Alan Cockrell
Encyclopedia
Atlee Alan Cockrell is a retired Major League Baseball
outfielder. Cockrell is an alumnus of Joplin, MO's now-closed Parkwood High School (1981) where he was a standout on their championship football, baseball, and basketball teams, and the University of Tennessee
, where he was an all-American outfielder for the baseball team, and played quarterback for the football team.
's Parkwood High School Bears to a 31–3 record during his three years as starting quarterback. An outstanding athlete , Cockrell's could pass (3,499 yds, 44 TDs), run (1,541 yds, 36 TDs) and even kick (154 PATs, 8 FGs).
Cockrell led the Bears' offensive attack to an undefeated season (14–0 - outscoring opponents 653-33) and the Missouri State Class 4A High School Championship in 1980, despite being one of the smallest schools in Class 4A. That team has recently been inducted into the Joplin Area Sports Hall of Fame, alongside the likes of NASCAR's Jamie McMurray. Heavily recruited by several schools, he chose to attend the University of Tennessee
.
Cockrell became the first true freshman ever to start at quarterback for the Volunteers. He led them for the 1982 (6-5-1) and 1983 (9-3) seasons, culminating in a 30-23 victory over the Maryland Terrapins (led by future NFL standout Boomer Esiason) in the inaugural Florida Citrus Bowl (now Capital One Bowl). The victory was bittersweet for Cockrell, however, as he suffered a football-career-ending knee injury late in the game.
made Cockrell the ninth pick overall in the 1984 MLB
draft so he chose to forgo his senior year in college and play pro baseball.
Unfortunately, whether a result of the knee injury, his alcoholism, or some other factor, Cockrell could never meet the high expectations he and others had, and he played in the minor leagues for nine years (five different organizations) before making his Major League Baseball
debut with the Colorado Rockies
. On September 7, 1996, Cockrell made a pinch hit appearance in which he struck out against All-Star closer Billy Wagner
. His first major league hit came three days later in the form of a pinch hit double off Tom Glavine
vs. Atlanta at Coors Field
. Cockrell appeared in his final game on September 29, , having suited up only nine times in the majors.
was promoted to manager. Under Cockrell's guidance in 2007, the Rockies slugged their way to a National League
Championship leading the circuit in batting, on base percentage, and total hits. Cockrell was one of three coaches let go by the Rockies after a disappointing 2008 season in which the team won only 74 games.
On December 7, 2008, Cockrell was named hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners. On May 9, 2010, Cockrell was relieved of his duties as hitting coach and replaced by Alonzo Powell
.
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...
outfielder. Cockrell is an alumnus of Joplin, MO's now-closed Parkwood High School (1981) where he was a standout on their championship football, baseball, and basketball teams, and the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, where he was an all-American outfielder for the baseball team, and played quarterback for the football team.
Football career
Twice named first-team all state, Cockrell led Joplin, MissouriJoplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
's Parkwood High School Bears to a 31–3 record during his three years as starting quarterback. An outstanding athlete , Cockrell's could pass (3,499 yds, 44 TDs), run (1,541 yds, 36 TDs) and even kick (154 PATs, 8 FGs).
Cockrell led the Bears' offensive attack to an undefeated season (14–0 - outscoring opponents 653-33) and the Missouri State Class 4A High School Championship in 1980, despite being one of the smallest schools in Class 4A. That team has recently been inducted into the Joplin Area Sports Hall of Fame, alongside the likes of NASCAR's Jamie McMurray. Heavily recruited by several schools, he chose to attend the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
.
Cockrell became the first true freshman ever to start at quarterback for the Volunteers. He led them for the 1982 (6-5-1) and 1983 (9-3) seasons, culminating in a 30-23 victory over the Maryland Terrapins (led by future NFL standout Boomer Esiason) in the inaugural Florida Citrus Bowl (now Capital One Bowl). The victory was bittersweet for Cockrell, however, as he suffered a football-career-ending knee injury late in the game.
Baseball career
Cockrell's first love had always been baseball and he was an even better outfielder than he was a quarterback. An All-American, he was named to the University of Tennessee All-Century Baseball Team in 2009. The San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
made Cockrell the ninth pick overall in the 1984 MLB
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...
draft so he chose to forgo his senior year in college and play pro baseball.
Unfortunately, whether a result of the knee injury, his alcoholism, or some other factor, Cockrell could never meet the high expectations he and others had, and he played in the minor leagues for nine years (five different organizations) before making his 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...
debut with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. On September 7, 1996, Cockrell made a pinch hit appearance in which he struck out against All-Star closer Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...
. His first major league hit came three days later in the form of a pinch hit double off Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
vs. Atlanta at Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
. Cockrell appeared in his final game on September 29, , having suited up only nine times in the majors.
Coaching career
His leadership skills and teaching ability, though, shone through and Cockrell spent the next few years working as a manager and hitting coach in various parts of the Colorado Rockies' development system. He returned to MLB when he was named hitting coach for the Rockies November 7, 2006 – his second stint, having previously served as hitting instructor the last five months of the 2002 season when Clint HurdleClint Hurdle
Clinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose 10-year career was spent with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. After retiring from playing baseball, Hurdle became a manager...
was promoted to manager. Under Cockrell's guidance in 2007, the Rockies slugged their way to a 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...
Championship leading the circuit in batting, on base percentage, and total hits. Cockrell was one of three coaches let go by the Rockies after a disappointing 2008 season in which the team won only 74 games.
On December 7, 2008, Cockrell was named hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners. On May 9, 2010, Cockrell was relieved of his duties as hitting coach and replaced by Alonzo Powell
Alonzo Powell
Alonzo Sidney Powell is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
.