Interesting pair of ALSs, both signed “Ty Cobb,” eight total pages, both 7.25 x 10.5, personal Menlo Park letterhead, with content relating to his baseball background and personal life for a potential biography and then on his admiration for Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson.
The earlier letter, seven pages, dated February 21, 1953, addressed to Cecil A. Darby, sports editor of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, detailing his early baseball career for use in Darby’s South Atlantic League Dope Book. The letter reads, in part: “I played amateur baseball in Royston, Ga. Without knowledge of my father, I wrote every club that was being formed as South Atlantic League had only one reply from Con Strouthers Mgr. Augusta Club, he extended the privilege of a try out if I paid all my expenses, rail fare and hotel also furnish own uniform. I was more than happy, his generous offer, I worked in their training period, not too many tryouts back that time 1904, first baseman Harry Bussey had some contract difficulties and was not allowed to play in first two games of opening of season, center fielder McMillan played first base and someone had to play in his position and there was no one else but me, no doubt you can dig up box scores of those first two games, I really did well, was only 17 years of age, naturally green, third game Bussey back at first base, McMillan in center and Cobb released, I was leading the club in hitting, the part about calling up my father and he saying not to come home a failure was very true and very unusual and unexpected as coming from my father, in explanation, he opposed my playing baseball as a profession, he was in position to get and did have an appointment to West Point, which was bondage to me and I opposed then it was to University of Ga. That he wanted me to go, I was not quite ready at 17, so I had signed contract, not of age, etc., my clothes packed, train leaving next morning, I had to announce my acts and desires to leave after dinner the night before I was to leave, early next morning, well it was up & down the floor; hands behind his back, and my father being an unusually well educated man and an outstanding orator, I probably heard the greatest arguments any boy ever heard against baseball and going straight on the downward path, associates, etc. it simply was not done in those days by southern boys, (professional baseball).” Cobb writes about going to Amiston, Alabama to join the semi-pro league, and details the “peanut” incident, when he dropped a ball hit to him as he unsuccessfully tried to mask the fact that he was eating from a bag of peanuts hidden in his glove. Cobb continues about his eventual career in baseball, indicating “I had no serious thoughts to make baseball a profession drifted along with the spirit of the club.” Cobb also adds a postscript signed “Ty.”
The second ALS, one page, dated May 15, 1955, addressed to Dr. Turner, in full: “I feel much complimented the sentiments you express also honored you would want my autograph also that you should take time to remind me of happenings baseball wise of the past. I fully appreciate the great class and ability of the players you mention as having seen and followed also in your expression of Detroit trying to beat ‘poor old Walter Johnson,’ first I assure you when we were fortunate to win against Walter, it was with great effort also when you use the word ‘poor’ I realize fully what you mean, Walter had to strive so hard and he had so little back of him, defensively and offensively for so many years of his career, only a few after he had lost his great ability did he enjoy a stronger club, yes Walter was my idea of the best! I apologize for this as you see its in character; a baseball, fan letter.” In overall fine condition. Cobb purportedly stated that his greatest embarrassment on the diamond was when he batted against Johnson on a dark day in Washington—records show that Cobb batted .335 in 67 games against the Senators right-hander.
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