Mickey Scott – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

You might not immediately recognize Mickey Scott’s name if you’re just a casual baseball fan. Still, this German-born lefty managed to carve out a solid five-season run in Major League Baseball before he hung up his cleats in 1977.

Ralph Robert Scott was born on July 25, 1947, in Weimar, Germany. He became the first high school baseball player from New York’s Mid-Hudson region to get drafted by an MLB club when the Yankees picked him in 1965.

Scott played his last big league game on June 6, 1977, for the California Angels, wrapping up a career that spanned parts of five seasons with the Orioles, Expos, and Angels from 1972 to 1977. As a left-handed reliever, he put up an 8-7 record, a 3.72 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 135 games. He proved himself as a reliable bullpen option during a time when teams were just starting to value specialized pitching roles.

His major league numbers only tell part of the story, though. Scott’s journey from a small New York high school to the big leagues, his impressive minor league stints, and his life after baseball show a dedicated athlete who made the most of what he had.

His story really captures the challenges of breaking into pro baseball, living the journeyman life, and figuring out what comes after the game.

Early Life and Background

Mickey Scott’s early years were shaped by his unusual birth in post-war Germany and his father’s military service.

His childhood and first experiences with baseball would eventually set him on the path to professional sports.

Birth and Family

Ralph Robert “Mickey” Scott came into the world on July 25, 1947, in Weimar, Germany. The city sat in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany at the time, which was a pretty notable period in history.

Scott’s dad served in the U.S. military when he was born, which explains why the family was living in Germany right after WWII.

Weimar would become part of East Germany in 1949, just two years after Scott’s birth. So, he just missed being the only major leaguer ever born in East Germany.

Everyone in baseball knew him as “Mickey,” though his full name was Ralph Robert Scott.

Childhood and Education

Not much is recorded about Scott’s early childhood and schooling. What we do know is that his dad’s military career shaped those years.

Moving around was probably a regular thing for the family, which was pretty standard for military families back then.

Growing up in a military household likely gave Scott some discipline and structure, which probably helped him later as an athlete.

Military families often focused on fitness and teamwork, values that fit right in with sports.

Scott’s German birth set him apart from most of his baseball peers. Very few big leaguers could claim such international roots.

Initial Exposure to Baseball

Scott probably first got into baseball after his family returned to the U.S. from Germany. It’s not totally clear when he first picked up a ball, but it must have been pretty early.

People noticed his left-handed pitching talent right away as a kid. That natural ability would end up defining his pro career as a relief specialist.

He developed his skills through youth leagues and high school ball. Scouts started paying attention during his amateur days.

The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 17th round of the amateur draft. That kicked off his journey to the majors, where he debuted on May 6, 1972, at age 24.

Professional Baseball Career

Mickey Scott pitched in the majors from 1972 to 1977, working as a left-handed relief specialist for three teams.

He finished with an 8-7 record and a 3.58 ERA over 135 games before retiring at 29.

MLB Debut and Teams

Scott made his big league debut on May 6, 1972, with the Baltimore Orioles. He was 24.

He spent that whole season with Baltimore, getting into 15 games but not seeing a ton of action.

His career took him to a few different teams. After one appearance with the Orioles in 1973, they sold his contract to the Montreal Expos. He pitched 22 games for Montreal that year.

He returned to Baltimore before the 1974 season but got traded to the California Angels later that year.

Scott spent his last three MLB seasons with the Angels from 1975 to 1977.

His final major league outing happened on June 6, 1977. After that, he played one more year in the minors in 1978 before calling it quits.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Scott finished with 8 wins and 7 losses in 135 MLB games. His ERA was 3.58 during his time in the majors.

His best stretch came with the Angels from 1975 to 1977. Over those three years, he went 7-4 with a 3.58 ERA and picked up 4 saves in 95 games.

In the minors, 1974 was his standout year with the Rochester Red Wings. He went 8-2 with a crazy-low 0.99 ERA in 57 games and led the International League with 17 saves.

