:Jocko Flynn
{{Short description|American baseball player (1864–1907)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Jocko Flynn
|image=Jocko Flynn.jpg
|caption=1888 baseball card of Flynn
|position=Pitcher / Outfielder
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date|1864|6|30}}
|birth_place=Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|1907|12|31|1864|6|30}}
|death_place=Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 1
|debutyear=1886
|debutteam=Chicago White Stockings
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=May 23
|finalyear=1887
|finalteam=Chicago White Stockings
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=Win–loss record
|stat1value=23–6
|stat2label=Earned run average
|stat2value=2.24
|stat3label=Strikeouts
|stat3value=146
|teams=
- Chicago White Stockings ({{baseball year|1886}}–{{baseball year|1887}})
}}
John A. "Teddy Ballgame" Flynn (June 30, 1864 – December 31, 1907) was an American Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Stockings who played pitcher only in the 1886 season, during which the team again won the National League championship. Flynn's 23 victories were the most ever logged by a pitcher who only pitched a single season in the major leagues.
Career
During this rookie year, Flynn developed arm problems which prevented him from appearing in the 1886 World Series, a best of seven contest that was ultimately won by the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, four games to two.[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7154062/review_of_the_year_1886_in_baseball/ "They Never Lie: Figures in the Case of the League vs. the Association,"] St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 30, 1886, pg. 10. Flynn's loss was painfully felt by the club, which also saw pitcher Jim McCormick go down after the second game of the series with a chronic foot ailment.[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7163649/home_again_the_browns_arrive_from_the/ "Home Again: The Browns Arrive from the City by the Lake This Morning,"] St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 21, 1886, pg. 8. Teams of the era typically only carried three pitchers and the loss of both Flynn and McCormick left the Chicagos with only their ace, future Hall of Famer John Clarkson, who was forced to start four of the six contests, going the distance in three.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1886_WS.shtml "1886 World Series,"] Baseball-Reference.com, www.baseball-reference.com/
Flynn was very small of stature, so much so that he was mistaken for the Chicago team mascot, Willie Hahn, and taunted by St. Louis fans after game 4 of the World Series.[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7174717/a_big_stake_what_the_chicago_and_st/ "A Big Stake: What the Chicago and St. Louis Clubs Are Playing For,"] St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 23, 1886, pg. 8.
Flynn's arm ailment kept him from pitching again. His 23 wins is the most ever by a pitcher who pitched in only one season in the major leagues.
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{baseballstats|br=f/flynnjo02|brm=flynn-001joc}}
{{1886 Chicago White Stockings}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flynn, Jocko}}
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Chicago White Stockings players
Category:Lawrence (minor league baseball) players
Category:Meriden Maroons players
Category:Omaha Omahogs players
Category:Oakland Greenhood & Morans players