The Chalmers Automobile Company promised a brand new car to the 1910 batting champion in each league. On the last day of the season, Ty Cobb held a slight percentage point lead over Nap Lajoie for the American League batting crown. Lajoie made a run at the title and received help from the St. Louis Browns. The Browns allowed Lajoie to go 8-for-8 in a doubleheader to pass Cobb. Controversy reigned over the Browns efforts to help the Indian player and people still question who won the 1910 batting crown.
Ty Cobb sat out the Tigers final two games in 1910. He held a small lead over Napoleon Lajoie for the AL batting crown and the Chalmers prize. Hugh Chalmers promised a brand new vehicle to the batting champions of the American and National League. Napoleon Lajoie trailed Cobb by percentage points, but would need a Herculean effort to pass the Georgia Peach.
While Cobb rested, Lajoie played a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns. The St. Louis manager directed his third baseman to play on the outfield grass when Lajoie came to the plate. This way, the Cleveland star could lay down a bunt and walk to first. If he could do this eight times, Lajoie would pass Cobb. The league despised Cobb and loved Lajoie. To the Browns, it was a matter of good vs. evil.
Lajoie took the gift hits and passed Cobb with an 8-for-8 performance. After an appeal, American League President Ban Johnson intervened. The Browns’ actions interfered with the integrity of the game. He declared Cobb the batting champion. The Chalmers Company awarded cars to both Cobb and Lajoie.
The story did not end with Ban Johnson or Chalmers Automotive. In 1981, the Sporting News reported that Cobb was credited with an extra two hits in 1910 raising his average from .383 to .385. It lowered his career-hit total to 4189 and lowered his lifetime average to .366. Meanwhile, Lajoie’s 1910 average remained at .384. Some sources do not recognize the adjustment. As a result, some places still have Cobb as the champion with 4191 career hits and 12 batting titles while others reflect the adjustment. On the other hand, Lajoie scored a slew of questionable hits on the final day of the 1910 season. Had the Browns played him normally, then he most likely would not have passed Cobb to begin with.
The Chalmers Affair demonstrates the corrupt and seedy nature of turn-of-the-century baseball. Not only did gamblers influence games, but also whole teams conspired to change results. In 1910, the Browns attempted to deny Ty Cobb the batting title in favor of Napoleon Lajoie. Players hated Cobb and loved Lajoie. While Chalmers Automotive graciously awarded cars to both men, the incident should have served a warning to those in charge.
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