McCormick signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 1934 and played for their minor league affiliate in Beckley until September of that same year, when the Reds promoted him to the major leagues. After spending twelve seasons with the organization, McCormick was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he spent the next two seasons. In the middle of the 1947 season, he was released and subsequently joined the Boston Braves, with whom he played his last game on October 3, 1948. He is most famous for winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1940.\n', '

McCormick was born on June 9, 1911 in New York City. His father, Andrew McCormick, was a railroad worker; his mother was Ann. As a youngster, he played sandlot ball and participated in baseball at his high school and church\'s leagues, playing in the outfield. He made the decision to play professional baseball at seventeen and tried out for several major league teams. After he was rejected by the Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Senators and New York Giants, he took a $50 loan from his uncle in order to go to the Cincinnati Reds\' tryout held in Beckley, West Virginia.\n', '

McCormick\'s manager at the sandlot team encouraged him to switch positions to first base, citing how there was less competition for the spot compared to the outfield. His performance at the tryout left a lasting impression on former major league player and renowned scout Bobby Wallace, who promptly signed the 23-year-old.\n', '

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