Earlier, with the Binghamton Triplets in 1966, Scott posted a 15-5 record and a 2.75 ERA. He led the New York-Penn League in wins and strikeouts that year.

Notable Games and Performances

Scott’s most dominant season actually came in 1974 in the minors, not the majors. With Rochester, he put up a 0.99 ERA in 57 games.

His rookie year with Baltimore in 1972 showed some promise. In 15 games, he kept a 2.74 ERA while adjusting to big league hitters.

His time with Montreal in 1973 was rougher. He struggled to a 5.26 ERA in 22 games, which led to his return to the Orioles’ system.

Things clicked more with the Angels. Over three seasons, he went 7-4 as a reliever, showing he could contribute when called on.

Role as a Pitcher

Scott worked mostly as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. Teams brought him in to face tough left-handed batters and handle short relief stints.

At 6’1″ and 165 pounds, Scott used his lefty delivery to make things tough for hitters. He both batted and threw left-handed.

His role became even more specialized as his career went on. By the time he was with the Angels, managers trusted him for specific matchups.

Scott picked up four career saves, all with California. He wasn’t a closer, but he filled his situational role well.

1977 Season and Retirement

Mickey Scott’s last year in the majors marked the end of a modest but respectable five-season career.

His final appearance came on June 6, 1977, against the Detroit Tigers, and then he stepped away from pro baseball at 29.

Final MLB Season Overview

Scott’s 1977 run with the Angels was short and a bit rough. He pitched in just 12 games, mostly as a lefty specialist.

His last MLB outing was on June 6, 1977, against the Tigers. He threw 2.1 innings, gave up 5 hits and 2 earned runs, and didn’t record any strikeouts or walks.

His numbers that season showed a pitcher running out of steam. Teams started to phase him out as his role shrank.

Reasons for Retirement

Scott retired at 29, which is pretty early for a pro ballplayer. He probably saw the writing on the wall—limited big league chances and the grind of fighting for a roster spot.

Looking at his career stats, he seemed to have hit his ceiling. He went 8-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 135 games, so he was solid but not a star.

Baseball’s always been competitive, with younger guys hungry for a shot. As Scott’s performance dipped, his specialized lefty reliever role became less secure.

Transition from Baseball

After baseball, Scott headed back to Binghamton, New York, where he had family ties. He’d met his wife Linda Brown while playing for the Binghamton Triplets, and their son Kevin was born in 1970.

Even before retiring, Scott started stepping away from year-round baseball. He quit playing winter ball in Latin America to spend more time at home during the offseason.

Scott stayed connected to the game through his legacy with the Rochester Red Wings. They inducted him into the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1998, honoring his minor league success.

He spent the rest of his life in Binghamton with his family, living there until he passed away in 2011 at 64.

Post-Retirement Life

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1977, Mickey Scott made Binghamton, New York, his home base. He focused on family and kept his ties to baseball alive in some pretty down-to-earth ways.

He got more involved in the local community and found ways to keep his love for the game going.

Activities After Baseball

Scott stayed in Binghamton after retiring, the same place he played minor league ball with the Triplets. He gave up winter ball in Latin America so he could be around his family more.

He stayed close to baseball by helping out with local teams and youth programs. His experience as a lefty specialist made him a great mentor for young pitchers.

Scott kept in touch with old teammates and the wider baseball community. In 1998, he was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame along with Allie Clark, Frank Horton, and Al Weber.

That honor recognized his outstanding years with Rochester, especially in 1971 and 1974.

Contributions to the Community

Scott really became part of the Binghamton community. He’d met his wife Linda there when she was a sophomore at Ithaca College and he was with the Triplets.

Their son Kevin was born in 1970, and the family put down roots in the area. Scott stopped playing winter ball once Kevin started school, choosing to spend the offseason at home.

He prioritized his family after baseball, and people in Binghamton got to know him as more than just a former ballplayer.

His time in the military in 1967 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he played ball, probably helped prepare him for community service and leadership.

