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In 1963, just months before the national spotlight on Vietnam exploded in the Battle of Ia Drang, Jud Allen Cobb was born in Monticello, Kentucky. The second son, of what would end up as four children to Allen and Betsy Cobb, enjoyed his youth playing basketball, football, and baseball in the small town found just west of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
As Jud grew older he found that baseball just came easy to him. This sweet swinging lefty was 6'1, 180 pounds by his senior year of high school and soon found himself as the starting first basemen for the University of Kentucky Wildcats in 1982. In his senior season of college he led the entire SEC in home runs and helped lead Kentucky to the 1985 College World Series. He was on top of the world and expected to be a top round selection.
When draft day came though in '85 he was in for a rude surprise. Name after name went from the board, yet Cobb's still remained. In the end he was chosen by Pittsburgh as their 6th pick of the 7th round, and the 150th overall player taken. Jud was upset but instead of being bitter he used his disappointment to fuel his training.
He finished out 1985 by playing in 63 games for Pittsburgh's A team, the Reading Royals. Determined to hit home runs like he did in college he swung at everything, and finished the season by hitting .226/.270/.281 with 35 strikeouts and only 9 walks. The scouts began to nod their heads at how accurate their reports were pre-draft. Jud heard the whispers but kept on chugging. He worked out harder than even that off season and the managers started to take notice of his new found swing.
In '86 Jud started out hot and was selected to the 1986 A All-Star game, and shortly after that he was called up to AA. He then played 45 games in Harrisburg when suddenly he was called up to AAA Allentown. Jud was ecstatic but struggled. Going from A to AAA in a few months was hard for anyone to handle, and this small town Kentucky kid was more than happy for the season to end. During the off-season he went back to work, eager to prove to those who believed in him he was the man they thought he could be.
Then on 2/21/87 he got a call from the GM letting him know he'd been traded. Himself and Ruben "Cool Papa" Marin had been sent to the Batavia Muckdogs in exchange for SP Billy Noke. Jud was crushed. Everyone knew that Batavia was still considered an expansion team and Jud wanted to play for a winner. After a talk with his dad though he realized that he could be a cornerstone for the Muckdogs future and that excited him.
In his first meeting with the GM he found out he was being sent back down to AA and staying there for the entire year. Batavia believed he needed a place to call home and it would be best for him. Embarrassment and doubt filled his mind. Again Allen was there for him, and again him and Jud had a long conversation making Jud realize this was just another opportunity. He took full advantage of that opportunity.
In 1987 Jud played all 120 games for the then named Kansas City T-Bones and in the process was selected to the AA All-Star game, was named Batter of the Month in July, and helped KC win the AA Championship. After another long off-season of blood and sweat Jud was called up to Batavia's AAA team, the Houston Dragons. He was now feeling good and on top of his game and was named to the AAA All-Star game, his 3rd straight appearance in his 3rd different minor league level. After 104 games he was batting .310/.391/.482 with 17 HR's and 73 RBI's. His 105th game never happened.
As Jud was relaxing in the clubhouse one after in late June of '88 he was summoned to the manager's office. In one of the sweetest sentences he ever heard he was told, "pack your bags...you're now a Muckdog." The 24 year old couldn't hide the smile as he walked out of the managers office and his teammates immediately knew. A small circle of handshakes and hugs surrounded him as they wished him luck, asked him how it felt, and all dreamed of the day it might happen to them.
When Jud got to Batavia he was told he was playing from day one...in left field. He knew 1B was a long shot due to recent call-up Raul De Jesus and he held his head high the first time he trotted onto the field in front of the home crowd. He ended up surpassing most expectations by playing the last 45 games in Batavia and hitting .287/.345/.447 with 5 HR's and 22 RBI's. He even had a couple great grabs in the outfield but also made a few mistakes.
In 1988 he was in the starting lineup from opening day and has been a terror to opposing pitchers. Currently in 60 games Jud is batting .321/.390/.581 with 15 HR's and 36 RBI's. Batavia's single season record for home runs is 21 by Roy Finbow and that mark could fall by mid-August. Jud has even gotten six votes by other GM's for the 1989 All-Star game.
From a small town Kentucky boy to an up and coming BLB star, the Batavia Muckdogs are excited to call Jud Cobb their own, and wish him the best of luck the rest of the season and for years to come.
Fast Facts:
- Drafted in 1985 by the Pittsburgh Millers with the 6th pick in the 7th round
- 1986 A All-Star selection
- On 2/21/87 was traded to the Batavia Muckdogs
- 1987 AA All-Star selection
- 1988 AAA All-Star selection
- On 6/20/88 was called up to the BLB Batavia Muckdogs
- On 4/23/89 has his 1st multi-homer game, hitting 2 HR's and driving in 4 runs against Wilmington
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