Mickey Cochrane
| Birthdate | 4/6/1903 |
| Death Date | 6/28/1962 |
| Debut Year | 1925 |
| Year of Induction | 1947 |
| Teams | Athletics, Tigers |
| Position | Catcher |
Mickey Cochrane won American League Most Valuable Player Awards with two different teams & finished with a .320 lifetime average.
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Career .320 hitter Mickey Cochrane earned the MVP with both the Athletics and the Tigers
Career .320 hitter Mickey Cochrane earned the MVP with both the Athletics and the Tigers
Mickey Cochrane played from 1925-1937, serving as the backbone for four pennant-winning clubs. A two-time Most Valuable Player, Cochrane played nine years for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics and four more for the Detroit Tigers.
In the collection is this beautiful photo of Mickey Cochrane as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics. Cochrane offers a rather long inscription.
Catcher Cochrane owns the highest career batting average an on-base percentage at his position
Catcher Cochrane owns the highest career batting average an on-base percentage at his position
The back of the photo features Cochrane’s handwritten pointers about proficiently playing the catching position. Perhaps what set Cochrane apart from his contemporaries was the willingness to do whatever it took to win. Indeed, his nickname was “Black Mike” because of his fire and competitiveness.
An incredible athlete, Cochrane played five sports at Boston University. Perhaps better on the gridiron than the diamond, Cochrane chose professional baseball because of the lack of an established pro football league at the time.
One of the best-hitting catchers ever, Cochrane’s .320 career batting average as and .419 on-base percentage remain the highest in baseball history among men at his position.
As player/manager, Cochrane led Detroit to two pennants and the 1935 World Series title
As player/manager, Cochrane led Detroit to two pennants and the 1935 World Series title
From 1933-1938 Mickey Cochrane pushed the Tigers to two pennants and the 1935 World Series title as their catcher/manager. Each of his teams won more than they lost while posting a .582 winning percentage overall.
Cochrane served as the battery mate and skipper in five of Elden Aucker’s six seasons in Detroit. The 6’2″ right hander thought highly of Cochrane.
In the letter above Auker writes, “Mickey Cochrane was a great catcher and great manager. He guided a group of young players two American League Championships and one World Championship.
“He was fine gentleman, a good family man. He lost his only son in World War II, his first day of combat. Mickey was never the same after Godron’s death.”
Elden Auker writes about his catcher and manager Mickey Cochrane
Elden Auker writes about his catcher and manager Mickey Cochrane
Pitcher Elden Auker broke into the big leagues with the Tigers in 1933, playing the season’s final two months with the big club. The following year Auker was in the big leagues to stay. He won 15 games to start a string of five-straight seasons with double-digit win totals for Detroit. Auker’s primary backstop with the during his six years with the Tigers was Mickey Cochrane who served in the role of player/manager in in Auker’s final four seasons with the club.
In the collection is Elden Auker’s handwritten recollections of Hall of Famer Cochrane. “Mickey Cochrane was one of the great catchers of his day. I pitched to him for 5 years and played under his management. He was very aggressive, quick temper, and a great leader. Highly respected by all members of the Tigers. He was quick on his feet and an excellent hitter. High principles and very loyal to his club + his players. Best regards, Elden Auker”
The correspondence provides insight into the career of one of the best catchers in baseball history.
