War on the Basepaths Read online

  48 Atlanta Constitution, February 23, 1913, p. 7.

  49 Ibid.

  50 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 38.

  51 Atlanta Constitution, February 23, 1913, p. 7.

  52 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 38–39.

  53 In December 1904, Ginn became Ty’s uncle when he married Eunice Chitwood, his mother’s sister. Because of the close proximity of ages, Ginn (born in 1882) and Ty were close friends. Hartwell Sun, July 10 and July 17, 1903.

  54 Nashville Tennessean, March 19, 1909, p. 7. Another source stated that Cobb had to walk six miles to participate in his first paying gig and made $1.25. Outing Magazine, September 1909.

  55 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 43–44.

  56 New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 28, 1912, p. 46.

  57 New York Evening World, August 12, 1911, p. 7.

  58 Atlanta Journal, August 12–13, 1903. No box scores for these games were available.

  59 He was known mostly as “Van Bagwell,” and his family had lived in Elbert, Franklin, and Madison Counties. He was back with the Royston team in 1906 and a photo of him with the Reds was featured in the History of Franklin County, Georgia, The Franklin County Historical Society, 1986, p. 378. Amongst the others on the club were Paul Cobb, Stewart Brown, and Joe Cunningham.

  60 Dallas Morning News, January 15, 1926, p. 8.

  61 Ibid.

  62 Atlanta Constitution, March 2, 1913, p. 7.

  63 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 144.

  64 Atlanta Constitution, March 2, 1913, p. 7.

  65 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 45.

  66 Rotarian Magazine, July 1947, p. 10–12, Dallas Morning News, January 15, 1926, p. 8. Amanda Cobb said: “His father and I were very much opposed to his playing professional ball at first, but his mind was so set on it that I relented. I felt that a man should go into whatever walk of life his heart was set upon.” Athens Weekly Banner, February 7, 1919, p. 2.

  67 Augusta Chronicle, April 10–24, 1904.

  68 Augusta Chronicle, April 13, 1904, p. 3.

  69 The Sporting News, December 8, 1910, p. 4.

  70 Ibid.

  71 See Augusta Chronicle, April 27–28, 1904.

  72 Ibid. Also Dallas Morning News, January 15, 1926, p. 8.

  73 Atlanta Constitution, February 18, 1912, p. D5.

  74 Hays knew George “Dad” Groves, the manager of the Anniston club (known as the Noblemen), whom he played with in Tampa in 1903. Interestingly, Cobb maintained his friendship with Groves for several decades, as demonstrated by a letter to “Dad” for sale on eBay in November 2014. In the letter, dated March 7, 1928, he also mentioned Hays.

  75 Rotarian Magazine, July 1947, p. 10–12.

  76 A copy of his Anniston contract was printed in the Atlanta Constitution, January 2, 1927, p. A2. The Dardens were originally from Cave Spring, GA, and Edna ran a boarding house in Anniston. According to the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, 10 individuals lived in the Darden home at 1010 Quintard Avenue, ancestry.com.

  77 Anniston Star, August 18, 1968, p. 1D, 4D and Atlanta Constitution, June 27, 1904, p. 7.

  78 Anniston Star, July 19, 1961, p. 13. Lindsay L. Scarbrough, a prominent Anniston businessman and associated with the club behind-the-scenes, said: “I remember several fistic encounters that he engaged himself in, growing out of jibes from the older players on the club. The old heads found soon, however, that they could not bluff the youth. I found him a strictly honest and straightforward youth, ready to back up his own convictions with his fists.” Atlanta Constitution, January 2, 1927, p. A2.

  79 Anniston Star, July 19, 1961, p. 13.

  80 Atlanta Constitution, July 12, 1904, p. 10.

  81 Anniston newspapers from 1904 were not available for research through Interlibrary Loan or at the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County in Anniston, AL. Anniston Star, August 18, 1968, p. 1D, 4D.

  82 Augusta Chronicle, September 11–12, 1904.

  83 Roth said he corresponded with Cobb prior to the 1905 season before signing him to a “fairly good salary.” Charleston Evening Post, November 17, 1911, p. 3.

  84 The first game against Detroit occurred on March 20 and the Tigers won 6–0. Cobb played right field and went 1-for-3. Amongst the Detroit players in the game were Sam Crawford, Herman Schaefer, and Bill Donovan. Augusta Chronicle, March 21, 1905, p. 3.

