Frank Andrew McCormick was an American baseballfirst baseman who played fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Buck" in honor of Frank Buck, he played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Braves from 1934 to 1948. He batted and threw right-handed and was listed at and. McCormick signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1934 and played for their minor league affiliate in Beckley until September of that same year, when the Reds promoted him to the major leagues. After spending twelve seasons with the organization, McCormick was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he spent the next two seasons. In the middle of the 1947 season, he was released and subsequently joined the Boston Braves, with whom he played his last game on October 3, 1948. He is most famous for winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1940.
Early life
McCormick was born on June 9, 1911 in New York City. His father, Andrew McCormick, was a railroad worker. As a child, he played sandlot ball and participated in baseball at his high school and church's leagues, playing in the outfield. He made the decision to play professional baseball at seventeen and tried out for several major league teams. After he was rejected by the Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Senators and New York Giants, he took a $50 loan from his uncle in order to go to the Cincinnati Reds' tryout held in Beckley, West Virginia. 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.
McCormick made his major league debut for the Reds on September 11, 1934, at the age of 23, entering the game as a pinch-hitter for pitcherRay Kolp in a 5–2 loss against the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played just 12 games with the Reds and though he batted.313 in 16 at-bats, he was demoted to the minor leagues, where he was consigned for the next two seasons. He was briefly brought back up to the majors in, but after the Reds were unable to fit him into one position, he was sent back down and remained there until September 19. In his first day back with the team, he amassed seven hits in a doubleheader and finished the season with a.325 batting average in 83 at-bats. McCormick became the Reds' full-time first baseman from onwards, replacing Buck Jordan. That year, he had 106 runs batted in, finished third in the National League in batting average and led the majors in hits with 209. 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. The season saw another strong showing from McCormick both offensively and defensively. He led the National League in hits, drove in 128 RBIs to become the league's RBI champion and finished first in fielding percentage at first base. 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. The Reds advanced to the 1939 World Series, where they lost to the New York Yankees in a four-game sweep. 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".
Career summary
In a 13-season career, McCormick posted a.299 batting average with 1,711 hits, 128 home runs and 951 runs batted in in 1,534 games played. An excellent first baseman, his career fielding percentage was.995. He was the Most Valuable Player in the National League in. That season, he led the league in hits and doubles 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. McCormick also led his league in hits two other times and in RBI in 1939. He topped all NL first basemen in fielding percentage four times in 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1946. In three World Series, he batted.271 with 13 hits in 14 games played. He is one of only three NL players with three consecutive hits titles. The others are Ginger Beaumont and Rogers Hornsby. McCormick set an MLB first basemen record with 138 straight errorless games. He is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
Personal life
At the conclusion of his 1938 rookie season, McCormick married his wife Vera on October 8. Together, they had two daughters, Judith and Nancy. After his Major League career ended, McCormick went on to manage the Quebec Braves, Lima Phillies and Bradford Phillies, spending one season at each minor league baseball affiliate from to. He proceeded to coach his former team—the now-renamed Cincinnati Redlegs—in, replacing Dick Bartell. After his coaching tenure finished, he continued his affiliation with the Reds as a scout, as well as a broadcaster, announcer and analyst on WLWT-TV from to, before moving back to his hometown and working as the director of ticket sales for the New York Yankees until his death.
