Ty Cobb, Hall of Fame baseball player, died July 17, 1961. He was 74.

Tyrus Raymond Cobb was born December 18, 1886, in Narrows, Georgia. His father, an educator, newspaperman, and politician, wanted his son to follow in his footsteps.

But young Cobb had other ideas. He wanted to play baseball. His 24-year career as a professional baseball player is legendary.

As a Detroit Tiger for most of his playing days, Cobb compiled some incredible statistics in a career which spanned most of the first quarter of the 20th century.

Starting in 1907, Cobb won nine consecutive batting titles in the American League. He hit over .400 three times, batting a career high .420 in 1911.

Cobb’s 4,191 career hits were a major league record for 56 years, until Pete Rose eclipsed Cobb in 1985. His 96 stolen bases in a single season stood the test of time for over 30 years.

His 2,244 runs scored is still a major league record, as is his lifetime batting average of .367.

Cobb was the first inductee of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. His vote total was 222 out of a possible 226 ballots, the highest percentage in baseball history.

Wise investments had made Cobb a rich man by the time he died of cancer in Atlanta on July 17, 1961.