Among those Cooke fooled was Marlin Gary Sheffield, who went 0 for 3, and Sheffield explained to The Sun-Sentinel why.
"He throws a little slow," Sheffield told The Sun-Sentinel. "When you're looking for the slow stuff, he throws his fastball and it looks like it's 90 mph. He lives on the edge of the plate."
Cooke returned to the majors full time that year, after losing a full season two years prior to bursitis in his shoulder. In all, Cooke would see time in six major league seasons and get at least 23 starts in three of those campaigns.
Cooke's career began in 1989, taken by the Pirates in the 35th round of the draft out of the College of Southern Idaho. He was also credited by his full name, Stephen Cooke.
Cooke drew notice in high school in Oregon and then at Southern Idaho. In one game, those watching included Athletics GM Sandy Alderson, according to The Twin Falls Times-News.
"I was pretty nervous," Cooke told The Times-News of Alderson's presence. "But I knew there were going to be scouts there, so I just tried to put it out of my mind. Fortunately, that day I pitched pretty well."
The Athletics didn't get Cooke, but the Pirates did. Cooke first hit the field for the Pirates in 1990 at short-season Welland. He went 2-3 over 11 starts there, with a 2.35 ERA.
Cooke then made AA Carolina in 1991, and AAA Buffalo in 1992. That July, he made Pittsburgh.
Cooke got into 11 games in relief for the Pirates in 1992. He gave up nine earned in 23 innings of work. He then returned for all of 1993 as a starter. He went 10-10, with a 3.89 ERA.
Cooke threw a complete game in early September against the Dodgers for his ninth win on the year. He gave up five hits over the first two innings, then just three after that, The Associated Press wrote.
"I like to go nine," Cooke told The AP. "That means I didn't have to throw too many pitches, which means I got ahead in the count and made them hit my pitch."
He then saw 23 starts in 1994, but a 4-11 record. After losing much of 1995, he returned to the field in 1996 and saw three outings with Pittsburgh.
In spring 1997, Cooke told The AP he felt he was back after his injury.
"I feel like the old Steve Cooke again when on the mound," Cooke told The AP. "My velocity might not be quite what it was before I got hurt, but it's close and all my other pitches seem a little sharper than they did before."
Cooke made the team that spring and he returned to form. He saw 32 starts and went 9-15, with a 4.30 ERA. Cooke moved to the Reds for 1998 and got into a single game, an April 2 start. He went six innings and gave up one earned run. Tendinitis then sidelined him and he did not return.
- Twin Falls Times-News, April 19, 1990: Cooke lives with pressure
- Los Angeles Times, Sept. 2, 1993: In a Lost Cause, Lasorda Is Ejected in First
- Associated Press, Feb. 27, 1997: Cooke hopes to bounce back
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 7, 1997: Marlins are done in by Cooke, and it's not rare
More: The 1990 Welland Pirates
Players/Coaches Featured:3,313
Made the Majors:1,187-35.8%-X
Never Made Majors:2,126-64.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 492-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:287
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