Mike McCormick (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Francis McCormick (born on September 29, 1938 in Pasadena
, California
) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He played for the New York Giants
from 1956 to 1958, then the San Francisco Giants
from 1958 to 1970. He played for the New York Yankees
in 1970 and then the Kansas City Royals
in 1971.
In 1956 he became one of the most hyped rookies in history after posting a 49-4 American Legion record at age 17, including four no hitters and a 26 strikeout game. Though he struggled with his control for the first few years of his career, he later became one of the best pitchers in baseball. He led the league in ERA in 1960 and won the Cy Young Award
and The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in with the San Francisco Giants; not until Tim Lincecum
's back-to-back Cy Young Awards in and would another Giant pitcher receive such an honor. McCormick also hit the 500th home run
by a pitcher in baseball history (and also gave up Hank Aaron's 500th career home run in ). McCormick was a member of the National League
All Star Team in and .
McCormick currently conducts fantasy camps for the San Francisco Giants, with other former Giants. He married Carolyn Koehler in 1956. They have four children, Susan, Michael Jr., Matthew and Stacy. He married Dierdre Hodge in January 1986. They have one daughter, Tara.
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a former 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...
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...
. He played for 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....
from 1956 to 1958, then the San Francisco 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....
from 1958 to 1970. He played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1970 and then the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in 1971.
In 1956 he became one of the most hyped rookies in history after posting a 49-4 American Legion record at age 17, including four no hitters and a 26 strikeout game. Though he struggled with his control for the first few years of his career, he later became one of the best pitchers in baseball. He led the league in ERA in 1960 and won the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
and The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in with the San Francisco Giants; not until Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
's back-to-back Cy Young Awards in and would another Giant pitcher receive such an honor. McCormick also hit the 500th 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...
by a pitcher in baseball history (and also gave up Hank Aaron's 500th career home run in ). McCormick was a member of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All Star Team in and .
McCormick currently conducts fantasy camps for the San Francisco Giants, with other former Giants. He married Carolyn Koehler in 1956. They have four children, Susan, Michael Jr., Matthew and Stacy. He married Dierdre Hodge in January 1986. They have one daughter, Tara.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions