| Ty Cobb |
| 1928 Hillerich & Bradsby Ty Cobb Game Used Bat |
A few months back I found a Ty Cobb bat while browsing ebay one morning. While I
wasn't immediately certain exactly what it was the buy it now price which had been set
by the seller was affordable enough to warrant taking some risk.
This Cobb bat is one of the most visually appealing gamers I've ever had the
opportunity to handle. The barrel has an obvious flame burned finish which has taken
on a chameleon-like effect. Depending on how that part of the bat is viewed it appears
to be a range of colors from light brown to almost black.
PART 1 - Length & Weight
In the case of this bat, I was able to compare the length (35 7/8") and weight (41.3 oz)
of my bat to only one known example that is similar enough in specifications to
warrant consideration. It is:
As you can see, the length and weight of the Hillerich & Bradsby from my collection
compare very favorably with the MEARS authenticated example. However, the 36"
length of both bats is still longer than the 34.5" that is generally accepted as a typical
length for Ty Cobb. I knew from the start that the majority of Ty Cobb bats with
verified player characteristics have all been between 34" and 34 7/8" making my bat a
full inch longer. The LOA offers that "36" is longer than the norm but well within the
specs of a game used Ty Cobb bat."
At the time I purchased my bat I was unaware of a great article put together by Dave
Grob of MEARS that uses imagery analysis and mathematical equations to establish
that contrary to the information contained in the H&B shipping records Ty Cobb likely
did use bats longer than 34.5". This article reasons that by using points of known
length in vintage images like the center brands of bats a person can attempt to
establish the size of other items like the total overall length of a bat.
The article is extremely well written and in my opinion definitely shows that it is
plausible that Ty Cobb did use bats that were 35" to 36" long.
Shown below are a few different Ty Cobb professional model bats that have been
offered for sale in various places. Included is the H&B example I currently own.
(Note: The three other shown Cobb bats I believe are all between 34" and 34 3/4" long)
wasn't immediately certain exactly what it was the buy it now price which had been set
by the seller was affordable enough to warrant taking some risk.
This Cobb bat is one of the most visually appealing gamers I've ever had the
opportunity to handle. The barrel has an obvious flame burned finish which has taken
on a chameleon-like effect. Depending on how that part of the bat is viewed it appears
to be a range of colors from light brown to almost black.
PART 1 - Length & Weight
In the case of this bat, I was able to compare the length (35 7/8") and weight (41.3 oz)
of my bat to only one known example that is similar enough in specifications to
warrant consideration. It is:
- MEARS 251133 - 1920s Ty Cobb Professional Model Bat - 36" - 40 oz
As you can see, the length and weight of the Hillerich & Bradsby from my collection
compare very favorably with the MEARS authenticated example. However, the 36"
length of both bats is still longer than the 34.5" that is generally accepted as a typical
length for Ty Cobb. I knew from the start that the majority of Ty Cobb bats with
verified player characteristics have all been between 34" and 34 7/8" making my bat a
full inch longer. The LOA offers that "36" is longer than the norm but well within the
specs of a game used Ty Cobb bat."
At the time I purchased my bat I was unaware of a great article put together by Dave
Grob of MEARS that uses imagery analysis and mathematical equations to establish
that contrary to the information contained in the H&B shipping records Ty Cobb likely
did use bats longer than 34.5". This article reasons that by using points of known
length in vintage images like the center brands of bats a person can attempt to
establish the size of other items like the total overall length of a bat.
The article is extremely well written and in my opinion definitely shows that it is
plausible that Ty Cobb did use bats that were 35" to 36" long.
Shown below are a few different Ty Cobb professional model bats that have been
offered for sale in various places. Included is the H&B example I currently own.
(Note: The three other shown Cobb bats I believe are all between 34" and 34 3/4" long)
1928 Hillerich & Bradsby Ty Cobb - 35 7/8" - 41.3 oz
PART 2 - Player Characteristics
Along with the known similarities in length and weight it is often helpful to closely
examine available photos to note similar player traits between offered bats.
In the current Hillerich & Bradsby example from my collection the only verifiable
player trait of Ty Cobb seems to be the presence of a few cleat marks on the barrel. I
haven't had it professionally authenticated so I can't say for sure whether it has the
"flattened hitting surface" that is typical of high end gamers of Ruth and Cobb, but I
know there is definitely grain swelling. The handle doesn't appear to have any tape
remnants present which is unfortunate.
Along with the known similarities in length and weight it is often helpful to closely
examine available photos to note similar player traits between offered bats.
In the current Hillerich & Bradsby example from my collection the only verifiable
player trait of Ty Cobb seems to be the presence of a few cleat marks on the barrel. I
haven't had it professionally authenticated so I can't say for sure whether it has the
"flattened hitting surface" that is typical of high end gamers of Ruth and Cobb, but I
know there is definitely grain swelling. The handle doesn't appear to have any tape
remnants present which is unfortunate.
