This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/15/2008
Ty Cobb's 9-page letter, handwritten in typical green ink, is the centerpiece of a three-ring binder filled with a number of newspaper clippings and black and white photos from the archive of Irving Vaughan, who wrote sports for the Chicago Tribune from 1911-1957. Cobb's lengthy letter is largely a defense of an article that he had written for the March 17, 1952 edition of Life Magazine. Titled "They Ruined Baseball," in the article Cobb laments the new "lively ball" era of home run hitters and how it has taken away what he felt were the most important skills of the game during his career in the dead ball era (1905-1928). In his letter, he discusses early teams such as the White Sox, Washington, etc., that had no home run hitters, but were successful because of their execution of the basics. "So the hit & run, the bunt, the sacrifice (or ability to execute as of years past) and the stolen base, the squeeze, when you take a lot of this play out of the game of baseball, its not too good" he writes. "I have given answers when requested and it was not a new thought of mine, I have been consistent at least, I believe it." He also mentions that he was not paid for the article, even though he says "Irving, I don't think I deserve to be swiped at by my receiving fees." He adds that, confidentially, he had funded a hospital in his hometown. He speaks of Rizzuto being the modern ballplayer that could be a throwback to his own era and laments Ted Williams' choice not to hit to left despite the right field shift that teams employed against the dead pull hitter. Also included are both the March 17th and March 24th, 1952 Life Magazine copies with Cobb's articles (the other is entitled - "Tricks That Won Me Ball Games"); in the notebook filled with photos, there is a 3 x 5 of Vaughan and Babe Ruth during the 1934 Tour of Japan (Vaughan went in 1933 and 1934); a framed 1942 Baseball Writers of America dinner photo, 18" x 10" image size with extensive water damage to matting (not illustrated). The letter is in excellent condition, as are the magazines, photos and clippings. Minor wear from age. LOA from PSA/DNA.
10,000 USD - 15,000 USD