Mike Corkins – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Corkins probably isn’t a name most baseball fans toss around, but his six-year run with the San Diego Padres is a real piece of early franchise history. Born Michael Patrick Corkins on May 25, 1946, in Riverside, California, he became part of the Padres’ story after they picked him up in the 1968 expansion draft from the San Francisco Giants organization.

Corkins pitched only for the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1974. He appeared in 157 games and racked up 335 strikeouts during his career. He played during some pretty memorable times, like the day he gave up Willie Mays’ 600th home run on September 22, 1969. Most of the time, Corkins came out of the bullpen, but he did make 44 starts for the Padres.

Let’s take a look at Corkins’ journey, from his days as a high school athlete in California to his years on the Padres’ pitching staff. His story gives a glimpse into what it was like for players during baseball’s expansion era in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

Early Life and Background

Michael Patrick Corkins was born on May 25, 1946, in Riverside, California. He spent his childhood in Southern California, where baseball fever was running high after World War II.

Growing up in Riverside, he lived in a place known for turning out talented athletes. His family encouraged him to pursue sports from the start.

Corkins wasn’t just a baseball kid—he had a knack for several sports. That versatility helped him develop into the athlete he eventually became.

Birth and Family

Michael Patrick Corkins entered the world on May 25, 1946, in Riverside, California. The postwar era in Southern California was a great time to be a young athlete.

He grew up surrounded by a supportive family who cheered him on in all his athletic pursuits.

Corkins showed off his natural athleticism early. This would pay off during his high school years, helping him stand out as an all-around athlete.

Education and Early Baseball Experiences

Corkins went to Rubidoux High School in California, where he made a name for himself in three sports: football, track and field, and baseball.

His baseball skills really stood out during high school. He became a star pitcher on the team, catching the eye of professional scouts.

His performance on the mound impressed talent evaluators. Corkins had enough pitching talent for Major League teams to take notice.

In 1965, even before he went pro, the San Francisco Giants signed him as an amateur free agent. That move kicked off his journey toward the big leagues.

Major League Baseball Career

Mike Corkins spent his whole six-season MLB career with the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1974. The Padres picked him in the 1968 expansion draft, and he became a key part of their early teams.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season

Corkins made his big league debut on September 8, 1969, at 23, facing the Houston Astros. Things didn’t go great—he lasted just 1.2 innings, gave up 6 hits and 5 earned runs, and the Padres lost 9-2.

Pitcher Jim Bouton even mentioned Corkins’ debut in his famous 1969 book “Ball Four.” Astros infielder Marty Martínez yelled “Welcome to the National League, kid” from the dugout during Corkins’ rough outing.

Even after that tough first game, Corkins showed some promise as a rookie. He pitched in several games as both a starter and reliever, working his way into the Padres’ pitching staff.

Just two weeks after his debut, on September 22, 1969, Corkins gave up Willie Mays’s 600th home run. That moment is still a big part of his legacy.

San Diego Padres Tenure

Corkins played only for the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1974. He pitched in 157 games, mostly out of the bullpen, but started 44 times.

He finished his career with a 19-28 win-loss record and a 4.39 ERA. Corkins struck out 335 batters in 459.1 innings, with a K/9IP rate of 6.56, which was actually above the league average back then.

Control was a real challenge for Corkins. He walked 248 batters, leading to a BB/9IP rate of 4.86, which was definitely higher than most pitchers at the time.

Career Highlights:

• 19 wins, 28 losses
• 9 saves
• 48 games finished
• 335 strikeouts
• 4.39 ERA

Corkins could swing the bat a bit, too. He hit 5 home runs and kept a .202 batting average in 119 at-bats, which is honestly not bad for a pitcher.

His 459.1 innings and 157 games are still the most by any pitcher who played their entire career with the Padres.

Expansion Draft and Trade Details

Before landing with the San Diego Padres, Corkins signed with the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season. He spent a few years working his way up through the Giants’ minor league system.

The Padres picked Corkins as the 31st pick in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. That draft let new teams like San Diego and Montreal fill their rosters with players from other clubs.

Corkins stuck with San Diego his entire major league career. Unlike a lot of guys back then, he never got traded or claimed by another team during his six seasons.

He made his final MLB appearance on July 14, 1974, against the Montreal Expos at age 28. That was the end of his pro baseball career, making him one of the original Padres players who helped lay the foundation for the team.

