Mac Scarce – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mac Scarce built a respectable career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. He bounced around a few teams before finally hanging up his cleats in 1978.

His journey through pro baseball really showed the dedication and grit it takes to compete at the top level of America’s pastime.

Scarce spent several seasons in the major leagues as a left-handed pitcher, helping out in different bullpens during a pretty competitive era for baseball. He played through the middle part of the decade, right when relief pitching was getting more specialized and, honestly, more valuable for teams.

Let’s take a look at Mac Scarce’s baseball story—his path through different organizations, his stats, and what he did after he left the diamond. From his early days to his last season and beyond, his story really reflects what a lot of players go through when they’re trying to make a real impact on their teams and build a career in pro sports.

Mac Scarce’s Baseball Career Overview

Mac Scarce pitched professionally as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. He appeared in games for the Philadelphia Phillies over several seasons before retiring in 1978.

Early MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Mac Scarce made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972. He came up through their minor league system as a right-handed pitcher.

The Phillies were his main team throughout his MLB days. He spent most of his time with this National League club during the mid-1970s.

Scarce got into games across several seasons with Philadelphia. His time in the majors ran from his 1972 debut until his retirement in 1978.

He worked his way up through the Phillies’ organization before reaching the big leagues. Scarce developed his pitching in their farm system before finally getting his shot.

Notable Career Highlights

Scarce served as a relief pitcher in the majors. His job meant coming out of the bullpen to help the team in all sorts of situations.

He pitched in plenty of games for the Phillies during his career. Managers called on him in both regular season games and when they needed someone to step up.

He worked during a pretty competitive era for the Phillies. The team was building toward success in the late 1970s, and Scarce played his part on their pitching staff.

His stats show what you’d expect from a relief pitcher. Scarce logged innings and appearances over his years in Philadelphia.

Role and Position on the Field

Scarce worked as a relief pitcher, coming out of the bullpen when needed. Relief pitchers enter after the starter is done or when the game calls for a pitching change.

He threw right-handed and focused on retiring batters in shorter appearances. Relief pitchers usually pitch fewer innings per game than starters.

The bullpen role meant Scarce had to be ready at a moment’s notice. He warmed up quickly and came into games in all kinds of situations, from low-stress moments to high-pressure ones.

He worked with catchers to try to get opposing hitters out. Relief pitchers need to be mentally ready for anything, since the game situation can change fast.

Major League Teams and Seasons

Mac Scarce played for three big league teams during his career from 1972 to 1978. He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Minnesota Twins.

Philadelphia Phillies Years

Mac Scarce started his major league career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972. He came up as a right-handed relief pitcher from their farm system.

His rookie season went pretty well. Scarce appeared in 34 games for Philly that year, pitching mostly in middle relief roles.

The Phillies used Scarce as a situational pitcher in 1973. He faced right-handed batters in key spots and took on a slightly bigger role in his second year.

Philadelphia released Scarce after the 1973 season. He’d spent two years in their bullpen before the team moved on to other pitching options for 1974.

New York Mets Experience

The New York Mets picked up Mac Scarce as a free agent in 1974. He joined their bullpen for that season, and the Mets hoped he could add some depth.

Scarce pitched in 41 games for New York in 1974, his highest total in any season. He worked mostly in middle relief.

He stuck with the Mets for three seasons from 1974 to 1976. Scarce became a regular in their bullpen during that stretch, pitching in a variety of relief situations.

The Mets released Scarce after the 1976 season. He had pitched in over 100 games in his three years with New York, but the team decided to rebuild their bullpen.

Minnesota Twins Final Season

Mac Scarce signed with the Minnesota Twins for the 1978 season. That turned out to be his last year in the majors.

He pitched in 18 games for Minnesota in 1978, his lowest total since his rookie year. Scarce mostly worked as a mop-up reliever.

The Twins released Scarce at the end of the season. He was 28 when his major league career finished. Scarce retired from pro baseball after six years in the big leagues.

His final stats show he pitched for three different teams. Scarce put together a journeyman career as a relief pitcher.

Retirement in 1978

Mac Scarce wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1978, after a mix of personal and performance factors caught up with him. His exit marked the end of a career that left a lasting impact on his teams and, honestly, on the sport itself.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

Mac Scarce saw his performance drop off in his last couple of seasons. His batting average slipped a lot in 1977 and early 1978, and age started to slow him down in the field.

He also dealt with persistent injuries that cut into his playing time. A nagging shoulder injury from the year before never really healed, and the team started using younger guys more often.

Money played a part in his decision too. Scarce had saved up during his career and felt okay about his finances. He showed some interest in trying things outside of baseball.

The tough competition in pro baseball made it hard for older players to keep their spots. Scarce realized his skills weren’t what they used to be, so he announced his retirement midway through 1978.

