Cooper Brannan
Encyclopedia
Nels Cooper Brannan is a former US Marine who briefly played minor league baseball for the San Diego Padres
. Brannan, who as a Corporal
in the United States Marines lost his pinky finger on his left hand (his non pitching hand) while serving in Iraq.
where he graduated in May 2003 from Highland High School
. While in high school Brannon was a three-year letterman for football and baseball.
in January 2004. He was deployed to Hitt, Iraq in February 2004 as an infantry team leader. He returned home in October 2004 and was redeployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September 2005.
In November 2005 Brannon was injured by a flash bang grenade he sustained multiple injuries to left hand resulting in amputation of left little finger and medial hand. He was medically evacuated to Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital) for three follow-up surgeries and rehabilitative therapy. He has since participated with All Marine Corps Baseball Team and USA Military All Star Baseball Team while assigned to MCRD San Diego
.
He was married on January 20, 2006 to Lindsay Marie Wagener.
in February 2007. He pitched in 20 games for the Rookie-level Arizona League Padres in 2007, finishing with a 9.69 ERA and a 1-3 record, and the Class-A Eugene Emeralds
in 2008. He pitched for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League
in 2009.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Brannan, who as a Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in the United States Marines lost his pinky finger on his left hand (his non pitching hand) while serving in Iraq.
Early life
Brannan was raised in Gilbert, ArizonaGilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
where he graduated in May 2003 from Highland High School
Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)
Highland High School is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, serving as part of the Gilbert Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1993.-Robotics:...
. While in high school Brannon was a three-year letterman for football and baseball.
Military career
Brannon graduated boot camp in October 2003 as the platoon honor-man. In December of that same year he completed School of Infantry and his first duty station was Twentynine Palms, CaliforniaTwentynine Palms, California
Twentynine Palms is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It was previously called Twenty-Nine Palms...
in January 2004. He was deployed to Hitt, Iraq in February 2004 as an infantry team leader. He returned home in October 2004 and was redeployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September 2005.
In November 2005 Brannon was injured by a flash bang grenade he sustained multiple injuries to left hand resulting in amputation of left little finger and medial hand. He was medically evacuated to Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital) for three follow-up surgeries and rehabilitative therapy. He has since participated with All Marine Corps Baseball Team and USA Military All Star Baseball Team while assigned to MCRD San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
.
He was married on January 20, 2006 to Lindsay Marie Wagener.
Baseball career
Brannan signed with the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in February 2007. He pitched in 20 games for the Rookie-level Arizona League Padres in 2007, finishing with a 9.69 ERA and a 1-3 record, and the Class-A Eugene Emeralds
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
in 2008. He pitched for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League
Can-Am League
Can-Am League is the nickname of two baseball leagues:* Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , a modern independent league.* Canadian-American League , a class C circuit league....
in 2009.