War on the Basepaths Read online

4 The Cobb Family lived at 164 Longfellow Avenue. They had previously resided in a home at 103 Commonwealth in Detroit.

  5 Cobb was aware of the problem with the spoiled fish prior to the game that afternoon. One version of the story had Charlie Cobb ordering the fish a week before on June 13, and, after the three perch were delivered, calling back to complain about their poor condition a few days later. It wasn’t until June 20 that she made a third phone call and asked why she was charged 20 cents for the spoiled perch. Detroit Tribune, June 21, 1914, p. 1, 2.

  6 This was according to Cobb’s version. Ibid. Carpenter adamantly denied apologizing to Mrs. Cobb when he spoke with her on the phone. He didn’t think there was anything to be sorry for. Detroit News, June 22, 1914, p. 1.

  7 Ibid. Several Cobb biographers have identified Howard Harding as a black man, but according to information found in the 1900, 1920, and 1940 U.S. Federal Census Records, plus the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, Mr. Harding was a Caucasian. Howard Gerry Harding was born on January 13, 1894 in Warehorn, Massachusetts, the son of William and Clara Harding. He lived with his brother-in-law William Carpenter and his sister Clara at 134 Rosedale throughout the 1920s, and was a veteran of World War I.

  8 In a unique sidebar to the series of events, the man Cobb handed his weapon to, decided to run off with it, only to be tracked down by police. Detroit Tribune, June 21, 1914, p. 1, 2.

  9 Ibid.

  10 Ibid.

  11 Ibid.

  12 Gillespie arrived at the station with Cobb’s friend, W. J. Chittenden of the Pontchartrain Hotel. Detroit Free Press, June 21, 1914, p. 1.

  13 Detroit News, June 25, 1914, p. 1.

  14 Detroit Tribune, June 21, 1914, p. 2.

  15 Detroit Free Press, August 8, 1914, p. 10.

  16 Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 25, 1914, p. 12.

  17 Detroit Free Press, August 26, 1914, p. 10.

  18 Chicago Daily Tribune, September 8–9, 1914. Cobb took a lot of heat in the Chicago press. He later said that Breton “apologized [to him], saying he wasn’t responsible for the stuff that appeared in the news columns.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 2, 1914, p. 18.

  19 Charleston Evening Post, February 1, 1915, p. 3.

  20 Detroit News, June 26, 1914, p. 1. Cobb said he was offered a $100,000 deal by the Federal League to jump sides in the war. Ty Cobb: My Life in Baseball by Ty Cobb with Al Stump, 1993, Bison Books edition, p. 107–108. He had a lengthy meeting with Federal League President James A. Gilmore on June 29, 1914, at Buffalo. Detroit Free Press, June 30, 1914, p. 12.

  21 Detroit Free Press, August 12, 1914, p. 10. Transaction Card Collection, National Baseball Library, Cooperstown, New York. The newspaper mistakenly claimed the new three-year deal encompassed only 1915–17, when, in fact, it extended through 1918. It also erroneously stated that Cobb didn’t get a raise. According to the research of Michael Haupert, who compiled a listing of the highest paid players between 1874 and 2012, Fred Clarke was the highest paid in 1915 ($15,050), indicating that Cobb’s $20,000 salary didn’t kick in until 1916. sabr.org/research/mlbs-annual-salary-leaders-1874-2012. This information disputes the data found on his transaction card.

  22 Macon Telegraph, December 18, 1914, p. 1, 7.

  23 One of his hunting excursions included trap shooting champion James M. Barrett and Vaughan Glaser. Sporting Life, September 18, 1915, p. 27.

  24 Macon Telegraph, May 17, 1914, p. 8.

  25 Baseball Magazine, April 1916, pgs. 47–58.

  26 Detroit Free Press, March 21, 1915, p. 17.

  27 Detroit Free Press, May 2, 1915, p. 17.

  28 Detroit Free Press, June 4, 1915, p. 14.

  29 Syracuse Post-Standard, June 4, 1915, p. 14.

  30 Detroit Free Press, June 10, 1915, p. 11 and Boston Herald, June 11, 1915, p. 6.

  31 Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 19, 1915, p. 8.

  32 Detroit Free Press, June 20, 1915, p. 15B.

  33 Detroit Free Press, July 18, 1915, p. 20.

  34 Crawford and Veach led the American League in RBIs in 1915, each with 112. Cobb (208), Crawford (183) and Veach (178) were also the top three in hits.

  35 Detroit Free Press, August 25, 1915, p. 10.

  36 Boston Journal, September 17, 1915, p. 1, 9.

  37 Ibid. At one point during the game, Cobb turned to the centerfield rowdies and pointed at the scoreboard, which displayed a comfortable Detroit lead. Boston Herald, September 17, 1915, p. 1, 6.

