Eric Cooper

For the British poet, see Eric Thirkell Cooper.
56 – Eric Cooper

Cooper in 2007
Born (1966-12-18) December 18, 1966
Des Moines, Iowa
MLB debut June 17, 1996
Umpiring crew
F
Crew members
Career highlights and awards

Eric Richard Cooper (born December 18, 1966), is an American professional baseball umpire. He has worked throughout Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1999. Cooper wears number 56. He has umpired in nine Division Series, three League Championship Series, two Wild Card Games, one All-Star Game, one World Series, and two World Baseball Classics.

Umpiring career

After college, Cooper attended the Joe Brinkman Umpire School, and spent several years as a minor league umpire.[1] He appeared in the Appalachian League (1990), Midwest League (1991), Florida State League (1992), Eastern League (1993-94), American Association (1995–97) and Pacific Coast League (1998).[2]

Cooper has consistently worn number 56 as an umpire. He worked the Division Series (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), the League Championship Series (2004, 2015), the 2015 and 2016 American League Wild Card Games, the 2014 World Series, and the 2005 All-Star Game. Cooper also worked the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and 2013.[2]

Notable games

Cooper was the home plate umpire for Hideo Nomo's no-hitter in 2001, and for Mark Buehrle's no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on April 18, 2007.[3] He was also behind the plate for Buehrle's subsequent perfect game thrown in 2009. Cooper joined Ed Vargo as umpires who had called balls and strikes for two no-hitters by the same pitcher. Eric is one of only eight active major league umpires who have worked behind the plate for multiple no-hitters; the others are Jeff Kellogg, Ed Hickox, Ted Barrett, Adrian Johnson, Ron Kulpa, Brian Knight, and Greg Gibson.[2]

Cooper was the third base umpire in the last game played at the old Yankee Stadium.

He was also the plate umpire for the September 2008 game in which Francisco Rodriguez tied the major league single-season save record. Cooper was struck by a foul ball during the game, but was able to continue after a brief pause.[4] Rodriguez would break the record before the end of the season.[5]

Personal

Cooper lives in his native Iowa. He is married to Tara Cooper and has two children. Cooper graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in transportation logistics.[2]

See also

List of Major League Baseball umpires

References

  1. ↑ Pradhan, Shagun (October 18, 2011). "ISU graduate makes his way to Major League umpiring". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 MLB. "Eric Cooper". Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  3. ↑ Buehrle hurls no-hitter to lead ChiSox over Rangers ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2012
  4. ↑ "Rodriguez ties saves record in win over Mariners". Associated Press. September 11, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ Spencer, Lyle; Michael Schwartz (September 14, 2008). "K-Rod nabs single-season saves mark". MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.

External links

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