Benny Looper

Benjamin Ray Looper

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School East Central University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• High School Granite (OK) High School

• Born September 29, 1948 in Granite, OK USA
• Died July 23, 2021

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Benny Looper played minor league baseball for five seasons. He was picked by the Houston Astros in the 27th round of the 1966 amateur draft but did not sign. In the secondary draft of 1968, Looper was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round. Looper debuted with the GCL Cardinals that year and hit .106/~.234/.182 in 24 games as the backup catcher, striking out in 19 of 66 AB.

In 1969, Looper played for the Lewiston Broncs and batted .202/~.307/.258 in 56 games, striking out 53 times in 178 AB. Looper was second among Northwest League catchers in assists (43), first in double plays (13) and putouts (371) and tied for first in errors (11).

The next season, Benny was a backup for the Modesto Reds, going 11 for 63 with 10 walks, 25 strikeouts and 4 doubles. In 1971, Looper moved on to the St. Petersburg Cardinals, where his batting line read .206/~.274/.273 in 60 games.

Looper split his final year between St. Petersburg (2 for 14, BB, 6 K), the Arkansas Travelers (1 for 12, 4 K) and the Tulsa Oilers (1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K).

After coaching high school baseball for over a decade, he joined the Seattle Mariners as a scout in 1987. In 2007 he was the team's Vice President of Player Personnel. In 2010, Looper was the Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Both his son, Aaron Looper, and his nephew, Braden Looper, became big league pitchers.

Sources include 1969-1973 Baseball Guides