🚀 Legendary Speed (Perhaps the Fastest Ever)

• Widely considered the fastest man ever to play baseball.

• Famously said to be so fast he could turn off the light switch and be in bed before the room got dark.

• Consistently stole 100+ bases per season in league and barnstorming play.

• Known for stealing second, third, and home — in succession — during one at-bat.

🏆 Team Success & Championships

• Star player for multiple Negro League powerhouses:
  

  • St. Louis Stars

  • Kansas City Monarchs

  • Chicago American Giants

  • Homestead Grays

• Won multiple Negro League pennants and championships, especially with the St. Louis Stars (late 1920s).

• Key contributor to dynastic teams featuring other legends like Satchel Paige, Mule Suttles, and Buck Leonard.

🏏 Elite All-Around Player

• Career batting average: Often cited around .325–.350.

• Switch hitter with excellent contact skills.

• Elite center fielder — incredible range, strong instincts.

• Known for exceptional baseball IQ and leadership.

🌎 International Stardom

• Played extensively in Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

• Became a huge star in Latin America, particularly in Mexico.

• Helped raise the level of international professional baseball.

🧠 Pioneer & Mentor

• Later became a manager and scout.

• Mentored future MLB players and Negro League stars.

• Served as a baseball ambassador internationally.

🏛 Hall of Fame

• Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

• Recognized not only for talent but also for transformational impact on the game.

🏆 Why He Matters Historically

Cool Papa Bell is often mentioned alongside:

• Ty Cobb (hitting)

• Rickey Henderson (speed)

• Willie Mays (five-tool excellence)

Many historians argue Bell would have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer in MLB if not for segregation.

I’ve been on the hunt for a nice, reasonably priced Tris Speaker for some time. Still want to pick up a singed card, game used card, or bat barrel nameplate or something big. But this was well-priced and looks beautiful. Happy to have it as part of my collection. I’d like to get it slabbed. Does anyone know if the new CSG x JSA will slab something this big?

this is my favorite Jaylen Brown card. I’ve never been able to shake loose, or afford, a JB logo man. In fact, a few years ago, I tried to buy this directly from another collector, but we could not agree on a price. Eventually, he ended up listing it for auction on eBay and I was able to purchase it for about 50% of what I offered him directly. This is his Gold Standard superfractor one-of-one Adidas brand patch with an on-card autograph. Brown is having a stellar All-Star level season carrying the Celtics while Jayson Tatum is out. His explosiveness, defensive, effort, and work ethic are unparalleled.

Does anyone here remember CTA? About 25 years ago CTA tried to come into the grading game. I actually really like their slabs. They also came with a very detailed grade report looking at every quadrant of the front in the back of the card.

The rally towel is the collectable, but the memories of being in the second row to watch my team win their first national championship, an undefeated season, the Heisman winner and coach of the year was unparalleled. And to run the gauntlet and win on enemy turf made it even better. What a game! The biggest turnaround in sports history. I never would have thought it could happen in my lifetime! Hoo-hoo-hoo-Hoosiers!