The fact that most of the players at that time were racist does not take away from my point, but yet solidifies it...

...but to comment on your thoughts about singling out Ty Cobb. It is historians that have been quick to show him as an extreme case not myself.

"Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed "the Georgia Peach", was an American baseball player generally considered to be the greatest player of the "dead ball era" (1900 – 1920). Cobb is also famous for being a vitriolic racist (even supposedly shunning Babe Ruth for his allegedly black facial characteristics)" - Wikipedia


"Tempestuous Times
Cobb mastered baseball, but he never mastered his temper. During his career he was involved in numerous fights, both on and off the field, and several profanity-laced shouting matches. A racist, Cobb once slapped a black elevator operator for being "uppity." When a black night watchman intervened, Cobb pulled out a knife and stabbed him. (The matter was later settled out of court.) On another occasion he climbed into the stands and savagely beat a spectator who had called him a "half-ni**er." " - New Georgia Encyclopedia

These are just a couple inserts. I won't proceed with any others because I already think he has received more attention by my hands than I would have liked. In short, he is considered one of the most intimidating, saditistic, heartless players in the history of the game. He wore his racist beliefs as a badge. The fact that he played for a Detroit team in my eyes makes him even more of an embarrassment.

And back to topic...

The fact that he is in the Hall of Fame versus a gambler is completely ridiculous.

Again, the Hall of Fame should be based strictly on the numbers.

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I didn't say Cobb was a racist. I don't know if he was or was not. But I didn't say that.

Of course historians point out that Cobb was a racist, because he was the player that everyone loved to hate and still do, like Bad Boy Billy.

Cobb was a product of his age. A white southern born and raised in Augusta GA, which is in the deep south, during the heart of the reconstruction era in the 19th century. For him to have been anything else would have labled him an "African American Lover" and probably got him shot and killed if not strung up by the KKK.

The world today has no concept of what it was like in the deep South during the 19th century. In fact I can tell you that only about 10 years ago I was driving through the Alabama back woods at night and saw a massive KKK get together and cross burning.

I am not condoning what Cobb was just like I don't condone any biggotry, but the fact is people come down on him like he was vermon, which is not true. There is no evidence that he was a member of the KKK and any other White Supremecy group.

Cobb was a product of his times and the facts are that he was probably less of a racist then his contempories from the deep South.

yeah, I guess he was just misunderstood.

I'm sure he would be happy to know that there is at least someone left on the planet that will come to his defense though.

You are twisting what I am writing.

I never said or implied that he was misunderstood.

My only point is that he was singled out for being a racist more than any other HOF player and continues to be when he:

1. Was a product of his age and birth place

and where

there have been many more racist players in the HOF who got away with it without being made out to look like the evilist vermen like Cobb has been.

That is why Morris isn't in the HOF and Sutter is, because of people's prejudics in who they like and who they hate for among other things not being friendly with sports writers.

Sheed is another perfect example. Because he wouldn's and still won't kiss arse he has been and continues to get derided by out of town sport writers.

Morris was not exactly Mr. charming and Sutter played for the beloved Cubbies.

Cobb was a racist and biggot but no more so than most during his time.