Cookie Cuccurullo
Encyclopedia
Arthur Joseph "Cookie" Cuccurullo (February 8, 1918 - January 23, 1983) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1943 to 1945. The 5'10", 168 lb. left-hander was a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey
, United States
.
Cuccurullo is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues
during World War II
. He made his major league debut on October 3, 1943. It was the last day of the season, and Cuccurullo started the second game of a doubleheader
against the Philadelphia Blue Jays
at Forbes Field
. He gave up 7 runs
(5 earned) in 7 innings
and the Pirates lost 11-3. The opposing pitcher (and winner) was 17-year-old rookie
Rogers McKee
, who was making his first and only major league start.
In three seasons Cuccurullo appeared in a total of 62 games and had a 3-5 record, 9 games started
, 0 complete games, 25 games finished
, and 5 saves
. All three of his wins
came in relief...two against the New York Giants
, and one against the Philadelphia Phillies
. He allowed 86 earned runs in 170 innings pitched
for a final ERA
of 4.55.
He died at the age of 64 in West Orange, New Jersey
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1943 to 1945. The 5'10", 168 lb. left-hander was a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Cuccurullo is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He made his major league debut on October 3, 1943. It was the last day of the season, and Cuccurullo started the second game of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
against the Philadelphia Blue Jays
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Forbes Field
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
. He gave up 7 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(5 earned) in 7 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
and the Pirates lost 11-3. The opposing pitcher (and winner) was 17-year-old rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
Rogers McKee
Rogers McKee
Rogers Hornsby McKee is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1943 and 1944. As a 16-year-old rookie in 1943, he was the youngest player to appear in a National League game that season.McKee is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major...
, who was making his first and only major league start.
In three seasons Cuccurullo appeared in a total of 62 games and had a 3-5 record, 9 games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 0 complete games, 25 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, and 5 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
. All three of his wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
came in relief...two against the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and one against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He allowed 86 earned runs in 170 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
for a final ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.55.
He died at the age of 64 in West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange is a township in central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 46,207...
.