Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-23
BY II. G. SALSINGER.

MO player ever had more trials
N and tribulations in trying to
break into the major leagues
than Ty Cobb. He was harassed
on all sides. Veterans of the rough
and tumble school, the men that
knew how to give and take, were
the kind that he went up against.
He was sensitive, hot-tempered.
sharp-tongued; he was the type of
player that invited riding and the
boys were accommodating-they
rode" Cobb.
They would steal his shoes and part
Of his uniform. They even made
kindling wood out of his pet bats.
They would lock him out of the club
house after a game so that he could
not get in to take shower. When he
did get in they made him stand
aside and walt until all had their
baths.
when he Joined them and they did
not threaten to win any. They were
just a ball team playing out the
schedule after July 4. with no place
to GO, as they say in base ball. They
helped fill out the league muster.
Jennings the Diplomat.
The third season that Cobb was
with the team Hughie Jennings was
manager. And Jennings found the
type Of players that he desired. the
fighting. hard-boiled variety OF scrap
ping ball players. They had the stuff
in them and 1t took a man with the
diplomacy and leadership of Jennings
to mold them into a machine. Instead
of being nine units, each bound in a
different direction. they became a
whole with one purpose.
Cobb led this fighting attack. Be-
hind his fine exhibition of competitive
spirit the others fell in and fought on.
The men that had been his chief
tornentors; the very players that had
tried to close the door to him and
break him, became the beneficiaries of
the skill they could not smother and
the spirit they could not dampen.
Cobb has forgiven them for their
attitude. and many times after they
passed he longed for them.
IF we only had some of the old
gang here now" he has often unused.
IF we only had a Germany Schaefer,
a Claud Rossman, a Charley O'Leary,
Matty Mcintyre and Davey Jones'
what I'd give to have them on this
team now. Yes. and Charlie
Schmidt and Bill Donovan. And a
George Mullin.
''rhey Had the STUFF"
Those were the boys let me tell
you. They were the boys that had
the stuff. You don't see it any more.
They don't seem to be turning out
their type these days. They were the
fellows that had the old fight. They
had the dash and the ginger. They
were game, those boys. Imagine that
crew lying down the way these fell
lows dc! Imagine what they would
do. Come. on; at 'em and tear 'em
up is what they used to yell, and
that's just what they did. They bat
them because they wouldn't let you.
They were a rip-roaring and tearing
lot. Lord, If ! could only get about
Six players like those of the old days
when we had a fighting team"
The attitude that Cobb first en-
countered when he reported to the
Detroit management had Its henef-
cial results. Cobb at that time made
up his mind that If ever he got the
opportunity he would lend a helping
hand to a recruit. He would do all
he could for them. He would see
that other recruits did not undergo
the same humiliation, torture, en-
barrassment and mental agony that
he did.
Cobb kept his promise. He has al
ways befriended the recruit. Any
time he got the opportunity he gave
helpful advice to youngsters break
ing into the big leagues, or trying
to. He never failed to encourage
them; to give them hints on batting
fielding; he told them how they could
improve themselves.
II They Took II.
Any recruit who took Cobb's adj
vice and followed 1t sincerely was
certain to continue getting 1t, par
ticuiarly II he showed any improve
ment. ~
II am getting DID," said Cobb n
few years ago. I'm getting to that
stage where 1t will soon Be the bench