Heart of a Tiger: Growing up with My Grandfather, Ty Cobb

by Herschel Cobb

The previously untold legacy of Ty Cobb Ty Cobb is a baseball immortal, considered by many the greatest player who ever lived. In an age when the game was young and tough, he cultivated a reputation as the fiercest competitor of them all. Yet after he retired, he realized that the very qualities that helped him reach the pinnacle of his profession also undermined his relationship with his own children. He was deeply depressed when two of his sons died at a very young age. Cobb never had the chance to bridge the emotional distance between them. Herschel Cobb grew up in a chaotic, destructive household. His father was cruel and abusive, and his mother was an adulterous alcoholic. After his father died, when Herschel was eight, he began to spend a portion of each summer with his grandfather. Along with his sister and brother, Herschel visited Ty Cobb at his home in Atherton, California, or at his cabin at Lake Tahoe. These days were filled with adventures, memorable incidents, and discoveries as “Granddaddy” warmed to having his “three redheads” with him. Heart of a Tiger is Herschel Cobb’s moving account of how a retired sports star seized a second chance at having a close family, with his grandchildren the lucky recipients of his change of heart. He provided wisdom, laughter, and a consistent affection that left an indelible mark. He proved the enormous power of a grandparent to provide stability, love, and guidance. As he developed this new, wholly different legacy, in turn he would finally come to peace with himself.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

279 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book that shows another side of Ty Cobb that is not shown in many of the biographies written about Cobb. As Cobb's grandson, Herschel, saw Ty Cobb's good side and how it differed from his own family. Lots of emotion that comes out in the book.
Part of the total picture of Ty Cobb.

[Josh Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grandchild's recollection of his grandfather---the great Ty Cobb. It begins in a disturbing manner as Herschel Cobb writes about the horrors of his childhood and the poor treatment he received from his mother and father. The story becomes one of redemption as Herschel and his siblings spend time with their famous grandfather and find him to be a loving, caring rock for them.

Most have heard the stories about young Ty Cobb--a talented, brash and angry individual who seemed to make as many enemies as friends in his younger years. This book does not deny that some of those stories may be true. But Herschel Cobb presents another side of his grandfather: a man who changed for the better, and took a genuine interest in his grandchildren, after admitting his own failures as a parent.

An enjoyable read which would (I imagine) be especially meaningful to fans of Ty Cobb, to children who have struggled to find acceptance or love from their parents, and to grandparents who have a special role in raising their grandchildren.

[Brian Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me question the full veracity of many of the legends about Ty Cobb that paint him as a terrible, evil person. Written by his grandson who recounts his own personal experiences with his grandfather that so positively influenced his life, it gives a totally different perspective on Cobb through the eyes of a fragile young boy/early teenager. The content of the book was 5-star for me, but the writing style, while very descriptive, became repetitive as I progressed through the story. Overall, well worth the time for me to read "the other side of the story," and it's motivated me to seek out more about Cobb's career and life to round out the picture.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by Ty Cobb's grandson. He talked about his early life with his parents and Ty Cobb. His parents sound like the absolutely worst people imaginable. However, his grandfather, Ty, was likeable and tried to make up for his son (who died when the author was 8 - interestingly, on the date of my birth). The stories about Ty Cobb were interesting and believable. As an old man, he appeared to have mellowed and was a responsible and loving grandfather.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think you know TyCobb?
Try again

Thank you for writing this book

[Jason Hallmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. But it was a rather tedious, verbose read to get to the few nuggets within.

The first third of the book is just the author going on and on about his abusive parents, with Ty Cobb only a minor side character to the story. Then, in between lengthy explanations about what he had for breakfast, interactions with Cobb were sprinkled into the story. A picture emerges of Cobb as a mellowed, tenderly grandfather figure.

Three stars is probably generous.

[Roger Piasecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. It was great to read about Ty Cobb from a family member. So many lies about him from Stump have been uncovered. I know he played ball in a rough way, but from what I have read from other players in his era , most played that way also. By now most of what Stump wrote and did to Cobb is well known.

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first thirty percent of this is a recount of the various ways the author and his siblings were terrorized by their parents, sickening.

eventually, the father dies, but they are stuck with their crazed mother. at the half-way point they begin to learn some heart-felt stories about cobb, rip. no pix.

[Pamela Montano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a boy growing up with his grandfather, who just happened to be one of the best baseball players who ever lived. Ty Cobb was not a good husband or a father. He dedicated his life to playing baseball. By his own admission, he left no time or energy for anything else, baseball was 100% of his life. However, in life, we often get a second chance and when his son died and his daughther-in-law did not want her children, they came to live with Ty. Cobb proves that it's never too late to do the right thing. Herschel shows us a man who is kind, loving, supportive and generous. He often sees his grandfather handing envelopes full of cash to men he shared the field with. He shows us a man who can be tough, but never violent and a man who adores his grandchildren.

[Sherry Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice book. Begins in a slightly terrifying way. Turns into a sweet, loving story between a boy and his grandfather Ty Cobb. I truly loved this book. It was very special.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! Well written with some great insight on the true legend that was Ty Cobb!

[Thomas Nahigian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story by the grandson of Ty Cobb.