Cooper Should Have Number Retired By Brewers

If one were to look around the outfield portion of Miller Park, they would see the numbers of Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Henry Aaron, Rollie Fingers and Jackie Robinson hanging on the wall just below the lights. All retired by the Brewers for the service they gave to them and their fans. Except for Jackie. Robinson's number was retired by baseball in 1997.

Fans would also see a sign that says: 50 - Uecker.  Honoring long time Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker's 50 years in baseball.

There should be another number up there with with Robin and Pauly's; and that's number 15. Proudly worn for 11 seasons by Cecil Cooper.

You remember "Coop" don't you Brewer fans? He's the one who had the game winning, two run single in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the 1982 ALCS. You know, the game they won to make their first ever World Series appearance?

Besides that Game 5 hit, what else did Coop do as a Brewer that would give him the proper credentials to have his number retired by Milwaukee? Well, in 1983 he had 126 runs batted in, a record that stood until 2009. He holds the club record for most hits in a season with 219, which he accomplished during the 1980 campaign and he hit 201 of his 241 career homers as a Milwaukee Brewer.

Not to mention he's the only player in franchise history to have three, 200 hit seasons.

All in all, Coop set franchise records, many of which still stand today and he should be rewarded for his service as a Milwaukee Brewer. Please, Mr. Attanasio, retire number 15.