Biography

If Mickey Cochrane had been judged by today’s sportswriters, many would have labeled him as a solid catcher that did a sufficient job with the pitching staff, but would not have placed him among the league’s best. In 1928, hard work and team play was more revered as Cochrane was honored for most putouts, a .293 batting average, 10 home runs, and 57 RBI, and the American League Most Valuable Player award. For 11 consecutive years during the late 1920s and early 1930s, Cochrane caught over 100 games per season. Aside from being one of the best defensive catchers of the era, he hit for a lifetime .320 average and played in five World Series. In 1947, Cochrane was rewarded yet again, but this time he joined the best ever to play the game, with his election to baseball’s Hall of Fame.