Andy Cooper

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Andrew Lewis Cooper
(Lefty)

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2006

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Biographical Information[edit]

Andrew Lewis Cooper, nicknamed "Lefty", was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. Born in Waco, TX, he played primarily for the Detroit Stars and Kansas City Monarchs. He holds the Negro Leagues career record for saves (29).

Cooper pitched for the Stars in 1920-1927 before he was traded to the Kansas City Monarchs for five players in 1928. He posted a 116-57 record, good for a .671 winning percentage. He often pitched three games in a five-game series, starting two and relieving another.

He returned to Detroit for one season in 1930, and pitched the remainder of his career for the Monarchs, much of it during their barnstorming non-league years. He later managed the Monarchs, taking over from Bullet Rogan, and managed the team to consecutive titles in the Negro American League in 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940. In 1941, he became ill and stepped down as manager, turning the reins over to Newt Allen, and remained in his hometown of Waco, hoping to recover his health. His health worsened, however, and he died on June 3, 1941 at age 43. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in February, 2006, voted in by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues.

Some sources list him as the brother of Negro leagues pitcher/outfielder Darltie Cooper but this is not apparently the case.

Notable Achievements[edit]

  • 2-time All-Star (1933 & 1936)
  • NNL Games Pitched Leader (1924)
  • 2-time NNL Saves Leader (1923 & 1925)
  • NNL Shutouts Leader (1922)
  • NAL Pennants: 3 (1937, 1939 & 1940)
  • Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 2006

Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs
1937 Kansas City Monarchs Negro American League 53-22 1st Kansas City Monarchs League Champs
1938 Kansas City Monarchs Negro American League 47-25 1st Kansas City Monarchs
1939 Kansas City Monarchs Negro American League 42-25 1st Kansas City Monarchs League Champs
1940 Kansas City Monarchs Negro American League 31-15 1st Kansas City Monarchs League Champs

External link[edit]

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