Letter from Ty Cobb to Lloyd Merriman, 1955 April 29

Images(3)

Letter from Ty Cobb to Lloyd Merriman

Date1955 April 29

DescriptionA letter dated April 29, 1929 from Ty Cobb to Lloyd Merriman wherein Cobb sends hitting tips and discusses the mental part of the game. A letter is handwritten in green ink on Tyrus Cobb letterhead and includes an envelope (not shown) addressed to Merriman.

Object numberBL-2004-01971-02

Correspondent Cobb, Ty, 1886-1961

Subject Cobb, Ty, 1886-1961

Subject Merriman, Lloyd, 1924-2004

Attributes

Classificationsmanuscripts (documents)

Collection NumberBA PHT 044 Correspondence collection

Dimensions7.25 x 10.5 in.

Copyrighthttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

TrannscriptionTyrus R. Cobb 48 Spencer Lane, Atherton Menlo Park, California 4/29/55 Dear Lloyd:- Have watched the box scores and hope I am not burdening you with a few lines. As lead off man, hope your manager is allowing you to take picks on first ball which many times a "cripple" which can be many times successful but in doing this, it affects pitcher and catcher, other times at bat they fearing your hitting first ball and in their efforts to be careful, lead ot a walk, do not try to pull speed, if 2 balls no strikes, you to try and get on base or 3 and 1 or 3 and 0 have several ways for false moves to affect pitcher, crowd plate and crouch then as pitcher winds up and his eyes on you just before he turns loose the ball step away from plate (changing the picture) turn and face the pitcher your body or as surprise stoop down and pick up dirt. These moves will surprise and affect pitchers control, have yourself fixed in box and full concentration on every pitch, knowing yourself what you want to do, if you are not in this position or condition of mind, step out of box and get yourself "right" then back into box, as lead of man or men on base dont forget a square stance and try to hit back through the box (pitchers), this way many batted balls not to well hit will go through for hits, never let yourself take a defensive attitude (mental) at bat. Important thing to do and try, work up artificially a feeling of determination while waiting in box as next man up, then at bat develop this feeling, it will pay off. If O.K. manager stick to same type of choking bat also not pulling to second base side of infield, unless man on first and big opening, with open stance. Remember Mueller, N.Y. 1953 then his change to choke etc. 1954, also Mays going for home runs 1954 was down in his hitting percentage, he has admitted his change to above and note how he came up in hitting also others. As to mentally working yourself up to hit etc. this naturally is merely a guess, recently you had a lot to do with beating Cincinnati in a game. Might I ask your your mental state and that extra feeling and desire to beat them as they did not give you a fair chance etc. again with every time at bat against all clubs, work yourself up to proper point, again I say this pays off percentage wise, at least it will not handicap you in trying. If there should be anything you want to ask or write about, drop me a line. With much luck, I am, Sincerely Ty This transcript was created by volunteers during lockdown in 2020.

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