The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-05

tnat hell say:
"Cobb on base and Crawford at bat.
The perfect teaming OF the Detroit
pair is very largely responsible Tor
the fact that the Tigers lead the
league and have led II ever since the
seasons start.
Pitchers come and pitchers go. Some
times they are good; sometimes they
may be in poor form. The Tigers now
and then lose a game. Their fielding
support may wobble. But Cobb and
Crawford go on turning out the runs.
drawing throws to the sacks, using
every possible opportunity TO advance
and making opportunities where otn-
erwise there would be none.
History will be long time conclud'
ing the chronicles Of Cobb and Craw-
ford. It has been some time at 1t. as u
is. And when that great pair shall
have served It's time In the big
leagues, the chronicles OF the game
will set them down as the most re-
markable combination that ever did
business on the same lineup.
II has long been a trite saying
among ball players that Cobb, brightly
as he would shine on any club. would
never be the world-beating star he Ia,
were he followed by batsman other
than Crawford. II is doubtful. how
ever, II the general public appreciates
the tremendous assistance which
Crawford is to Cobb and Cobb to
Crawford.
The first aid Ty gets from Sam Is
when he approaches the plate to bat
Immediately the opposing team gets
the combination in mind. Its members
know that, IL Cobb gets on base. he
has back OF him batsman who Is al
most certain to hit the ball hard and
In a way which will set Cobb spin
ming about the paths. The pitcher
knows 1t and often quails IL there is
one fraction OF the craven In his make
up.
When Ty makes first. the pitch
ers' troubles reach their climax
His mates keep calling to him to hold
Cobb near the base. Quite often his
catcher tries to out-guess Cobb by
calling for wide pitches, which will
enable him to throw unhampered TO
second, II Ty steals. Does Sam bite
ut any OF these wide ones? not on
your life! That Is where Crawford Is
getting aid from Cobb.
In desperation the pitcher finally
finds himself under the absolute nee.
essity of putting the ball over. Sam
plays out the string as a rule and Is
content TO take two strikes, In case
there are three balls. And the next
one must be over. II Sam hits 1t, as
he SO often does, Cobb is almost sure
to get third. Sam Is so fast that,
even on an infield grounder, 1t Is go
ing to take q frantic play to get him.
The infielders know that a momentary
slip is all that Is necessary to make
Crawford safe and send Cobb to third
or even aefess the plate often err
ors result from this very knowledge.
And IL is only once or twice In u life
time that Crawford and Cobb are
doubled up on any sort OF a play. (.
On the sacks, the Detroit pair is at
its best. 1t is Cobb's lead and Craw-
ford always seconds the motion. In
case they are on second and first re-
spectiyely. IL Cobb Is on third. Sam
almost invariably loafs along to sec.
ond. the foe seldom daring TO make
a throw. II, however. the hostile
forgets himself and heaves,
Sam starts lodging and Cobb dashes
for the plate. There, nine times 'out
of ten he Is safe.
Nor Is the batting combination that
follows the pair anything which any
pitcher can, afford to despise. Craw-
ford, It is true, Is often passed to first,
when two are out, but Delahanty Is at
his best at such times and hit be-
comes doubly expensive to the oppos-
ing team.
Cobb's presence on the sacks ahead
Of him almost always makes things
soft for Crawford, who, In his 1911
shape, Is rivalling Tyrus in the fire.
Quency OF his steals.
or course, the combination is mate
rally added by the presence ahead
OF them of two such fast runners as
Jones and Bush. both hard men to
pitch to, and either one n dangerous