A former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox (1990-1994), St. Louis Cardinals (1995), and Kansas City Royals (1997). He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Seibu Lions (1996).

While a member of the Boston Red Sox, Cooper played in two Major League all-star games, and also hit for the cycle on April 12, 1994. He is one of only 21 Red Sox players to hit for the cycle.

Born on October 13, 1967, in St. Louis, Missouri, Cooper was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 1986 MLB June Amateur Draft. He made his MLB debut on September 5, 1990.

In 1999, Cooper was named head coach of the Fontbonne College baseball team. He led the Fontbonne Griffins for several seasons. In 2003, he was named Coach of the Year for the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. 

In 2005, Cooper became part owner of a baseball training facility in the St. Louis area. In 2007, he joined the staff of the St. Louis Gamers, a youth baseball program.

Throughout his seven seasons in MLB, Cooper compiled a .265 career batting average with 33 home runs and 211 runs batted in. He was a two-time American League All-Star in 1993 and 1994, representing the Boston Red Sox.

He attended Pattonville High School where he was a standout on the baseball team. He was a third baseman on Pattonville’s 1986 state championship team.