Ed Cotter
Encyclopedia
Edward Christopher "Ed" Cotter (July 4, 1904 – June 14, 1959) was a third baseman
and shortstop
for the Philadelphia Phillies
of Major League Baseball
. He appeared in 17 career games for the Phillies during the months of June, July, and August 1926. He was officially listed as standing 6 feet (182.9 cm) tall and weighing 185 pounds (83.9 kg).
. Before playing in the major leagues, he attended Hartford Public High School
, and then Villanova University
from 1923 to 1926, 1 of 48 players from the school to play in Major League Baseball.
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Batting for first baseman Russ Wrightstone
in the fifth spot of Philadelphia's batting order
, Cotter hit safely
in his first career at-bat, stealing
his first career base after reaching. In his second game two days later, Cotter replaced teammate Clarence Huber
as the third baseman
against the Chicago Cubs
; he notched two more hits in the contest to open his career with three consecutive base hits. He made two more pinch-hitting appearances in June before replacing Heinie Sand
at shortstop in the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds
. After a ten-day layoff, he replaced Huber again as the third baseman, notching two more hits on June 30 against the Brooklyn Robins
—the only multi-hit game of his career.
Entering as Huber's replacement, Cotter recorded a hitless game on July 4, 1926, striking out
twice and recording a putout
and two assists
in the field. He recorded his next hit against the Pirates on July 10—raising his batting average to .400—and again versus the St. Louis Cardinals
on July 19. He appeared in three more games in July, and three in August as well, but did not hit safely again until the final game of his career, when he had one hit in a 21–3 loss to Cincinnati. He was unconditionally released by the team on August 13.
.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He appeared in 17 career games for the Phillies during the months of June, July, and August 1926. He was officially listed as standing 6 feet (182.9 cm) tall and weighing 185 pounds (83.9 kg).
Early life
Cotter was born July 4, 1904, in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. Before playing in the major leagues, he attended Hartford Public High School
Hartford Public High School
Hartford Public High School was founded in 1638. It is the second-oldest public secondary school in the United States , second to the Boston Latin School. It is a part of the Hartford Public Schools district.-History:...
, and then Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
from 1923 to 1926, 1 of 48 players from the school to play in Major League Baseball.
Phillies career
Cotter made his Phillies debut on June 12, 1926, as a pinch hitterPinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Batting for first baseman Russ Wrightstone
Russ Wrightstone
Russell Guy Wrightstone , was a Major League Baseball player who played infielder from -. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants....
in the fifth spot of Philadelphia's batting order
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
, Cotter hit safely
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in his first career at-bat, stealing
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
his first career base after reaching. In his second game two days later, Cotter replaced teammate Clarence Huber
Clarence Huber
Clarence Bill Huber was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies.-External links:...
as the third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
; he notched two more hits in the contest to open his career with three consecutive base hits. He made two more pinch-hitting appearances in June before replacing Heinie Sand
Heinie Sand
John Henry "Heinie" Sand was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from 1923 to 1928 with the Philadelphia Phillies. He debuted on April 17, and played his final game on September 30, . In 1925, he had a .364 on base percentage and 55 runs batted in and was 18th in the voting...
at shortstop in the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. After a ten-day layoff, he replaced Huber again as the third baseman, notching two more hits on June 30 against the Brooklyn Robins
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
—the only multi-hit game of his career.
Entering as Huber's replacement, Cotter recorded a hitless game on July 4, 1926, striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
twice and recording a putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
and two assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
in the field. He recorded his next hit against the Pirates on July 10—raising his batting average to .400—and again versus the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on July 19. He appeared in three more games in July, and three in August as well, but did not hit safely again until the final game of his career, when he had one hit in a 21–3 loss to Cincinnati. He was unconditionally released by the team on August 13.
After baseball
Cotter died on June 14, 1959, in his hometown of Hartford, and was interred at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, ConnecticutBloomfield, Connecticut
Bloomfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,626 at the 2009 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and 0.2 square miles is water.Bloomfield is bordered by Windsor to the...
.