Lake's Lunkers Lure Legendary Ballplayer!

Lake's Lunkers Lure Legendary Ballplayer!. . , When he wasn't batting up a storm on the baseball field, Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Ty Cobb (1886-1961) was reeling in whoppers at Oxford's fishing holes, including scenic Stony Lake. , , Nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," Cobb began wetting a line here in 1906. "He loved to fish and somehow had become acquainted with fish-filled Stony Lake." , The Oxford Leader , , During a July 1907 visit, Cobb was accompanied by Willie Heston and Dan McGugin, both of whom previously played for the University of Michigan's famous "point-a-minute" football teams. , , Cobb's trips to Oxford continued for more than a decade. He later brought his wife and children. In July 1915, the Leader reported the Cobb family spent the weekend at the home of local businessman Charles L. Randall. After Cobb landed some 20 bass at one of Oxford's "handsome little lakes," 5-year-old Ty Cobb Jr. was quoted as saying, "My pa is a dandy fishman." , , His angling prowess was noted by the Leader again in 1916 , "He exemplified that he is as handy with rod and reel as with glove and bat." , , Cobb's time on the water led him back to the baseball field when John G. Kessell, owner of the Oxford Opera House, convinced the Tigers' center fielder to play for Oxford's team. , , Many towns and cities had ball clubs in the early 20th century. These teams were sources of community pride and spawned rivalries that ranged from friendly to fierce. , , In August 1906, Cobb donned an Oxford uniform in three games. Oxford fell to Bay City, then beat Imlay City and the Cadillacs, a team from Detroit. Six hundred people attended the Imlay City game. The Leader noted that Cobb's "two bagger in the sixth (inning) won (the) game." , , Top image caption: Ty Cobb played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905-26. In 1936, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its first five members. Out of a possible 226 votes, Cobb received 222, the most of any candidate that year. Photo: Published in 1910 by Bain News Service, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ggbain-08006 , , Bottom image caption: Ty Cobb (standing, right) poses with the catch of the day and a pair of local businessmen , John G. Kessell (seated), who owned the Oxford Opera House, and Charles L. Randall (standing, left), who made his fortune in the produce business and helped oversee Oxford Savings Bank for 41 years. Kessel and Randall befriended Cobb and served as his hosts when he came to town. Photo: The Stanlaw Studio , , Plaque and boulder donated by Edward C. Levy Co. , Boulder placed by Saradan Construction , Oxford Twp. Historical Marker