YASNY Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 A lot of those guys were [in Washington] to meet the president, and all I had to do was take a look around,'' said Cooper, the White Sox' pitching coach. "I looked into the eyes of Mark Buehrle, looked into the eyes of Jon Garland. "I remember thinking, 'You know what? We've got the belt. We're the champs. Now we're defending that belt.' Looking into their eyes, I think we're going to be real son-of-a-b****es and not let anyone take it from us.'' That will be the message Cooper plans to relay to his staff this afternoon, when pitchers and catchers are expected to report to camp at Tucson Electric Park. While Cooper has spent the offseason keeping in contact with as many of his pitchers as he could, this will be the first time the entire unit is together again since bringing the first World Series title to the South Side in 88 years. "What we did last season was special,'' Cooper said. "The No. 1 thing I want these guys to know is that we don't have to do anything more than what we did, but we certainly can't do any less. Work ethic, aggressiveness, toughness and execution -- that's what did it for us. They went out there whenever we put the ball in their hands and were aggressive. "Everyone did what they were capable of. We had a lot of opportunities last year and into the playoffs, and we talked about controlling the moment and taking advantage of those opportunities. That hasn't changed. If we take that similar approach, starting in camp, then we not only have a chance to defend our title, but we have a chance at greatness.'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I love Coop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 It's quite amazing at this point 1 year ago, a lot of White Sox fans had mixed feelings on Don Cooper. Some thought he wasn't the man to take this pitching staff to the next level and bring out the best in the likes of Jose Contreras. And now how times have changed. One of the priorities for this season should be getting Don Cooper locked up to a extension (since IIRC, he's only under contract for this season only). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Yeah, Coop is definitely the man.....last's years staff speaks for itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I like him because: He seems to have the respect and attention of his pitchers He is the pitching coach of the 2005 World Series Champions and He sounds like he should be in GoodFellas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 08:13 AM) I like him because: He seems to have the respect and attention of his pitchers He is the pitching coach of the 2005 World Series Champions and He sounds like he should be in GoodFellas No doubt....the pitchers love Coop and with the way he talks, you'd swear he's got a cheap cousin that was mysteriously deposited in the East River. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 07:50 AM) I was one of them, no doubt about it. However, I am THRILLED the man was able to shut me up. ^^^^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 i love coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 He's no Nardi Contreras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 09:34 AM) He's no Nardi Contreras. Thankfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I like Coop's philosophy of pitching: be aggressive and get ahead in the count. And if you don't get ahead in the count, don't be afraid to challenge guys. It's nothing revolutionary, but the players believe in it when they take the mound and that is important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Long been a Coop backer. The pitchers really respect him and he does a great job motivating them and getting them ready and prepared. He gets these guys mentally sharp and gives them confidence and thats a huge part of pitching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Coop's great. He does sounds like he should be in the Sopranos or GoodFellas. I love him on the pre-game show with Ed Farmer. Let's hope he work his magic with Vazquez and bring him back to the form he had when he was with Montreal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Coops is the reason I believe Vazquez will have a career year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 03:54 PM) Coops is the reason I believe Vazquez will have a career year. I agree, Im especially optimistic about Vazquez because of how well Coop handled the staff last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Was Coop much of a player? Seems to know pitchers well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Coop rules : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 18, 2006 Author Share Posted February 18, 2006 QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 03:09 PM) 85 innings pitched, 5.27 ERA. Not so much.... He's been in the organization for close to 20 years. I'm sure he's qualified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 02:54 PM) Coops is the reason I believe Vazquez will have a career year. Coop, AJP, and the defense are the reasons I do. Primarily the defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.