  85 Augusta Chronicle, March 24, 1905, p. 3.

  86 Augusta Chronicle, March 26, 1905, p. 11.

  87 Augusta Chronicle, April 26, 1908, p. 13. At one point during the problems between Roth and Cobb, Roth tried to sell Ty to the Charleston Sea Gulls for $25, but the deal was scrapped at the last minute. Biloxi Daily Herald, April 12, 1939, p. 2.

  88 San Antonio Light, December 29, 1926, p. 10.

  89 New York Evening World, August 12, 1911, p. 7. The “peanut taffy” was also referred to as popcorn in subsequent stories, including in Cobb’s autobiography, Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Book edition, p. 50.

  90 Atlanta Constitution, November 29–30,1924. Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 51.

  91 Augusta Chronicle, August 1, 1905, p. 8.

  92 No mention of his status was provided by the Augusta Chronicle.

  93 Washington Post, August 11, 1905, p. 3.

  94 All reviewed reports cited a “pistol” as the murder weapon. For more information on whether an alleged shotgun was used by Amanda Cobb, please review William R. Cobb’s important historical article, “The Georgia Peach: Stumped by the Storyteller.” sabr.org/research/georgia-peach-stumped-storyteller.

  95 Amanda sent Clifford Ginn for a doctor and John O. McCrary, who lived next door, was the first physician to attend to Professor Cobb. Atlanta Journal, August 9–10, 1905. It was believed Cobb was hit by the bullets sometime around midnight. He was declared dead around 1:30. Atlanta Constitution, August 10, 1905, p. 1. Washington Post, August 11, 1905, p. 3. Please note that the Royston Record newspaper, of which Professor Cobb was editor since early 1905, is not currently available for research through Interlibrary Loan, through the Georgia Newspaper Project managed by the University of Georgia, or at institutions in Franklin County. Not having this primary resource leaves many details of Mr. Cobb’s death in question.

  96 The paper reported Cobb had returned to his Royston home after touring his county schools. Columbus Ledger, August 9, 1905, p. 1.

  97 Atlanta Constitution, August 9–12, 1905.

  98 Comments in an interview were attributed to Ty’s siblings Paul and Florence Cobb. Augusta Chronicle, August 13, 1905, p. 1.

  99 Augusta Chronicle, August 10, 1905, p. 8.

  100 Cobb was sold by Augusta President Charles D. Carr. Augusta Chronicle, August 20, 1905, p. 13. Jack Horner, another scout for the Tigers, was also credited with “discovering” Cobb. Detroit Free Press, July 15, 1910, p. 8. During spring training, the Tigers arranged to give pitcher Eddie Cicotte to Augusta as a form of payment for training costs, and made a deal that would provide them with a first option of any Augusta player. It was suspected that the Tigers would take Clyde Engle, but because of the club’s need for a good hitting outfielder, Detroit picked Cobb. Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Book edition, p. 53. Cobb tried to hold out for some of his purchase money, creating an unnecessary stink, but was paid around $150 to resolve the issue. Augusta Chronicle, August 26–27, 1905.

  101 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 21.

  CHAPTER TWO: NOT A BORN BALLPLAYER

  1 As of 1898, Detroit was rated second in the United States as a port entry, behind Vermont, and had an annual trade of $14 million. According to the Municipal Manual of Detroit (1
897–98), the city covered 29 square miles and featured near complete water works, widespread electric lighting, and over 230 miles of paved roadways. Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 9, 1898, p. 5.

  2 Charles B. King drove the first auto, a four-cylinder car with a top speed of 20 mph, on the streets of Detroit in 1894. With aid from King, Henry Ford built his version a year later. However, Ransom Olds was credited with creating the very first motorcar in 1886 while in Lansing, Michigan. The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701–1922, Volume 1. Clarence M. Burton, 1922, p. 562-595.

  3 Population information found at www.census.gov.

  4 Baseball historian Fred Lieb chronicled the early history of baseball in Detroit, and especially the success of the “Big Four” in the 1887 championship season, in his 1946 book, The Detroit Tigers.

  5 Rocky Mountain News, October 26, 1893, p. 3

  6 Evansville Courier and Press, February 20, 1894, p. 1

  7 Detroit Free Press, February 7, 1908, p. 1.

  8 The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701–1922, Volume 3. Clarence M. Burton, 1922, p. 772–775

  9 The corporate name of the Tigers was the Detroit Baseball and Amusement Co. There were reportedly two other minority shareholders, Edward Barrow and A.L.C. Henry, with stock valued at a couple thousand dollars. Detroit Free Press, December 1, 1903, p. 10. Only days earlier, on November 23, 1903, Yawkey suffered the loss of his father, William Clyman Yawkey, and inherited a multi-million dollar empire. His business holdings included interests in timber and iron mines. Detroit Free Press, November 24, 1903, p. 1.

