Kansas City Royals
On December 16, 1996, Cooper signed with the Kansas City Royals, earning $375,000 for the season. In 1996, the Royals had finished last in American League Central division at 75-86, 24 games behind the Cleveland Indians. Cooper was signed just three days after the Royals traded incumbent third baseman Joe Randa and three other players to the Pittsburgh Pirates for infielders Jay Bell and Jeff King.
Cooper hit just .201 with three home runs, 15 RBI and 12 runs over 159 at bats in 75 games for the Royals. By the end of the season, Cooper was primarily a defensive replacement and pinch hitter. In the last two games of his career, he appeared as a defensive replacement at third base without getting an at bat. His final big league at bat came September 26, 1997 at Comiskey Park, striking out as a pinch hitter against Chicago White Sox lefty Jim Abbott.
A free agent at season's end, Cooper inked a deal with the Texas Rangers but never appeared in a big league game with the club.
Read more about this topic: Scott Cooper (baseball)
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