Cobb is a prick. But he sure can hit. God Almighty, that man can hit.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I broke in with four hits, and the writers promptly declared they had seen the new Ty Cobb. It took me only a few days to correct that impression.
At Tiger Stadium, the dugouts are so low that you walk in and hit your head on the ceiling. People would say, 'Don't feel bad. Ty Cobb did the same thing.'
When I get the record, all it will make me is the player with the most hits. I'm also the player with the most at bats and the most outs. I never said I was a greater player than Cobb.
It hurt me a great deal. It put a lot of pressure on me because I was at a young age and the writers around here and throughout the league starting comparing me to Cobb. It put a lot of pressure on me.
Cobb would have to play center field on my all time team. But where would that put Speaker? In left. If I had them both, I would certainly play them that way.
I could remember thinking when I met him, 'Wow, that's Andy Sanders from Houston. He's really good.' And he tells me he said, 'Wow, that's Jimmy Walker. He hits it really far.'
I can't very well tell my batters don't hit it to him. Wherever they hit it, he's there anyway.
Hitting is business. With two strikes you really protect that plate.
If he can hit, he can hit. I don't care if he came from Class Z league.
Cobb lived off the field as though he wished to live forever. He lived on the field as though it was his last day.