Ty Cobb

Alexander approaches baseball history as a historian; not a mere storyteller. This book reflects that approach. Alexander reports the feats and faults of Cobb, but doesn't try to pass judgement. Cobb's career speaks for itself (men are still chasing some of his records). However, in our age of political correctness Cobb's misbehavior speaks louder. Alexander details a complete Cobb. For all his faults Cobb was mannered and gracious in public (most of the time), a perfect host (if he liked you) and a generous philanthropist. This is the side most other Cobb bio's whitewash. This book proves useful as a resource about Cobb. It details the facts about his life season by season. The only way to improve the book would be to add more detail and color to some of Cobb's exploits-- but then the book would have to be about 500 pages.I consider this to be the primere biography of Ty Cobb. However, those looking mostly for anidotes, stories and that harsh personality brought to life might want to check out Al Stumps' "Cobb". I suggest reading both to develop the full image of the Greatest innovator baseball has ever seen.

Perfect companion to Al Stump's bio of Cobb. Alexander is more factual; Stump gives the reader a more thorough understanding of Cobb and his peculiarly ferocious personality. (The Alexander and Stump biographies portray a man who is one part Bedford Forest, one part Patton, one part Perot and one part Michael Jordan). For instance, Alexander devotes little more than one paragraph to Cobb's nervous breakdown in August, 1906. On the other hand, Stump details the inhumane hazing Cobb received from his yankee teammates in 1906 due to southern upbringing which led to Cobb's breakdown and fed his massive paranoia. Stump does a much better job on detailing Cobb's rivalry with Babe Ruth. Alexander briefly mentions the rivalry; Stump details the intense hatred Cobb felt for Ruth. For example, as player-manager of the Tigers, Cobb would often scream at the thick-lipped Ruth from the dugout, "You Nigga', Nigga' etc., etc.." However, where Stump takes many of Cobb's stories and yarns at face value, Alexander sifts through the clouds and tells the reader what is definitely true and leaves out what might be lies. Ty Cobb is the most interesting baseball player of all time though not the most important (Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente and, because of his role in free agency, Catfish Hunter were more important than Cobb). To get a real good feel of Ty Cobb, you need to read two books. Mr. Alexander's book is one of the two.

I have read several Cobb biographies-this is the best. Alexander is thorough, accurate and entertaining. If you're interested in Ty Cobb and are only going to read one biography, read this one. Highly recommended.

What the average baseball fan hears or knows about Ty Cobb are his many records (stolen bases, hits, batting average)that he holds or has held at one time. What Charles Alexander's book reveals are the tumultuous circumstances that surrounded this simultaneous boyhood idol of many and despised bigot to others. No one would ever rightly dispute Ty's greatness as a baseball player. It was his behavior (or should I say misbehavior)on and off the field as a man that permeates the soul through Alexander's chronicles and leaves me with definite feelings of ambivalence toward "the Georgia Peach." While I wish that I could have seen him play ball during the dead-ball era (I am not nearly that old), I don't know if I would ever have wanted to cross paths with Ty in a dark lonely alley since he would probably view me as "another damn yankee."

What fact isn't missing! Charles Alexander pinpoints the essential Ty Cobb. The research involved must have been painstaking, but thorough. I have never come across a book that kept the pace going from beginning to end like this one. The only noticeable flaw is the size of the text font. It is a little too small for comfort and forces you to concentrate a little more than the content should allow. It is an excellent book! Anthony DeMedeiros, Toronto, Ontario