I always wonder how much it actually sounded like this or if it's been "written up" into this language as a style thing. I figured when they were talking about being "dopey" that language was probably real, but everybody else talks like they have at least a Master's degree.
From what I knew about Cobb, I was genuinely surprised to see how much his teammates rally around him in this story. I'm still trying to figure out what their motives really were. And he's got to be up there on the list of Hall of Famers you don't want to hold up as a hero, despite his accomplishments.
Pete belongs & should’ve been before his passing. Far as I know he never fixed a game to lose. The man was a born winner. I don’t have to tell anyone how gambling is all over everything: internet, TV, social media. Was Pete born too soon, or did the MLB commissioners have their heads up their asses?
Why aren’t asterisks in the books for the juicers? Consaco, Arod, Pettitte, the list goes on.
MLB needs to stop playing with the game. Leave well enough alone-if they want to change get a vote from the fans. We’re the ones paying ridiculous prices. And players making $30 Mil a year is insane. It’s time for caps. Maybe they should be required to donate 50% to charity.
Like my old Physics teacher used to say, “Go home & think about it.”
I happened to meet up with a grandson of Ty Cobb when I was about 13 or 14. We became friends. By that time, Ty Cobb lived in Atherton, Ca. (and other locations, Georgia being one). His daughter Beverley and her husband and children (grandson Ty Jr. wasn’t born yet) lived a door or so down the street.
That’s when I became an avid Detroit Tigers fan. All the artifacts from Cobb’s era: balls, uniforms, etc. made a huge impression on me.
The Tigers just swept a series against Boston this past week. When I watch the Tigers play I am reminded of how it came about that they became my team for life.
People say a lot of things, and Cobb did have a way about him that a lot of people didn’t like, but he’s still one of the greatest players of all time.
No doubt about that, a revolutionary player. From Honus Wagner to Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth. I appreciate that historians have spent a lot of time trying to dig under his reputation and get a more nuanced understanding of the person. His first biographer seems to have used Cobb to tell sensational stories that embellished or all-out invented material to serve a narrative.
Thanks for reading and sharing your memories. I am rooting hard for Detroit's current center fielder and the team as well.
Interesting account of Cobb. Question is would he have reacted the same if he hadn’t been a star player. My guess is he probably would’ve. The comments to him that refer to family obviously put him over the top especially considering there was a history between the two. I’m curious as to how & why it all began.
I’m not 100% sure but I was born & lived as a young whipper snapper on Broadway & 191st St. which is the boarder of Washington Heights & De Bronx. My Mom always said Washington Heights! I have an idea where that park may be if it still is. The hospital is gone.
I am certain he would have reacted the same way. All accounts indicate Cobb had thin skin and when it was punctured he regularly responded with either abuse of his own or violence. Not many moral exemplars in this story.
A hospital complex now sits on the site of Hilltop Park--it would have been a straight shot down the 1 train from where you were born!
Ok. That’s news to me. I used to ride that subway to the last stop as it was elevated there. Most of the subway or at least the “A” train is underground so when it was elevated I just loved looking out the front car. It was SO cool!
From my old Broadway apt I was about 5 miles from the Stadium.
Wonderful post, Paul. I hung on every word; you are really gifted! I just love the “period” language of the people quoted. It’s so formal.
I always wonder how much it actually sounded like this or if it's been "written up" into this language as a style thing. I figured when they were talking about being "dopey" that language was probably real, but everybody else talks like they have at least a Master's degree.
By all accounts, Cobb was detestable. And, he’s in the Hall of Fame. And, I suppose he’ll soon have company: Pete Rose.
From what I knew about Cobb, I was genuinely surprised to see how much his teammates rally around him in this story. I'm still trying to figure out what their motives really were. And he's got to be up there on the list of Hall of Famers you don't want to hold up as a hero, despite his accomplishments.
Pete belongs & should’ve been before his passing. Far as I know he never fixed a game to lose. The man was a born winner. I don’t have to tell anyone how gambling is all over everything: internet, TV, social media. Was Pete born too soon, or did the MLB commissioners have their heads up their asses?
Why aren’t asterisks in the books for the juicers? Consaco, Arod, Pettitte, the list goes on.
MLB needs to stop playing with the game. Leave well enough alone-if they want to change get a vote from the fans. We’re the ones paying ridiculous prices. And players making $30 Mil a year is insane. It’s time for caps. Maybe they should be required to donate 50% to charity.
Like my old Physics teacher used to say, “Go home & think about it.”
I agree with you - the HOF should be about field performance, not character.
I happened to meet up with a grandson of Ty Cobb when I was about 13 or 14. We became friends. By that time, Ty Cobb lived in Atherton, Ca. (and other locations, Georgia being one). His daughter Beverley and her husband and children (grandson Ty Jr. wasn’t born yet) lived a door or so down the street.
That’s when I became an avid Detroit Tigers fan. All the artifacts from Cobb’s era: balls, uniforms, etc. made a huge impression on me.
The Tigers just swept a series against Boston this past week. When I watch the Tigers play I am reminded of how it came about that they became my team for life.
People say a lot of things, and Cobb did have a way about him that a lot of people didn’t like, but he’s still one of the greatest players of all time.
No doubt about that, a revolutionary player. From Honus Wagner to Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth. I appreciate that historians have spent a lot of time trying to dig under his reputation and get a more nuanced understanding of the person. His first biographer seems to have used Cobb to tell sensational stories that embellished or all-out invented material to serve a narrative.
Thanks for reading and sharing your memories. I am rooting hard for Detroit's current center fielder and the team as well.
I wear #28’s Jersey with the greatest respect for the game.
Interesting account of Cobb. Question is would he have reacted the same if he hadn’t been a star player. My guess is he probably would’ve. The comments to him that refer to family obviously put him over the top especially considering there was a history between the two. I’m curious as to how & why it all began.
I’m not 100% sure but I was born & lived as a young whipper snapper on Broadway & 191st St. which is the boarder of Washington Heights & De Bronx. My Mom always said Washington Heights! I have an idea where that park may be if it still is. The hospital is gone.
Thank you Paul!
I am certain he would have reacted the same way. All accounts indicate Cobb had thin skin and when it was punctured he regularly responded with either abuse of his own or violence. Not many moral exemplars in this story.
A hospital complex now sits on the site of Hilltop Park--it would have been a straight shot down the 1 train from where you were born!
Ok. That’s news to me. I used to ride that subway to the last stop as it was elevated there. Most of the subway or at least the “A” train is underground so when it was elevated I just loved looking out the front car. It was SO cool!
From my old Broadway apt I was about 5 miles from the Stadium.
Thanx Paul