The start of something special

An irascible, 18-year-old Ty Cobb makes his major league debut 119 years ago today, picking up a double off future Hall of Famer Jack Chesbro in the Tigers’ 5-3 victory over the New York Highlanders before a Wednesday afternoon crowd of 1,200 at Detroit's old Bennett Field.

Cobb, seen here in a couple of the earliest photos taken of him with the Tigers, finishes his first season in 1905 batting just .238 – the only time during his 24-year Hall of Fame career he hits under .316.

Overall, he finishes his career with a then-major league record .366 batting average.