PART 3 - Photographic Attribution
When attempting to attribute use of a particular bat (style, brand, or finish) by a
particular player one must use all of the information available. In my case, not only
was I trying to prove a length that is not typical for Cobb I was also trying to prove that
the two-tone "Black Betsy" style was used by Cobb on at least one occasion.
Luckily I found a 1928 photo of Ty Cobb with the Philadelphia Athletics that shows
Cobb with a bat that has a definite two tone look to it. The darker barrel and lighter
handle are clearly different as white handle tape is also visible just above Cobb's hands.
(EDITED - November 22, 2008 - The Photo of Ty Cobb shown below was located in a
book called PEACH: Ty Cobb in His Time and Ours by Richard Bak. The photo is shown
on page 158. The caption with the photo reads in part: "The Peach at bat in the 1928
season opener at Shibe Park." Because of this information, all references of the bat as a
1927-28 bat have been changed to 1928 only. A high-res scan of the book page can be
viewed HERE. The image credits in the back of the book list the source as the Hillerich
& Bradsby Archives.)
Because the era of bat is narrowed to the very late 1920s, only pictures of Cobb with
the Athletics have any real bearing on style comparison. The photo clearly
demonstrates Cobb's use of a two-tone style of bat.
By using photoshop I was able to overlay my Cobb bat right onto the picture which
made the visible comparison of the barrel that much more dramatic.
When attempting to attribute use of a particular bat (style, brand, or finish) by a
particular player one must use all of the information available. In my case, not only
was I trying to prove a length that is not typical for Cobb I was also trying to prove that
the two-tone "Black Betsy" style was used by Cobb on at least one occasion.
Luckily I found a 1928 photo of Ty Cobb with the Philadelphia Athletics that shows
Cobb with a bat that has a definite two tone look to it. The darker barrel and lighter
handle are clearly different as white handle tape is also visible just above Cobb's hands.
(EDITED - November 22, 2008 - The Photo of Ty Cobb shown below was located in a
book called PEACH: Ty Cobb in His Time and Ours by Richard Bak. The photo is shown
on page 158. The caption with the photo reads in part: "The Peach at bat in the 1928
season opener at Shibe Park." Because of this information, all references of the bat as a
1927-28 bat have been changed to 1928 only. A high-res scan of the book page can be
viewed HERE. The image credits in the back of the book list the source as the Hillerich
& Bradsby Archives.)
Because the era of bat is narrowed to the very late 1920s, only pictures of Cobb with
the Athletics have any real bearing on style comparison. The photo clearly
demonstrates Cobb's use of a two-tone style of bat.
By using photoshop I was able to overlay my Cobb bat right onto the picture which
made the visible comparison of the barrel that much more dramatic.
The last bit of evidence to be presented is simply an excerpt from the very excellent
1994 Ty Cobb biography "COBB" by Al Stump. This excerpt is from page 227.
"Even with the distraction of earning big money from five directions - seven if you
counted the Duplex Razor ads and plugs for Nuxated Iron Pills ["Nuxated Calms My
Stomach"] he endorsed at one thousand dollars each - Cobb had a typical series of
seasons from 1913 through 1915. Five hundred and two hits came cracking off his
black and tan Louisville Sluggers during this period as he gained his seventh, eighth,
and ninth consecutive batting crowns with averages of .390, .368, and .369."
Even though the mention in the book of the "black and tan Louisville Sluggers" is from
an era much earlier than my bat the significance of this cannot be overlooked as it
further lends credence to Cobb's use of two tone bats during his career.
1994 Ty Cobb biography "COBB" by Al Stump. This excerpt is from page 227.
"Even with the distraction of earning big money from five directions - seven if you
counted the Duplex Razor ads and plugs for Nuxated Iron Pills ["Nuxated Calms My
Stomach"] he endorsed at one thousand dollars each - Cobb had a typical series of
seasons from 1913 through 1915. Five hundred and two hits came cracking off his
black and tan Louisville Sluggers during this period as he gained his seventh, eighth,
and ninth consecutive batting crowns with averages of .390, .368, and .369."
Even though the mention in the book of the "black and tan Louisville Sluggers" is from
an era much earlier than my bat the significance of this cannot be overlooked as it
further lends credence to Cobb's use of two tone bats during his career.
PART 5 - Summary
In summary, I feel more confident than ever that the bat I have in my collection was
most definitely used by Ty Cobb in 1928. While there is a lack of player characteristics
like handle tape and the length is a bit more than typical, I cannot overlook the
significance of the 1928 photo and the similarities of the depicted bat to my own. It is
my opinion that the bat in my collection was used in a game by Ty Cobb while with the
Philadelphia Athletics late in his hall of fame career.
In summary, I feel more confident than ever that the bat I have in my collection was
most definitely used by Ty Cobb in 1928. While there is a lack of player characteristics
like handle tape and the length is a bit more than typical, I cannot overlook the
significance of the 1928 photo and the similarities of the depicted bat to my own. It is
my opinion that the bat in my collection was used in a game by Ty Cobb while with the
Philadelphia Athletics late in his hall of fame career.
| 1928 Philadelphia Athletics Ty Cobb Photo |
| Part 4 - Other Evidence |