Tim Corcoran – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Timothy Michael Corcoran stands out as one of baseball’s most persistent journeymen. He played nine seasons from 1977 to 1986, and his career really shows the challenges that talented but physically limited athletes face in Major League Baseball.

Born in Glendale, California, Corcoran had solid hitting skills and defensive versatility. Still, his lack of power and size often kept him stuck in bench roles—even when he showed flashes of brilliance.

Tim Corcoran officially retired from professional baseball in 1986 after his last major league appearance with the New York Mets. He kept playing in the minors until 1988.

His career peaked in 1984 with the Philadelphia Phillies. That year, he batted an impressive .341 with a .440 on-base percentage, showing the hitting ability that kept him around the majors for nearly a decade.

Corcoran’s story really captures the reality of baseball’s middle tier. Skilled players have to deal with constant roster changes, trades, and demotions, all while chasing that almost mythical regular playing time.

He played for four major league organizations—Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and New York. His journey highlights both the determination needed to stick around in pro baseball and just how unpredictable the sport can be.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Tim Corcoran’s path to professional baseball started in Southern California. He sharpened his skills through college competition and eventually caught the attention of major league scouts.

His move from amateur player to professional prospect showed the dedication and talent that would define his nine-year career.

Childhood and Education

Timothy Michael Corcoran was born on March 19, 1953, in Glendale, California. He grew up in a pretty athletic environment, which really encouraged his love for sports from an early age.

Corcoran went through two California schools. He first attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California, where he began to stand out as a serious baseball prospect.

Mount San Antonio College turned out to be a big stepping stone in his baseball development. The school has a strong baseball tradition, and Corcoran became one of 18 players from the college to reach the major leagues out of 132 total players drafted.

After Mount San Antonio, Corcoran transferred to California State University Los Angeles. At Cal State LA, he really excelled on the diamond and became the school’s only two-time baseball All-American.

His standout performance helped lead the Golden Eagles to back-to-back Pacific Coast Athletic Association championships in 1973 and 1974. Those achievements really cemented his reputation as one of California’s top collegiate players.

Minor League Development

The Detroit Tigers signed Corcoran as an amateur free agent in 1974, starting his professional career. In his first year, he split time between the Tigers’ Rookie League and Class A teams as he adjusted to pro ball.

Corcoran spent the 1975 and 1976 seasons with the Double-A Montgomery affiliate. Those two years were crucial for his development as he learned to compete against better pitching and more experienced players.

In 1977, Corcoran moved up to Triple-A Evansville. He played 39 games there and posted a strong .346 batting average.

That performance caught the attention of Tigers management and set him up for a possible major league call-up.

He showed he could hit for average at the highest minor league level. The consistent batting average proved he could handle quality pitching.

Signing with Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers scouts noticed Corcoran’s potential during his standout college career at Cal State LA. The team signed him as an amateur free agent rather than drafting him, which gave them more flexibility to negotiate terms.

They signed him in 1974, right after his successful college run. Manager Ralph Houk later praised Corcoran’s spring training performance, saying, “The kid is opening a few eyes, isn’t he? He’s hot right now.”

Corcoran’s spring training in 1977 was especially impressive. He hit .378 and made some memorable plays in exhibition games, including a home run in the bottom of the 13th against the Pirates for a 5-4 win.

His strong spring and Triple-A performance earned him a promotion to the majors in mid-May 1977. That call-up started his nine-season major league career with four different teams.

Major League Career Overview

Tim Corcoran played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1986. He spent time with four different teams and put together a .270 career batting average with 12 home runs and 128 RBI across 509 games. He mostly played first base and outfield.

Detroit Tigers Tenure

Corcoran started his major league career with the Detroit Tigers on May 18, 1977, at age 24. He’d impressed in spring training, hitting .378 and coming up big in exhibition games against the Pirates and Phillies.

His first big league hit was a two-run homer in a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on May 20, 1977. That rookie season, he appeared in 55 games and hit .282 with 29 hits in 103 at-bats.

The next year was his busiest with Detroit. Corcoran played 116 games in 1978, mostly in the outfield, and batted .265.

When he wasn’t playing, he served as the team’s bullpen catcher, which really showed his versatility.

Even though he made good contact and had solid plate discipline, Corcoran struggled to find regular playing time. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, he didn’t have the power teams usually want from corner positions.

