Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>One of the seven Negro League players elected to the Hall of Fame (this doesn't include the pre-Negro league, or the executives)--my friend Britt Peter can't out ANYTHING about him, in any book aboiut the Negro Leagues, or anywhere else. Anybody help?

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Ryan Christoff</b><p>Cooper was a solid left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Stars in the 1920's and Kansas City Monarchs from the late 20's to early 40's. He also managed the Monarchs in the 1930's. <br /><br />For his sustained excellence he's a worthy HOFer, but was never a dominant pitcher. Once the stats are released, I'm sure his election will make more sense. <br /><br />Of the 8 pitchers on the ballot, I personally had him ranked 6th. Out of those 8, the top 6 would all have been legitimate HOFers. Only 3 of them were elected (Ray Brown, Jose Mendez, Andy Cooper). <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1142222133.JPG"> <br /><br /><br /><br />-Ryan<br /><br />

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>jimsandy cooper</b><p>SCD, starting with its Feb 24th issue and continuing for the next three issues had excellent profiles on all 39 candidates for the 06 ballot. It included pictures, bios and whatever stats were available.

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Daniel Bretta</b><p>The stats that I have available for him shows that he compiled a 145-65 W/L record not including his time in Cuba...these stats I'm sure are incomplete. His best year was probably 1936 when he went 27-8 for the Monarchs. He became the manager of the Monarchs in 1937 and won the first Negro American League Pennant...he won two more pennants in 1939 and '40 before passing away at the young age of 45.

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Ryan Christoff</b><p>Daniel, <br /><br />What is the source of your stats? I believe your numbers differ from the "official" numbers compiled by the committee appointed by the HOF. <br /><br />Cooper's lifetime record in Cuba was 11-17. <br /><br />-Ryan

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Daniel Bretta</b><p>Ryan, I took them from "The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues" by James A. Riley. I'm at work right now and don't have the book with me so I'm not sure how they came up with their statistics....I do know that they have his record in Cuba at 15-17 over three years.

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Ryan Christoff</b><p>Daniel, <br /><br />Riley's stats differ from what is ultimately going to be considered the "official" statistical record. Cooper's lifetime record for the Negro Leagues, California Winter League, and Cuba combined is 149-80. A .651 winning percentage is still impressive. <br /><br />His record in Cuba is as follows:<br /><br />1923-24: 1-6<br />1924 (Gran Premio): 1-2<br />1924-25: 3-2<br />1928-29: 6-7<br /><br />Total: 11 wins, 17 losses. <br /><br />-Ryan

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Daniel Bretta</b><p>I'm not sure anyone will ever have a definitive statisitcal account of the Negro Leagues, but I'm sure the Negro League Committee spent more time researching Andy Cooper than Riley did. I wonder how he came up with 15 wins in Cuba though?

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>I know this is sour grapes from a guy who now needs Cooper's card, but it sure seems strange that they would elect someone who was never considered a dominant pitcher. With so many outstanding, dominant candidates out there (Dick Redding????), why Cooper? Maybe it will make sense when his stats are released, like Ryan says.

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Chad</b><p>If you can imagine Tom Glavine becoming a manager and winning a couple of pennants, that about sums up Andy Cooper for me. Like Glavine, he was never dominant like Randy Johnson or Pedro Martinez, but he was consistently excellent over a long career while pitching for excellent teams. He was a good choice, I think.<br /><br />--Chad

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>I am far from an expert, but it just seems like Lefty Grove didn't make it, but Phil Niekro did -- or maybe Tom Glavine with some success as a manager like Chad says.

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Chad</b><p>They just had great careers in different ways. The committee got it right with Mendez, Cooper and Ray Brown, but maybe dropped the ball on Dick Redding. I would have liked to see Redding get in before Pompez and Manley--hell, I would have liked Nip Winters, John Donaldson or Chet Brewer to get in before those two--but that's all spilled milk now. I'm choosing to focus on the 15 inductions they made that I'm happy with. It's cool people are talking about these guys, too. A lot more people know about Dobie Moore and Alejandro Oms and Red Parnell, for sure. <br /><br />--Chad

Andy Cooper?
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>from my friend Britt, to whom I read the first 8 posts...