The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21


Herald. All rights reservedo
BY HI. G. SALSINGER
A VOLUME could be written on
~ THE Battles of Tyrus Cobb" He
had a violent temper when he
broke into the game, a temper that
he has learned to control to some ex-
tent since his debut. He has become in
volved in many MISUNDERSTANDING dis
putes, arguments and fights. Often he
became frantically aroused over slight
matter that would pass unnoticed with
all but few people. A light wrong, or
an imagined wrong, could start VOL
ent fit of anger.
Cobbs lack of self-onctrol has
brought him inD embarrassing scenes.
1t has led him into courts and, on at
least one occasion, it required great
political influence 20 save him from
serious consequences.
He figured in embarrassing scenes
in three different hotels. In a hotel
mixup in Cleveland, Cobb was charged
with seriously stabbing the night
watchman A warrant was issued for
his arrest the next day but he was
spirited out of town before it could be
served. The matter went to the grand
jury and Cobb was placed in a delicate
position. Political power finally re-
scued him.
Fights With Schmidt
He had several fights with players.
The best known of which were his two
fights with Charlie Schmidt, veteran
Detroit catcher. One of these fights took
place on the clay diamond of a southern
ball field in the presence of the Detroit
team. Players separated the two after
Schmidt had Cobb thoroughly beaten.
In 1914 Cobb engaged in an argu-
ment with William L. Carpenter, De-
troit butcher who ran a shop near
Cobb's home. The butcher had sent
three perch to Cobb's house. The perch
cost 20 cents. There was dispute re-
garding the freshness of the perch. Cobb
went to the butcher shop and after he
and Carpenter had come TO an under
standing, Howard Harding, 20-year
old helper in the shop, took up his
employers quarrel Cobb and Harding
went outside and fought On the side
walk. Cobb got young Harding down
and in trying to punch him, missed
the boys head and struck the side
walk, dislocating his thumb. Cobb was
hauled to police station in patrol
wagon and was out of the game for
some time because of the injured thumb.
Wide Publicity
This fight was given n vast amount
of publicity at the time, but most of
Cobbs other rows did not receive the
same airing.
One time he was fined in police
court for striking negro street worker
who had asked him not to step on
freshly poured asphalt.
In May of 1912, Cobb got into a
row in New York and this fracas came
near causing break in the American
league, although few blamed Cobb for
the incident In Detroit-New York
game II spectator continued abusing
Cobb after Cobb had asked him to stop
his tactics. Cobb finally went into the
grandstand and struck his tormentor
Later it was found that the victim OF
Cobb's assault was a cripple, a fact
Cobb did not know when he attacked
the man.
President B. B. johnson of the Amer
| lean league suspended Cobb for this In
cident, The Detroit team went from
New York to Philadelphia and here the
PLAYERS rallied TO Cobb's support. They
had demanded his reinstatement and
when it was not granted they went on
strike in Philadelphia-the famous
players strike of 1912. Manager Jen-
nings was compelled to go out and re-
cruit team of amateurs and semi-pros
TO play the Athletics and protect the
Detroit franchise. Jim Mcclure and Joe
Sugden. veteran coaches, were the only
TWO men on the Detroit payroll who
participated in the game which, in
many ways, was the NEST unusual even
played in the ma ors. Philadelphia won
by an overwhelming score.
Strike Is Settled
Frank j. Navin, owner of the Detroit
club, President Johnson and other base