Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

[eisenreich8]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

As a matter of fact I collect all things related to Phil Plantier. I followed his career since his days in Pawtucket and have 15 of his game used bats-one from every major league team he played for except the A's so its my white whale(but I do have a Cardinals bat), his rookie home jersey from Boston, his last jersey from the Blue Jays when he got released in spring training, a Pawtucket Red Sox game worn jersey,a game used glove, a pair of his high top cleats, numerous posters and over 300 different cards, and a whole slew of other items so maybe I am a bit obsessed but like the previous poster said to each his own. And please let me know when you come across the Oakland A's bat.

Please shoot me an email about a Plantier jersey I have available for sale. 04redsox@bellsouth.net. Thanks! Joe

[CampWest]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

You know, I can't stop thinking about this thread...

One of the bats thats made me the happiest last year was $40 or so from BPH... U.L. Washington... I barely remember him from my childhood, but I was SO excited to pick up his bat. And as I think about it, all I can really remember is he was 1) a great double-play partner for Frank White, 2) had a afro sticking out of his ball cap and 3) played SS and most of his at bats with a toothpick in his mouth... I remember sneaking a toothpick onto the baseball field as a 10yo and getting lectured to death by the umpire about 3 innings later...



check out the toothpick here... haaaaaa I love it!



Baseball is filled with characters... And you have to appreciate them all for their differences.

[obpercent1]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

I've been collecting for years, and all my favorites are stars. When I go to the items wanted and see people who are desperately looking for a Phil Plantier bat, I am honestly puzzled. Why collect no names? I know you guys are out there, and I'm not trying to be funny, but who wants this stuff?

As a matter of fact I collect all things related to Phil Plantier. I followed his career since his days in Pawtucket and have 15 of his game used bats-one from every major league team he played for except the A's so its my white whale(but I do have a Cardinals bat), his rookie home jersey from Boston, his last jersey from the Blue Jays when he got released in spring training, a Pawtucket Red Sox game worn jersey,a game used glove, a pair of his high top cleats, numerous posters and over 300 different cards, and a whole slew of other items so maybe I am a bit obsessed but like the previous poster said to each his own. And please let me know when you come across the Oakland A's bat.

[eisenreich8]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

[quote=sox83cubs84;184069]

I have collected Jim Eisenreich for about 12 years as he is an inspiration to others with his history of facing down and defeating adversity, playing through it and sharing his time with similarly-afflicted kids (Tourette Syndrome). He is very humble and modest, a true gentleman, and I am thrilled to have met him. He never performed at a "star" level, but is popular with fans and was a steady presence throughout his 15 year career.

Although I don't collect him, I am a fan of Eisenreich, as well. I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in grade school (one of the first diagnosed cases in Illinois back in the 1960s), and I was fortunate to get the right meds for this quickly. I still take the medication, and, outside of the occasional cursing torrent, the meds have kept it in check.

I recall a BP at Wrigley when Jim was with the Marlins. Looking to play catch, and with no teammates in the immediate area, he began playing catch with bleacher and family section fans, making each throw to a different fan (I was one of 'em) and getting it back to throw to another fan. Great guy, and I'm glad his early struggles with the Twins didn't derail him permanently.

Dave M.
Chicago area

Dave!

That is a great story. Thanks for sharing that. Have met the man twice, I have to say, he is a shy, quiet, kinda naive type of guy. I have a hard time picturing him, Daulton, Kruk, and Dykstra all in the same clubhouse together.......Eisenreich is also a devout Christian.

I am afflicted with occasional cursing torrents but I blame it on my wild Irish heritage.

Does anyone else have a personal connection to share/reason to collect a "less than star" player?

I grew up 5 doors down from Richie Hebner (who was years older than I) but his GU items were always impossible to find. He once told me "if you ever see anything of mine on eBay, it's a fake!". He must be right, b/c no GU item of his, as far as I know has appeared there since I've been looking, 1998.

I did just buy his home and road manager's jerseys from the Frederick Keys.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

[quote=eisenreich8;183933]I have collected Jim Eisenreich for about 12 years as he is an inspiration to others with his history of facing down and defeating adversity, playing through it and sharing his time with similarly-afflicted kids (Tourette Syndrome). He is very humble and modest, a true gentleman, and I am thrilled to have met him. He never performed at a "star" level, but is popular with fans and was a steady presence throughout his 15 year career.

Although I don't collect him, I am a fan of Eisenreich, as well. I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in grade school (one of the first diagnosed cases in Illinois back in the 1960s), and I was fortunate to get the right meds for this quickly. I still take the medication, and, outside of the occasional cursing torrent, the meds have kept it in check.

I recall a BP at Wrigley when Jim was with the Marlins. Looking to play catch, and with no teammates in the immediate area, he began playing catch with bleacher and family section fans, making each throw to a different fan (I was one of 'em) and getting it back to throw to another fan. Great guy, and I'm glad his early struggles with the Twins didn't derail him permanently.

