Posted By:
Scott GrossI remember somewhere, sometime, reading Cobb's own reasoning for the split grip. To terribly paraphrase, and not to babble on too much, I beleive this is the jist of the split grib theory:
If it were a pitch he felt he could punch thru the infield for a safe single, he would raise up the lower hand, so both hands were higher on the bat. He would then be better abled to control his swing; like a swing bunt, or slap hit.
If it were a pitch he felt he could hit with more power, he would lower the top hand so both hands were near bottom of the bat. This, of course, gave him a more conventional swing.
If you beleive this theory, which I do, it just shows how great a hitter he was (or help explain how he hit for such great numbers).
For this reason, whenever a see an at bat Cobb card, I automatically check out his grip.
What a GREAT sport and hobby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!