Cooke was born in Swepsonville, North Carolina, June 23, 1907. Known mainly for his defensive abilities, he was a competent fourth outfielder, who was able to handle all three outfield positions. In 1930, Cooke reached the major leagues, with the New York Yankees. He spent three seasons there, before moving on, to the Boston Red Sox (1933–1936) and Cincinnati Reds (1938). Cooke’s most productive season came in 1933 with Boston, when he hit .293 and posted career-best numbers in games played (119), runs (86), doubles (35), triples (10), and runs batted in (RBI) (54). In 1935, he batted a career-high .306, in 100 games, while compiling a .400 on-base percentage (10th in the American League).\n', '

In an eight-season career, Cooke was a .280 hitter (489-for-1745), with 24 home runs, 229 RBI, 608 games, including 324 runs, 109 doubles, 28 triples, 32 stolen bases, .384 on-base percentage, .416 slugging percentage and a solid walk-to-strikeout ratio of 1.06 (290-to-276).\n', '

Following his playing career, Cooke joined the United States Navy, in 1942, and served in Okinawa, during World War II. While in the Navy, he received training in fitness conditioning. After being discharged, Cooke became the athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies, in 1946. Two years later, in 1948, he joined the Phils\' coaching staff. Cooke was a coach through June 30, 1952, including service on the 1950 "Whiz Kids" team, that won the National League pennant. He also was the Phillies\' interim manager, from July 16–25, 1948, after the firing of Ben Chapman. Cooke posted a 6–6 record (.500), before handing over the reins to the team’s permanent skipper, Eddie Sawyer.\n', '

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