Posted By:
Ted ZanidakisThis book is very timely, with respect to the recent thought-provoking thread on this forum
posted by Frank Wakefield...."Best/Greatest baseball player ever".
Written by Tom Stanton, TY AND THE BABE details the fierce rivalry between Cobb and Ruth
during the 1915-1925 era. It is a fair and balanced treatment of this rivalry, which actually
resulted in both players, playing their best. Especially fascinating is the chapter titled "War
of 1921"....Cobb's first year as the playing/manager of the Detroit "Ty-gers".
After reading this book, I gained a better understanding of a 1942 poll of which Frank Wake-
field cited in his thread regarding Cobb's contemporaries (Ban Johnson, Walter Johnson‚ Con-
nie Mack, George Sisler, Tris Speaker‚ etc.) favoring Cobb over any other HOFer. Prior to 1919,
Cobb's "small-ball" style of play was the game of the day....and indeed, Cobb was the best
there was. Most of his contemporaries were accustomed to this style of play. And, although
many disliked Cobb, they still acknowledged that Cobb was the "greatest" in the game.
Then came 1919, Ruth, with his "long-ball" style and his flamboyant ways were a real dramatic
change. Most of the old-school players & managers considered this (power vs a thinking-man's
game) as a "corruption" of the game (as they knew it). Some never adjusted to this change;
however, one player that adjusted was Cobb, as he started hitting more HR's in 1921.
The Appendix highlights Cobb vs Ruth....game by game (200+ ga.), starting from May 11, 1915
to Sept. 11, 1928.
If you haven't already read this book....try it. It is well written and this Cobb vs Ruth story has
a happy ending.
TED Z