The Diocese of Brooklyn has lost a World Series champion.
Don Cooper, a 1974 graduate of Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, who went on to play and coach professional baseball, died on Sept. 22 in Brentwood, Tennessee, at the age of 70.
“His fierce passion for baseball, and the coaches and players around him, brought him a life filled with great pride, stories, and accomplishments,” read a statement by Cooper’s family on his Facebook page. “This passion was superseded only by his unbreakable love for his family and friends. He cared immensely for his loved ones.
“He lived a life blessed by God, which he talked about whenever he had the chance. He was very thankful for his blessings and success both in and out of baseball.”
Cooper grew up in Maspeth playing sports every day. He starred in baseball and basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) program at St. Mary’s of Winfield, Woodside, before playing both sports at Msgr. McClancy starting in 1970.
He was a pitcher and corner infielder who helped lead the Crusaders to three straight CHSAA city championship appearances. His efforts landed him a perennial spot on The Tablet’s Baseball All-Star Team and a 1997 induction into the McClancy Hall of Fame.
From there, Cooper played baseball and basketball at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, Long Island. After a successful college career, the then-22-year-old was drafted as a pitcher in 1978 by the New York Yankees in the 17th round.
“My focus from the third grade up was that, ‘I’m playing Major League Baseball,’ ” Cooper told The Tablet in 2013. “That was my dream, and that’s what I always sought after. I was blessed enough to get that dream fulfilled.”
Cooper made his MLB debut on April 9, 1981, for the Minnesota Twins — becoming the first McClancy graduate to reach the big leagues. His pitching career included stints with the Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Yankees. He soon transitioned to coaching and spent 15 years in various roles within the Chicago White Sox system.
In July 2002, Cooper was promoted and became pitching coach for the Major League club. Under his tutelage, the Sox won the 2005 World Series — the team’s first since 1917 and the Fall Classic famously attended by current Pope Leo XIV, a known fan of the South Siders.
“My career wouldn’t have been the same without Don Cooper,” Ozzie Guillen, the manager of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox, wrote on X. “Coop was one of a kind and taught me so much about pitchers, pitching, and their mindset. Always a close friend to my kids and family.”
What made Cooper so successful as a pitching coach was his competitive mentality, which he developed throughout the diocesan schoolyards in Maspeth, Woodside, Jackson Heights, and across Queens. His work ethic helped him rise through the ranks to live out his dream.
Throughout his career as a pitching coach, Cooper became known for his ability to “fix” highly touted pitching prospects — as well as veterans — who were struggling to reach their potential on the mound. This led to the mantra “Coop’ll fix ’em,” given his focus on the fundamentals.
“Coop was the best,” said Cooper’s teammate Nick Melito, the Crusaders’ former varsity baseball coach who is now the school’s president. “We attended the same grammar school, high school, and college.
“He always looked out for me, and he was the main reason I received a scholarship to play at New York Tech. No matter how successful Coop was, he never forgot where he came from.”
Speaking to The Tablet, Cooper said that it was no accident that God put the right people — including teammates, coaches, family, and friends — in his life to help him along his journey. He said he viewed everything as a blessing and took nothing for granted.
“I’m running the course that God laid out for me,” he said. “I didn’t know at one time that I was on a course; I was just going. I’ve come to realize that I’ve been on His course the whole time.”
Cooper’s impact in the CYO, the CHSAA, and eventually the professional ranks won’t soon be forgotten.