Don Cooper, White Sox coach for 2005 champions, dies at 70

Don Cooper, the longtime Chicago White Sox pitching coach who helped lead the team to its 2005 World Series championship, has died at 70. His family said he died peacefully Sept. 22 at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, and the White Sox confirmed his death. Cooper spent 33 seasons in the organization, including 18 as major league pitching coach from 2002 through 2020. He was closely associated with the 2005 rotation that produced four consecutive complete games in the American League Championship Series, a feat not achieved in a single postseason since 1928. Cooper also worked with notable pitchers including Mark Buehrle, Chris Sale, José Contreras, Freddy Garcia and Jon Garland, and was remembered by former colleagues and fans for his technical expertise and ability to build players’ confidence.