Mickey Cochrane

Quotes From Mickey Cochrane

"This is the happiest day in my life. It was the most sensational series I have ever played in. My greatest thrill was scoring that winning run." — Tigers player/manager Mickey Cochrane after scoring the winning run in the 1935 World Series.

Teams Mickey Cochrane Managed

Detroit Tigers (1934-1938)

Where does Mickey Cochrane rank among baseball greats?

Mickey Cochrane ranks among the Top 50 all-time at C. Rankings
 

All Teammate Team

Best Season: 1933
In other seasons he collected more hits and RBI, but in 1933 Cochrane put it all together, as he batted .322 with a career high .459 OBP (which led baseball). He also slugged .515 and scored 104 runs in just 130 games.

Three-Homer Games with Least HR in that Season
These players clubbed three home runs in a single game, but failed to hit as many as 10 homers that season:

Darnell Coles...07/05/1994...4 HR
Bobby Estalella...09/04/1997...4 HR
Guy Hecker...08/15/1886...4 HR
Bill Glynn...07/05/1954...5 HR
Jack Manning...10/09/1884...5 HR
Tom McCreery...07/12/1897...5 HR
Clyde McCullough...07/26/1942...5 HR
Roman Mejias...05/04/1958...5 HR
Freddie Patek...06/20/1980...5 HR
Juan Beniquez...06/12/1986...6 HR
Mickey Cochrane...05/21/1925...6 HR
Merv Connors...09/17/1938...6 HR
Todd Hollandsworth...04/15/2001...6 HR
Don Leppert...04/11/1963...6 HR
Babe Ruth...05/25/1935...6 HR
Cory Snyder...04/17/1994...6 HR
Jim Tobin...05/13/1942...6 HR
Mike Lum...07/03/1970...7 HR
George Mitterwald...04/17/1974...7 HR
Jim Pendleton...08/30/1953...7 HR
Pete Rose...04/29/1978...7 HR
Frank Shugart...05/10/1894...7 HR
Jason Varitek...05/20/2001...7 HR
Jake Beckley...09/26/1897...8 HR
Tommy Brown...09/18/1950...8 HR
Hal Lee...07/06/1934...8 HR
Gene Oliver...07/30/1966...8 HR
Tuffy Rhodes...04/04/1994...8 HR
Leroy Stanton...07/10/1973...8 HR
Bob Thurman...08/18/1956...8 HR
Del Wilber...08/27/1951...8 HR
Dan Ford...07/20/1983...9 HR
Joe Lahoud...06/11/1969...9 HR

Teeth-Breaking Blow
While on tour with American All-Stars in Japan in 1931, Cochrane hit one of the longest home runs of his career. The blast came in Sendai, Japan and traveled an estimated 410 feet. The ball struck a Japanases fan in the mouth and busted his front teeth. The story goes that before Cochrane could apologize, embarrassed Japanases officials paid the fan 50 yen to leave the park and get false teeth.

Where He Played
1,451 games at catcher, and one in the outfield.

As a Manager
Cochrane posted a .582 winning percentage (348-250), leading the Tigers to two pennants and their first World Series title, in 1935... Cochrane managed the Great Lakes Naval Academy baseball team during World War II, leading them to 33 consecutive wins at one point. His team included Johnny Mize, Schoolboy Rowe, and Virgil Trucks.

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1925
Jimmie Foxx
Mickey Cochrane
Lefty Grove
Buddy Myer
Leo Durocher
Billy Rogell
Freddie Fitzsimmons
Mule Haas
Chuck Dressen

Nicknames
Black Mike

Uniform Numbers
#2 (1931-1933), #3 (1934-1934)

Similar Players
Ivan Rodriguez

Related Players
Pepper Martin, who terrorized Cochrane during the 1931 World Series, stealing five bases. In 1934, Martin added two more steals against Cochrane.

Post-Season Appearances
1929 World Series
1930 World Series
1931 World Series
1934 World Series
1935 World Series

Awards and Honors
1928 AL MVP
1934 AL MVP

Feats
On May 21, 1925, just five weeks into his big league career, Cochrane belted three homers in one game... Cochrane twice hit for the cycle: on July 22, 1932, and August 2, 1933.

Batting Feats

• May 21, 1925: 3 HR...


• July 22, 1932: Cycle...


• August 2, 1933: Cycle...

Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
On May 25, 1937, Yankee hurler Bump Hadley hit Cochrane in the head with a pitch, sending the Tiger player/manager to the ground in a heap. The ball hit Cochrane so hard that it left a visible dent in his skull. Cochrane was in critical condition for nearly two days, and was given his last rights before he rallied to recover. After missing several weeks, Mickey returned to the Tiger bench and managed the team into the 1938 season. Having been plunked by pitches before, and fearful that he wouldn't be able to get out of the way of another inside pitch, Cochrane retired as a player.

Transactions
December 12, 1933: Traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to the Detroit Tigers for Johnny Pasek and $100000 cash. It was one of the best trades the Tigers ever made.

All-Star Selections
1934 AL
1935 AL

Replaced
Cy Perkins, a fine defensive catcher, who had been the Athletics' starter since 1918.

Replaced By
23-year old Rudy York, who was pressed into duty behind the plate after Mickey was beaned on May 25, 1937.

Best Strength as a Player
Hitting

Largest Weakness as a Player
None