Jimmy Cooney (1920s shortstop)
Encyclopedia
James Edward Cooney nicknamed "Scoops," was an American
shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who played for six different teams between and . Listed at 5' 11", 160 lb., Cooney batted and threw right-handed. His father Jimmy Sr. and younger brother Johnny
also played in the Major Leagues.
A native of Cranston, Rhode Island
, Cooney reached the Majors in 1917 with the Boston Red Sox
, spending part of the season with them before playing with the New York Giants
in . After that, he spent four years with the Milwaukee Brewers
of the American Association
, setting a personal mark with 12 consecutive hits
in .
Cooney came back to play once again in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals
(-), Chicago Cubs
(-), Philadelphia Phillies
and Boston Braves
. His most productive season came in 1924 with St. Louis, when he hit a career-high .295 in 110 games including 20 doubles
, eight triples
, 57 runs batted in and 12 stolen base
s, also career-numbers.
While in Chicago, Cooney entered the record books as the sixth player in the modern era to turn an unassisted triple play
. On May 30, 1927, in the fourth inning of a game against Pittsburgh
, Cooney caught a line drive hit by Paul Waner
, stepped on second base to retire Lloyd Waner
, and then tagged Clyde Barnhart
coming down from first base.
In a seven-season career, Cooney was a .262 hitter (413-for-1575) with two home run
s and 150 RBI in 448 games, including 64 doubles, 16 triples, and 30 stolen bases.
Cooney died in Warwick, Rhode Island
, just 17 days short of his ninety-seventh birthday.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played for six different teams between and . Listed at 5' 11", 160 lb., Cooney batted and threw right-handed. His father Jimmy Sr. and younger brother Johnny
Johnny Cooney
John Walter Cooney was a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman, then a longtime coach, in American Major League Baseball. Listed at 5' 10" and 165 pounds , Cooney batted right-handed but threw left-handed...
also played in the Major Leagues.
A native of Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
, Cooney reached the Majors in 1917 with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, spending part of the season with them before playing with 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....
in . After that, he spent four years with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, setting a personal mark with 12 consecutive hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in .
Cooney came back to play once again in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(-), Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(-), 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...
and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. His most productive season came in 1924 with St. Louis, when he hit a career-high .295 in 110 games including 20 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, eight triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 57 runs batted in and 12 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, also career-numbers.
While in Chicago, Cooney entered the record books as the sixth player in the modern era to turn an unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
. On May 30, 1927, in the fourth inning of a game against Pittsburgh
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...
, Cooney caught a line drive hit by Paul Waner
Paul Waner
Paul Glee Waner , nicknamed "Big Poison", was a German-American Major League Baseball right fielder.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, stepped on second base to retire Lloyd Waner
Lloyd Waner
Lloyd James Waner , nicknamed "Little Poison", was a Major League Baseball center fielder. His small stature at 5'9" and 132 lb made him one of the smallest players of his era. Along with his brother, Paul Waner, he anchored the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield throughout the 1920s and 1930s...
, and then tagged Clyde Barnhart
Clyde Barnhart
Clyde Lee Barnhart , is a former right-handed outfielder and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates...
coming down from first base.
In a seven-season career, Cooney was a .262 hitter (413-for-1575) with two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 150 RBI in 448 games, including 64 doubles, 16 triples, and 30 stolen bases.
Cooney died in Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
, just 17 days short of his ninety-seventh birthday.
See also
- List of second generation MLB players
- Unassisted triple playUnassisted triple playIn baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...