Dave M.
Chicago area

[markfd]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

Always enjoyed watching Matt Nokes play (even for the Tigers) and in all of my collecting rarely come across anything from him game used from his Yankee days. Today's stars (and their agents/representatives) seel their stuff so there are tons of available, which is great for us hobbyists, but for me to get something that is a bit more scare from one of your favorite players from yestyear is a thrill. My other favorite Yankees to collect that I have at least something (unlike Nokes) from are Ramiro Mendoza and Gerald Williams, neither of whom achieved stardom in the majors.

Great discussion topic!

[Toowon]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

I love it. Great enthusiam for teams, players, sports. Thank you so much for your stories. I get it.

[russyurk]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

I think it’s about feeling a connection to and appreciate for a particular player. That's why I collect Jim Abbott. We are from the same town and about the same age. I began to hear about the guy when he was in junior high. He attended the University of Michigan (I'm an alum) and he played for Team USA for two summers which is probably why I now have over 25 Team USA jerseys.

It was mentioned earlier, to each his own. That’s the beauty of collecting, you can customize your collection for you and no one else. Great thread.

[tigerdale]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

great thread & great posts...you all are what collecting is all about!!!

[CampWest]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

Not at all, partner! I am pleased that you care and unless you're a stalker like me, how were you gonna know all that? CampWest, give me time to agonize, and I may be able to pry a bat loose for you some day soon.......

No rush, I'm not planning on going anywhere... If you do decide to, I can promise it will be well loved in a good home. BTW... Jim was at the Royals Fan Fest this year and you'll be happy to know he got a very warm and welcoming reception. His hard nosed hustle always won over the fans and even after all these years, they still remember how he played - despite the fact he wasn't a perennial all-star.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

I used to love Nokes he was awesome in the original RBI baseball video game. You have to collect what you like. Out of my whole collection one of my favorite jerseys was worn by Shaun Ellis of the Jets because he has been a Jet forever and I went to the game he wore it in and in that game he made the game saving play.

[eisenreich8]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

Thank you for that info. I'm going to google his name and read about his life, all sounds very interesting. I did not know any of that, I just remember he was a good ball player. He reminded me of Pete Rose for some crazy reason. That type of hustling player.

Thanks for the explanation, sorry if I came off as ignorant in regards to his life and issues.

Not at all, partner! I am pleased that you care and unless you're a stalker like me, how were you gonna know all that? CampWest, give me time to agonize, and I may be able to pry a bat loose for you some day soon.......

[bigtruck260]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

I think I have always been amazed at how some guys in the majors have little to no plate discipline...yet, when some of these dudes unleashed a swing, it was going a country mile...

There are a few guys who hit batting practice homers as Cardinals that have more power than anyone...they just rarely center the ball during a game:

Russell Branyan
Phil Plantier
Jack Clark - the best of them all
Felix Jose

Just to name a few...

IF ANYONE HAS A PHIL PLANTIER CARDINALS BAT - PLEASE EMAIL ME

[Buster]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

Buster,

The cussing manifestation is not universal and was not part of his problems. He had facial tics, rapid blinking, guttural, grunting sounds, clearing the throat all the time, and would hyperventilate in the outfield, during his MLB start with the Twins in the early '80's. The coaches thought he had stagefright, kind of berated him to get his act together if he wanted to play at the big league level and ultimately, he needed to leave the game for 2 years to get treatment and medication that worked.

He had the affliction as a kid and got laughed at a lot, but folks just got used to it. I know he was hurting inside getting teased and all. That's part of the wonder of how he developed the ability to play in front of crowds, and in 2 World Series, with the nerves, and succeeded. THAT'S why I collect him. Jeez, you'd think I know the guy or something.......

I hijacked the thread here and I apologize to one and all.

Thank you for that info. I'm going to google his name and read about his life, all sounds very interesting. I did not know any of that, I just remember he was a good ball player. He reminded me of Pete Rose for some crazy reason. That type of hustling player.

Thanks for the explanation, sorry if I came off as ignorant in regards to his life and issues.

[eisenreich8]

Re: Why do people collect Phil Plantier and Matt Nokes stuff??

Hello Mr. eisenreich8,

I always loved him too, and until I read your post, I never realized he had Tourette's syndrome! I thought he was a stutterer.

Is that maybe why he never did a lot of t.v. interviews, because he would always break out into a cussing tyrade? What a sad thing to have to worry about as a pro baseball player. The media must have had to censor conversations with him with a 10-second delay, aye?

Nice talking with you,

Buster

Buster,

The cussing manifestation is not universal and was not part of his problems. He had facial tics, rapid blinking, guttural, grunting sounds, clearing the throat all the time, and would hyperventilate in the outfield, during his MLB start with the Twins in the early '80's. The coaches thought he had stagefright, kind of berated him to get his act together if he wanted to play at the big league level and ultimately, he needed to leave the game for 2 years to get treatment and medication that worked.

He had the affliction as a kid and got laughed at a lot, but folks just got used to it. I know he was hurting inside getting teased and all. That's part of the wonder of how he developed the ability to play in front of crowds, and in 2 World Series, with the nerves, and succeeded. THAT'S why I collect him. Jeez, you'd think I know the guy or something.......

I hijacked the thread here and I apologize to one and all.