Power of Positivity
Baseball and optimism helped OKC Dodgers pitcher Daniel Corcino cope with family tragedy during 2019 season
Daniel Corcino’s infectious smile extends ear to ear.
The Oklahoma City Dodgers starting pitcher may be all business on the mound, but almost every other time he is around the field, Corcino seems to be grinning.
Whether he is signing an autograph for a fan at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, tossing a baseball into a sea of shouting kids with extended arms, ribbing his teammates or celebrating in the dugout, Corcino is often seen laughing, seemingly loving life and enjoying being around the game he loves.
“Sometimes I can be, (or) they call me a clown or whatever, but that’s my personality,” Corcino said. “I try to always be happy, be smiling.”
But hidden behind that beaming smile this summer was midseason heartbreak.
One of his younger brothers, Darius, unexpectedly passed away in June in the Dominican Republic due to complications from a heart condition.
His family tragedy reinforced to him the importance of living in the moment and enjoying all life has to offer as he put together an impressive July — ranking as one of the Pacific Coast League’s top pitchers during the month following the loss of his brother.
“I tried to hang in,” Corcino said. “I think the game helped me a lot. The guys, (their) support, the team. It’s something you never forget, but every game I just dedicate to him because he was playing too…The moment is hard, but there (are) things you have to keep doing.
“It was very tough.”
Corcino, 29, emerged as a staff leader and a fan favorite for the Oklahoma City Dodgers the last two seasons, pacing the team with 40 starts and 222.2 innings pitched in 2018 and 2019 combined.
The right-handed pitcher led the Dodgers with 21 starts, eight wins and 119.1 innings in 2019, going 8–8 and posting a 4.90 ERA over 24 total appearances. He tied for the team lead with 105 strikeouts and even hit a home run April 22.
Corcino finished the season with a .249 opponent batting average that ranked third in the PCL, while his ERA ranked seventh and his 1.45 WHIP ranked ninth in the league.
“Daniel’s been great,” OKC Dodgers Manager Travis Barbary said. “You can always count on him to go out there on the day he starts and give you everything he has. He’s kind of been the one guy that when he’s out there you feel like he’s going to give you some innings. A really good competitor; keeps things loose in the clubhouse and the dugout; great personality and he’s been a big part of our pitching staff this year and last year. He’s been awesome.”
Corcino was born in Azua, Dominican Republic and was originally drafted as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Reds Jan. 11, 2008 at the age of 17.
He went on to make his MLB debut with the Reds Aug. 26, 2014 against the Chicago Cubs, tossing a scoreless and hitless ninth inning with two strikeouts on his 24th birthday.
He just completed his second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after becoming a free agent earlier this month.
He still calls the Cincinnati area home in the offseason with his wife and son and returns to the Dominican Republic to play winter league baseball for the Tigres del Licey in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana (LIDOM).
Licey opened its 2019–20 schedule last month and Corcino made his season debut Nov. 1, pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
However, a return trip to his home country this summer was filled with grief and sorrow.
His brother Darius passed away June 9.
“The day he was turning 22 he felt sick and (felt) something with his heart,” Corcino said.
He said his brother’s heart was not pumping properly and grew in size.
“He went to see the best doctor in the Dominican…and the doctor (did) the best (they could) and God decided to take him,” Corcino said.
“It was a very tough time and it will always be in my heart.”
The OKC Dodgers were in the midst of a homestand at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark when he learned the news about his brother.
“When it happened he went back home and we told him to take all the time he needed,” Barbary said. “It’s interesting, but he came back from that…he seemed very intent, like he was pitching with more of a purpose when he came back. Whether that’s to pay tribute to his brother or maybe dedicate the rest of the season to his brother, I don’t know, he never said that. But he seemed more focused and intent on pitching and pitching well. He’s been great.”
Over five outings in July that included four starts, Corcino allowed a total of 10 runs (eight earned) and 20 hits over 30.0 innings pitched, translating to a 2.40 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He held opponents to a .183 average.
He ranked second among qualified PCL pitchers in July in ERA and batting average against while ranking third in WHIP.
“For me I always have a smile on my face no matter how good or bad I am,” Corcino said. “I like to be like that because that’s the way I learned the game and that’s the way we are in my family.”
He embraces the power of positivity.
Barbary routinely saw those key personality traits Corcino brought to the ballpark.
“You always see him interacting with fans through the game,” Barbary said. “He is always on the top step and that’s the one thing about Daniel that I appreciate even on the days he’s not pitching he’s involved. He’s in the dugout supporting his teammates and that goes a long way.”
Corcino aims to be known as a good player who displays a big smile — even when times are tough on or off the baseball field.
For him, better results or an improved outlook simply start with a smile.
“I don’t like to say I’m a leader, I’m just a guy to be happy every time with everybody — help how I can help and do my things,” Corcino said. “I am that guy to always have fun and enjoy the game.
“Things change when you are happy, you know what I mean?” he said fittingly with a grin followed by a hearty laugh.
