Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-05
COBB SENSATION
OF TWO LEAGUES
1yrus Leads in All Depart
ments of the Game With
Fine Average.

No longer is the championship of the
American League batters in doubt. once
again "Ty" Cobb has carried off the
honor without the slightest question mark
attached to his record. The demon slug
GER" who has been one of the biggest
factors In bringing the pennant home to
Detroit for the third successive time. has
pounded that horsehide with marvellous
consistency since the middle of the
season.
1t Is still fresh in the fans memory
how "Ty" started out the season. WELD
ing his cudgel like bush Lacquer Many
mournful tales emanated from the Tiger
camp at tha- time, notwithstanding the
fact that Jennings men were getting
away with victories with their accus-
toned regularity.
The Tiger fans and Harnesses mourned
to see their idol fall back among the
ordinary players. They had expected
better. '"Ty'' was young and full of
pep" and most every one looked to see
him shatter all previous records, but he
simply failed to respond.
Regains Batting Eye.
Then came the change. Suddenly his
eve regained that keenness for which he
became so famous in the past. He
smote the horsehide with might. The
hits started to pile up rapidly. One after
another the men who threatened to Gust
him from this honor were passed in his
upward fight, until finally a few weeks
ago he overcame Connie Mack'S youthful
prodigy, Eddie Collins.
With that accomplished, Cobb po-
sition was no longer in doubt. Not since
the adoption of the foul strike has any
batter Travelled at a clip similar to that
which Cobb has kept up since the middle
of the season. 1t is reasonably safe to
tsay that since the last of June he has
sbeen hitting at a 400 rate, or better.
When the averages published in last
Sundays Star were compiled Cobb's aver
age was 81, a truly wonderful mark.
Even more wonderful does his work APP
pear when one takes into consideration
faced used his utmost cunning to outwit
the Georgian. Such is the penalty Of
fame. During the four years that ''Ty
Cobb has been in the league every catch
and every pitcher has made a special
study OF his work. with a view of dis
covering his weakness. They apparently
failed to find it.
Collins a Good Second.
Giving all honor to Eddie Collins, who
stands second to Cobb, it does not need
an extended Imagination to see that his
path was more comfortable one. This
is practically Collins first year in the
service.
His position, however, not only in bat
ting, but as well in every other depart
ment of the game, stamps Collins as
the one best find of the season. He has
slumped woefully during the exciting clos
ing days of the season, but SO have
number OF his teammates. and OH that
account he must not be judged too harsh
ly. for tried veterans often fall when
put to. such a severe test as the Athletics
have been put TO for the last Jew weeks
LajOie is sure of third place, although
lie is being crowded hard by Lapp of the
Athletics and Sam Crawford. Larry has
been taking slump in his batting ever
synce the Detroit series before the eastern
trip was started. Had he been able to
keep up the clip that he showed in the
City of Straits, Larry would be the cham
pion swatter of the league.
There are but six batters in the 300 list,
according to the averages, which are COM
plete in every detail up to and including
the games of Thursday. Bakers great
batting Friday, when he made five hits in
five times up. are sure to place the Ath-
letics' third sacker In the charmed circle.
OF the six in the list the Athletics have
two in Collins and Lapp, with Baker OH
the horizon: Detroit two, in Cobb and
Crawford, while Cleveland has to divide
the honors with ST. Louis for the other
two places.