Wyatt: The great Wagner-Cobb debate
From Daniel Wyatt at The National Pastime Museum on September 8, 2015:
Baseball fans have heard the same-era player comparisons over the years: Ted Williams vs. Joe DiMaggio is one. Williams was the better hitter, but DiMaggio was better all-around. Then there’s Mickey Mantle vs. Willie Mays, two great all-around players. More recently, we could say Wade Boggs vs. Tony Gwynn; Barry Bonds vs. A-Rod; Sammy Sosa vs. Mark McGuire; or Mike Trout vs. Miguel Cabrera. All these players are a part of the modern era. In the Dead Ball years prior to 1920, there were two superstars who crossed paths and were often compared to each other: Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb.
The two Hall of Famers were opposites in many ways. Cobb was a born-and-raised Southerner; Wagner was a born and raised Northerner. Wagner was well liked around the Majors; Cobb . . . not! Cobb was an outfielder; Wagner an infielder. Wagner batted right; Cobb batted left. Cobb looked coordinated, perhaps majestic. Wagner was bowlegged and un-athletic looking; that is, until he stepped onto the field and fans saw him perform.
Read the full article here: http://www.thenationalpastimemuseum.com/article/great-wagner-cobb-debate
Originally published: September 9, 2015. Last Updated: September 9, 2015.