The basics: Scott Cooper was coming off his rookie season when this card was released. He was a regular in all the '93 sets and also showed up in another Upper Deck set, SP.
Card thoughts: A solid point-of-impact shot. Cooper is showcasing the "JRY" memorial stripe on his left sleeve that the Red Sox wore in 1992 in memory of team owner Jean R. Yawkey. Cooper is listed as a first baseman on this card, and it's true that Cooper played first more than any other position in '92, but he was known more as a third baseman.
Backs are important in '93 UD: The photo appears to show the aftermath of Cooper's swing on the front but these are from two different games. He's wearing a home uniform out front and a road one on the back.
Cooper's 1992 season would lead into the best season of his career in 1993. He settled into third base as the replacement for Wade Boggs, who left for the Yankees. Cooper was an All-Star in 1993 and 1994 and the only Red Sox All-Star those years as Boston struggled from 1992-94.
More from '93: Vince Coleman's tumultuous tenure with the Mets ended 30 years ago today as co-owner Fred Wilpon announced that Coleman would not be a part of the team the following year. This came after Coleman was suspended after throwing lit firecrackers into a crowd waiting for autographs at Dodger Stadium. Three children were injured.
Home run against the Yankees in this shot. https://borosny.blogspot.com/2012/01/scott-coopers-favorite-card.html
ReplyDeleteI like this card even more now! ;) It should also be noted that the Red Sox thought highly enough of Cooper that they traded some low level third baseman named Bagwell to the Astros a few years prior to this card...
DeleteNow I kind of hate Vince Coleman. Your bits of trivia on some of these posts is really opening my eyes to the prickish ways of some of these guys I remember from childhood.
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