Evening star., 1911-06-09
BY J. ED &1L1o.

To have predicted that Ty Cobb would
show improvement this year over his
work of former seasons would have
seemed ridiculous. and Yet the Tigers
wonderful player is undoubtedly doing
more sensational work this season than
he ever has before. The use of the lively
ball has increased his hitting. while he
is displaying even better speed on the
bases and fielding and throwing as he
never has before.
Every game that Detroit plays proves
Cobb's remarkable value to that team.
1t is usually he who does the best of
fensive work for the Tigers and the de-
scription of every game shows him to be
the factor in most every rally. Detroit
without Cobb would not be factor in
the race. It is hard to believe that one
player could make such difference in
a team and yet this point must be con-
ceded.
Cobbs value to his team is hard to es-
innate. He is drawing 5000 per sea-
son and that contract expires at the end
of the campaign of 1872. That he will
demand and is entitled to substantial
increase at the expiration of his contract
goes without saying and that he will get
it Is foregone conclusion. Cobb is the
one player who can virtually ask what
he pleases for his services and stand an
excellent chance of getting it.
Judging from some of the reports of the
Cobb-Baker mixup in the Philadelphia
papers, Connie Mack's third baseman
was entirely at fault. Baker, who has
displayed animosity toward Cobb ever
since the latter spiked him two years
ago, seems to have been looking for
trouble, and knowing that the crowd
would be with him tried to provoke
fight huf fortunately for the cnnd M
base ball this was prevented. Cobb is
not easily scared. He plays his game
before a hostile crowd with the same
daring that he would at home. In fact,
ditions which would discourage the av-
erage player That the better element in
the stands at Philadelphia appreciated
Cobb's position yesterday is shown by
the fact that the great player. was ap-
plauded when he deliberately walked
toward the mob which started for him
after he retired the last man. Had Cobb
run he would probably have been in
jured, but his nerve did not leave him.
and the cowardly attack went up in
smoke.
1t would be most remarkable If Mike
Donlin, after several years layoff, should
return to the game and display the same
ability he did when he played regular
ly. Few athletes can go into retirement
and come back. Jimmy Callahan's case
cannot be pointed to as an exception. for
Callahan was really never out of the
game, though he was not identified with
organized base ball.
The return of Donlin to form would
greatly increase the pennant chances of
the Giants, for there never was a better
hitter faced a pitcher than he.
This years crop of base ball recruits
is going to be a poor one," the scouts are
already shouting. Rather snap judgment
considering that many minor leagues are
just getting under way. Most scouting,
however. appears to be of the snap
variety. as. in fact, are the judgments
frequently passed upon players after a
trial in big company.
There would be more good players in
the game. and the big leagues would
not be so continually crying for more
capable players, if the young men hired
were given less perfunctory workouts.
1t takes time to make raw material into
finished product in any line of endeavor.
Just how, therefore, base ball can ex-
pect a man to become an accomplished
player just because he puts his name