Cecil Cooper
The five-time All-Star who led Milwaukee with a .307 average and led the league outright with 126 RBIs in 1983.
Cecil Celester Cooper is an American baseball icon who played first base for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers from 1971 to 1986. Born in Brenham, Texas, he was a five-time All-Star and two-time outright RBI champion during his tenure with Milwaukee, and he also led the league outright in RBIs in 1983. While he reached the World Series with the Red Sox in 1975 and the Brewers in 1982, neither team secured a victory. Cooper is celebrated for hitting .300 or better from 1977 to 1983, including a career-high .352 average in 1980. His defensive prowess earned him two Gold Glove Awards, and he received the Roberto Clemente Award in 1982.
- Brewers Tenure
- 1977–1986
- RBI Titles
- 3 outright (1980, 1982, 1983)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
After being traded from Boston to Milwaukee on December 6, 1976, for George Scott and Bernie Carbo—with Cooper heading to the Brewers, not the other way around—he fundamentally changed his game. He altered his batting stance to resemble Rod Carew's, leaning back on his left foot with arms extended. This adjustment allowed him to hit outside pitches to the opposite field while still pulling inside ones, raising his average from .283 in Boston to .302 as a Brewer. His most productive season arrived in 1980, when he hit .352 (second only to George Brett's .390) and led the league with 122 RBIs and 335 total bases. He followed this in 1982 with another league-leading performance of 121 RBIs, and in 1983 with 126 RBIs and 30 home runs. Cooper became one of four Brewers, alongside Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Robin Yount, to record four seasons with over 100 RBIs.
In Their Own Story
The 1982 season marked the pinnacle of Cooper's on-field success as he guided the Brewers to the World Series, though they fell short. That same year, he posted his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award (1980–82), a feat matched only by Ryan Braun in franchise history. In 1983, despite leading the league in RBIs and hitting .307 with 30 home runs, Cooper finished fifth in AL MVP voting. His defensive excellence was equally recognized with Gold Gloves in 1979 and 1980. The team record for hits he set in 1980 (219) stood until Prince Fielder broke the RBI record on September 19, 2009, while Cooper was managing the opposing Houston Astros.
Reader's Guide
Fans can trace Cooper's legacy through specific milestones: his induction into the Brewers Walk of Fame in 2002 and the Wall of Honor in 2014. After retiring from playing in 1987 following a 17-season career with 2,192 hits, he returned to Milwaukee as Director of Player Development before managing the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. He later managed the Houston Astros from 2007 to 2009, becoming their first African American field manager on September 28, 2007. His managerial tenure included a challenging 19-game stretch in September 2008 where Hurricane Ike forced games against the Chicago Cubs to be moved to Miller Park in Milwaukee.
Did You Know?
- Cooper hit .352 in 1980, finishing second in the American League only to George Brett's .390.
- He holds the Milwaukee franchise record for hits in a single season with 219 (1980).
- Prince Fielder broke Cooper's team RBI record on September 19, 2009—two years after Cooper had been fired as Astros manager.
- He is one of only four Brewers to achieve four seasons with over 100 RBIs, joining Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Robin Yount.
- Cooper won two Gold Glove Awards during consecutive seasons in 1979 and 1980.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cecil Cooper?
He was an American first baseman who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1977 to 1987 after starting his career with Boston. Known for his consistency, he maintained a batting average over .300 for seven consecutive seasons during his peak years in Milwaukee.
What were Cecil Cooper's major achievements?
During his time with the Brewers, he earned five All-Star selections and won two Gold Glove Awards for his defensive skills at first base. He also led the league in RBIs twice, specifically in 1980 and 1983.
How did Cecil Cooper perform offensively?
Cooper finished his career with a .298 batting average, highlighted by a personal best of .352 in the 1980 season. He was particularly dominant from 1977 to 1983, hitting above the .300 mark every single year in that span.
Why is Cecil Cooper important to Brewers history?
He remains one of the franchise's most respected hitters and was recognized for his character by receiving the Roberto Clemente Award in 1983. His leadership helped guide the team to their first World Series appearance in 1982.
Did Cecil Cooper win a championship?
Although he reached the World Series with both Boston and Milwaukee, neither team managed to secure a victory during his tenure. His career is instead celebrated for his longevity and consistent excellence rather than rings.
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