Major League Baseball Player. Known universally as both "Larry" and "Little Corcoran" due to his 5-foot-3, 127 lb frame, he was discovered by Chicago White Stockings manager Cap Anson while pitching with the minor league Springfield club in 1879. Anson, who was enamored with how hard he threw, paired him with catcher Ed "Siver" Flint. whom Anson felt could handle both his fastball and his curveball. Under Anson and Flint's tuteledge, Corcoran became one of the greatest pitchers of the early 1880s, winning 170 games and losing only 84 from 1880 through 1884. During this time, he pitched an amazing three no-hitters. Corcoran was the first pitcher to work out a set of signals with his catcher. He would chew tobacco, and at the suggestion of Flint, he would move his chew from one side of his mouth to the other, indicating when he would throw a curve ball. Overworked, he hurt his arm in 1885 and was out of the league a few years later after stints with NY and Indianapolis. He worked as an umpire for a time in the Atlantic League. A heavy drinker, he died from Brights's Disease in 1891 at the age of 32. His .663 winning percentage is eighth all-time. His brother Mike pitched one game for Chicago in 1884.
Major League Baseball Player. Known universally as both "Larry" and "Little Corcoran" due to his 5-foot-3, 127 lb frame, he was discovered by Chicago White Stockings manager Cap Anson while pitching with the minor league Springfield club in 1879. Anson, who was enamored with how hard he threw, paired him with catcher Ed "Siver" Flint. whom Anson felt could handle both his fastball and his curveball. Under Anson and Flint's tuteledge, Corcoran became one of the greatest pitchers of the early 1880s, winning 170 games and losing only 84 from 1880 through 1884. During this time, he pitched an amazing three no-hitters. Corcoran was the first pitcher to work out a set of signals with his catcher. He would chew tobacco, and at the suggestion of Flint, he would move his chew from one side of his mouth to the other, indicating when he would throw a curve ball. Overworked, he hurt his arm in 1885 and was out of the league a few years later after stints with NY and Indianapolis. He worked as an umpire for a time in the Atlantic League. A heavy drinker, he died from Brights's Disease in 1891 at the age of 32. His .663 winning percentage is eighth all-time. His brother Mike pitched one game for Chicago in 1884.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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Lawrence J Corcoran
1859-1891
Chicago White Stockings
3 No Hitters
Family Members
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