The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-13
By H. c. SALSINGER

Most of Ty CObb's long chances lOoRed simple enough after he explained them. But until he stated his reasons and analysed the play they seemed extremely foolish and risky.
 In one oit-Philadelphia game Cobb was on first when Veach hit single to left. Cobb had a good lead and was off like flash. He cut inside of second base and sailed for third. In recent years Cobb rarely attempted to- go from first to third on single to left, particularly where the left fielder had fairly good throwing arm, but in those days he always did and the occasions when he failed to reach third were scarce indeed.
 J. Franklin Baker, playing third for Philadelphia in this game, ran to the bag when the ball was hit, knowing full we'll that Cobb would try for third. Bakers hands were reaching for the ball. Cobb reached the bag about the same time that the ball landed in Bakers hands. Baker thrust down the Cobb, but no Cobb was sliding for third. He had stepped over the hand, ticked the bag on the inside corner, turn ed sharply and continued on to the plate Baker, failing to find Cobb, strengthened up and snapped throw to the catcher. but Cobb beat the throw by fraction and Umpirs Lilly Evans called him safe.
 Cobb Explains | As Cobb jumped to his feet the um- pire stood nearby gasping.
 ''That play seemed like plain suicide" said Evans.
 "Oh no, it didn't. It was simple. Baker expected me to slide. Ordinary I would. But I knew that Baker ex- pected me to slide and the way he was reaching for the ball knew he thought he had chance to tag me coming in. He wouldn't stop to look, he didn't have i time for that. No, he would turn and plunge to the ground to nail me. Not finding me he would have to un- cross his legs and set for the throw. had it all figured out knew that by the time Baker did all of those things I would be scoring and you got to ad- nit that I did"
 | There was never harder loser than Cobb. He played to win and he used every ounce of brain and energy at his command to succeed. He could never give up. There was a striking illus tration of this in a game between De- troit and New York while Clark Grif- fifth was manager of the New York team.
 It was dreary game and the Tigers were pounding the veteran Jack Chesbro, then in his last days as a major league pitcher. For some reason Griffith re- fused to take Chesbro out of the box. Managers do that sometimes.
 Not In His Nature
 It seemed that Chesbro would never get three men out in one of the late in- nings. Cobb singled and as he was prancing around the bag Bill Donovan, coaching at first base, said to Cobb:
 Let 'em tag you out and get this game over with. That's the only way they'll be able l. get anybody out"
 "Yes, go on and do that! I'm getting tired myself" said Hal Chase, playing first for New York.
 Chesbro heard the remark and took a hint from the conversation. He threw the ball to Chase. Chase reached over to put the ball on Cobb. The runner jerked away a few inches. Chase lunged at him to make the out and Cobb jumped away again. Chase began run ming after Cobb and then the excite ment started. Cobb ran up and down the base line, jockeying between in- fielders. The entire New York infield gathered around him to participate in the rundown The ball was thrown back and forth. Finally there was a wide throw to second. Cobb slid. out of reach of a fielder, hooked the bag with his toe and was safe.
 II just couldn't sta..d there a~ let 'em put me out without giving 'em a run for it." said Cobb later on in the way of explanation and apology. Never Laid Down
 It could never be said of Cobb that he laid down. Most every other player does, at times. Cobb always played the string out. He tried his best on all oc- casions.
 In exhibition games, where nearly all