His 1980 season was his best with Detroit. He batted .288 with a .379 on-base percentage in 177 plate appearances, mostly as a pinch-hitter and platoon first baseman.

Minnesota Twins Season

The Tigers traded Corcoran to the Minnesota Twins late in the 1981 season after he’d spent most of the year in Triple-A Evansville. He played 22 games for Minnesota that September but struggled, batting just .176.

His stint with the Twins was short and, honestly, pretty disappointing. Corcoran later said he was dealing with injuries when he got to Minnesota and never really had a good chance to show what he could do.

The Twins released him near the end of spring training in 1982. At 29, Corcoran found himself looking for a new opportunity after what he called a tough stretch in his career.

Philadelphia Phillies Years

Corcoran signed with Philadelphia in 1982 and spent two seasons in their minor league system before breaking through. He hit .289 for Oklahoma City in 1982 and .311 for Portland in 1983, helping the Triple-A club win the Pacific Coast League championship.

His 1984 season with the Phillies was the highlight of his career. Manager Paul Owens first used him as a pinch-hitter, and Corcoran excelled with a .409 average through mid-June.

When starting first baseman Len Matuszek broke his finger, Corcoran seized his chance.

From June 10 to July 27, Corcoran started 30 games and stayed hot, posting a slash line of .366/.459/.554 with 5 home runs. He finished the 1984 season with a career-best .341 batting average and .440 on-base percentage.

“Thank God for John Felske,” Corcoran said about his Portland manager who helped him get back to the majors. “He gave me a chance to play every day in Portland and he helped me this year in spring training.”

Things cooled off in 1985, and his average dropped to .217. Philadelphia released him in December, which surprised Corcoran—he’d just bought a new truck and house.

New York Mets Final Season

The New York Mets signed Corcoran as a free agent in March 1986. They saw him as a versatile player who could provide depth and hoped his fielding and line-drive hitting would complement their championship push.

Corcoran played in only six games for the Mets before heading to Triple-A Tidewater. The team brought him back up in June, but his second stint was even shorter.

He managed just seven at-bats, scoring one run on two walks.

The Mets released him on June 9, 1986, after they decided Keith Hernandez wouldn’t get suspended in a pending drug case. Corcoran’s last major league appearance was on June 6, 1986, in a game against Pittsburgh where he went 0-for-4.

His nine-year MLB career ended without him being part of the Mets’ World Series championship team later that season.

Performance Highlights and Key Statistics

Tim Corcoran played nine seasons in the majors from 1977 to 1986 and put up respectable numbers for a utility player. He finished with a .270 career batting average and solid on-base skills.

His best year came in 1984 with Philadelphia, where he reached career highs in several offensive categories.

Career Batting Statistics

Corcoran finished his career with a .270 batting average over 509 major league games. He collected 283 hits in 1,213 at-bats, showing he could make consistent contact.

His power numbers were modest—12 home runs and 128 RBIs in his career. Corcoran scored 120 runs and posted a career on-base percentage of .349.

He racked up these stats while playing for four teams: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.

He mostly served as a platoon player and pinch-hitter, which limited his total plate appearances but let him keep up steady offensive production.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Corcoran’s biggest achievement came in 1984 with Philadelphia. He posted a remarkable .341 batting average and a .440 on-base percentage, both career bests.

During a hot stretch as a pinch-hitter in mid-1984, Corcoran batted .409 through mid-June. When he finally got a starting shot from June 10 to July 27, he kept it going with a slash line of .366/.459/.554 and hit 5 home runs in just 30 games.

His first major league hit was a two-run homer in a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on May 20, 1977.

Corcoran also played three seasons of winter ball in Venezuela, where he hit .341 with 50 RBIs in 104 games.

Best Seasons and Contributions

The 1984 season was easily Corcoran’s best MLB campaign. He played 76 games for Philadelphia and set career highs in batting average (.341), on-base percentage (.440), and slugging percentage.

His 1980 season with Detroit also stands out. As a platoon first baseman and pinch-hitter, he batted .288 with a .379 on-base percentage in 177 plate appearances.

Corcoran’s 1977 rookie season showed his potential. He hit .282 in 55 games while playing multiple outfield spots.

His versatility let him contribute as both a position player and designated hitter when teams needed him.

Corcoran was a reliable bench player who could handle first base and outfield while providing steady offense in limited roles.

