Jocko Flynn

John A. "Jocko" Flynn (June 30, 1864 – December 31, 1907) was a Major League Baseball player for the World Champion Chicago White Stockings who played pitcher only in the 1886 season, during which the team again won the National League championship. Flynn's 23 victories were the most ever logged by a pitcher who only pitched a single season in the major leagues.

Jocko Flynn
Pitcher / Outfielder
Born: (1864-06-30)June 30, 1864
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Died: December 31, 1907(1907-12-31) (aged 43)
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 1, 1886, for the Chicago White Stockings
Last MLB appearance
May 23, 1887, for the Chicago White Stockings
MLB statistics
Win–loss record23-6
Earned run average2.24
Strikeouts146
Teams

Biography

During this rookie year, Flynn developed arm problems which prevented him from appearing in the 1886 World Series, a best of seven contest that was ultimately won by the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, four games to two.[1] Flynn's loss was painfully felt by the club, who also saw pitcher Jim McCormick go down after the second game of the series with a chronic foot ailment.[2] Teams of the era typically only carried three pitchers and the loss of both Flynn and McCormick left the Chicagos with only their ace, future Hall of Famer John Clarkson, who was forced to start four of the six contests, going the distance in three.[3]

Flynn was very small of stature, so much so that he was mistaken for the Chicago team mascot, Willie Hahn, and taunted by St. Louis fans after game 4 of the World Series.[4]

Flynn's arm ailment kept him from pitching again. His 23 wins is the most ever by a pitcher who pitched in only one season in the major leagues.

Footnotes
  1. "They Never Lie: Figures in the Case of the League vs. the Association," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 30, 1886, pg. 10.
  2. "Home Again: The Browns Arrive from the City by the Lake This Morning," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 21, 1886, pg. 8.
  3. "1886 World Series," Baseball-Reference.com, www.baseball-reference.com/
  4. "A Big Stake: What the Chicago and St. Louis Clubs Are Playing For," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 23, 1886, pg. 8.
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