Dusty Cooke

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 6ft 1in, 205 lb., Cooke batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Swepsonville, North Carolina.

Career
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 runs and 229 RBI in 608 games, including 324 runs, 109 doubles, 28 triples, 32 stolen bases, 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 athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1946. Two years later, in 1948, he joined the Phils' coaching staff. He was a coach through June 30, 1952, including service on the 1950 "Whiz Kids" team that won the National League pennant. He also was the Phillies' interim manager from July 16–25, 1948, after the firing of Ben Chapman. Cooke posted a 6–6 record (.500) before handing over the reins to permanent skipper Eddie Sawyer.

Cooke died in Raleigh, North Carolina at age 80.

External links and references

 * BR Bullpen
 * Retrosheet