The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-14
Rv H. G. SALSINGER


 Comparisons are often drawn between Ty Cobb and George Sisler or Rogers Hornsby. Some believed Sisler might overtake the Georgian but an unfortu- nate eve ailment cut down the brilliant career of the former University of Mich igan star. Hornsby has steadily lm- proved. Of the two Sisler most re- sembled Cobb.
 Rut returning to the matter of com harrison. If there is one man who should he in position to pass judgment 1t Is Branch Hickey. He resigned as base hall coach at Michigan to bcome mana ger of the St. Louis Americans. lie took Sisler to St. Louis from the cam nus at Ann Arbor and saw him develop into one of the truly great players ot the game, Then he went over to the Ma tional league and became manager ot the St. Louis Cardinals. On his team he found Rogers Hornsby and he has seen Hornsby develop into the leading player of the National. Hickey saw much of Cobb while managing the Browns. He has seen much of Sisler and of Hornsby. Asked which of the three was the greatest player Hickey replied:
 "Cobb is easily the greatest. No one can doubt that Cobb is the greatest that ever lived. Why I believe that Cobb carried brains in his feet. He at least played that way. saw Cobb make one play while I was manager ot the Browns that I will never forget. That one play, if nothing else, would convince me that Cobb was a super player.
 Cobb Against Weilman
 "We were playing in Detroit and the score was tied in the ninth. Two were out, Carl Weilman, who had it on De- troit all the while he was in the Amerl- can league, was pitching that day. It was Cobb's turn at bat.
 "Weilman had more success against Cobb than any pitcher Cobb ever Datted against. It was chiefly because Cobb could do nothing against Weilman that Weilman was able to beat the Tigers eight times in one season. But this day Cobb scored a point over Weilman.
 When Cobb came to bat Weilman started working on him. He never was convinced fully that Cobb was easy although the records show that he was as far as Weilroan was concerned: well, there was Weilman working on hlm ana Cobb shifting around in the batter box and doing everything he could to disrupt Weilman. He finally managed to get a base on balls.
 "As soon as Cobb reached first he took a long lead off the bag Wellmaii threw to Leary, our first baseman, to catch Cobb off but Cobb easily beat the throw, sliding gracefully into the sack Leary lobbed the ball back to Wellman and Cobb immediately dashed away again and drew another throw which he managed to beat to the bag.
 "Leary lobbed the ball back to We'll man and Cobb dashed away again Weilman snatched the ball out ot tho air and whiped it back to Leary but again too late to catch Cobb. He once more beat the play.
 WeiIman Urged On
 Right here I thought saw chance to retire the side. stood up In the dugout and yelled to Weilman:
 t'Do it again!
 "Weilman snapped the ball back to Leary but he had no more success than before. This time Leary, disgusted al failing to catch Cobb, lobbed the bal back to Weilman even higher than pc fore and away Cobb went, this tune lol second base. Weiman snatched the pal out of the air and shot it to Johnny Lavan, who was playing second past l for us. But Weilman over-hurrled al' the ball struck the ground near Lavan feet and caromed of into center fleld Cobb rounded second and kept right oi ] going for third.
 "Now, our centerfielder had backed . up the play perfectly and had the bal , before Cobb was halfway to third base ? I figured him a dead cinch for an ou at third, where Jimmy Austin stood or the line awaiting the centerfielder, throw. The ball beat Cobb by yard but Austin was over-anxious and mo mentarily fumbled. Right here happen ed something that convinced me tha Cobb has brains in his feet. Elthe 2 that or he isn't human.
 Educated Feet
 "The ball was lying out there between Austin and Cobb for just fraction O I a second. Austin was reaching for tn l ball but in that instant Cobb did nor : thinking than the average ball piaye s does in season. Instead of shdln ] for the base he was sliding for the bal