baseball.

 

[Lancemountain]

Griffey has a great smile, is very intelligent and spoke well so he didn't freak out middle america.

McGwire was THE GUY during the home run season. Big, handsome American breed white boy with a cool nickname.

Race matters. If Trout has a long a fruitful career and Miggy continues on his path and both end up in the HOF it won't matter what the final tally is. Trout will outsell Miggy by a large amount.

 

[smapdi]

Was Griffey really the most popular player of the 90s? It depends on the fanbase you're talking about. I recall Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, and Mark McGwire being readied for sainthood at various times. Griffey was the bright new face of the game, but I don't think he really ever reached the iconic status that Ryan and Ripken did. I think maybe Griffey was #2 or #3 at all times, but never really #1 except with card collectors and younger kids.

The question of race in the Mantle vs. Mays and Aaron question is an old one. Blond-haired, blue-eyed Oklahoman who can run like the wind and hit the ball a country mile, comes to New York and becomes an immortal in the third golden age of that team even if he never actually truly met all possibilities due to injury and drink, I think it's inevitable that he'd be a living legend (and then a dead one) for millions of people across the country, especially whites. The other guys, better numbers, Mays arguably a better player, but that's not what the question is.

But as to OP, are we talking about investment now? Trout BC autos are stratospheric, and Miggy's 2000 TTr auto isn't far behind. I wouldn't touch either of them with an eye towards reselling. If I did, I'd go with a Trout gold ref or better.