For the City Times

Five-Time All-Star played 11 seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Rafters continued to unveil their promotional schedule today with the announcement that former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star first baseman Cecil Cooper will make an appearance to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Rafters game on Friday, June 8th, presented by Bull’s Eye Credit Union. All fans in attendance will receive a photo of Cooper to use for autographs upon entrance to the stadium that evening.

The Rafters are NOW making tickets to the June 8th game available on a 24 hour flash sale through noon on Saturday, April 14th. Tickets to the June 8th game can be purchased exclusively online at http://wisconsin-rapids-rafters.northwoodsleague.tv/ during the time period by entering the promo code: COOP15 into the promotions box. All single game tickets for the 2018 season go on sale beginning on Friday, April 20th at 9:00am.

In a Major League career that spanned 17 seasons, Cecil Cooper was a model of consistency while compiling a .298 batting average with 241 home runs and 1125 RBIs in 1,896 games. He began his career with the Boston Red Sox before being sent to the Milwaukee Brewers in the trade that sent George Scott to Boston. In 11 seasons with the Brewers, Cooper became a five-time All-Star, posting .300 or higher batting averages from 1977 to 1983. His most productive season came in 1980 when he hit a career high .352, finishing second in the American League, while leading the league with 122 RBIs and 335 total bases. He was also a two-time Gold Glove winner, three-time Silver Slugger Award Winner, and played an integral role in helping the Brewers to their lone World Series appearance in 1982.

Cooper holds the Milwaukee Brewers franchise records for hits in a season, was honored with the 1983 Roberto Clemente Award, and in 2002 he was inducted into the Brewers Walk of Fame. Following his playing career he continued to dedicate his time to the game as a coach, spending time as the Brewers bench coach, managing the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, and bench coach for the Houston Astros. In 2007, he was named interim manager for the Houston Astros and became the 16th manager in Astros history shortly thereafter.

Single game tickets for the 2018 season go on sale at 9am on Friday, April 20th. The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will begin their season on the road against the Madison Mallards on Tuesday, May 29th. The Home Opener is slated for Friday, June 1st against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The entire 2018 Rafters schedule is available at www.raftersbaseball.com.