Ty Cobb ..Separating Fact from Fiction

gnaz01 · #1 04-06-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Thats true ! and the following write up might make the issue clear. On a personal note I once owned a snapshot taken at "Toots Shors" place in NYC , In the 1950's Cobb and Crawford were seated together. Cobb was smiling and Crawford had a look on his face like he had just smelled a pile of sh*t..

In retirement, Cobb wrote a letter to a writer for The Sporting News accusing Crawford of not helping in the outfield and of intentionally fouling off balls when Cobb was stealing a base. Crawford learned about the letter in 1946 and accused Cobb of being a �cheapskate� who never helped his teammates. He said that Cobb had not been a very good fielder, �so he blamed me.� Crawford denied intentionally trying to deprive Cobb of stolen bases, insisting that Cobb had �dreamed that up.�

When asked about the feud, Cobb attributed it to jealousy. He felt that Crawford was �a hell of a good player,� but he was �second best� on the Tigers and �hated to be an also ran.� Cobb biographer Richard Bak noted that the two �only barely tolerated each other� and agreed with Cobb that Crawford�s attitude was driven by Cobb�s having stolen Crawford�s thunder.

Although they may not have spoken to each other, Cobb and Crawford developed an uncanny ability to communicate nonverbally with looks and nods on the base paths. They became one of the most successful double steal pairings in baseball history.

After Cobb died, a reporter found hundreds of letters in his home responding to letters Cobb had written to influential people, lobbying for Crawford�s induction into the Hall of Fame. Crawford was reportedly unaware of Cobb�s efforts until after Cobb had died
____________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

What a COOL story!!

packs · #2 04-06-2013, 02:48 PM

I love this stuff. Thank you so much for posting.

Mr. Zipper · #3 04-06-2013, 02:54 PM

Very enjoyable.

Makes me want to get another Cobb signed item! :-)

CharleyBrown · #4 04-06-2013, 03:07 PM

Excellent read - a lot of things I wasn't aware of - I'd definitely like to see a Ty Cobb book written. If I had the time - I probably would go about it myself.

cottnat · #5 04-06-2013, 03:58 PM

Fantastic stuff, being a part of this hobby and more specifically, this forum is such a great way to continue to learn about the history of baseball. Appreciate you taking the time to post.

prewarsports · #6 04-06-2013, 05:08 PM

I have often felt Cobb was the most misunderstood man in Sports and got a bad reputation from a select few with an agenda. I could not agree more with your statements!

Rhys

HOF Auto Rookies · #7 04-16-2013, 12:38 PM

Now this stuff right here, is why I love the game of baseball and collecting it so much. These stories are just priceless, and it's truly amazing to see one lobby so hard for someone. You do not see that in today's game. That is why baseball is the greatest sport ever because of the glorified history of the game.

Jim, I will always keep telling you to write a book with all your stories, or somehow tell them all, because I don't want to lose any when your time is up (not saying your's is up anytime soon

).

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