Читать книгу Bad Boys, Bad Times. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Prewar Years, 1937–1941 онлайн

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In 1912 the Detroit Tigers acquired Vitt, giving him considerable time at third base. Manager Hughie Jennings loved Vitt’s style of play. Whether diving for ground balls, running out every ball in play, bunting, or stealing bases, he was a throwback to the nineteenth-century player who fought for every square inch. They called him scrappy, peppery, a happy warrior. Jennings, in his days as a National League Baltimore Oriole, had used that type of hustle and bench jockeying to great advantage. Vitt, even though a first-year player, fearlessly shouted at both his teammates and opponents throughout each game. Although standing no more than five foot eight and weighing about 150 pounds, he had no fear of any player in the American League. Even Ty Cobb caught some of Oscar’s venom.

At certain times Cobb could be overaggressive on the bases and get himself thrown out while streaking for an extra base. After one of those incidents, Vitt yelled to him, “For Christ’s sake why don’t you carry an anchor with you!” Everyone on the Tigers bench and in the grandstand knew Cobb would not let that remark go by. A moment later the “Georgia Peach” walked over to Vitt and sharply told him, “Hey listen busher, keep your trap shut if you know what’s good for you!” Before Vitt could answer, catcher Oscar Stanage stepped in between the two and stopped Cobb from doing any harm.