Tue May 18, 2021 1:16 pm
I took a look at comparables to that 1897 Willie Keeler card in terms of run production. I limited it to RF-3, but didn't compare arm strength, running speed or base stealing. Since Keller is a small ball guy, I did this for Griffith 24 (I have a team in Griffith 24 right now so I have all that data fresh).
The players that I would rate right around him in terms of expected run production in that park (+/- 1 run against a typical left/right matchup in pitching without platooning)
Manny Ramirez, 9.41 mil, 3 game injury
Magglio Ordonez, 9.05 3 game injury
Jose Bautista, 8.58 mil, 3 game injury
Rocky Colavito, 8.12 mil, 15 game injury
Harvey Kuenn, 5.84 mil, 3 game injury
Now, admittedly, most of those guys are gonna give you a ton more bang when you go into any sort of hitters park on the road, but you are still going to pay 2.5 to nearly 4 million more for that road warrior strength. Harvey Kuenn is the only guy priced reasonably close and he comes with a 3 game injury (he had 609 at bats + walks so he barely crept over).
My point to this is not to argue, but just show that living with that Keeler injury rating gets you an incredible small ball bargain who can steal bases and has excellent base running speed. As a side bonus, I also learned that I really should try that Kuenn card sometime when I am playing small ball.