  10 Detroit Free Press, January 23, 1904, p. 7.

  11 Detroit Free Press, February 7, 1908, p. 1.

  12 The Sporting News, December 24, 1904, p. 2.

  13 The Sporting News, August 6, 1904, p. 4.

  14 The Sporting News, March 4, 1905, p. 3.

  15 Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 9, 1904, p. 8.

  16 The Sporting News, September 24, 1904, p. 6.

  17 Detroit Free Press, September 20, 1904, p. 3.

  18 Detroit Free Press, October 9, 1904, p. 11.

  19 The Sporting News, October 22, 1904, p. 4.

  20 The Sporting News, November 5, 1904, p. 5.

  21 The Sporting News, December 10, 1904, p. 5.

  22 The Sporting News, February 25, 1905, p. 2.

  23 The Sporting News, January 7, 1905, p. 3.

  24 Washington picked for last place. The Sporting News, April 1, 1905, p. 2.

  25 The Sporting News, July 15, 1905, p. 3.

  26 Barrett’s injury occurred in the ninth inning and he was replaced by Dick Cooley. Detroit Free Press, April 27, 1905, p. 10.

  27 The Sporting News, May 19, 1906, p. 3. Barrett was in his fifth year as a member of the Tigers. He began his career with Cincinnati, where he first developed a friendship with Sam Crawford, a teammate in 1899 and 1900. A biography of Barrett appeared in the Detroit Free Press, April 6, 1905, p. 10.

  28 The Sporting News, August 12, 1905, p. 3.

  29 Detroit Free Press, August 2, 1905, p. 9.

  30 New York Times, May 2, 1905, p. 2.

  31 Atlanta Constitution, December 2, 1924, p. 11.

  32 Letter to Cobb from Armour dated August 25, 1905, Ernie Harwell Collection, Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, Michigan.

  33 A report in The Sporting News stated that veterans of the South Athletic League believed Cobb was “the fastest youngster that ever broke into professional ball.” The Sporting News, September 2, 1905, p. 2.

  34 Cobb reportedly left Georgia on Saturday, August 26, and arrived in Detroit on Tuesday night, August 29. The usually 30-hour trip was extended by missed train connections at Atlanta and Cincinnati. Detroit Free Press, August 30, 1905, p. 9.

  35 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 21.

  36 The Sporting News, November 18, 1926, p. 7.

  37 The paper included a photo of young Cobb. Detroit Free Press, August 27, 1905, p. 11.

  38 The Sporting News, October 17, 1918, p. 8.

  39 The Sporting News, July 1, 1905, p. 5.

  40 Crawford would play 19 years in the majors and end up with 2,961 hits, 458 doubles, an all-time record 309 triples, 97 homers, and a .309 lifetime batting average. www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crawfsa01.shtml.

  41 Around 1903, Crawford became a “choke-style” batter, more along the lines of Willie Keeler, but he admitted in early 1906 that he was discontinuing that effort and returning to the long swing. Sporting Life, April 7, 1906, p. 7.

  42 Chicago Daily Tribune, March 18, 1911, p. 17.

  43 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 22.

  44 Atlanta Constitution, December 3, 1924, p. 13. y Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Book edition, p. 21.

  45 Detroit Free Press, August 31, 1905, p. 11.

  46 Ibid.

  47 Detroit Free Press, August 30, 1905, p. 9.

  48 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 19.

  49 The Sporting News, September 16, 1905, p. 8. Cooley played 13 seasons in the majors and ended with over 1,500 hits and a .294 lifetime batting average. He played 97 games for Detroit in 1905. www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cooledu01.shtml. Cooley made history as a rookie on September 30, 1893, when he recorded six hits in a nine-inning game as a member of St. Louis against Boston. The Sporting News, January 19, 1933, p. 5.

  50 The Sporting News, September 23, 1905, p. 3.

  51 Detroit Free Press, September 6, 1905, p. 9. McIntyre was a much more polished fielder than Cobb in 1905. At Washington on September 21, Cobb was so adversely affected by the sun that he dropped two fly balls. Armour then moved Cobb to left and put McIntyre in center. Detroit Free Press, September 22, 1905, p. 10.

