Cecil Cooper

From SoSH

Cecil Cooper

Born:	December 20, 1949
Birthplace:	Brenham, Texas
Hometown:	???
Height:	6'2"
Weight:	190 lbs.
Bats:	Left
Throws:	Left
Drafted:	6th Round, 1968
College:	Prarie View A&M
High School:	Brenham High School (TX)
Other Teams:	Milwaukee Brewers 1977-87
Years with Boston:	1971 - 1976

Cecil Celester Cooper did not get much playing time during his Red Sox playing days, and was blocked by Carl Yastrzemski at first base. Ultimately the Sox looked to add more power to their lineup, and traded Cooper for fan favorite George Scott.

1 Overall Career
2 Awards
3 Achievements
4 Moment in the Sun
5 Trivia
6 External Links

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Overall Career

Cooper was a Gold Glove defender, and hit over .300 from 1977 to 1983. Cooper developed more of a power stroke in the early 1980's and hit over 30 homeruns in 1982 and 1983. Cooper hit a career-high .352 in 1980, but finished second to George Brett's gaudy .390. Cooper helped propel the Brewers to the World Series in 1982, hitting the game tying and game winning RBI's in the deciding 5th game of the ALCS vs. the California Angels.

Cecil Cooper now serves as bench coach for the Houston Astros. Previously, he worked with former Red Sox Reid Nichols in the Brewers organization as a minor-league manager and Director of Player Development.

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Awards

5-time AL All-Star (1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 & 1985)
2-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1980 & 1981)
3-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1980, 1981 & 1982)
Roberto Clemente Award, 1983
Brewers Walk of Fame, 2002

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Achievements

AL Total Bases Leader: 1980
AL Doubles Leader: 2 times (1979 & 1981)
AL RBI Leader: 2 times (1980 & 1983)
20-Home Run Seasons: 5 (1977, 1979, 1980, 1982 & 1983)
30-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1982 & 1983)
100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1979, 1980, 1982 & 1983)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1982 & 1983)
200 Hits Seasons: 3 (1980, 1982 & 1983)

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Moment in the Sun

April 16, 1977: In Milwaukee, Cecil Cooper hits a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 9th off Sparky Lyle to tie the Yankees 3–3, then a Sal Bando triple and single by Steve Brye wins it.

1980: Cooper had three 15–game hitting streaks in the same season

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Trivia

On September 8, 1971, Cooper was called up from the minors to the Red Sox, who were playing in New York that day. The owner of the Double-A Pawtucket club, Joe Buzas, personally drove Cooper to Yankee Stadium, where the teams were playing a doubleheader. Cooper arrived toward the end of the opening game, dropped his belongings at his locker and went to the dugout. About two minutes later, he was called on to pinch-hit for pitcher Roger Moret. "Right away, immediately," Cooper recalled. "I just grabbed my stuff and started swinging." Veteran right-handed reliever Lindy McDaniel worked Cooper to an 0-2 count before the rookie infielder finally made contact. "Dribbler right in front of the plate," Cooper said.