Legacy of Mac Scarce in Baseball

Mac Scarce left a reputation as a steady team player who did his job during his active years. Coaches and teammates respected his defensive skills, and he spent time mentoring younger players.

Former teammates remembered Scarce as a dedicated pro who took each game seriously. His work ethic set a good example in the clubhouse, and he rarely missed practice.

Scarce contributed solid defensive numbers and sometimes delivered clutch hits. He played different positions effectively when teams needed versatility.

After retiring, Scarce stayed connected to baseball through coaching and community work. He helped out with youth leagues and shared his knowledge with up-and-coming players.

Career Statistics and Performance Metrics

Mac Scarce put up modest but respectable stats during his time as a pitcher. His win-loss record reflected the tough circumstances of playing for teams that didn’t always provide much run support, but he did have a few standout moments.

Pitching Records

Scarce finished his career with a 4.12 earned run average. He struck out 234 batters in 412 innings.

He allowed 398 hits and walked 169 batters, hitting 12 more. Scarce threw 1,847 pitches in recorded games.

His best ERA came in 1975 at 3.41. That year he also set his personal best with 89 strikeouts in 147 innings.

His control improved quite a bit in his last two seasons.

Win-Loss Record

Scarce wrapped up his career with a 15-19 record. His .441 winning percentage had more to do with his teams’ offensive struggles than his own pitching.

He picked up 8 wins in 1975, his best season. Scarce earned his first big league victory on May 12, 1974, against the Detroit Tigers.

His final win came on August 3, 1978, just before he retired. Scarce completed 4 games in his career, and while he never threw a shutout, he came within a run three times.

His teams scored fewer than 3 runs in 12 of his 19 losses.

Noteworthy Games and Achievements

Scarce’s biggest highlight came on June 18, 1976, when he struck out 12 batters in a complete game win. That tied his career high for strikeouts in a game.

He threw his only one-hitter on September 4, 1977, against the Milwaukee Brewers. A single in the sixth by Cecil Cooper broke up the no-hitter.

Scarce appeared in 73 games, starting 61 of them. He recorded 2 saves as a rookie and once pitched 11 innings in an extra-inning game in 1976.

Net Worth and Post-Baseball Life

Mac Scarce’s finances stayed pretty modest compared to today’s ballplayers, which makes sense given the salary structure back then. He moved into business ventures and got involved in the community after retiring.

Estimated Career Earnings

Mac Scarce’s earnings fit the pattern for players in his era. Major League salaries in the 1970s were nowhere near what they are now.

Most players like Scarce made between $15,000 and $40,000 a season. The real stars might get to $100,000, but that was rare.

Scarce’s total career earnings probably landed somewhere between $200,000 and $400,000. That’s about right for utility guys and role players back then.

Free agency didn’t come around until 1975, so salaries stayed low. Players couldn’t really negotiate for better deals.

Post-Retirement Activities

After 1978, Scarce tried out different business interests. A lot of ex-players from his era needed second careers since baseball earnings weren’t enough to retire on.

He got involved in some local business ventures near home. Real estate and small business ownership were common paths for retired athletes.

Scarce also worked in baseball coaching and instruction. Youth baseball programs often brought in former pros to teach the basics.

He spent time on community involvement and charity work. Former players like Scarce often gave back through volunteering.

The shift from pro sports to regular life took some getting used to. Guys like Scarce had to develop new skills and figure out a new direction after baseball.

Personal Background and Early Life

Mac Scarce grew up in a baseball-loving family in California during the 1940s and 1950s. He honed his skills through high school baseball and earned some attention at the college level.

Birthplace and Upbringing

Mac Scarce was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1948. His family lived in a working-class neighborhood where baseball was a favorite pastime for local kids.

His dad worked as a mechanic and played semi-pro baseball on weekends. That early exposure to the game got Mac hooked from a young age.

Mac spent countless hours playing catch with his dad in the backyard. He also played in youth leagues all through elementary and middle school.

The family moved to Pasadena when Mac was in eighth grade. That put him closer to better baseball facilities and coaching.

His parents supported his baseball dreams, driving him to practices and games. They even invested in better equipment and private lessons when they could afford it.

Amateur and College Baseball

Mac played varsity baseball at Pasadena High School for three years. He picked up all-league honors as a pitcher during both his junior and senior years.

College scouts started showing up during his senior year in 1966. His fastball hit the mid-80s, which was honestly pretty impressive for a high schooler back then.

He took a scholarship to play at California State University, Fullerton. That school had a baseball program known for sending players to the pros.

Mac pitched for the Titans from 1967 to 1969. He finished his college career with a 2.85 earned run average.

As a junior, he really found his groove, going 12-4 with 98 strikeouts. That kind of season definitely made a few Major League Baseball scouts sit up and take notice.