Positions and Playing Style

Tim Corcoran played several positions during his nine-year MLB career, mostly at first base and in the outfield. He appeared in 183 games at first and 174 in the outfield, with 14 more as a designated hitter.

First Base Role

Corcoran proved himself as a capable first baseman throughout his career. His best year at first came in 1984 with the Phillies, when he started 34 games at the position.

During his time with Philadelphia from 1983-1985, Corcoran saw plenty of action at first base. In 1985, he played 59 games there, which showed the team trusted his defensive skills.

The lefty brought solid fundamentals to first base. His experience made him a reliable option for teams needing depth at the corner infield spot.

Corcoran’s versatility gave managers more options. Teams valued his ability to fill in at first base when needed, especially as a platoon player or backup.

Outfield Experience

Corcoran spent a lot of time in the outfield, mainly holding down right field during his career. With the Detroit Tigers in 1978, he really settled in as the team’s main right fielder.

That year, Corcoran started 85 games in right field and split time with veteran Mickey Stanley. He played in a career-high 116 games, hit .265, and handled the outfield on a regular basis.

He jumped into outfield work pretty early in his MLB days. In his 1977 rookie season with Detroit, Corcoran started 16 games out there and hit .282.

Being able to play more than one outfield spot definitely helped his value. Teams liked having a guy who could move between first base and the outfield whenever they needed.

Later Career, Retirement, and Legacy

Tim Corcoran wrapped up his major league run in 1986 with the New York Mets. He only appeared in six games before the team released him on June 9.

After he hung up his spikes, he moved into scouting and coaching. Corcoran worked with the Anaheim Angels organization and started helping young players develop in Southern California.

Transition from Major League Baseball

Corcoran’s big league career ended pretty suddenly in 1986 with the Mets. They’d brought him in as a flexible backup, but after just seven at-bats, he was out.

He didn’t walk away from the game right away, though. Corcoran stuck around in the minors for two more seasons, spending time in 1987 and 1988 with the Maine Guides, Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate. He retired at 35.

That transition? Not so easy at first. “It was a heck of a Christmas present,” Corcoran said about his 1985 release from Philadelphia. “They told me they needed a roster spot. And I’d just gone out and bought a new truck and a house.”

By 2000, Corcoran found his next path with the Anaheim Angels. The organization made him a scout, seeing his sharp eye for talent and real understanding of the game.

Since 2002, he’s coached for the Angels Elite program. This program gives the top 30 high school seniors in Southern California a shot at being seen by college and pro scouts every summer.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Corcoran built a reputation as a steady teammate and a skilled contact hitter. Managers often praised him for being professional and ready for whatever role they threw at him.

John Felske, his manager in Portland, pointed out Corcoran’s underrated skills. “If you look at him play once or twice, he might not do anything to excite you,” Felske said. “But you watch him every day, and you find out that though he doesn’t have a great arm, he always throws accurately and quickly.”

His coaching efforts have made a real difference. Since the Angels Elite program started, 180 graduates have been drafted by pro teams. Tyler Chatwood, a second-round Angels pick in 2008, made it to the majors in 2011.

Corcoran’s coaching style is pretty hands-on. He focuses on fundamentals and mental prep, and his experience as a utility guy helps him guide young players into different roles.

Personal Life and Post-Retirement

Timothy Michael Corcoran balanced his professional baseball career with a close-knit family life. His brother Roy also went after a career in pro baseball. After 1986, Corcoran stepped away from the MLB spotlight.

Family and Personal Background

Corcoran grew up in a baseball family with strong athletic roots. His brother Roy Corcoran played pro baseball too, making them a pretty talented sibling duo.

Born on March 19, 1953, in Glendale, California, Corcoran grew up in a place that encouraged his love for baseball. His family backed his athletic dreams from day one.

The Corcoran brothers both reached pro baseball, which doesn’t happen that often. Tim made it to the majors, while Roy chased his own career, though he didn’t quite reach the same heights as his brother.

Life After Baseball

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1986, Corcoran pretty much disappeared from the public eye. Unlike a lot of former players who stick around the game by coaching or jumping into broadcasting, Corcoran picked a quieter route.

You won’t find many details about what he did after baseball. He didn’t chase after big roles in baseball organizations or try to stay in the spotlight through media gigs.

Corcoran seemed to want privacy more than anything, stepping away from the game that shaped his career. Honestly, who could blame him for wanting a bit of peace after almost ten years in pro baseball?