The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-10-30
By EARL HILLIGAN Associated Press Staff Writer)

Associated Press Staff Writer)
 Mickey Cochranes first year Q925) in the American league established him as one of the great men of base- ball.
 Not only did he catch 134 games as rookie, but he finished the sea- son with a batting average of .33l. In that first year up from the minors. he succeeded Ralph (Cy) Perkins as first string catcher for the Philadel- phia Athletics. Perkins coached the youngster right into his own job without any ill feeling.
 Years afterward, on the day Coch- rane was appointed manager of the Detroit Tigers, his first act was to hire Perkins as coach-and now the Tiger pilot talks over ever problem with his old friend and mentor.
 Mickey stayed with the Athletics nine years all told, absorbing the baseball philosophy of Connie Mack and getting his baptism in world series baseball. His batting average for the nine years with the Athletics was .321. He hit 400 for the six games of the world series of 1929 won by the Athletics, fell off to .222 when Mack's men won their second straight world championship the next year and batted .160 when Philadelphia was knocked off the pinnacle by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1881.
 He batted only 293 in 1928 but he was voted the American leagues most valuable player at the seasons close. The honor was bestowed upon hin; again when he led the Detroit Fig CTS to the American League pennant in 1884, his first season away from Philadelphia.
 One of the first acts of the new Tiger manager, after signing Cy Perkins, was the acquisition of Leon (Goose) Goslin, veteran Washing ton outfielder. Mickey offered John- ny Stone, young outfielder, for Goslin and when Clark Griffith jumped at the trade, Cochrane was subjected to criticism for bartering youngster for an timer"
 Stone may be good player some day." replied Cochrane But Goose Goslin is a good player-a great player-right now, and now is when need a good player. If I'm right on GoSlir1, it will be called a smart deal; if I'm wrong I'll be on the spot. The Goose is a real money player"
 Mickey wasn't wrong. The Goose broke up many ball game for De- troit, including the one which en- abled Cochrane to cross the plate with the winning run that gave De- troit it's first world series title.
 Cochrane's success as Tiger mana ger is particularly gratifying to Wal ter O. Briggs, president and half owner, with Frank J. Navin. of the Detroit ball club.
 Four years ago Briggs told Nayin: We've got to buy Cochrane from Philadelphia. He's the best catcher in the game"
 Navin tried, but Connie Mack laughed, He's not for sale"
 Try again, advised Briggs. Keep raising your bid. Make it so high he can't refuse"
 Navin boosted the ante by 5OO00. Again Mack refused. saying Coch- rane definitely was not for sale.
 Hell sell some time,v counseled Briggs. Finally Mack capitulated- for $100,000.
 Cochrane came through with A pennant winner the first year and then entered the rough, tough world series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Mickey isn't given to pugnacity-un- less the other fellow swings the first punch; but by the time that series closed, with St. Louis and the Dean brothers on top. he had given and ab- sorbed enough punishment for al whole ball club. So bruising was the work of the catcher that Cochrane's legs were welter of spike prints and he had to spend one night be- tween games in hospital.
 In tribute to the gallant but losing fight Cochrane put up in the 1884 world series, the Detroit manage ment gave him a $10,000 bonus.
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