The internet has a long memory. Especially when it involves a 6-foot-6 MLB pitcher nicknamed "Thor" and the woman who built a $125 million podcast empire on the back of her dating life.
If you’ve listened to Call Her Daddy since the early days, you know the name "Slim Shady." For the uninitiated, that was the alias Alex Cooper used to describe Noah Syndergaard. It wasn't a compliment. It was a saga.
Even now, years after they officially called it quits and Cooper moved on to marry Hollywood producer Matt Kaplan, the Noah Syndergaard Alex Cooper relationship remains a case study in high-profile "situationships" that go south.
The Courtside Era: When it All Looked Perfect
It started in 2017. Alex was a senior at Boston University, a D1 soccer player with a massive personality. Syndergaard was the king of New York, the flame-throwing ace for the Mets.
They were spotted courtside at a Knicks game in April 2017. PDA. Smiles. The New York Post pounced on it. To the public, it was the ultimate athlete-influencer power couple. Behind the scenes, Alex has since described it as "dark."
She eventually admitted they loved being seen together, but they didn't actually like being together. It was about the optics. The high of walking into a room and being the "it" couple.
Why the "Slim Shady" Nickname Stuck
In the podcasting world, names are rarely used to protect the innocent (and avoid lawsuits). Alex dubbed him Slim Shady.
Why? Partly because of the blonde hair, but mostly because of the behavior. On her show, she detailed a cycle of "narcissistic" games, ghosting, and a lack of emotional support. She once famously shared a story about him telling another girl he was seeing that Alex "didn't mean shit" and mocking her "ratchet" show.
Ouch.
The Breakup(s) and the Baseball Fatigue
By December 2017, Syndergaard posted a photo on Twitter (now X) announcing he was single, claiming "Baseball is my significant other."
But like most toxic loops, it didn't end there.
- The 2020 Rekindling: Around January 2020, they were seen cozying up at a party. Alex later confirmed on the pod that she went back to an old flame who had previously called her a "gold digger."
- The Emotional Toll: Alex talked about walking on eggshells. If he had a bad game, the night was ruined. The entire household's mood was dictated by his ERA.
- The Contract Dig: As recently as 2023, Alex was still taking subtle shots. She mentioned how fans would send her news about him, mockingly noting he "can't get a f**** contract."
It’s clear the resentment lingered long after the physical relationship died.
Where They Are Now: A Tale of Two Paths
The contrast in their lives today is stark.
Alex Cooper is the "Father" of the Daddy Gang. She tied the knot with Matt Kaplan (formerly known as "Mr. Sexy Zoom Man") in a lavish Mexico wedding in April 2024. She transitioned from talking about "gluck gluck" techniques to interviewing post-divorce celebrities and sitting down with presidential candidates. She won.
Noah Syndergaard has had a rougher road. After leaving the Mets, he bounced around the Dodgers, Phillies, and Guardians. By 2025, he was signing minor-league deals with the White Sox and getting released shortly after. At 32, he's currently a free agent, reportedly working out in Texas to find one last shot at the big leagues.
The "Thor" era is over. The "Call Her Daddy" era is just beginning.
Lessons from the Syndergaard-Cooper Saga
Looking back at the Noah Syndergaard Alex Cooper timeline, there are a few takeaways for anyone navigating the dating world:
- Don't date for the "Room": If you only like how you look together in photos but hate the drive home, leave.
- The "Athlete" Trap: Dating someone whose entire worth is tied to their physical performance often means you become their emotional punching bag when things go wrong on the field.
- Closures is a Myth: Sometimes the "closure" is just seeing that you've outpaced the person who treated you poorly.
If you’re still tracking the lives of these two, the best move is to watch how Alex transitioned her personal pain into a business strategy. She didn't just get over a bad breakup; she monetized it and then evolved past it.
For those looking to move on from their own "Slim Shady," focus on building your own empire rather than checking his stats. The best revenge is a $100 million deal and a partner who actually likes being in the room with you.