General Forum

I had just begun working on a Want List of Roberto Clemente cards when I run into this:

My happiness left me quicker than a bald man's toupe in a hurricane. I understand some cards use nicknames, like Oil Can Boyd, but BOB CLEMENTE? Leave to K-Mart to ruin a tribute to great man.

I'm a firm believer that even cards in poor condition need TLC, but this is over the top and I saw that 172 cards are owned. It's just my opinion, and it's not worth much (just ask my wife) but I'd trash them.

K-Mart didn't do it. His 1966 Topps card says Bob.

Dick Allen was in the same boat. He hated being called Richie.

Wow! I didn't know that. Apologies to K-Mart. (I doubt anyone even considered trashing them.) That's why my wife says my opinion ain't worth much!

Yes, when he first came up it was always "Bob" Clemente.     Most Hispanic names were Anglacized in the 40s, 50s and even earlier.     A lot of "Guillermos" became "Willie"

Also, a lot of latin players were given the nickname "Chico." Pretty offensive in retrospect. 

I guess I'm just naive and never considered, or looked into it. Of course, in some cases I can understand why some would be simplified. As a Hispanic myself, I have a hard time pronouncing some Spanish names, especially like Rougned Odor. I'm not sure of the etymology of that name, but it doesn't even seem to follow Spanish language rules when I hear them say it. 

Anyway, I still can't get over BOB Clemente. It's the first time I've ever seen it that way on a card.

Topps started using "Bob" on his 1957 Topps card and didn't stop until 1970.

interesting...but i'm still stuck on the "toupe in a hurricane" visual . i wouldn't want that to be stuck on my house window

Hispanic names to the English version: Jorge Bell to George Bell.

Well, without that gorilla glue toupes don't have chance with these gulf winds.

I just want to say that Guillermo Mays was the greatest centerfielder with his patented canasta catch.