Does off-field behavior affect your collecting habits?

[Anthony]

I know some collectors reason that players haven't historically been great people. Anson was a racist, Mantle was a drunk, and Cobb used to suffocate children in their sleep. Still, they were great players, so that's what the collectors focus on.

Still, some collectors reason that they don't want cards of a wife beater or ****** in their collection.

And others might feel like this isn't a black and white question. Maybe Furcal has a few too many drinks and gets caught driving--not cool, he could kill innocent people, but he didn't--so I'll keep the card he signed for me. But Giles slaps his wife around (a crime that did hurt someone vs. a crime that could have hurt someone)--inexcusable, so his cards are out of my collection.

Where do you all fall? Feel free to explain your answers.

 

[scotty21690]

I know some collectors reason that players haven't historically been great people. Anson was a racist, Mantle was a drunk, and Cobb used to suffocate children in their sleep. Still, they were great players, so that's what the collectors focus on.

Still, some collectors reason that they don't want cards of a wife beater or ****** in their collection.

And others might feel like this isn't a black and white question. Maybe Furcal has a few too many drinks and gets caught driving--not cool, he could kill innocent people, but he didn't--so I'll keep the card he signed for me. But Giles slaps his wife around (a crime that did hurt someone vs. a crime that could have hurt someone)--inexcusable, so his cards are out of my collection.

Where do you all fall? Feel free to explain your answers.

What? I haven't heard that one before....link?

 

[Anthony]

I know some collectors reason that players haven't historically been great people. Anson was a racist, Mantle was a drunk, and Cobb used to suffocate children in their sleep. Still, they were great players, so that's what the collectors focus on.

Still, some collectors reason that they don't want cards of a wife beater or ****** in their collection.

And others might feel like this isn't a black and white question. Maybe Furcal has a few too many drinks and gets caught driving--not cool, he could kill innocent people, but he didn't--so I'll keep the card he signed for me. But Giles slaps his wife around (a crime that did hurt someone vs. a crime that could have hurt someone)--inexcusable, so his cards are out of my collection.

Where do you all fall? Feel free to explain your answers.

What? I haven't heard that one before....link?

It was a joke--I know Cobb didn't suffocate children in their sleep.

 

[scotty21690]

Odd joke...as the other two examples are not far-fetched...


Nonetheless it doesn't matter much of the players off-field behavior in my PC...and if I like the card and it fits in my PC then I will buy it. Though my main player collections are Doerr and Lynn, so maybe subconsciously off-field behavior matters LOL.

 

[Jays_Cards]

Off the field behavior doesnt matter much to me. As long as the player isnt a murderer or ******, I have no problem with "off the field incidents". They are human beings, and all human beings are prone to making mistakes.

 

[Jeff D]

Sometimes. It depends on the nature of the off-field antics.

If it's, for example, using steroids, I probably care more than I would if it was, let's say, tax evasion.
Rollie Fingers was atop Wisconsin's list of most money owed to the state in back taxes and penalties, and it didn't affect my collecting of him.
The "alleged" steroid use, and subsequent debacle in handling it, by Roger Clemens tarnished my opinion of him, and my desire to to collect any of his cards.

Don't know if everyone considers steroid use technically "off-field" behavior, but I guess I do.

Also, if I already collected the player, I am more likely to overlook an incident or two. But if I was thinking of collecting the player and something negative in their personal life was brought up about them, I would probably put more weight in when deciding.

 

[hive17]

Sometimes. It depends on the nature of the off-field antics.

If it's, for example, using steroids, I probably care more than I would if it was, let's say, tax evasion.
Rollie Fingers was atop Wisconsin's list of most money owed to the state in back taxes and penalties, and it didn't affect my collecting of him.
The "alleged" steroid use, and subsequent debacle in handling it, by Roger Clemens tarnished my opinion of him, and my desire to to collect any of his cards.

Don't know if everyone considers steroid use technically "off-field" behavior, but I guess I do.

Also, if I already collected the player, I am more likely to overlook an incident or two. But if I was thinking of collecting the player and something negative in their personal life was brought up about them, I would probably put more weight in when deciding.

This pretty much sums it up for me as well. I look past some of Braun and Fielder's childish antics because I already collected them. I would NEVER collect Milton Bradley, even if he became a Brewer though, b/c he's a ****** bag.

 

[aaron41984]

Well I would add that if it affects whether or not they get to play, for instance Jeremy Jeffress, it definitely affects my purchases. No way in hell I am going to buy cards of a guy who is dumb enough to fail repeated drug tests. I mean WTF? They sell drinks that flush your system of THC for $40. He could afford to buy one every single day with his signing bonus and keep his job. They also sell those fake "members" with fake pee in them. They even have shampoo for hair tests or he could shave his head! I mean seriously, if you want to get high, I don't care... just don't be stupid about it and fail drug tests over and over.

 

[KOBEARODLT]

no i dont collect cards with pictures of their off field activities, i collect cards that has pictures of them playing baseball, so to me it matters what they do on the field.

 

[NYCrulesU]

I couldn't care less what a player does off the field. I collect baseball cards of baseball players for their baseball skills. Everyone has demons and everyone has skeletons in their closets. I don't idolize any player, I just collect them because either I like them or they've accomplished some record or reached a milestone ON THE FIELD OF PLAY.

 

[Donutme]

I couldn't care less what a player does off the field. I collect baseball cards of baseball players for their baseball skills. Everyone has demons and everyone has skeletons in their closets. I don't idolize any player, I just collect them because either I like them or they've accomplished some record or reached a milestone ON THE FIELD OF PLAY.

+1

Roger Clemens will probable be the greatest pitcher in my lifetime. Big game pitcher and overall career numbers. He was a beast on the hill.

 

[Lars]

I don't care what the media or what other fans think of a particular player, but if just happen to run into a particular player and he seems really rude or does something that offends, then I'm more likely not to collect his cards.

 

[1995BBRefractorGuy]

Odd joke...as the other two examples are not far-fetched...


Nonetheless it doesn't matter much of the players off-field behavior in my PC...and if I like the card and it fits in my PC then I will buy it. Though my main player collections are Doerr and Lynn, so maybe subconsciously off-field behavior matters LOL.

i thought it was funny!

 

[abncollectsautos]

I dont think most people care that much. Miggy Cabrera is a punk and he has a ton of collectors who have his stuff.

 

[JzWand]

Doesnt matter in the least to me.
Perfect example is Mike Tyson. I have been after an autograph card of his for over a year now (unfortunately both released copies go for $200+).

Besides the fact that I dont think he ***** desiree washington and despite his other antics, the guy IMO was one of the most fascinating and exciting athletes of the last quarter century so I want his autograph.

I would also be interested in a OJ Simpson Auto if it were to released by UD or Topps. Despite everything he probably did to his ex wife and Ron Goldman, the man was a great RB in his day.

 

[predatorkj]

Nothing off the field affects what or who I collect.Now...there are two players who I will not collect but its only due to their on the field antics that both me so much.Ozzie Guillen and A.J. Pierzynski(sp?).I am not fond of either one.Ozzie is just out in left field all the time with his way of thinking and is a loose cannon.I am not even sure why he has a job.The man is not professional.Most people in this world can't hold a job if they can't be professional.Plus some of his comments are just outright wrong.As far as A.J....he is a good player but I just don't care for his instigation of crap.If he ever tones that down...I may change my mind.But as far as I am concerned, he does a lot of needless crap.

 

[IndyManning18]

Odd joke...as the other two examples are not far-fetched...

The can't be far-fetched if its the spot on truth. Cobb was a racist, too.