This day in 1979 was a pretty big one for Cecil Cooper and the Brewers.
Playing against the Yankees at County Stadium, Cooper got the Brewers on the board early with a first inning solo shot off starting pitcher Ed Figueroa. He struck again in the seventh, giving the Brewers a 5-3 lead with a two run shot off reliever Ron Davis. And after the Yankees scored two to tie the game once again, he hit a solo, walkoff shot off closer Goose Gossage.
Cooper had 14 multi-homer games as a Brewer (none as a member of the Red Sox from 1971-76), but this was his only three homer game. They were his 15th, 16th and 17th long balls of the season en route to 24 for the year. a career high at the time. He would go on to hit 25 in 1980 and 32 in 1982.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Brevard County Manatee Brent Dean, who turns 25.
- Racine native Shane Rawley, who turns 55. Rawley was a major leaguer for 12 seasons between 1978-89 as a member of the Phillies and three other teams, and was a 1986 All Star.
- 1987 Brewer Len Barker, who turns 56.