Herzog Fights Cobb
Ty Weighed Almost 50 Pounds More, But Buck HAD to Fight
Buck was foolish, but he was also courageous. His face was cut and he lost two teeth, but it was something that he had to do, regardless of the cost
In an exhibition game between the Giants and Tigers during the spring of 1917, a tremendous brawl, set off by Ty Cobb, occurred. With two outs in the second inning, Cobb singled, bringing up Bobby Veach. Ty took off for second but the throw beat him by a wide margin. Buck Herzog was waiting to tag out Cobb when the greatest player of his time or, according to many, of all time, slid into Herzog with his spikes high. The Giants’ second baseman was cut on his leg and immediately went after Cobb. In an instant, the field was filled with players attempting to maim each other. The police were needed to restore order.
Most Players Hated Their Opponents
The Giants and Tigers didn’t like each other, but in those days, most players didn’t like most of their opponents. The fact that this was an exhibition game didn’t matter. The objective was to win, whether the game counted in the standing or not, because each team knew that the game counted for them. When Cobb went out to right field after the melee, Giants’ manager John McGraw demanded that Cobb be thrown out of the game, and he was. There were altercations and bench jockeying throughout the game.
Herzog Told Cobb He'd Meet Him in His Room
The Giants and Tigers stayed at the Oriental Hotel in Dallas. That evening, Herzog went over to Cobb in the dining room and told him that he would be going to his room later to settle their differences. Immediately after dinner, Ty and Tigers’ trainer Harry Tuthill went to Cobb’s room to wait for Buck, who soon appeared with Heinie Zimmerman. Cobb outweighed Buck by about 50 pounds easily disposed of him. Buck was foolish, but he was also courageous. His face was cut and he lost two teeth, but it was something that he had to do, regardless of the cost. Finally, Tuthill and Zimmerman stopped the fight.
Baseball Players Have Become Entertainers
In 2008, players belong to the same union. So many players change teams so often that team loyalty is almost non-existent. Memorabilia shows, baseball functions, and media events place players in situations where they socialize with each other, and many become good friends. Players are entertainers who are part of a multi-billion dollar industry. It affects competition and few players hate other players the way players of Cobb's era hated the opposition.
The "Brother-in-Law" League
As long ago as the 1950s, the American League was referred to as the "brother-in law league" because runners sliding into second base on an attempted double play would not slide hard into the fielder covering the base. In the National League, most players slid hard, trying to upend the fielder in order to prevent him from making a strong relay to first. The term "brother-in law" was used in a derogatory sense because Sunday softball players didn't want to hurt their brothers-in law.
What if Cobb Played Today?
There will be baseball brawls as long as the game is played, but there will never be another competitor as tough as Ty Cobb. One cannot help but wonder what would have happened if Ty, with all his baggage, had been born in 1985 and joined the Tigers last season. Better yet, wouldn’t it be fascinating if Cobb played for the 2008 Yankees?
References:
“Fur and Fists Fly in Giants’ Victory; McGraw and Jennings Also Bandy Words as Latter Sees His Tigers Tumbling.” New York Times. 1 April 1917, p. S2
“Herzog and Cobb Fight; Giants’ Captain and Detroit Fielder Battle in Hotel Room.” New York Times. 1 April 1917, p. 18.
