Ty Cobbys Influence On Basketball Players Essay Example

are weak or overly sensitive should not participate. It is a challenging endeavor that demands the best and strongest individuals to emerge victorious.

Every player in the game, from the minors onwards, is not only competing against the opposing team but also battling to keep their own position against their teammates who would gladly take it. There is no need to deny or downplay this fact, but rather, we should openly acknowledge it (Cobb, 280).

Tyrus Raymond Cobb was born on December 18, 1886, in Royston, Georgia. His mother, Amanda Chitwood, was only fifteen years old at the time while his father, William Herschel Cobb, was 23. They had been married in 1883. To supplement his income from teaching school, William purchased a 100-acre farm. This is where Ty grew up and where his father instilled in him the values of hard work and determination.

As Ty's talent in farming and his willingness to work became apparent, his bond with his father grew stronger. The style of baseball played during that time differed greatly from the present day, described by Cobb as "as polite as a blow in the groin" (Cobb, 42). Despite disapproval from his father, Ty spent a significant amount of time playing baseball because he enjoyed the competition and strategic aspects of the game. During his youth, Ty would wrap yarn around a small ball to create his own makeshift baseball. After completing some errands, he would seek out a leather maker who could provide a cover for the ball.

He played cow pasture baseball at ages 11 and 12 but had no desire to pursue a baseball career. According to Cobb (17), being the new kid with

a hittable ball helped him overcome social barriers swiftly. When not working on the farm, Ty would engage in baseball. However, William disapproved of his son's involvement in the sport, fearing that Ty would become a stereotypical player of the time: an alcoholic and a womanizer (Stevenson, 4). At 17, Ty sought his father's permission to try out for the South Atlantic League team in Augusta. Although hesitant, William allowed Ty to go, hoping he would soon realize that baseball was not his true calling and would opt for a career as a doctor, lawyer, or military officer upon his return.

According to Cobb (45), Ty was told by William to express his choice and share his thoughts. He also received six checks from William, each worth $15, along with good wishes for success.

Ty's commitment on the field was an early indication of his future as a professional baseball player.

I was a man who saw no point in losing, if I could win. He played every chance he got, practicing his hitting skills and keeping in shape by working on the farm back home. While playing "town ball," he developed his own style of holding the baseball bat by choking up on it more than anyone else. After playing for the South Atlantic team, he joined the Detroit Tigers in 1905 at 18 years old, marking the beginning of his professional career. He stayed with the Tigers for all 24 seasons of his playing career.

Ty Cobb became manager of the Detroit Tigers in 1921, taking over from Hugh Jennings. Despite his managerial duties, Cobb continued to play as an outfielder for the team. He was

acquired by the Tigers from Augusta for $700 with assistance from manager Bill Armour. On August 30, 1905, he made his debut in the major leagues as a center fielder and had an impactful start by hitting a game-winning double off prominent pitcher Jack Chesbro. After Bill Armour retired in 1907, Cobb took on a regular outfielder position and went on to set over 90 records throughout his career. In 1911, he achieved his highest batting average of .420.

According to Kossuth (online), Ty was renowned for his remarkable baseball skills and strategic game approach. He pioneered the analysis of pitchers' psychology, using the "war of nerves" tactic to enhance his chances of getting on base. As he stated, "I constantly strive to keep the opposing team off balance, making it difficult for them to anticipate the ball's trajectory. My main target is usually the third baseman, as I aim to disrupt their composure" (Current Biography 1951, 112). Despite any critiques or comments regarding his playing style, Ty remained unaffected.

In 1912, he went into the stands and gave "physical punishment" to an abusive and cruel spectator who was later found to have no hands. Consequently, he was banned indefinitely from baseball, but the ban was ultimately lifted after just 10 days. In solidarity with him, the Detroit "regulars" went on strike and refused to play until he returned.

Weak pitching led to the Tigers falling to seventh place in 1921, but their manager was able to steer them to third place in 1922 and second place in 1923, which was their best performance. Unfortunately, when George Moriarty took over as manager in 1926 after Stevenson, the

Tigers dropped down to sixth place. Ty ended his career with the Philadelphia Athletics under Connie Mack and played two seasons before retiring in 1928. Remarkably, he achieved a record-breaking feat by playing in 3,033 professional games.

In the inaugural ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, Ty Cobb received more votes than Babe Ruth. He is considered a legendary figure in baseball and was the first player to have his plaque displayed at the esteemed baseball hall in Cooperstown, New York. Throughout his career, he accumulated an impressive total of 4,191 hits in the major leagues. As a tribute to his parents, Ty graciously donated $100,000 towards the construction of a cutting-edge hospital in his hometown.

(Current Biography 1951, 113) Ty Cobb died peacefully in his sleep at Emory Hospital on July 17, 1961. Prior to his death, he voluntarily admitted himself into the hospital and brought a paper bag with approximately $1 million dollars and his Lugar pistol. Despite strained relationships with most of his family members, they did visit him during his final days. In Cobb's will, he allocated a quarter of his total wealth ($11 million) to the Cobb Educational Fund, while the rest was divided among his children and grandchildren. Cobb had a complex impact on society that elicited various emotions such as anger, sadness, loneliness, hard work, care, and satisfaction with how he lived. Different individuals perceive his actions differently but recognize both his notorious temper and its presence in others.

In 1996, Stevenson, a band called Soundgarden composed an angry song about the renowned Ty Cobb. This song stands out among their collection as it contains explicit language in

the lyrics, implying that the band's perception of him was likely negative. However, like most people should, they probably recognized that deep down he was a decent individual, despite rarely displaying this side. In his autobiography, Ty shares his final words, including a quote from Edgar Guest, one of his cherished poets. The quote emphasizes the need for individuals to navigate life on Earth, where hatred, sin, and wrongdoing prevail. He believes that one's worth is proven in this challenging environment and justifies their existence by planting a single rose in unfavorable circumstances. Reflecting on his life, Ty finds contentment in sitting on a Georgia hill or next to a serene California mountain lake. Furthermore, he acknowledges that the various ways he finds solace help alleviate the physical pain he experiences. Ultimately, he frequently engages in spiritual communion with his God.

I seek his guidance for all my decisions, a habit I think every young man should adopt. This will help them cultivate resilience, self-assurance, and the capacity to advocate for their convictions. The book I once assumed would remain unfinished is now accomplished.

End of game, inning, and time at bat. (Cobb, 282)

Bibliography

1. Stump, Al, Cobb, Ty. My Life in Baseball-The True Record. Garden City, New
2. York: Doubleday & Co., 1961 Rothe, Anna, ed. "Ty Cobb" Current
3. Biography. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1951. "Ty: The Early Years."
4. (Online) Available Http://wso.williams.edu/jkossuth/cobb/youth.htm, 2/8/2000.
5. "Aggressive play defined Ty Cobb." (Online) available http://augustachronicle.com/history/cobb.html,
6. 2/8/2000. Encyclopedia Britannica online.

"Cobb, Ty." (Online) available