St. Louis Cardinals: 30 worst players in team history

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#28 Scott Cooper

I get it. Cooper was born in St. Louis and went to Pattonville High School. He only played seven seasons in the Majors, seeing his baseball value drastically disappear in 1996. In 118 games and 374 at bats, Cooper compiled a .634 OPS, which would have swell for a utility guy but not for a guy playing third base. Cooper showed little to no power, slashing 18 doubles and three home runs in his one season in St. Louis.

Much like some others on this list, Cooper’s one calling card was his defense. He posted 3.9 runs above average on defense for the cardinals that year, and that was about the only thing that led to his 6.6 fWAR over his career, also shockingly leading him to finishing the 1995 season with a 0.2 fWAR.

He didn’t exactly land in St. Louis with high expectations but he was the guy who took over third base for Todd “My baseball card is me with a cellphone in my hand” Zeile, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Zeile generated decent pop in his six plus seasons in St. Louis but Cooper took over and did little to nothing.

Coop, like many Cards on my selections for Worst Birds of all time, entered St. Louis near the end of his career. He played overseas in 1996 before coming back and finishing with the Kansas City Royals. He never cut it in the Major Leagues, but made his most money in his time with the Cards. 1.5 million was a haul back then I guess. Cooper wasn’t too good.

Dan Buffa

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