Eric Cooper Bio
Eric Cooper was an American baseball umpire, who died after developing a blood clot following knee surgery the week prior.
| Quick Bio | |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 18, 1966 |
| Birth Place |
Des Moines, Iowa
|
| Death Date | 20 October 2019 |
| Age | 52 years |
| Profession | baseball umpire |
| Spouse | Tara Cooper |
| Children | two children |
| Net Worth | Update Soon |
Eric Richard Cooper was born on December 18, 1966, and died on 20 October 2019. He has died at the age of 52.
He worked throughout Major League Baseball from 1999 through his death following the 2019 season. Cooper wore number 56.
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He had umpired in ten Division Series, four League Championship Series, three Wild Card Games, one All-Star Game, one World Series.
Major League Baseball is in mourning today after Commissioner Robert Manfred announced that umpire Eric Cooper has passed away. Cooper, who umpired in the majors for 21 years, was 52 years old. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/HDwpu8rbAG
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) October 20, 2019
Age
He was 52 years old when he died
Education
He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in transportation logistics.
Professional Career
Cooper consistently wore number 56 as an umpire. He worked the Division Series the League Championship Series, the Major League Baseball Wild Card Game the 2014 World Series, and the 2005 All-Star Game. Cooper also worked the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and 2013.
He 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.
There will be a moment of silence for the great Eric Cooper, the beloved umpire, whose sudden death shocked the baseball world. Players and managers had the ultimate respect for him. pic.twitter.com/N04Vs7QTMu
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 20, 2019
Eric was also behind the plate for Buehrle’s subsequent perfect game thrown in 2009.
He joined Ed Vargo as umpires who had called balls and strikes for two no-hitters by the same pitcher.
Eric was the plate umpire for the game on September 11, 2008, in which Francisco Rodriguez tied the major league single-season save the record. Cooper was struck by a foul ball during the game but was able to continue after a brief pause.
Eric was also the third base umpire in the last game played at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008.
He worked his final game on October 7, 2019, in the 2019 American League Division Series.
Such horrible news about Eric Cooper. Eric, was such a nice guy who I enjoyed talking with and always looked forward to seeing on our umpire crew list for the day. Sending my deepest condolences to his family, friends and his Major League Umpires colleagues. Sad day for the #MLB pic.twitter.com/aC8vlgnkVS
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) October 21, 2019
Wife & Children
He was married to Tara Cooper. They had two children
Death and Cause
Eric Cooper has died on 20 October 2019 at the age of 52. He died after having a blood clot. Eric had knee surgery earlier in the week and was recuperating at his father’s home in Iowa. Popular with his fellow umps, he spoke with some of them Saturday about his recovery.
Veteran MLB umpire Eric Cooper dead at 52.
📝 https://t.co/Y8Kk4HoMOV pic.twitter.com/bHWdrf3lYU
— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) October 20, 2019