The Detroit times., 1911-03-23
BY PAUL HALE BRusks.

MONROE. La, March 23.-For nVe
wears basebalrs devotees living souli
OF Mason q Dixon's line have nVeu,
moved and had their being In lyrus
Raymond Cobb.
The star OF the Tigers has been
mixes fayorite idol White and black
have united in praising his deeds. HIS
picture adorned every barber shop IN
the southland. Men who had seen
him play have lived the occasion over
again and again, with GREATNESS lis
feners hanging on their tale.
The Georgian's feats on the ball
feid-and of it--have fired Dixie with
enthusiasm. On trips such as the
Tigers make through the south each
year, Cobb Is the one big attraction.
His appearance Is like that OF the
dramatic star. Men like Muilln'
Crawford Bush and Moriarty seem 10
be furnishing merely a background
for the famous king from the land OF
cotton Men linger about hotel loD-
bies for a glimpse OF Cobb and vie
with each other in rendering him in
yitations to meals and automobile
rides.
cobb's Prestige Threatened.
But an element of uncertainty has
crept I'm threatening Cobb's prestige,
not only as the worlds batting won
der but also as the premier ball play
err and idol of Dixie. In fact, the
south Is right now seriously arguing
over the relative merits Of our Tyrus
and Joe Jackson, the Cleveland out
fielder who actually led Ty to the fin-
ish of the league battle race last year,
though falling to secure credit for his
feat on account OF the fact that he
took part In but score OF games, to-
ward the seasons close.
Jackson Is a native southerner, like
Cobb. His North Carolina home, as
matter of fact, is only short dis
lance from Royston, Ga. Like CobD,
jackson came to his first fame on a
southern diamond. First near his
home, and last year In New Orleans,
jackson has shown that he Is almost
ball player OF the generation. Many
southern bugs believe that Jackson Is
destined to succeed Cobb at the head
Of the league batsmen during the COM
ing year.
Jackson's batting record Of 1897 In
the American league last year south
erners regard as no scratch. They
point to the fact that, in the regular
season Of the Southern league he hit
.354, leading league In which bats
man Is up against many handicaps
not found in the Americans circuit
The North Carolinan packs the big
gest war club In organized baseball.
takes full swing and lams the curve
and the fast one equally we'll He
hits left-handed, but slaughters the
left-handed pitchers as well as the
others.
Faster Than cobb7
The southerners simply rave over
Jacksons speed That he Is a ire
mendously fast man was established
during his short performance In the
American league last fall. AT Detroit
one day he ran from the plate all the
way round to third on a short fy
which fell safe between short field
and left At New Orleans they say
he scored Is three-base hits on drives
against the short right field fence-a
feat which no other player has ever
performed, unassisted by misplay OF
some sort. He may not be faster than
Cobb from the plate TO first, but, when
once In motion, he is fully as speedy
probably Jackson's friends also
urge that the Cleveiander Is coming
improving with every game-while
Cobb has unquestionably reached his
zenith as q ball player. He may see
. year In which he will hit the ball