Scott Cooper
Encyclopedia
Scott Kendrick Cooper is a former Major League Baseball
third baseman
who played for the Boston Red Sox
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and Kansas City Royals
from 1990 to 1995 and 1997.
on September 5, 1990 as the Red Sox hosted the Oakland Athletics
at Fenway Park
. Appearing for Carlos Quintana
as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of a 10-0 A's win, Cooper struck out looking in his first MLB at bat and his only big league at bat that season.
Appearing in 14 games with Boston in , Cooper hit .457 (16-for-35) with seven RBI. His first big league hit came September 12, 1991 as a pinch hitter for Jody Reed
, singling off New York Yankees
pitcher Rich Monteleone
in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium
. He picked up the first of his 33 career home runs on September 4, 1992 - a solo shot off A's star Dave Stewart in Oakland.
Blocked at third base by Wade Boggs
, Cooper struggled to find time on the active roster and in ballgames but spent a solid chunk of the 1992 season play first base. In 123 games that season, Cooper hit .276 with five home runs and 33 RBI over 337 at bats. When Boggs signed with the Yankees as a free agent in the offseason, Cooper became the starting third baseman and was selected to two consecutive All Star teams over his first two seasons with the job.
On April 12, 1994, Cooper hit for the cycle in a 22-11 drubbing over the Kansas City Royals
at Kauffman Stadium
. Batting seventh and playing third base, Cooper hit a two-run double off Kevin Appier
in the first inning, homered in the third inning, tripled off Hipolito Pichardo
only to be nailed at the plate trying to stretch it into an inside the park home run, reached on an error in sixth inning, hit another two-run double in the seventh inning off Jeff Montgomery and singled in the ninth inning off infielder-turned-pitcher David Howard
. Cooper was the 18th player in Red Sox history to hit for the cycle and was the first to do so since Mike Greenwell
in .
In and , Cooper was the lone Red Sox player named to the All Star team. Cooper's Red Sox career - the most productive seasons of his career - ended when he and reliever Cory Bailey
were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
on April 9, 1995 for pitcher Rheal Cormier
and outfielder Mark Whiten
.
at Busch Stadium
. Hitting in the cleanup spot, Cooper went 3-for-5 in his Cardinals debut and hit a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to secure the St. Louis victory. He finished the day with one run scored and four RBI. He continued to hit well early in the season, sitting pretty with a .302 average on May 25 only to finish the year with a .230 average, three homers, 40 RBI and 29 runs over 118 games. While he struggled in , Cooper was paid a career-high $1,525,000 for the season.
Cooper filed for free agency at the end of the season but found himself without a job in the United States for 1996, instead signing a one-year deal with the Seibu Lions
in Japan
.
in , Cooper signed on with the Seibu Lions
of the Pacific League
in Japan. Appearing in 81 games with the Lions, Cooper hit .243 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and 27 runs scored. It was with the Lions that he was given the nickname "Super Duper Cooper Scooper" in recognition of his tremendous defense.
, earning $375,000 for the season. In 1996, the Royals had finished last in American League
Central division at 75-86, 24 games behind the Cleveland Indians
. Cooper was signed just three days after the Royals traded incumbent third baseman Joe Randa
and three other players to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for infielders Jay Bell
and Jeff King
.
Cooper hit just .201 with three home runs, 15 RBI and 12 runs over 159 at bats in 75 games for the Royals. By the end of the season, Cooper was primarily a defensive replacement and pinch hitter. In the last two games of his career, he appeared as a defensive replacement at third base without getting an at bat. His final big league at bat came September 26, 1997 at Comiskey Park
, striking out as a pinch hitter against Chicago White Sox
lefty Jim Abbott
.
A free agent at season's end, Cooper inked a deal with the Texas Rangers
but never appeared in a big league game with the club.
All Star teams.
In , Cooper replaced former teammate Wade Boggs
at third base in the sixth inning of the All Star Game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
in Baltimore
. Cooper went 0-for-2, hitting a flyout to left field off Steve Avery
in the sixth inning and striking out against Rod Beck
in the seventh inning.
In , Cooper again came into the game as a replacement for Boggs in the sixth inning of the Midsummer Classic, which was played at Three Rivers Stadium
that year. Cooper went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a RBI in the exhibition game. In the seventh inning, Cooper hit a RBI double off Danny Jackson
in the seventh inning and grounded out to second base off reliever Randy Myers
in the ninth inning.
Cooper went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a RBI in his two All-Star Game appearances.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
who played for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
from 1990 to 1995 and 1997.
Boston Red Sox
Cooper made his big league debut with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on September 5, 1990 as the Red Sox hosted the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. Appearing for Carlos Quintana
Carlos Quintana (baseball)
Carlos Narciso Quintana Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1988-1993.-Professional career:...
as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of a 10-0 A's win, Cooper struck out looking in his first MLB at bat and his only big league at bat that season.
Appearing in 14 games with Boston in , Cooper hit .457 (16-for-35) with seven RBI. His first big league hit came September 12, 1991 as a pinch hitter for Jody Reed
Jody Reed
Jody Eric Reed is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1987-1997. The 5'9" second baseman played with the Boston Red Sox from 1987–1992, and in 1990 he led the American League with 45 doubles and finished 10th in the AL with 173 hits...
, singling off New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
pitcher Rich Monteleone
Rich Monteleone
Richard Monteleone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach. In 2008, he was the special pitching instructor for the New York Yankees, but was fired on October 14, 2008....
in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. He picked up the first of his 33 career home runs on September 4, 1992 - a solo shot off A's star Dave Stewart in Oakland.
