Gary Cooper’s experience in the major leagues was not very long: 42 days in 1980, in fact. He played just 21 games for the Atlanta Braves, recording two at-bats. He spent most of his time on The Show as a pinch runner and outfielder.
Cooper was sent back to the Savannah Braves of the Southern League after his 42nd day in the majors. He would never spend another day in the major leagues.
A year later, after one season with the Durham Bulls in the Carolina League, Cooper retired at the age of 24.
What Cooper didn’t know at the time was that had he spent another day on the Atlanta Braves roster — a 43rd day in the Majors — he would have qualified for a Major League Baseball Players Association pension.
Cooper was denied relief in 2017 and he later appealed twice to a committee of representatives from the MLB and the MLBPA. But according to CNN Sport, both were rejected under the 43-day rule.
Now an online petition started by a man Cooper employed for a landscaping company he owns hopes to help the former baseball player get his pension.
Robert Jonas’ goal is to get the Braves to sign Cooper to a one-day contract for their coaching staff. There were almost 8,000 signatures on Friday.
Today, Gary Cooper lives a spartan lifestyle in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia. In recent years he has struggled with homelessness, but today at age 67 he is a distinguished senior. In fact, last spring, Mr. Cooper was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame. Before the ceremony, he gave a rare interview to Detroit-based journalist Dave Mesrey.
Yet Mr. Cooper has no car, no house, no savings, no pension, and struggles to pay his phone bill every month. To support himself, Mr. Cooper works part-time as a landscaper, but work has been scarce lately.
However, if Mr. Cooper were to serve just one more day on a Major League Baseball roster, he could be eligible for a monthly pension.
The current pension system allows players to receive benefits for each quarter – 43 days – of service in the majors. According to Phoenix-based Athlete Wealth Management, a quarter in 2021 was valued at $5,750
Satchel Paige faced a similar situation
The Braves have actually been involved in these types of situations in the past.
Satchel Paige needed 158 days on an active MLB roster to reach the five-year minimum to receive his pension. In 1968, he approached twenty teams about joining them, but only one was open to the idea: the Braves.
Then-team president William C. Bartholomay signed the future Hall of Famer as a part-time pitcher and team advisor. Paige never played for the Braves, but eventually earned his retirement.
“Whatever they give me, I’ll take it because it’s been so long, you know?” Cooper, who still lives in Savannah, told Georgia Public Broadcasting. “So anything will help.”
Cooper has also received support from Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.
Jonas will continue to do what he can to help Cooper. A GoFundMe has been set up and he has brought attention to this situation.
Cooper said he wouldn’t know how to respond if the Braves contacted him about it, but that he would be grateful for the help.
“Just one day. For the two and a half hours the game lasts, forget those 44 years just for that day,” Cooper said.
