Corkhill was born in
Parkesburg, Pennsylvania on April 11, 1858. He began his Major League career in the
American Association with the
Cincinnati Reds in 1883. He served as the Reds'
right fielder for four seasons, leading American Association outfielders in fielding twice. In 1887, he moved to center field and played there regularly for two seasons, winning two more fielding titles. As a batter, Corkhill had a knack for
driving in runs, finishing 2nd in the league in RBI in 1886. He also pitched on multiple occasions, serving as a
relief pitcher at a time when relievers were not commonplace. Corkhill finished the 1888 season with the
Brooklyn Bridegrooms after the team purchased his contract from Cincinnati. He played two seasons as Brooklyn's center fielder, and earned two league championships with the club, an AA championship in 1889 and a
National League championship in 1890 after the club switched leagues. Corkhill returned to the American Association in 1891 and began the year with the
Philadelphia Athletics. He left the team in mid-season and returned to the NL to finish the year, playing a single game with the Reds before joining the
Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for parts of two seasons with the Pirates, before retiring after being hit in the head by a pitch from
Ed Crane. Corkhill died after an operation in
Pennsauken, New Jersey on April 4, 1921.{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/04/07/98665140.pdf ==References==