“Cobb led the league twelve times in 13 years, three times with over .400 averages, finished with a lifetime mark of .367 and tops all hitters in total hits, runs, triples, total bases and stolen bases and you have the greatest player of them all!”
BABE RUTH CONSIDERS TY COBB GREATEST PLAYER EVER.
Make no mistake about that. The old boy was the greatest player I ever saw or hoped to see. When I was pitching, I had fair success against all the other great hitters, but Cobb was one guy I could never get out.
I had a reputation for being a slugger and I guess I could hit’em pretty far at that, but that guy Cobb could do everything – better that any player I ever saw. Old Georgia Peach was a great hitter, a spectacular fielder, a wonderful thrower and oh boy how he could run.
You think I set a lot of records, why the old boy still owns, how many records is it? 42?
They say I used to scare pitchers just by strolling to the plate but those guys always had a remedy for me. Whenever they were afraid I’d knock one out of the park, they’d walk me and their worries would be over. But once Cobb got on base then their worries really began. He would upset not only the pitcher or catcher, but the infield as well by going from first to third on a sacrifice bunt, scoring from second on an infield out, taking two bases on an outfield fly and making delayed steals.
One of the greatest thrills I ever got out of baseball was to watch Cobb head into a base. He alwas reminded me of Man o’ War tearing through the home stretch.
Fans still talk about the home run I hit in the 1932 World Series off Charley Root of the Cubs after I pointed to the rightfield stands. Well, I once remember Cobb beating out four bunts down the third base line in one game against Billy Bradley, a wonderful third base-man for Cleveland. That was after Cobb warned Bradley he would bunt to him every time he got up. Another time Cobb warned Lou Criger, a great catcher with Boston, that he would steal second, third and home on him first chance he got. Well, the first time up Cobb walked and on three pitches stole second, third and home against the dumbfounded Criger.
Yes, add that to the fact Cobb led the league twelve times in 13 years, three times with over .400 averages, finished with a lifetime mark of .367 and tops all hitters in total hits, runs, triples, total bases and stolen bases and you have the greatest player of them all.