As a young kid growing up at Los Amigos, we would get to the park early to line up to work the scoreboard. Man, if you got to work the scoreboard, you got a free hamburger and soda… as kids hanging our at the park we had no money so this was a luxury.

Anyway, Mrs. Daisy Cooper was a mom. Her sons, Tony, David, Norman and Ray played in our league. Ray was known as “Henry Aaron Cooper” in the 1972 World Series. Chris Lopez was also on that team. They won the World Series and Los Amigos hosted it. Raymond hit 12 home runs in post season play, four of which were grand slams. Ray's son James also played at Los Amigos and was drafted in 2005 by the New York Yankees.

Back to Mrs. Cooper… she was a dedicated mom always working the snack bar. This is where I learned that you always want to make sure the kids are having fun. They don't need to know all the politics that go on behind the scenes… they are just here to play baseball and have fun.

Daisy was a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary and at the end of each season, the Women's Auxiliary would present the All-Star Team(s) with an All-Star jacket. The funds came from the women who would raise the money. I got one when I played on the 1970 All-Star Team. We came in 5th place in the World Series held in Utah .

All I ever remember as a kid growing up was seeing Mrs. Cooper working and making sure we were having fun. As I later found out in 2003, she is A.D. Williams sister. Wow, I guess community service runs in the family blood. Daisy Cooper made huge contributions to our league and community and will never be forgotten.


 As told by Fernando Padilla: