Cooper, Morton C.
Baseball
b. March 2, 1914, Atherton, MO
d. Nov. 17, 1958
After six years in the minor leagues and a brief stint with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938, Cooper became a regular starter in 1939 and was named the league's most valuable player in 1942. Pitching to his younger brother, catcher Walker Cooper, he led the league in victories with a 22-7 record, in shutouts with 10, and in ERA with a 1.78 mark.
He had an 0-1 record and a 5.54 ERA in the World Series, but the Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in five games. Cooper again led the league in victories with a 21-8 record and in winning percentage at .724 in 1943. This time, the Cardinals lost the World Series to the Yankees in five games, with Cooper compiling a 1-1 record and a 2.81 ERA.
Cooper posted a 22-7 record with a 2.46 ERA in 1944, leading the NL with 7 shutouts, as the Cardinals won their third straight pennant. He lost the first game of the World Series 2-1 to the St. Louis Browns but came back to win the fifth 2-0 and the Cardinals won in six games.
The Cardinals traded him to the Boston Braves early in the 1945 season. Arm trouble hampered him for the rest of his career. He was traded to the New York Giants during the 1947 season, missed all of 1948, and retired after a brief comeback attempt with the Chicago Cubs in 1949.
He had a career 128-75 record with 33 shutouts and a 2.97 ERA. Cooper struck out 913 hitters and walked 571 in 1840 2/3 innings.