  38 Ibid.

  39 Ibid. Sportswriter T. H. Murnane of the Boston Globe cited the “language” of Detroit players as the central provoking factor in the game. He also wrote that fans “had considerable fun” with Cobb at the conclusion of the contest. Boston Globe, September 17, 1915, p. 1, 5.

  40 Detroit completed the 1915 season with a 100–54 record, second in the American League, and trailed Boston by 2.5 games. Boston had a 101–50 record and would ultimately defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, four games to one. Cobb turned journalist once again and wrote syndicated articles about the Series for the Baltimore Sun and, it is believed, other papers. During one of the games, he made a “sensational catch” of a foul ball in the press area. Detroit Free Press, October 9, 1915, p. 10.

  41 Detroit Free Press, September 1, 1915, p. 10. Cobb set a new major league stolen base record.

  42 Detroit Free Press, January 7, 1916, p. 14.

  43 Detroit Free Press, September 12, 1915, p. 17.

  44 Augusta Chronicle, March and April 1916.

  45 Philadelphia Inquirer, December 23, 1915, p. 12.

  46 Detroit Free Press, April 3, 1916, p. 10–11 and New York Sun, April 3, 1916, p. 8. Cobb and Kauff were said to have had a “friendly” meeting in the hotel. Fort Worth Star Telegram, April 2, 1916, p. 14. The Tigers won the series over the Giants, three games to two.

  47 Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 14, 1916, p. 56.

  48 Detroit Free Press, May 16, 1916, p. 17 and Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 16, 1916, p. 18. Cobb’s trip to Washington also included a game on May 13 in which he didn’t arrive to Griffith Park until the third inning, apparently unaware of the correct starting time. J. Ed Grillo noted that Cobb was “much chagrined” by the error and upset that he “disappointed” fans and his teammates. Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 14, 1916, S1.

  49 Heilmann went to centerfield after Cobb was thrown out. It was said that fans seated in the area where Cobb’s bat landed were absent because of an earlier rainfall. The Sox won in the 12th inning, 1–0. Chicago Daily Tribune, July 3, 1916, p. 11. The Tigers, in this run of games, lost six-straight.

  50 Detroit Free Press, July 4, 1916, p. 13.

  51 Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 26, 1916, p. S2.

  52 Cobb was batting champion in the American League for nine-straight seasons (1907–15). Amongst his achievements for 1916 was his becoming the youngest player in baseball history to record 2,000 hits on June 20, 1916. The SABR List & Record Book, 2007, p. 8. He led the majors in stolen bases (68), runs scored (113), and was third in hits (201) behind Speaker and Jackson.

  53 Cobb initially agreed to a $350 guarantee to play for the Colonials, but Weiss ended up giving him $800. Baseball in New Haven by Sam Rubin, 2003, p. 27.

  54 Cobb was fined $50. Detroit Free Press, December 9, 1916, p. 11.

  55 The film was the first produced by the newly established Sunbeam Motion Picture Company of Cleveland. Cincinnati Post, October 26, 1916, p. 3.

  56 Boston Sunday Post, December 3, 1916, p. D1.

  57 Of all his scenes, Cobb was most “bashful” about displaying intimacy with costar Elsie MacLeod. Boston Sunday Post, December 3, 1916, p. D1. The movie required four weeks of filming. Portland Oregonian, November 22, 1916, p. 10. The movie appeared in theaters during the following spring and summer. Variety noted that it had “a good, wholesome atmosphere and a real, live-blooded, clean-limbed athlete for a hero.” It added that the story didn’t “matter much as Cobb’s actions are always
closely followed.” Variety, unknown date in 1917. It has been claimed that Cobb in “Somewhere in Georgia” was the first time a professional athlete starred in a motion picture.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

  1 Cobb did the best against Joe Bush of the Philadelphia Athletics, batting .474 in 11 games. He batted only .253 against the late Addie Joss of Cleveland. Boston Herald, December 17, 1916, p. 14.

  2 Boston Daily Globe, June 13, 1915, p. 53.

  3 Sibley wrote that Cobb joshed pitchers from the batter’s box, and once he was on the bases, was known to instigate balks because of the frustrations he caused. Ibid.

  4 Ibid.

  5 Detroit Free Press, February 24, 1918, p. 17.

  6 Colorado Springs Gazette, February 11, 1917, p. 19.

  7 Augusta Chronicle, January 4, 1917, p. 6.

  8 Dallas Morning News, March 31, 1917, p. 15. Cobb reportedly played golf at the River Crest Country Club prior to the March 30 game at Fort Worth. He was about 45-minutes late to arrive at the park, and a loudmouth fan got on his case from the audience, shouting that the outfielder had a swelled head and was running on his own time clock. Cobb offered to have a few words with the man in private, but the hostilities quickly ceased. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 31, 1917, p. 6.

