American · Narrows, USA · Born 18 December 1886 · Died 1961-07-17American baseball outfielder and first baseman, widely considered one of the greatest and most aggressive players in MLB history with fierce competitive spirit
Ty Cobb was born in Narrows, Georgia in 1886. He played for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics from 1905 to 1928, hitting .366 for his career — the highest batting average in the history of professional baseball. He won 12 batting titles and led the American League in hits eight times. He scored 2,245 runs and drove in 1,944. He stole 897 bases, a record that stood until Rickey Henderson surpassed it in 1991. He won the triple crown in 1909. He was named to the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936 with the highest vote percentage of any player. He is considered the greatest hitter in baseball history by batting average, though his career was accompanied by a legacy of violence and racism that has shaped his historical assessment.
All-time batting average record (.366), aggressive playing style, and dominant hitting
His career batting average of .366 is the highest in baseball history — a record that has stood since 1928 and that no modern player has come close to challenging.
Did You Know?How They Played
Aggressive, fiery competitor known for sliding spikes-up and intimidating opponents
Lasting Impact
Greatest hitter in baseball history with numerous batting records
Career Honours
- 12x AL Batting Champion
- .366 career batting average (all-time record)
- First Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Tigers | 1905–1926 | 2805 |
| Philadelphia Athletics | 1927–1928 | 134 |
American Athletes