Frank McCormick
| Frank McCormick | ||
|---|---|---|
Runs batted in | 954 | |
| Teams | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
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Frank Andrew McCormick (June 9, 1911 – November 21, 1982) was an American
McCormick signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1934 and played for their
Early life
McCormick was born on June 9, 1911, in New York City.
McCormick's manager at the sandlot team encouraged him to switch positions to first base, citing how there was less competition for the spot compared to the outfield. His performance at the tryout left a lasting impression on former major league player and renowned scout Bobby Wallace, who signed the 23-year-old.[1]
Professional career
Minor leagues
McCormick began his professional baseball career for the Beckley Black Knights, a
Cincinnati Reds
McCormick made his major league debut for the Reds on September 11, 1934, at the age of 23,
McCormick became the Reds' full-time first baseman from 1938 onwards,[1] replacing Buck Jordan.[5] That year, he had 106 runs batted in (RBI), finished third in the National League in batting average (.327)[2] and led the majors in hits with 209.[6] In recognition of his brilliant performance in his first full year in the major leagues, McCormick was named the unofficial "Rookie of the Year" by the Associated Press.[5]
The 1939 season saw another strong showing from McCormick both offensively and defensively. He led the National League in hits (209), drove in 128 RBIs to become the league's RBI champion[7] and finished first in fielding percentage at first base (.996).[8] His impressive performance during the latter half of the season was recognized as being a key factor in the Reds' drive to win the pennant.[9] The Reds advanced to the 1939 World Series, where they lost to the New York Yankees in a four-game sweep.[10] In spite of his team's performance, he was still able to maintain a .400 batting average throughout the series. His contributions to the team that year led to him being accepted into the "Jungle Club" of Reds' infielders, who gave him the nickname "Wildcat".[1]
Career summary
In a 13-season career, McCormick posted a .299
was .995.He was the Most Valuable Player in the National League in 1940. That season, he led the league in hits (191) and doubles (44) as the Reds stormed to their second consecutive National League championship and the 1940 World Series title. McCormick was selected to the NL All-Star team for nine straight seasons (1938–1946, although there was no game played in 1945). McCormick also led his league in hits two other times (1938–1939, with 209 each season) and in RBI in 1939 (with 128). He topped all NL first basemen in fielding percentage four times in 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1946. In three World Series (1939–1940 with the Reds and 1948 with the Braves), he batted .271 with 13 hits in 14 games played.[1][2]
He is one of only three NL players with three consecutive
Personal life
At the conclusion of his 1938 rookie season, McCormick married his wife Vera (née Preedy) on October 8. Together, they had two daughters, Judith and Nancy. After his Major League career ended, McCormick went on to manage the
Death
McCormick died of cancer on November 21, 1982, in Manhasset, New York, at the age of 71.[1][14] He was interred at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, New York.[2]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Appleton, Sheldon. "Frank McCormick". The Baseball Biography Project. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Frank McCormick Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Frank McCormick Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ "September 11, 1934 Cincinnati Reds at Brooklyn Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. September 11, 1934. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Graham, Dillon (October 29, 1938). "Frank McCormick, Cincinnati First Baseman, Ranked As Baseball's Rookie-of-the-Year". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ "1938 Major League Baseball Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "1939 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ^ "1939 National League Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ^ Snider, Steve (August 10, 1939). "McCormick Spark of Reds' Flag Drive". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. p. 19. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ^ "1939 World Series (4–0): New York Yankees (106–45) over Cincinnati Reds (97–57)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
- ^ "Frank McCormick To Manager's Post". The Telegraph-Herald. Dubuque. Associated Press. November 21, 1948. p. 18. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ "Frank McCormick To Coach Redlegs". The Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. November 7, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ "Cincinnati Reds 2009 Media Guide" (PDF). MLB.com. 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ "Deaths Elsewhere – Frank McCormick". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. November 24, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
Further reading
- Honig, Donald (1975) Baseball When the Grass Was Real: Baseball from the Twenties to the Forties Told by the Men Who Played It. New York: Coward, McGann & Geoghegan. pp. 237–247. SBN 698-10660-1.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)