This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
This gorgeous Ty Cobb-signed ball dates back to March 1961. Since Cobb died on July 17, of that year, this may one of the last signings by the infamous "Georgia Peach," who stood as baseball's Hit King (with 4,189) for half a century and played the game, in his own words, like "a kick in the crotch," aiming his sharp spikes in opposing players' faces and other parts. When Cobb retired from the game after 24 seasons spent almost entirely with the Detroit Tigers, he held 90 major league records including those for highest career average (.367) and stolen bases and held the AL record by hitting in 41 consecutive games. Despite his reputation – several times during his career he was removed from games for his own protection after fans showered him with abuse -- no one ever disputed Cobb's skills which is why he was the highest vote-getter (with over 98 percent of the ballots) in the first class to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936, more than Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner and Christy Mathewson. This ball recalls a peerless hitter and a proud man who for all his faults never lost his love for the game. The near-spotless OAL Brown ball was inscribed by Cobb, "To Barbara Burns from Ty Cobb, 3/22/61," in blue ballpoint pen. The signature is big and bold and rates a near 8.