Mickey Cochrane

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Lore & Background

Cochrane was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His father, John Cochrane, had immigrated from Omagh, County Tyrone in what is now Northern Ireland and his mother, Sadie Campbell, had come from Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was also known as "Black Mike" because of his fiery, competitive nature. Cochrane was educated at Boston University, where he played five sports, excelling at football and basketball. He signed with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League after college. He made his major league debut in 1925, having spent only one season in the minor leagues. He was chosen as the American League Most Valuable Player in 1928 and appeared in the World Series from 1929 to 1931. Philadelphia won the first two of those World Series, but Cochrane was criticized for giving up stolen bases when his team lost the series in 1931. Cochrane's career batting average (.320) is still an MLB record for a catcher. His career ended abruptly after a near-fatal head injury from a beanball in 1937. After his professional baseball career, he served in the United States Navy in World War II and ran an automobile business. Cochrane died of cancer in 1962. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him 65th on its list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.

In Their Own Story

The season turned tragic on May 25, 1937. In a game against the New York Yankees, Cochrane hit a home run in the third inning off pitcher Bump Hadley. However, during his next plate appearance in the fifth inning, he was struck directly in the head by a pitch. The impact was devastating; Cochrane was hospitalized for seven days and nearly died. This accident sparked calls for protective batting helmets, though tradition prevailed at the time. Doctors ordered him to stop playing immediately, forcing the 34-year-old to retire from active duty. He remained in the dugout as manager for the rest of 1937 but lost his competitive fire. Midway through the 1938 season, he was replaced by former catcher Del Baker. The blame for the 1931 World Series loss while with Philadelphia, where opponents stole eight bases, had already dogged him for years, but this injury silenced his voice as a player forever.

Reader's Guide

Cochrane compiled a .320 batting average while hitting 119 home runs and 830 runs batted in over a 13-year playing career. He also had 1,652 hits, 1,041 runs scored, 333 doubles, 64 triples, 64 stolen bases and a .478 slugging percentage. His .320 batting average is the highest career mark for catchers. His .419 on-base percentage is among the best in baseball history and is the highest all-time among catchers, aside from Negro Leagues players, such as Josh Gibson. He became the first major league catcher to score 100 runs and produce 100 runs batted in during the same season. He hit for the cycle twice in his career, on July 22, 1932 and August 2, 1933. In his first 11 years, he never caught fewer than 110 games. He led American League catchers six times in putouts and twice each in double plays assists and fielding percentage. Cochrane returned to the dugout to continue managing the Tigers but had lost his competitive fire. He managed for the remainder of the 1937 season but was replaced midway through the 1938 season by coach and former catcher Del Baker. His all-time managerial record was 348–250, for a .582 winning percentage.

Did You Know?

• Cochrane's .320 batting average is still an MLB record for a catcher.
• In his first season as manager, he led the Tigers to 101 wins, which was the most for a rookie manager for 27 years.
• He was the first ever rookie manager to achieve 100 wins.
• Cochrane was the third catcher enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, after Roger Bresnahan and Buck Ewing.

Early Life and Athletic Foundation

Born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts to John Cochrane (from Omagh, County Tyrone) and Sadie Campbell (from Prince Edward Island), Mickey was a multi-sport athlete at Boston University. He played five sports there, excelling in football and basketball. Although he considered himself a better football player, professional football was not as established as baseball, leading him to sign with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in 1924.

Dominance with the Philadelphia Athletics

Cochrane debuted on April 14, 1925, replacing Cy Perkins. He hit .331 as a rookie and tied a 20th-century record with three home runs in one game. By 1926, he was viewed as the best catcher in the majors. He won the 1928 AL MVP award for his defense and leadership, leading the league in putouts while batting .293. He helped the Athletics win pennants in 1929, 1930, and 1931, winning two World Series but facing criticism after the 1931 loss to St. Louis.

Revitalizing the Detroit Tigers

Traded in 1934, Cochrane became player-manager. He led the Tigers to their first pennant in 25 years with 101 wins and won the 1934 AL MVP despite Lou Gehrig's Triple Crown. He followed this with a 1935 World Series title over the Cubs. However, pressure and his high-strung nature caused a nervous breakdown during the 1936 season.

Tragic Enduring Legacy

His career ended May 25, 1937, after being hit in the head by Bump Hadley's pitch. He managed until replaced in 1938. His .320 batting average remains a catcher record. He served in the Navy during WWII and died of cancer in 1962 at age 59. In 1947, he was the third catcher enshrined in the Hall of Fame.