  9 Charleston News and Courier, April 9, 1917, p. 6.

  10 The Sporting News, February 22, 1950, p. 12.

  11 Charleston News and Courier, April 9, 1917, p. 6.

  12 “Among other things Herzog insinuated that I was yellow, that I‘d be afraid to try to steal second with him on the job,” Cobb explained later. Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 18, 1918, p. 10.

  13 Dallas Morning News, April 1, 1917, p. 8. A few days after the incident, Cobb told journalist Jack Ryder of the Cincinnati Enquirer, “It was not an accident, but if you knew the vile names [Herzog] had been calling me, you would consider it excusable.” Charleston News and Courier, April 9, 1917, p. 6. However, in 1918, Cobb explained that the spiking was altogether unintentional. “I wouldn’t have spiked him even accidentally if he had stayed where he belonged. But he didn’t. So I had no other choice than to go into him.” Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 18, 1918, p. 10. Cobb admitted that he wasn’t out to hurt Herzog. Trenton Evening Times, April 6, 1917, p. 21.

  14 Newspaper reports from Dallas, Detroit, and New York City, April 1, 1917.

  15 Dallas Morning News, April 1, 1917, p. 8. Interestingly, the Detroit press reported that fans were angry when Cobb was ejected. Detroit Free Press, April 1, 1917, p. 22. Cobb, playing right field, was replaced by Sam Crawford and New York won the game, 5–3. According to Fletcher, Cobb made numerous threats after being thrown out. The Sporting News, February 22, 1950, p. 12.

  16 Trenton Evening Times, April 6, 1917, p. 21.

  17 Charleston News and Courier, April 9, 1917, p. 6. Not shockingly, New York papers supported McGraw and the Giants, while Detroit writers backed Cobb. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle asserted that Cobb was “responsible for the start of the trouble,” and noted that “only the diplomacy of McGraw” stopped any additional fighting between the clubs. Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 1, 1917, p. S1.

  18 Kalamazoo Gazette, November 7, 1914, p. 6.

  19 The Sporting News, March 28, 1946, p. 2.

  20 Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 18, 1918, p. 10. Due to the endless number of variations of the Cobb-Herzog fight, there are untold discrepancies between the stories. Versions include information claiming that Benny Kauff, not Zimmerman, accompanied Herzog to Cobb’s room, one that had Eddie Ainsmith as referee, another that had Zimmerman as the official, and yet another with Tigers infielder Donie Bush also in the room as a witness. A more farfetched tale stated that the Cobb-Herzog hotel scrap lasted a half-hour. Needless to say, a half-hour of “rough and tumble” fighting would have likely ended with both men in need of dire medical assistance. Sporting Life reported that the scuffle went on for about five minutes. Sporting Life, April 7, 1917, p. 6.

  21 The Sporting News, March 28, 1946, p. 2.

  22 Dallas Morning News, April 2, 1917, p. 7. The “bad blood” between the two teams was visible outside the Cobb-Herzog scrap. Art Fletcher knocked down Detroit third baseman Bob Jones at one point in the second game, and also had an ongoing rift with Harry Heilmann. Zimmerman and Stanage had a few words as well. Bay City Times, April 19, 1917, p. 12. The series ended in a 4–4 tie. Toledo News-Bee, April 9, 1917, p. 12.

  23 The Sporting News, April 5, 1917, p. 1.

  24 Trenton Evening Times, April 6, 1917, p. 21. Herzog told a reporter in 1919, “We settled our troubles in Dallas and I regard that tiff as a thing of the past. It was man to man, and I don’t think that Cobb harbors any hard feelings toward me anymore than I do towards him.” Detroit Free Press, January 17, 1919, p. 13.

  25 The Sporting News, January 21, 1953, p. 4.

  26 The Sporting News, January 14, 1932, p. 4.

  27 Trenton Evening Times, April 6, 1917, p. 21.

  28 Cincinnati Post, April 5–6, 1917.

  29 Toledo News-Bee, April 7, 1917, p. 12.

  30 Toledo News-Bee, April 9, 1917, p. 12.

  31 Detroit Free Press, March 30, 1917, 17.

  32 Detroit Free Press, May 26, 1917, p. 12.

  33 Syracuse Journal, May 24, 1917, p. 12.

  34 Cobb hit .537 (29-for-54) in a 14-game span. Detroit Free Press, June 20, 1917, p. 15.

  35 His 35-game hit streak began on May 31 and ended on July 6 and he achieved 64 hits in that stretch. Detroit Free Press, July 7, 1917, p. 9. In the game that ended his streak, he faced Red Faber three times and Jim Scott once. It was said that of all active pitchers, Faber, a right-hander, gave Cobb the most difficulty. Detroit Free Press, September 9, 1917, p. 20.

