Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
Ty Cobb "Spiking" Frank Baker Photograph with Cobb's Writing on the Back (PSA)
<p>Inaugural Hall of Fame outfielder Ty Cobb stole 892 bases in his career, at one time the highest total in Major League history. But the most famous photograph of Cobb in action was a time when the Detroit Tiger star attempted to steal and was thrown out. Presented is the iconic photograph by William Kuenzel of the Detroit News of Cobb's "spiking" of Frank Baker on August 24, 1909, at Detroit's Bennett Park. Detroit had won the previous two American League pennants, and the Tigers and the Athletics were in a hotly contested pennant race. Trailing 2-0, Cobb walked with two out in the Detroit 1st inning. Cobb stole second and tried to steal third as Sam Crawford walked. The throw from Philadelphia catcher Paddy Livingston beat Cobb to the 3rd base bag, and rookie third baseman Baker (later known as "home Run" Baker) tagged Cobb out as the Tiger slid. Baker suffered a spike wound and remained in the game. Cobb was widely accused of a dirty play, with malicious attempt to injure Baker. In a 1958 letter to a fan, Frank Gilbert, Cobb explained his thoughts on the incident: "...Also, the Baker spiking thing, a drunken newspaper writer started that, as it happened in Detroit so he could write anything back to Philadelphia to arose them and create a gate he did, and I have it tacked on me ever since. Baker never lost an inning's play, was the merest nick in the fore arm [sic]. For your collection, I am sending you a picture of the 'Baker spiking'. My slide is well away from 3rd base towards home plate, trying to evade Baker who is on the offensive.... Also [,] where is [sic] my eyes centered, not at Baker but the bag...." In a postscript to Gilbert, Cobb wrote, "P.S. I only tried to spike two men in my life." The 8x10" photo is in Excellent condition. On the back of the photo, Cobb shows his displeasure at being accused of a deliberate spiking by writing his inscription on the back reading, "Baker spiking??" Cobb wrote the inscription using his trademark green ink. The photo was printed in the 1950s. The Cobb inscribed photo comes with a full PSA Letter of Authenticity.</p><p><span style="text-decoration-line: underline; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Note:</strong></span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> PSA LOA is for the handwriting only.</span></p>
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Duke Snider, & Willie Mays Signed Photo (8x10”)
1982 All-Star Team Signed Poster (25x27”)
500 Homerun Hitters Signed Home Plate
MVP Signed Bat (34")
Hall of Fame Signed Bat with Mantle & Williams (35”)
Walter Johnson Signature
Joe Tinker Signed Photograph (4x4”)
