Milledge Murray of North Augusta is pictured holding the Richard B. Russell baseball collection at the University of Georgia. Also pictured are Lamar Garrard (left) of Lincolnton and Loran Smith of the University of Georgia Athletic Association. Lamar Garrard of Lincolnton and Milledge Murray of North Augusta were the guests of Loran Smith of the Universtity of Georgia Athletic Association for a visit to the campus library to view some special baseball and athletic exhibits on February 3.

Of very special note was the viewing of the baseball card collection of Georgia’s late senator Richard B. Russell.

This collection is very noteworthy as it contains very early tobacco cards from the turn of the century that were collected by Russell as a boy. Most of these cards were produced during the years 1909-1911. Several cards feature the great baseball player from Georgia who started his professional baseball career in Augusta, Tyrus R. Cobb. William G. Potter, Sheryl B. Vogt, and Chantel Dunham all of the library staff were very helpful in presenting this collection for viewing.

In addition to seeing the Russell collection, Loran Smith and Dr. P. Toby Graham also facilitated the viewing of several letters written by Ty Cobb. Ty Cobb was instrumental in setting up two very significant philanthropic endeavors. The Ty Cobb hospital and health care facilities with mulitple locations in Royston and NE Georgia and the Ty Cobb Scholarship Fund are both ongoing because of Mr. Cobb’s generosity to his fellow Georgians. The scholarship fund allows many Georgians each year the chance for a college education.

Dr. Graham also showed the visitors an exhibit of some early Univ. of Ga. football and baseball programs and other historic artifacts such as the first football ticket for the first game at Sanford Stadium.

Mr. Garrard and Mr. Murray, both baseball and history enthusiasts, were delighted to be able to examine and enjoy these treasures of UGA history and Georgia history.