Blocked at third base by Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
, Cooper struggled to find time on the active roster and in ballgames but spent a solid chunk of the 1992 season play first base. In 123 games that season, Cooper hit .276 with five home runs and 33 RBI over 337 at bats. When Boggs signed with the Yankees as a free agent in the offseason, Cooper became the starting third baseman and was selected to two consecutive All Star teams over his first two seasons with the job.
On April 12, 1994, Cooper hit for the cycle in a 22-11 drubbing over the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
. Batting seventh and playing third base, Cooper hit a two-run double off Kevin Appier
Kevin Appier
Robert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Anaheim Angels.-Kansas City Royals:...
in the first inning, homered in the third inning, tripled off Hipolito Pichardo
Hipólito Pichardo
Hipólito Antonio Pichardo Balbina is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three teams between and . He batted and threw right-handed....
only to be nailed at the plate trying to stretch it into an inside the park home run, reached on an error in sixth inning, hit another two-run double in the seventh inning off Jeff Montgomery and singled in the ninth inning off infielder-turned-pitcher David Howard
David Howard (baseball)
David Wayne Howard , is field coordinator of minor league instruction for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball, and a former utility player in MLB who played from through for the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals . Listed at 6 feet and 175 lb...
. Cooper was the 18th player in Red Sox history to hit for the cycle and was the first to do so since Mike Greenwell
Mike Greenwell
Michael Lewis Greenwell is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire MLB career with the Boston Red Sox . He briefly played a few games for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan , before retiring. Greenwell was nicknamed "The Gator." He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
in .
In and , Cooper was the lone Red Sox player named to the All Star team. Cooper's Red Sox career - the most productive seasons of his career - ended when he and reliever Cory Bailey
Cory Bailey
Phillip Cory Bailey is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between and . He batted and threw right-handed....
were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on April 9, 1995 for pitcher Rheal Cormier
Rheal Cormier
Rhéal Paul Cormier is a Canadian former Major League Baseball pitcher.He attended Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, Rhode Island, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 6th round of the 1988 amateur draft...
and outfielder Mark Whiten
Mark Whiten
Mark Anthony Whiten is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and switch-hitter batter who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees...
.
St. Louis Cardinals
Cooper's Cardinals career got off to a good start when he made his debut with St. Louis on April 26, 1995 in a 7-6 Cards win over the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Busch Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
. Hitting in the cleanup spot, Cooper went 3-for-5 in his Cardinals debut and hit a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to secure the St. Louis victory. He finished the day with one run scored and four RBI. He continued to hit well early in the season, sitting pretty with a .302 average on May 25 only to finish the year with a .230 average, three homers, 40 RBI and 29 runs over 118 games. While he struggled in , Cooper was paid a career-high $1,525,000 for the season.
Cooper filed for free agency at the end of the season but found himself without a job in the United States for 1996, instead signing a one-year deal with the Seibu Lions
Seibu Lions
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based west of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Seibu Lions
Unable to find a big league job in Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
in , Cooper signed on with the Seibu Lions
Seibu Lions
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based west of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group...
of the Pacific League
Pacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
in Japan. Appearing in 81 games with the Lions, Cooper hit .243 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and 27 runs scored. It was with the Lions that he was given the nickname "Super Duper Cooper Scooper" in recognition of his tremendous defense.
Kansas City Royals
On December 16, 1996, Cooper signed with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, earning $375,000 for the season. In 1996, the Royals had finished last in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Central division at 75-86, 24 games behind the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Cooper was signed just three days after the Royals traded incumbent third baseman Joe Randa
Joe Randa
Joseph Gregory Salvatore Randa is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a third baseman during his career. His nickname is "The Joker" due to his resemblance to the comic book character in Batman and his ever-present smile, especially during his plate appearances...
and three other players to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for infielders Jay Bell
Jay Bell
Jay Stuart Bell is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and second baseman who played for the Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals , Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets .He played his high school baseball at J.M...
and Jeff King
Jeff King (baseball)
Jeffrey Wayne King is a former professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals.-Career:...
.
Cooper hit just .201 with three home runs, 15 RBI and 12 runs over 159 at bats in 75 games for the Royals. By the end of the season, Cooper was primarily a defensive replacement and pinch hitter. In the last two games of his career, he appeared as a defensive replacement at third base without getting an at bat. His final big league at bat came September 26, 1997 at Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...
, striking out as a pinch hitter against Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
lefty Jim Abbott
Jim Abbott
James Anthony Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.He graduated from Flint Central High School and...
.
A free agent at season's end, Cooper inked a deal with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
but never appeared in a big league game with the club.
All-Star
Cooper was named to the 1993 and 1994 American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
All Star teams.
In , Cooper replaced former teammate Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
at third base in the sixth inning of the All Star Game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. Cooper went 0-for-2, hitting a flyout to left field off Steve Avery
Steve Avery
Steven Thomas Avery is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was a young star with the Atlanta Braves in the early 1990s.-Young Gun:...
in the sixth inning and striking out against Rod Beck
Rod Beck
Rodney Roy "Rod" Beck nicknamed "Shooter", was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres...
in the seventh inning.
In , Cooper again came into the game as a replacement for Boggs in the sixth inning of the Midsummer Classic, which was played at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
that year. Cooper went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a RBI in the exhibition game. In the seventh inning, Cooper hit a RBI double off Danny Jackson
Danny Jackson
Danny Lynn Jackson was a pitcher with a 15-year career from to . He played for the Kansas City Royals of the American League and the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St...
in the seventh inning and grounded out to second base off reliever Randy Myers
Randy Myers
Randall Kirk Myers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-1998 for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays.-Career:Myers first began his major league career with...
in the ninth inning.
Cooper went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a RBI in his two All-Star Game appearances.