From Wiki­Collectables, Buy • Sell • Collect • Wiki

View the top articles!

Lawrence J. Corcoran (August 10 1859 - October 14 1891) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Contents 1 Specifications 2 Background 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Specifications

• Publisher =
• Publication Date =
• Nature of Rarity =
• Number in Existence =
• Estimated Value =
• Position =
• Team(s) = Chicago White Stockings (1880-1885), New York Giants (1885-1886), Washington Senators (1886), Indianapolis Hoosiers (1887)

[edit] Background

Corcoran came into the league in 1880, winning 43 games and leading the Chicago team to the National League championship, Cap Anson alternated him with pitcher Fred Goldsmith, giving Chicago the first true pitching "rotation" in professional baseball.

In 1882, Corcoran became the first pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a career. Two seasons later, in 1884, he became the first pitcher to throw three no-hitters, setting a record that would not be broken until 1965, when Sandy Koufax threw his fourth no-hitter. He is also famous for being one of baseball's very few switch-pitchers. A natural righty, Corcoran pitched four innings alternating throwing arms on June 16, 1884, due to the inflammation of his right index finger. He is credited with creating the first method of signaling pitches to his catcher.^[1] His method consisted of moving a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth to indicate what pitch would be thrown.^[1]

Corcoran's arm was dead by 1885, and by 1887 he was out of the league.

Corcoran, afflicted with Bright's disease, died in Newark, New Jersey at the age of 32.^[2] He was interred in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange, New Jersey.^[2]

His brother, Mike Corcoran, pitched in one professional game in 1884.

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
• List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b}
2. ^ ^{a b}

[edit] External links

• FutilityInfielder.com - Article on Corcoran and other switch pitchers
• TheDeadballEra.com - obituary
• FindAGrave.com