Don Cooper

[Al from SoDak]

Don Cooper was born in New York City on January 15, 1956. From an early age, he always wanted to play baseball. Cooper was quoted, “My focus from the third grade up was that, ‘I’m playing Major League Baseball.’  That was my dream, and that’s what I always sought after. I was blessed enough to get that dream fulfilled.” He continued with that spirit and determination through high school in New York City and pitched collegiately at the New York Institute of Technology. 

After college, the New York Yankees drafted Cooper in the 17th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. He pitched in the Yankees' minor league system from 1978 to 1980, throwing a no-hitter in August 1978, only a couple of months after being drafted. The Twins obtained Cooper via the 1980 Rule 5 draft. He was primarily a relief pitcher during his MLB career, starting only three games.

Cooper’s tenure with the Twins started in 1981. He logged a 1-5 record that season. His lone win came on September 2, 1981, a comeback victory against the Yankees. He entered the game in the 8th inning with the Twins trailing 3-2. Cooper got the final five outs while allowing one hit and no runs. In the bottom of the inning, the offense got to work, taking the lead by scoring two runs on a Mickey Hatcher RBI triple and a sacrifice bunt. After the 1981 season, Cooper only recorded one last MLB decision – a loss for the Twins in 1982. After the 1982 season, the Twins traded Cooper to Toronto for Dave Baker, an uninspiring third base prospect who played two seasons for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens but never impressed enough to appear in a game for the Twins. Cooper played sparingly for the Blue Jays one season and then finished his career in 1985 with his hometown New York Yankees. His career statistics include a 1-6 record, 5.27 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 85.1 innings. Overall, he had a negative WAR of -0.3. So, what’s so great about Don Cooper that makes him worthy of this write-up?

"I love being part of young people’s lives, helping them achieve the dreams they’re dreaming about. That’s what I’m into." - Don Cooper, 2018.

In 1988, Don Cooper began a 32-year career with the Chicago White Sox organization. He made his way through their minor league system, serving as pitching coach at both levels of single A, then at AA and AAA, plus about eight years as the minor league pitching coordinator for the organization. In 2002, he returned to the big leagues, this time as a coach. He served as the White Sox pitching coach for an incredible 18+ seasons. He also served as interim manager for the last two games of the 2011 season after Ozzie Guillen was let go; he went 1-1. Cooper was pitching coach at the big-league level for four managers (Jerry Manuel, Ozzie Guillen, Robin Ventura, and Rick Renteria) and two general managers (Ken Williams and Rick Hahn). His total 32-year career at all levels of the organization includes two additional general managers of the White Sox organization (Larry Himes and Ron Schueler). That’s an incredible run. He must have been very well thought of to serve that many different major league field managers and organizational general managers.

During his time as pitching coach with the White Sox, Don Cooper worked with all-star pitchers Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza, Jon Garland, Bobby Jenks, Jose Contreras, Matt Thornton, Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, Jesse Crain (Twins legend), Jose Quintana, and Lucas Giolito. Of course, the Chicago White Sox ended their 87-year drought and won the 2005 World Series when they swept the Astros largely behind great starting pitching. Each starting pitcher threw at least seven innings. In addition, Buehrle and former Twins legend Philip Humber threw perfect games under Cooper’s tutelage. Buehrle had a regular no-hitter in 2007, and Giolito also threw a no-hitter in 2020. Cooper also helped Esteban Loaiza to a 20-win campaign in 2003.

They say, “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Don Cooper embodies that saying with a 10-year pitching career and then a 32-year coaching career in the White Sox organization. According to the saying, Cooper never worked a day in his life. Good for him. I’m sure we can all appreciate and admire that.

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[David HK]

I had totally gapped out that he was a Twin for a time.  Only knew him as the barrel-chested (and beer-bellied) Sox coach for many years.  Making all those trips from the dugout to the mound should have kept him a bit more svelte in those days, though, no?  😅