Best lefty off all time? My vote is Koufax!

[Peter_Spaeth]

I'm reminded of a supposed exchange between Ty Cobb and a reporter in 1950 or so. The reporter asked Cobb, if you played today, what do you think you would hit?

Cobb replied, .270 or so.

The reporter asked, are today's players really that much better than in your day?

Cobb replied, no, but I am 65.

[FrankWakefield]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I'm reminded of a supposed exchange between Ty Cobb and a reporter in 1950 or so. The reporter asked Cobb, if you played today, what do you think you would hit?

Cobb replied, .270 or so.

The reporter asked, are today's players really that much better than in your day?

Cobb replied, no, but I am 65.

.300 was what the quotes attribute to what he'd hit; not .270

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

.300 was what the quotes attribute to what he'd hit; not .270

Well, I heard it was Lefty O'Doul being asked the question at a banquet where Cobb was present. I think he told that story in The Glory of Their Times if I'm not mistaken. So I guess there are multiple variations floating around.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I'm reminded of a supposed exchange between Ty Cobb and a reporter in 1950 or so. The reporter asked Cobb, if you played today, what do you think you would hit?

Cobb replied, .270 or so.

The reporter asked, are today's players really that much better than in your day?

Cobb replied, no, but I am 65.

I've heard of a similar story from around the 1980s/1990s with a reporter asking Yogi Berra about Joe DiMaggio.