Applying today's societal lens against the HOFers of yesterday

[drcy]

I have read neither book, but Cobb had a bad personality reputation from his contemporaries. Perhaps he mellowed with age, and I know nothing about the supposed racism angle, but his bad attitude reputation wasn't something made up after the fact, and certainly not by a single book.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by drcy

I have read neither book, but Cobb had a bad personality reputation from his contemporaries. Perhaps he mellowed with age, and I know nothing about the supposed racism angle, but his bad attitude reputation wasn't something made up after the fact, and certainly not by a single book.

I’m not quite sure what your point is.

But yes, I think most men would have had a “bad personality” had they endured the tragedy and hazing Cobb dealt with. He also did mellow with age, even lobbying for Sam Crawford’s HOF admission, despite the latter’s tormenting of Cobb as a rookie.

[bbcard1]

There is a description that is creeping into our lexicon...he was a man of his time...which generally is used in a weird condescending way where the speaker owns a superiority over the subject. I would like to say I am sure I would not have been one of the people yelling "Crucify Him!" at Jesus Christ. But I'm not that sure.

Anyhow, we will never make any real progress in equality until we cease to define ourselves by our differences...a white guy, a fat woman, a gay barber, etc. We don't do that. We instead celebrate and compensate for our difference.

Wow, got me OT there.

I don't think only a handful of "heroes" of days gone (Matthewson and Johnson come to mind) by could have escaped the scrutiny of the press today. Can you image the stories that would have been generated by Ruth, Cobb, Mantle?

[CMIZ5290]

Ty Cobb had may demons, but he was incredibly generous with his friends. He took care of Mickey Cochrane (HOFer) and many others.... He was also generous with funds that he left for the community....