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Umpire Eric Cooper dies two weeks after working the ALDS between Yankees and Twins

Umpire Eric Cooper during a game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox on July 5. Cooper died two weeks after working the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins. He was 52.
(Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)
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Eric Cooper, a Major League Baseball umpire who worked the AL Division Series two weeks ago, has died. He was 52.

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Cooper’s death Sunday.

Cooper died after sustaining a blood clot. He had knee surgery earlier in the week and was recuperating at his father’s home in Iowa. Popular with his fellow umps, he was talking to them Saturday about his recovery.

“This is a very sad day across Major League Baseball,” Manfred said in a statement. ”Eric Cooper was a highly respected umpire, a hard worker on the field and a popular member of our staff. He also served as a key voice of the MLB Umpires Assn. on important issues in our game.”

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Cooper made his debut in the majors in 1996 as a minor league fill-in and joined the big league staff in 1999.

His most recent assignment came in the playoffs this month when he worked the New York Yankees’ sweep of Minnesota in the ALDS. He was at second base on Oct. 7 for the clinching Game 3 at Target Field.

Umpire Eric Cooper calls the Washington Nationals' Trea Turner safe at second ahead of the tag by Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Merce on April 30, 2018.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
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Cooper worked the 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants and also umpired in 10 division series, four league championship series and the 2005 All-Star Game, along with two World Baseball Classics.

He also was behind the plate for three no-hitters — two by Mark Buehrle, including a perfect game, and another by Hideo Nomo. Cooper worked the plate in Cal Ripken Jr.’s final game in the majors.

In a statement, players’ union chief Tony Clark said: “Eric Cooper’s friendly and familiar presence in the baseball community will be missed by all of us. He was a professional and gentleman whose passion for our game, the players and his fellow umpires was evident in the way he went about his work and life.”

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Cooper was an Iowa native and Iowa State graduate but was known for rooting for Notre Dame, and frequently wore Fighting Irish gear in the umpires’ locker rooms while talking about the football team’s success.

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