Dusty Cooke
Encyclopedia
Allen Lindsey "Dusty" Cooke (June 23, 1907 - November 21, 1987) was an American
outfielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for three different teams between 1930 and 1938. Listed at 6' 1", 205 lb., Cooke batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Swepsonville, North Carolina
.
Known for his defensive abilities, Cooke was a competent fourth outfielder able to handle all three outfield positions. He reached the majors in 1930 with the New York Yankees
, spending three years with them before moving to the Boston Red Sox
(1933–1936) and Cincinnati Reds
(1938). His most productive season came in 1933 with Boston, when he hit .293 and posted career-numbers in games played
(119), runs
(86), doubles
(35), triples
(10), and runs batted in
(54). In 1935 he batted
a career-high .306 in 100 games while compiling a .400 on-base percentage (10th in the American League
).
In an eight-season career, Cooke was a .280 hitter (489-for-1745) with 24 home run
s and 229 RBI in 608 games, including 324 runs, 109 doubles, 28 triples, 32 stolen base
s, a .384 on-base percentage, and a solid walk-to-strikeout ratio
of 1.06 (290-to-276).
Following his playing career, Cooke joined the United States Navy
in 1942 and served in Okinawa
during World War II
. While in the Navy, he received training in fitness conditioning
. After discharge, he became the trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies
in 1946. He later coached
for them from 1948 to 1952, serving also as an interim manager
during the 1948 midseason while posting a 6-6 record (.500).
Cooke died in Raleigh, North Carolina
at age 80.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
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 three different teams between 1930 and 1938. Listed at 6' 1", 205 lb., Cooke batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Swepsonville, North Carolina
Swepsonville, North Carolina
Swepsonville is a town in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Known for his defensive abilities, Cooke was a competent fourth outfielder able to handle all three outfield positions. He reached the majors in 1930 with 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...
, spending three years with them before moving to 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"...
(1933–1936) and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1938). His most productive season came in 1933 with Boston, when he hit .293 and posted career-numbers in games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
(119), 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...
(86), 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....
(35), 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....
(10), and runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(54). In 1935 he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
a career-high .306 in 100 games while compiling a .400 on-base percentage (10th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
).
In an eight-season career, Cooke was a .280 hitter (489-for-1745) with 24 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 229 RBI in 608 games, including 324 runs, 109 doubles, 28 triples, 32 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, a .384 on-base percentage, and a solid walk-to-strikeout ratio
Walk-to-strikeout ratio
In baseball statistics, walk-to-strikeout ratio is a measure of a hitter's plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone. Generally, a hitter with a good walk-to-strikeout ratio must exhibit enough patience at the plate to refrain from swinging at bad pitches and take a base on balls, but he...
of 1.06 (290-to-276).
Following his playing career, Cooke joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 1942 and served in Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
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...
. While in the Navy, he received training in fitness conditioning
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
. After discharge, he became the trainer for 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...
in 1946. He later coached
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for them from 1948 to 1952, serving also as an interim manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
during the 1948 midseason while posting a 6-6 record (.500).
Cooke died in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
at age 80.