Cliff Cook

From BR Bullpen

Raymond Clifford Cook

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 188 lb.

Debut September 9, 1959
Final Game July 7, 1963
Born August 20, 1936 in Dallas, TX USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Before the 1955 season, Cliff Cook was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Reds. A great number of professional baseball players have put up impressive numbers in the minors but have been unable to transfer that success to the major league level. Cook a third baseman, who also played some at first base and in the outfield, was a prime example.

Three times he had hit over thirty home runs and 100 RBIs in the minors and he did go 8 for 21 for a .381 average in a brief trial with Cincinnati in 1959, but struggled with a .208 average for the 1960 Reds.

In 1961, Cliff was voted the Most Valuable Player in the American Association after hitting .311 with 32 home runs and 119 RBI for the Indianapolis Indians. On May 7, 1962 he was traded along with Bob Miller by the Reds to the expansion New York Mets for Don Zimmer.

Cliff hit .232 in 40 games that season and topped off his major league career in 1963 with a .142 average in 50 games. This ended his five-year run in the major leagues, finishing up with a career .201 batting average in 163 games. It must be noted that Cook suffered chronic back problems that would cut his playing time and hinder his quality of play throughout his career.

After baseball, Cliff managed a sporting goods store in Fort Worth, TX.