Personal Interests

Even after leaving pro baseball, Scott stayed close to the game. He kept up with baseball news and stayed in touch with old friends from his playing days.

Family became his main focus after retirement. His relationship with Linda and their son Kevin meant a lot to him.

Scott enjoyed working with young players and helping them develop. His background as a pro made him a valuable resource for local kids hoping to play at higher levels.

He lived quietly in Binghamton until he died in 2011 at 64, spending more than three decades in the community after his playing days ended.

Legacy and Impact

Mickey Scott’s career as a left-handed specialist pitcher made a real impression on teammates and baseball folks across three organizations.

After retiring, he worked with the New York Yankees, showing he never really left the game behind.

Influence on Teammates

Scott’s role as a left-handed specialist allowed him to mentor younger pitchers during his five seasons in the majors.

He played for the Orioles, Expos, and Angels, picking up insights into different team cultures and ways of doing things.

With the Angels from 1975 to 1977, Scott put up a 3.58 ERA and notched four saves. Teammates trusted him in key situations because they knew he could handle his job.

Coming up as a 17th-round Yankees draft pick in 1965, Scott understood how tough it could be to work through the minor leagues. He often shared that experience with teammates facing the same grind.

Recognition in Baseball Circles

Scott spent his post-playing career with the New York Yankees organization, and that really shows the respect he earned in professional baseball. He moved from player to the front office because baseball executives genuinely trusted his knowledge and character.

He finished his career with 8 wins and 7 losses over 135 games. That might not sound flashy, but it’s a solid record for a specialist pitcher. Scott managed to stay effective on three different teams, which says a lot about his adaptability and professionalism.

He worked for six different organizations during his career, and teams kept wanting his contributions. People in the baseball community always seemed to find a spot for him.

Memorials and Tributes

After Scott died on October 30, 2011, from what appeared to be a heart attack in Binghamton, New York, baseball media took note of his impact. The Los Angeles Times even published a tribute that highlighted both his Angels days and his later work with the Yankees.

Scott came from a pretty unique background as a native of Weimar, Germany. Born in 1947 in what would become East Germany, he brought an unusual international connection to Major League Baseball.

He died at 64, ending a baseball life that lasted decades. Even after his playing days, people in baseball circles kept showing him respect.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Mickey Scott kept his personal life private both during and after his five-season MLB career. After retiring in 1977, he passed away in 2011 at 64 in Binghamton, New York.

Family and Relationships

Ralph Robert “Mickey” Scott was born on July 25, 1947, in Weimar, Germany, during the post-World War II occupation. That birthplace soon became part of East Germany, which made his story pretty unusual among pro baseball players.

Scott went to Free Academy in Newburgh, New York, so his family must have moved to the United States when he was young. That move from Germany to New York probably shaped him as a baseball player.

There isn’t much public information about Scott’s immediate family or romantic life. He kept a low profile during his playing days and after. Honestly, that wasn’t uncommon for relief pitchers in the 1970s.

Estimated Net Worth

Nobody’s published specific details about Mickey Scott’s net worth. As a relief pitcher who played parts of five seasons from 1972 to 1977, he earned a modest salary compared to what players make now.

In the 1970s, average MLB salaries ranged from about $30,000 to $80,000 a year. Scott worked as a left-handed specialist, so he probably landed in the lower or middle part of that range. He played 135 games across three teams, which shows steady work, but not star-level pay.

Nobody’s documented his post-retirement income sources. A lot of players from his era went into coaching, business, or other jobs to supplement what they made from baseball.

Passing and Remembrance

Mickey Scott died on October 30, 2011, in Binghamton, New York. He was 64.

His death didn’t get much attention in the media. After baseball, he kept his life pretty quiet.

Scott finished with 8 wins and 7 losses over 135 games, which shows a solid contribution as a relief specialist back in baseball’s pre-free agency era.

Most people remember him for his rare birthplace and his steady left-handed pitching for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, and California Angels. That German birth? It’s still a quirky little footnote in baseball history.