Ty Cobb and the hobby

[Snapolit1]

In the 10 years or so I've been collecting, Cobb has always been in the upper upper echelon of collecting. A top 5 guy. As evidenced by the post below this and many others. I've always wondered what factors play into the enduring fascination with Cobb. Great ball player? Of course. But many great players don't seem to have captured the imagination to anywhere near the degree Cobb has. Great person? Well, probably not. Though I guess it's now widely agreed that he has been misrepresented and misconstrued to probably a large degree. By one author in particular. But he hardly was an altar boy type like Christy Mathewson. Wonder what factors fuel the never ending interest in Cobby? He has some great cards to be sure, but so do folks like Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker and Eddie Collins. Just curious why some guys take off and others never really do. Obviously has more to do with just the numbers on the back of the card.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

In the 10 years or so I've been collecting, Cobb has always been in the upper upper echelon of collecting. A top 5 guy. As evidenced by the post below this and many others. I've always wondered what factors play into the enduring fascination with Cobb. Great ball player? Of course. But many great players don't seem to have captured the imagination to anywhere near the degree Cobb has. Great person? Well, probably not. Though I guess it's now widely agreed that he has been misrepresented and misconstrued to probably a large degree. By one author in particular. But he hardly was an altar boy type like Christy Mathewson. Wonder what factors fuel the never ending interest in Cobby? He has some great cards to be sure, but so do folks like Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker and Eddie Collins. Just curious why some guys take off and others never really do. Obviously has more to do with just the numbers on the back of the card.

For me, it's some mystique and the fact he has the highest batting average of all time.

He must have been special. Who else got a LaSalle?
.

[Zach Wheat]

Nice card Leon. I have always felt he was misrepresented. He is one my favorite pre-war players.

[NYYFan63]

Oops wrong thread


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[jsfriedm]

Because he was considered the GOAT long before that term was invented. The relationship between player accomplishments and card prices aren't linear, not for Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker or for Willie Mays and Frank Robinson. An old joke that many have probably already heard:

A man walks into a bar and says, "my dog can talk."
Bartender: "Yeah, right. If your dog can talk, you can drink for free."
Man: "Okay, here, I'll show you. What's on top of a house?"
Dog: "Roof!"
Man: "How does sandpaper feel?"
Dog: "Rough!"
Man: "Who was the greatest player of all time?"
Dog: "Ruth!"
Bartender: "That dog can't talk! Get out of here!"
Dog to man on the way home: "Think I should have said Ty Cobb?"

[GaryPassamonte]

Americans like rascals better than good guys. They're just more exciting and interesting. Although much of Cobb's less than stellar reputation may have been fabricated, it still has been perceived as true until recently.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by jsfriedm

Because he was considered the GOAT long before that term was invented. The relationship between player accomplishments and card prices aren't linear, not for Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker or for Willie Mays and Frank Robinson. An old joke that many have probably already heard:

A man walks into a bar and says, "my dog can talk."
Bartender: "Yeah, right. If your dog can talk, you can drink for free."
Man: "Okay, here, I'll show you. What's on top of a house?"
Dog: "Roof!"
Man: "How does sandpaper feel?"
Dog: "Rough!"
Man: "Who was the greatest player of all time?"
Dog: "Ruth!"
Bartender: "That dog can't talk! Get out of here!"
Dog to man on the way home: "Think I should have said Ty Cobb?"

Ha ha ha! Now that's funny, sir!

I have read that Cobb as a pariah was the result of one man, a writer with some sort of vendetta. It only adds to the mystique. I have read accounts by his peers that, on the field, he was no worse than many, many others. Highest batting average ever is good enough for me. I have some very nice Ty Cobb items, and I am happy and grateful to have them. Not the least of which is a t205 that I got just before the Covid card value explosion. He's in my personal top 5 of all-time.

[atx840]

I am a simple man, let's see some cards!

[ClementeFanOh]

Well, he hit .300 23 (!!) consecutive times and won a double digit number of batting titles, after all… Trent King

[Casey2296]

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I prefer Cobb to Ruth, I like Cobbs mystique, passion for the game, and that he was/is misunderstood. His teammates didn't like him but they respected him, baseball was not a popularity contest for Cobb, it was a burning passion to win.

He was a smart businessman and also generous.

The non profit hospital he started in 1950 has grown to what is now the Ty Cobb Healthcare System, a private self supporting nonprofit health care organization consisting of Cobb Memorial Hospital, Cobb Terrace Personal Care Center, Brown Memorial Convalescent Center, Cobb Health Care Center, Home Base Health Services, Cobb Center, Inc., and Hart County Hospital.

And he has some of the best looking baseball cards...
-

[VintageBen]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

-
I prefer Cobb to Ruth, I like Cobbs mystique, passion for the game, and that he was and is misunderstood. His teammates didn't like him but they respected him, baseball was not a popularity contest for Cobb, it was a burning passion to win.

He was a smart businessman and also generous.

The non profit hospital he started in 1950 has grown to what is now the Ty Cobb Healthcare System, a private self supporting nonprofit health care organization consisting of Cobb Memorial Hospital, Cobb Terrace Personal Care Center, Brown Memorial Convalescent Center, Cobb Health Care Center, Home Base Health Services, Cobb Center, Inc., and Hart County Hospital.

And he has some of the best looking baseball cards...
-

I love that CJ Cobb!!!!

[Kawika]

Gotta love Ty Cobb. Intense player. Legendary skills. Great cards. Looks like a nice guy to me.

[Jeff1970Red]

I grew up idolizing Rose who was always chasing Cobb

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Gotta love Ty Cobb. Intense player. Legendary skills. Great cards. Looks like a nice guy to me.

Such a great photo David!

[BioCRN]

It's not very fair because Babe Ruth had an age advantage by the time he was a superstar, but Ruth and Cobb were constantly compared.

Cobb already had a high profile, but Ruth helped elevate it further. They both innovated what greatness in the game can look like.

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I've always wondered what factors play into the enduring fascination with Cobb.

There are several (on and off-the-field) factors fueling Cobb’s continued legacy. I could write a thesis on each one, but will avoid a Bob C. type post.

Cobb was baseball’s original greatest all-time player, and I’d argue still is today. It wasn’t until modern time that people placed Ruth ahead of Cobb. However, Cobb and Ruth’s contemporaries, who saw their entire careers, said Cobb was better. Cobb was the first player elected to the Hall. He received more votes than Ruth, Wagner, Mathewson, and Johnson.

[Pat R]

Career leaders

AVG = #1
Hits = #2
Runs scored = #2
Doubles = #4
Triples = #2
Stolen bases = #4
RBI's = #8
OBP = #11

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Pat R

Career leaders

AVG = #1
Hits = #2
Runs scored = #2
Doubles = #4
Triples = #2
Stolen bases = #4
RBI's = #8
OBP = #11

Numbers are certainly important, but if you follow the hobby it it's clear other forces are at work too. Not breaking news.

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Numbers are certainly important, but if you follow the hobby it it's clear other forces are at work too. Not breaking news.

Yeah I don't follow the hobby, maybe it's because of all the Coca-Cola stock he owned.

[LOUCARDFAN]

I have always had a fascination with the older players but Cobb was one that has always stood out in my collecting habits. His picture also adores many of the walls in my office and man cave.



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