Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Don Cooper been with the White Sox organization?
Don Cooper has worked in the White Sox organization since 1988, working his way up through the minor league system before becoming pitching coach in 2002. He's been the team's pitching coach for over 15 years.
Which famous White Sox pitchers did Don Cooper help develop?
Cooper has worked with and developed numerous star pitchers including Mark Buehrle, Jose Quintana, and Chris Sale. He also helped turn around careers of pitchers like Matt Thornton, Bobby Jenks, and Jessie Crain.
What happened to Matt Thornton's stats after working with Don Cooper?
Thornton's numbers dramatically improved under Cooper's coaching. His WHIP dropped from 1.68 with Seattle to 1.24 in his first year with the Sox, his ERA fell from 5.21 to 3.33, and his batting average against improved from .248 to .229.
Did Don Cooper ever want to become the White Sox manager?
No, Cooper has denied any interest in becoming the team's manager despite staying through coaching changes. He likes his role as pitching coach and wants to stay in that position.
How did James Shields perform after Don Cooper started working with him?
After a rough start giving up 21 earned runs in his first three games, Shields improved dramatically under Cooper. He had only four earned runs in his next two games and posted a 1.78 ERA in July, including shutting out the Cubs.