ALS signed “Ty,” five pages, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, October 28, 1952. Letter to his ghostwriter, Stoney McLinn, in part: “I know you think me a hell of a guy I plead guilty on some counts, I should have written you long ago, but possibly the delay might help in negotiations, etc. I am truly sorry as I know what [it] means to wait and expect an answer, etc. But Stoney you know that I would let no one else other than you do a book and we will exact every recompense possible. I have read two of three communications from Putnams and haven’t answered but am today, telling them I will cooperate and that you are the one that I would do this for. I have had letters from Harcourt & Brace I believe it is also some other company also for moving pictures, I would not do this because would not be able to control subjects etc. Those jews are tough and develop some sensational angles to one’s discredit. The book am in no way anxious but will do it. I would like it right and that would have to be our aim. I do feel there has been lots of garbled things not true that has been written, some down right rotten and damaging…I would like as I said to have something done that would clear up such as coming officially from me…The following is in confidence as am not ready for it to be known, though not sure that I have written you of it. Next year before July, I hope to have everything in order to announce a Ty Cobb educational fund in Georgia to finance worthy high school graduates into higher educational institutions, university, technological and manual arts.” Cobb adds a postscript to the reverse of the last page: "Just found last letter from Putnams. Mr. Jonathan King, editorial Dept., wrote condolence relative to Ty Jr's passing also still interested in book etc and that John Winters would be out on coast in November and would contact me still." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Cobb's own hand.
Considering the later disservice to Cobb's legacy done by another of his collaborators, this is a particularly noteworthy letter. He brought on sportswriter Al Stump as a collaborator for a 1961 autobiography, and Stump went on to write prolifically on Cobb—describing him as 'the meanest man in baseball.' Stump's sensational and controversial claims gave rise to an undue notoriety that has only recently begun to be recognized as largely false. This desirable letter reveals the dichotomy of Cobb's character—while he makes an offhand anti-Semitic remark in one instance, he discusses his generous charitable contributions in another. An intriguing piece from the hand of the legendary Detroit hitter.
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