Milwaukee Brewers All Time 25 Man Roster
By David Hill
First Base – Cecil Cooper (1977-1987)
A solid player with the Boston Red Sox, Cecil Cooper became a star with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cooper had displayed solid power for the Red Sox during his six years in Boston, but it took a trade to the Brewers to unlock his potential. He had over 30 doubles and 20 home runs for the first time in his career in his first season in Milwaukee, and was only just starting to become a key part of the lineup. He would go on to lead the American League in doubles and RBI twice, making five All Star Games and finishing fifth in the MVP vote three times.
The three time Silver Slugger winner had an excellent run of success with Milwaukee. Overall, he produced a .302/.339/.470 batting line, hitting 201 home runs and 345 doubles. Cooper even had a bit of speed, stealing 77 bases and hitting double digits four times.
Defensively, Cooper was not nearly the same player as he aged. He was only worth ten runs saved defensively during his time in Milwaukee, but he was good enough to win two Gold Glove awards, taking home the prize in 1979 and 1980. With a solid arm and excellent range, Cooper was a good first baseman who could make all the plays.
Cecil Cooper had plenty of power potential, but it took a trade to the Brewers to bring out the type of player he could be. One of the keys to the Brewers success in the early 1980’s, Cooper became a star once he came to Milwaukee.
Next: They unofficially retired his number