  36 Detroit Free Press, July 6, 1917, p. 11.

  37 Detroit Free Press, July 31, 1917, p. 9–10.

  38 Detroit Free Press, July 14, 1917, p. 10.

  39 Burns’s run in the bottom of the ninth won the game, 2–1, over Washington. Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 20, 1917, p. 10 and Detroit Free Press, August 20, 1917, p. 9.

  40 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, May 18, 1910, p. 11. Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, June 7, 1910, p. 13.

  41 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 22, 1911, p. 20 and Detroit Free Press, May 23, 1915, p. 20.

  42 Boston Journal, August 24, 1911, p. 5.

  43 The Sporting News, September 3, 1942, p. 4.

  44 It was claimed that neither Cobb nor Jennings joined the rest of the Tigers on the field to honor “Wahoo” during the special ceremony in August, indicative of the bad relations. The Sporting News, November 22, 1917, p. 6.

  45 The Sporting News, January 24, 1918, p. 5.

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

  47 Springfield Union, July 18, 1961, p. 23.

  48 Interestingly, when Sisler was a member of the University of Michigan baseball team, Cobb went to Ann Arbor and watched him play on May 6. Detroit Free Press, May 7, 1913, p. 13.

  49 Detroit Free Press, December 23, 1917, p. 15.

  50 Cobb’s third child, a son, was born in Augusta, GA on September 29, 1916. He was named Roswell Herschel Cobb after his grandparents, Roswell Lombard and William Herschel Cobb. Augusta Chronicle, September 30, 1916, p. 5. He would go by the name Herschel, however. Most genealogical sources incorrectly list his birth year as 1917.

  51 He was the ninth man to register in Augusta. His order number was 1368 and his serial number was 1209. Augusta Chronicle, December 28, 1917, p. 5. Also see Augusta Chronicle, January 19, 1918, p. 5.

  52 In response to the trade rumors, Navin said: “I have often said that Cobb will complete his major league career in a Detroit uniform, and I will reiterate that statement. Cobb will never be sold, traded or released.” Augusta Chronicle, February 17, 1918, p. 5.

  53 Cincinnati Post, April 15, 1918, p. 3.

  54 Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 17–18, 1918. Cobb told a reporter, “It is nothing se
rious, but I feel so weak that I couldn’t play if the doctor gave me permission to.” Detroit Free Press, April 16, 1918, p. 13.

  55 In the opener, Cleveland beat the Tigers, 6–2.

  56 Detroit Free Press, May 27, 1918, p. 11. Cobb was also injured at New York in July.

  57 Detroit Free Press, June 9, 1918, p. 15.

  58 Cobb entered the game, held on June 3, 1918, to hit for pitcher George Cunningham. Boston Herald and Journal, June 4, 1918, p. 4 and The Sporting News, June 1, 1933, p. 4.

  59 Cobb was said to have made 41 hits in 19 games. Detroit Free Press, July 14, 1918, p. 15.

  60 Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 14, 1918, p. 48.

  61 Detroit Free Press, August 25, 1918, p. 13.

  62 The last game of the season on September 2 marked the final major league contests for “Wild” Bill Donovan, who pitched five innings for Detroit, Hugh Jennings, and Davy Jones. In addition to playing centerfield and pitching, Cobb also played third base briefly.

  63 Cobb received his commission on August 27 in Washington, D.C. Detroit Free Press, August 28, 1918, p. 9. Cobb’s official enlistment date into the U.S. Army was September 5, 1918. Georgia World War I Service Cards, 1917–1919, ancestry.com.

  64 Detroit Free Press, October 10, 1918, p. 13.

  65 Ibid.

  66 Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 16, 1918, p. 3. Corbett lauded Cobb’s abilities, saying that he was “greater than any of the past generations, the greatest of this; a ballplayer whose like probably never [would] be seen again.” Fort Wayne News and Sentinel, September 26, 1918, p. 12. There were ten parts to the Corbett-Cobb series.

  CHAPTER TWELVE: PATHWAY TO RICHES

  1 He called Napoleon, a “remarkable man,” and that he never grew tired of “digging up something about his life.” Baseball Magazine, April 1916, p. 53–54.

  2 Detroit Free Press, April 2, 1914, p. 10. Ty’s mother Amanda also took great pride in the actions of the south during the Civil War and was involved in the United Confederate Veterans organization. Atlanta Constitution, May 22, 1925, p. 5.

  3 The Sporting News, February 12, 1942, p. 10.

  4 The newspaper stated that Cobb was the “first Tiger to go overseas for the great cause of democracy.” Detroit Free Press, October 29, 1918, p. 11.