Former White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper has died at 70, with the news first coming from his family on Facebook through his personal account. A cause of death has not been revealed.
“On September 22, Donald James Cooper passed away in Brentwood, TN, leaving Earth to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” the family wrote.
They described a man whose life was defined by baseball, faith, and close relationships. The family said, “His fierce passion for baseball, and the coaches and players around him, brought him a life filled with great pride, stories, and accomplishments.”
They added, “This passion was superseded only by his unbreakable love for his family and friends. He cared immensely for his loved ones.”
The message continued, “He lived a life blessed by God, which he talked about whenever he had the chance. He was very thankful for his blessings and success both in and out of baseball.”
According to the family, Cooper stayed in constant contact with the people around him. “He checked in with his friends and family constantly, and was always a call away, willing to lend an ear and give his sincere advice and encouragement.”
They also said, “Thankfully, we believe Don passed away peacefully.”
“We’ll communicate funeral arrangements once established.”
The White Sox issued their own statement shortly after, honoring a coach who spent decades with the organization. “The White Sox send our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Don Cooper, who has passed away at 70.”
The team noted that Cooper “spent 33 seasons as a coach in the White Sox organization from 1988-2020, including 18 full seasons as the major-league pitching coach.” It also pointed out his role with the 2005 World Series champion club, which “became the first team since the 1928 Yankees to toss four consecutive complete games in a single postseason.”
“Forever in our thoughts.”
Tributes quickly followed from people who knew him best. Former White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen wrote on X, “My career wouldn’t have been the same without Don Cooper.
Coop was one of a kind and taught me so much about pitchers, pitching, and their mindset. Always a close friend to my kids and family.
Thank you for everything, Coop. My deepest condolences to his family.
Rest in peace.”
Former bench coach Joey Cora also remembered Cooper in an Instagram post, writing, “R.I.P, Not only a great coach, a great Person, all he wanted to do in life was to help people,”
Reaction from members of the White Sox’s 2005 championship team also began to surface. Former right fielder and World Series MVP Jermaine Dye wrote, “Coop will be missed,” in a comment on Cora’s post, while A.J.
Pierzynski shared, “RIP Coop. You will be missed.”
In Other News...
Ian Happs Wrigley Gesture Felt Bigger Than A Normal Thank You
After a recent game at Wrigley Field, Ian Happ gave the crowd one of those small but memorable gestures that tends to stick around longer than the final score. The Cubs outfielder tossed a ball into the stands with a thank-you message attached, along with $300 for the fans, a fitting touch from a player who has spent his entire big-league career in Chicago since the club drafted him in 2015.
It also landed at a moment when the backdrop around Happ feels a little heavier than usual. The Cubs have already wrapped up a postseason spot, but there is no guarantee they will get another home game, and Happ is scheduled to reach free agency after the 2026 season. So a simple note and a wad of cash to the crowd carried a little extra weight, the kind of gesture that makes you wonder whether Wrigley might be seeing one of its most familiar players in a regular-season setting for the last time. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Clinched October But Their Biggest Wild Card Fight Remains
The Cubs have already checked the most important box, locking up a postseason berth for the second straight year with a 2-1 win over the Marlins, but the real work is still ahead. After a season in which midseason moves helped steady a pitching staff that had given them trouble, Chicago enters October with a clearer path than it had a few weeks ago and a chance to make the Wild Card round more favorable.
Chicago still finds itself in a tight battle for the top Wild Card spot, and that matters as much for positioning as for momentum. The Cubs own tiebreakers over both the Padres and Phillies, a useful edge if the race stays crowded, and it leaves them with a small but meaningful cushion as they try to turn a playoff ticket into a more manageable opening series. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Still Have A Real Shot To Shape Their October Path
With a week left in the regular season, the Cubs are still very much in position to influence not just whether they get into October, but how the bracket may break once they do. San Diego sits atop the National League wild-card race by a game, with Chicago and Philadelphia tied just behind, and the Cubs have already done important work for themselves by owning the head-to-head tiebreakers over both clubs.
Chicagos path is not just about chasing the Padres down, it is about what happens in the standings around them, because MLBs tiebreaking rules could swing the order and the matchups that follow. Philadelphia has the edge over San Diego but not over Chicago, which adds another layer to a race that still has room to shift in ways the Cubs can use to their advantage. [Read more 🡒]