Former Major League Baseball player Jackie Brandt played for or against all of the big names during his days in the league.
Willie Mays. Brooks Robinson. Mickey Mantle.
But who was the best?
The answer comes with no hesitation.
“Pete Rose.”
Brandt who played in the 1950s and 60s with the San Francisco/New York Giants and the Baltimore Orioles was the featured autograph signer at Saturday’s Sports Card & Collectible Show at Laurel Manor Recreation Center.
The retired major leaguer now makes his home in Wildwood.
Plenty of people were lining up for an autograph, to hear stories of the old days and to debate the Pete Rose question with him.
Joe Dudik of the Village of Mallory Square would respectfully disagree with Mr. Brandt.
He is a Mickey Mantle devotee.
“I grew up in Jersey worshipping him,” Dudik said.
He had plenty of Mickey Mantle memorabilia on display.
Dudik’s wife, Diane, has put up with his collecting through 45 years of marriage.
They grew up in the same neighborhood in Fords, N.J.
“I knew what I was getting into,” she said.
