Exactly what motivated the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Ty Cobb remains a dark mystery. But his incredible talents were fueled by equal parts anger, intensity, cunning, intimidation and a mean-spirited, win-at-all-costs drive that never wavered over an incredible 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers and two with the Philadelphia Athletics.
Offered here is a remarkable 9-page letter handwritten by the Georgia Peach dated September 22, 1910, and signed by the Hall of Famer at the end. The subject of the letter is a complaint from Cobb against the National Commission for attempting to breach an agreement between him and other ballplayers for playing in an All-Star series. The letter reads in its entirety (separated by page):
“Mr. D.A. Fletcher [Cincinnati, Ohio]...Dear Sir:- Yours of 20th received and noted in reply I will send my uniform measurements and I want to say I am certainly glad that we will pull off the series as I felt that I had lost some money by signing up with you as I turned down another good sure proposition down south to accept yours. Now Mr. Fletcher I received some letters from this man Milbern + Livingstone asking [Page 1]...
"...me to send my check that is signed by you back to them now I never heard of these fellows until National Commission ruled against our playing they may be backing in but I don't know it as they are not even mentioned in contracts, etc. Now you are the man I dealt with and I have your check our contract don't mention anything about Nat'l Commissions ruling. When we received check that was to insure us against what I did in being sure of playing series and make our [Page 2]...
"...preparations to play and the money was ours when the sent checks all we had to do was fulfil our contract and I am here ready to fill mine when you send me transportation to come. I expect you to carry out your contract with me as I don't have any contract with Livingstone and Milbern I am under no obligations to them. I was awfully glad to get your message that we were to play as I made all my [Page 3]...
"...plans to play and to fail would be a disappointment financially. My suit measurements are as follows [sizes listed]. This is the measurements as used by Spalding + Bros [Page 4].
"I have noticed several articles in papers about National Commissions rulings and what they had to say concerning the all-star series. I think they are treading on dangerous grounds as the star players wont stand for this funny work and they have the power but it is not organized. I noticed where Mr. Lynch President National League said that we would hippodrome the games and I think any man who is always looking for crooked work must be well versed in that art himself. The star players who were [Page 5]...
"...selected to play in these games are all gentlemen as players or men in any line can't advance to the top of their professions and be crooks as he states and I think it was one of the greatest insults that could be offered and he should be forced to apologize to the players and fans as they are interested in the players to that extent. Noticed where Hermann was going to fine us if we did not return checks he must be a wonder he should be in the museum business. They will be making us hand our earnings over to them after awhile. I think [Page 6]...
"...that was the most nonsensical statement of all, he may have power but he will have to be immortal before he can make me return my check and I dare him or anyone else to fine me for not returning it. He is only showing after all how flimsy and unreasonable their baseball laws are and it shows their hands to the public. I see where all the parks went back on you and jumped their contracts as you told me once before you had [Page 7]...
"...several parks well you know what we get when we jump our contracts and you know what a man is when he goes back on his signature to a contract well of course the big and mighty club owners can jump theirs with you oh! no that is nothing they can get away with it you are damaged and you should sue them and take them into a civil court where they can't juggle things to suit them. I don't like oppression and if they did not act so [Page 8]...
"...sneaking I would not say this but we have been wronged and I don't care if all the newspapers know it the players are wrought up. Hoping to hear from you at once assuring me you are to play and where and when I expect transportation I can wire you later where to send it to. Very Truly Yours, Ty Cobb. I am with you." [Page 9]
Cobb's cursive handwriting is done in black fountain ink ranging 6.5-8.5/10 in strength, with some pages bolder than others. His signature at the end with the powerful final message appears 7/10. The pages show definite signs of wear and age with staining visible, but overall they remain in very good overall condition.
The letter is now pristinely preserved and fully encapsulated in nine separate PSA/DNA jumbo holders each labeled "Authentic" -- the first eight confirming all writing to be in Cobb's hand and the last one certifying his signarture.