Major League Baseball this afternoon announced that all umpires working during the upcoming 2019 World Series will wear a memorial “EC” patch on their uniforms in honour of umpire Eric Cooper.
Cooper, who had been a Major League umpire for 21 seasons, died suddenly while recovering from knee surgery yesterday, October 20th, at the age of 52. Cooper had just worked the 2019 American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins two weeks ago.
The statement from Major League Baseball:
Throughout the 2019 World Series, the umpires will wear a uniform patch in memory of 21-year Major League Umpire Eric Cooper, who passed away in recent days at the age of 52. “Coop,” who worked the 2014 World Series among his many career Postseason assignments, was active in programs with UMPS CARE Charities, the official philanthropy of MLB Umpires, including visits to pediatric hospitals and bringing underserved youth for behind-the-scenes ballpark visits.
MLB umpires had already been wearing a “JM” patch throughout the 2019 season in memory of former umpire Jim McKean, the JM and EC patches will be placed side-by-side on the left sleeve of the umpire’s shirt below the 2019 World Series patch.