Key Achievements and Memorable Moments

Mike Corkins made his mark in baseball history with a few memorable moments, especially during his six years with the Padres. The most famous? Giving up Willie Mays’s 600th home run in 1969.

Giving Up Willie Mays’s 600th Home Run

On September 22, 1969, Corkins found himself in the history books when he gave up Willie Mays’s 600th career home run. At that point, only one other player had ever reached 600 homers.

That happened during Corkins’s rookie year with the Padres. Sure, giving up a historic homer might not seem like a highlight, but it put Corkins in the record books right next to one of the game’s legends.

This happened just two weeks after Corkins made his MLB debut on September 8, 1969. He was still getting his bearings in the majors when he took on the legendary Giants outfielder.

Notable Games and Performances

Corkins’s first big league game on September 8, 1969, was memorable for more than just being his debut. Jim Bouton wrote about it in his book “Ball Four.”

During that game against the Astros, Corkins had a tough outing in a 9-2 loss. Astros infielder Marty Martinez yelled, “Welcome to the National League, kid,” just to rub it in.

Even with a rocky start, Corkins showed he could pitch. He notched 335 strikeouts over 459.1 innings, averaging 6.56 K’s per nine innings—better than the league average at the time.

He could also hit a little. Corkins hit five home runs in his career and kept a .202 average in 119 at-bats, which is honestly pretty impressive for a pitcher.

Pitching Style and On-Field Performance

Mike Corkins switched between starting and relieving during his six years with the Padres, which made him a useful piece for the team. He threw right-handed and put up solid strikeout numbers, but his control sometimes let him down.

Relief Versus Starting Roles

Corkins started out in the majors mostly as a starter in 1970. He made 24 appearances, most of them as a starter, and finished with a 5-6 record and a 4.62 ERA.

By 1972, the Padres moved him into a hybrid role with more relief appearances. That year, he had his best stats—going 6-9 with a 3.54 ERA and picking up 6 saves.

The bullpen seemed to fit Corkins in 1973. He pitched in 47 games, mostly as a reliever, and kept a 4.50 ERA with a 5-8 record. His ability to eat up innings out of the pen made him a valuable asset.

In his last season, 1974, Corkins kept working mainly as a reliever. He got into 25 games and ended up with a 2-2 record and a 4.79 ERA.

Pitching Strengths and Weaknesses

Corkins could rack up strikeouts, ending his career with 335. His right-handed delivery had enough speed and movement to keep hitters honest.

But control was never his strong suit. He walked a lot of batters, which inflated his pitch counts and made innings tougher than they needed to be. That definitely played a role in his 4.39 career ERA.

He showed he could handle different roles, whether starting or coming out of the bullpen. Corkins could give the team multiple innings when needed, which kept him in the majors for six seasons.

He had some standout moments, too. In 1972, he threw a complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves on September 10th, showing what he could do when his command was on.

Hitting as a Pitcher

Corkins had some pop for a pitcher, which made him a bit of a wild card at the plate. His biggest moment as a hitter came on September 4, 1970, when he hit a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds.

The 1973 season was his best with the bat. Corkins hit three home runs in just 33 at-bats, which is a pretty wild power display for a pitcher.

His hitting skills made him more valuable in the National League, where pitchers actually had to bat. Managers could count on him to do something at the plate, not just on the mound.

Not many pitchers in his era could hit like that. While most struggled, Corkins stepped in with some confidence and managed to put up real numbers.

Career Statistics and Records

Mike Corkins put together a modest but respectable stat line during his six years with the Padres from 1969 to 1974. His 19 wins, 28 losses, and 335 strikeouts reflect a pitcher who battled through the tough early years of an expansion franchise.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Corkins wrapped up his career with a 19-28 record and a 4.39 ERA over 157 games. His best season was 1972, when he went 6-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 47 appearances.

He had a rough start, posting an 8.47 ERA in his 1969 debut. Things got better in 1970, when he finished 5-6 with a 4.62 ERA in 24 games.

In 1972, he really found his groove. Corkins pitched in 47 games, including nine starts, and picked up six saves while keeping his ERA at its lowest.

His last season in 1974 was quieter, with just 25 games. He went 2-2 with a 4.79 ERA before stepping away from pro baseball.

