An original photo of 21-year-old Ty Cobb sliding home during what’s considered to be the finest World Series performance of his career is part of RMY Auctions’ newly opened Winter Premier catalog.
The auction includes over 1,400 sports, historic and entertainment photos.
The quality of the 8×10 silver gelatin photo rivals the more famous image of Cobb sliding hard into third base in 1909.
Taken by a photographer stationed near home plate as was common practice at the time, the photo captures a grimacing Cobb as he completes his slide in front of Chicago Cubs catcher Johnny Kling in the eighth inning of Game 3 of the ’08 Series. Cobb had doubled to lead off the inning, advanced to third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Bill Coughlin. He went three for five and stole two bases in the game, which was played on October 12, 1908 and was the only Tigers victory in the series. True to his nature, with the Tigers leading 8-3 in the ninth, Cobb reached base again, stole second and third and was thrown out trying to steal home.
In fact, after the photo was taken, Cubs pitchers shut the Tigers out over the last 19 innings of the series. The Cubs’ 4-1 series triumph would famously become their last World Series title for the next 108 years.
The photo originated in the archives of a Chicago newspaper. RMY calls it “one of the finest pieces of baseball photography we have ever handled.”
Bidding runs through January 25 at RMYAuctions.com.
Related Stories:
Newly Discovered Photos Show Ruth vs. Cobb
Photo of the Day: “And Then Cobb Said to Mantle…”
Photo of the Day: Bowman Gum’s Right Hand…Woman
Famous Ty Cobb Type 1 Photo Sells for Record $250,000
Collector Matches Ty Cobb Bat To Iconic 1913 Photograph
Photo of the Day: Ty Cobb in His Memorabilia Room
Photo of the Day: The Intensity of Ty Cobb
Ball from Cubs’ Last World Series Title Now at Auction