  52 Detroit Free Press, September 5, 1905, p. 8.

  53 Detroit Free Press, September 13, 1905, p. 9.

  54 The Sporting News, October 14, 1905, p. 4.

  55 Detroit Free Press, January 20, 1906, p. 10.

  56 The Sporting News, August 26, 1905, p. 4.

  57 The Sporting News, November 11, 1905, p. 7.

  58 Cobb’s batting average was also given as .242. The Sporting News, October 28, 1905, p. 7. Cobb was also certified as the leader of the South Atlantic League for 1905. He played 103 games for Augusta and ended with a .326 batting average, 134 hits, and 40 stolen bases. The Sporting News, November 11, 1905, p. 7.

  59 Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Book edition, p. 20, 23.

  60 Detroit Free Press, October 9, 1905, p. 8 and Detroit Free Press, October 10, 1905, p. 9.

  61 Sporting Life, October 21, 1905, p. 11.

  62 The paper Cobb spoke with was the Atlanta Journal. He also complimented Armour as a topnotch manager. Augusta Chronicle, December 4, 1905, p. 8. Georgia Tech won the football game, 17–10.

  63 Flint Journal, August 29, 1905, p. 2. Jones played 128 games for Minneapolis in 1905 and hit .346 on the year.

  64 The Glory of Their Times, Lawrence S. Ritter, 1966, p. 38.

  65 Letter to Cobb from Armour dated January 6, 1906, Ernie Harwell Collection, Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, Michigan.

  66 Letter to Cobb from Armour dated January 20, 1906, Ernie Harwell Collection, Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, Michigan. Also Detroit Free Press, January 20, 1906, p. 10.

  67 The Sporting News, February 10, 1906, p. 6.

  68 Detroit Free Press, March 5, 1906, p. 10.

  69 Detroit Free Press, March 18, 1906, p. C2.

  70 Letter to Cobb from Armour dated January 20, 1906, Ernie Harwell Collection, Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, Michigan.

  71 The Sporting News, February 10, 1906, p. 6.

  72 It was said that the school principal asked Armour to give Cobb a few extra days and the latter seemingly ag
reed with no hard feelings. Detroit Free Press, March 5, 1906, p. 10.

  73 Detroit Free Press, March 9, 1906, p. 10.

  74 Sporting Life, March 24, 1906, p. 7.

  75 Sporting Life, February 17, 1906, p. 7. Crawford would later say that Jones was the “greatest leadoff man” he ever saw. Reno Evening Gazette, February 5, 1957, p. 12.

  76 Detroit Free Press, March 10, 1906, p. 10.

  77 Crawford and Mullin did likewise. Detroit Free Press, March 27, 1906, p. 10.

  78 More information on the friendship of Crawford and Barrett was included in the Detroit Free Press, March 24, 1906, p. 10.

  79 Baseball As I Have Known It, Fred Lieb, 1977, p. 54.

  80 Davy Jones said that Cobb “didn’t have a sense of humor.” The Glory of Their Times, Lawrence S. Ritter, 1966, p. 41.

  81 Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 21, 1918, p. 12.

  82 It was mentioned that Cobb’s play had been “uncertain” leading up to the trial “due to the nervous strain.” Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1906, p. 13.

  83 A number of newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal, Macon Telegraph, Columbus Ledger, Danielsville Monitor, and Athens Banner all cited the trial (State v. Amanda Cobb) as occurring in Carnesville. The Atlanta Constitution, Augusta Chronicle, and Savannah Tribune stated it was held in Lavonia. No central newspaper source from Franklin County exists for this time-period to search for additional trial information. An extremely limited amount of case information was available in the Franklin County Superior Court Minutes. Minutes, Superior Court, Franklin County, RG 159-1-58, Georgia Archives. This data is available online as part of the Ad Hoc Digital Collection at the Georgia Archives website.

  84 Atlanta Journal, March 31, 1906, p. 1.

  85 Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1906, p. 13.

  86 Athens Banner, April 6, 1906, p. 5.

  87 A photograph of Amanda Cobb appeared on the front page as well. Atlanta Journal, April 1, 1906, p. 1. Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1906, p. 13.

  88 New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 28, 1912, p. 46.

  89 Detroit Free Press, April 4, 1906, p. 9. Apparently other players asked Baldwin about Detroit’s place finish and got the same answer. Detroit Free Press, April 7, 1906, p. 10. A description of her performance was offered in the Augusta Chronicle, March 29, 1906, p. 6. Baseball writer Joe Vila disagreed with Baldwin’s prediction, pegging the Tigers for sixth place instead. The Sporting News, March 31, 1906, p. 3.