Strikeouts, Walks, and Other Pitching Stats

Corkins finished with 335 strikeouts and 248 walks over 459.1 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.35 was decent for pitchers in that era.

His best strikeout year was 1972, when he fanned 108 batters in 140 innings. That year, he posted his top strikeout rate at 6.9 per nine innings.

He completed five games and tossed one shutout during his career. Corkins also earned nine saves, six of them coming in that solid 1972 season.

He allowed 458 hits and 46 home runs over his six years in the majors. His career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.537.

Batting and Fielding Numbers

Corkins didn’t get many chances at the plate since he pitched, but he actually posted some solid defensive numbers. Over his career, he had a fielding percentage of .894, with 28 putouts and 48 assists.

His defensive stats really depended on the year. In 1969 and 1971, he managed perfect 1.000 fielding percentages. Things got rough in 1973 though, when his fielding percentage dropped to .800.

He handled 85 total chances and committed nine errors during his career. Corkins also turned a double play and picked off four baserunners.

His range factor sat at 1.49 per nine innings, which was a bit lower than the league average of 1.85. You could see his defensive issues most clearly in the seasons when he played more often.

Retirement and Legacy

Mike Corkins wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1974 after six seasons with the San Diego Padres. Injuries and contract disputes played a big part in the abrupt end.

He made a real mark on the early Padres and kept a unique spot in baseball history. Even after he retired, his legacy stuck around until his death in 2023.

Final MLB Season in 1974

Corkins’ last season with the Padres was anything but smooth. He pitched in 25 games, finished with a 2-2 record, and had a 5.11 ERA. Arm soreness nagged him all year.

Things went sideways when a weird dispute popped up about his wife’s plane ticket to Hawaii. After the Padres sent him down to the Triple-A Hawaii Islanders, Corkins said he’d go only if someone paid for his wife’s airfare. General manager Peter Bavasi agreed to cover the $340, but the Padres later took the money out of Corkins’ paycheck.

This mess led to two separate arbitration cases through the players’ association. The same arbitrators who handled Catfish Hunter’s free agency case ruled in Corkins’ favor twice, but still denied his request to end his contract.

A salary standoff during spring training in 1975 basically ended things between Corkins and the Padres. Around then, doctors found he had a torn rotator cuff. He needed surgery, and after just four games with Class-A Salinas in the Angels organization, his playing career was over.

Impact on Padres History

Corkins played a special role in San Diego Padres history as one of the franchise’s original players, picked in the 1968 expansion draft. He stuck with the team for six years, right through the Padres’ early, often rocky seasons from 1969 to 1974.

Career Statistics with San Diego:

• Games: 157 appearances (44 starts)
• Record: 19-28 with 4.39 ERA
• Strikeouts: 335 in 459⅓ innings
• Notable: 5 complete games, 1 shutout, 9 saves

Corkins’ ability to fill different roles really mattered when the Padres struggled. He pitched as both a starter and a reliever, and in 1972, he led the team with 6 saves.

He pitched the team’s first shutout win, beating Atlanta 1-0 on September 10, 1972.

Corkins could swing the bat a bit, too. In 1973, he tied the Padres’ single-season home run record for pitchers with 3. His career batting line—.202/.264/.345 with 5 homers—made him one of the better-hitting pitchers of his time.

He saw some big moments firsthand, like giving up Willie Mays’ 600th career home run. He was also the losing pitcher when Tom Seaver struck out 19 batters in 1970.

Commemoration and Passing

After he wrapped up his professional baseball career, Corkins kept playing in semi-pro leagues across California. He jumped into business too, managing Quality Tool Co. in North Riverside and picking up jobs as a car and boat painter.

Eventually, Corkins moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. There, he started his own wrought iron gate company and ran it until he decided to retire for good.

Michael Patrick Corkins passed away on November 27, 2023, in Lake Havasu City. He was 77 and had been dealing with health issues for quite a while.

His children, Kim and Mickey, along with their families, survive him.

Folks in the baseball world remember Corkins as a dedicated athlete and a true competitor. He really captured the early spirit of the San Diego Padres franchise.

His legacy sticks around in Padres history, showing the grit and determination of players from those first years.

Even though injury cut his career short, Corkins left a mark on baseball. His link to Willie Mays’ milestone and his mention in Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four” keep him in the sport’s record books.