Not long after he grudgingly gave his son permission to play professional baseball, recognizing in Tyrus's intensity the famous Cobb strength of will, former state senator W.H. Cobb was shot to death by his wife. Amanda Cobb claimed she thought the man scratching at her bedroom window was a burglar. Rumors of his mother's infidelities -- the supposed motive for the murder -- followed Tyrus to Detroit.

The Tigers' usual rookie hazing became something worse in the face of his unyielding nature, his hatred of Northerners, and his contempt for players who did not give their all.