Scott Brownull – A Look Back at His MLB Career

Scott Brow, a right-handed pitcher out of Butte, Montana, made his mark on Major League Baseball in the 1990s. He played his last professional game on May 31, 1998, at just 29 years old, closing out a five-season MLB run. Brow’s path took him from the Toronto Blue Jays’ 7th round draft pick in 1990 all the way to his big league debut on April 28, 1993.

He spent most of his career with the Blue Jays, but in December 1997, Brow signed with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks for what turned out to be his final MLB season. Arizona used him in 18 games before trading him to the New York Yankees along with Joe Lisio for Willie Banks on June 3, 1998.

As a Washington University alum, Brow didn’t pile up eye-popping stats, but he showed the grit it takes to reach baseball’s highest level. Even though his pro playing days wrapped up in 1998, his journey through the wild baseball scene of the ‘90s is still part of the game’s story.

Early Life and Education

Scott Brow’s story in baseball started early, shaped by his Montana roots, his time growing up in Oregon, and his decision to keep school in the mix with sports.

Family Background

Scott John Brow was born on March 17, 1969, in Butte, Montana. His family moved to Oregon before he turned one.

The Brow family eventually settled in Aloha, Oregon, just outside Portland. That Pacific Northwest upbringing definitely played a role in his athletic development.

Growing up in Portland’s suburbs, Brow got access to competitive youth sports that helped him hone his athletic skills.

Youth Baseball and Early Athletic Pursuits

In Aloha, Scott showed natural athletic talent in a bunch of sports. Baseball became his main focus, but he didn’t shy away from other athletics at school.

He worked on his pitching skills throughout his youth baseball days in Oregon. That right-handed arm and his growing command of different pitches made him stand out locally.

During his high school years, college scouts started to notice his pitching. His performances on the mound hinted at a future in pro baseball.

He played more than just baseball, though. That well-rounded athletic approach helped him build the physical conditioning and competitive mindset he’d need later on.

Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

While sharpening his baseball skills, Brow also kept an eye on his education. He realized early on that school mattered, too.

He enrolled in a business administration program, thinking ahead about life after sports. That practical mindset showed he understood that a pro athlete’s window is short.

His college baseball career became the bridge to the pros. In 1990, the Toronto Blue Jays drafted him in the 7th round.

Balancing school and sports gave Brow the discipline he’d need for pro baseball, where mental toughness is just as important as physical ability.

Path to the Major Leagues

Brow’s road to the big leagues ran through a solid college career and the MLB draft, eventually landing him in Toronto in 1993.

College Baseball Career

Brow pitched for the University of Washington Huskies before turning pro. While there, he sharpened his skills and caught the eye of major league scouts.

Those college years mattered. Brow’s right-handed delivery and his ability to handle different pitching roles made him a promising prospect.

Washington’s baseball program gave Brow a foundation for moving up to tougher competition. His college performance showed he could hang at a higher level.

1987 Draft and Signing

Even though Brow was eligible for the 1987 MLB draft, he didn’t take the typical route to pro ball. His journey to the majors wasn’t exactly by the book.

The Toronto Blue Jays picked him in the 7th round (199th overall) of the 1990 MLB draft after he kept improving in college.

After signing with the Blue Jays, Brow worked his way through their minor league system. It took a few years to develop into a big leaguer.

He finally broke through in 1993, making his MLB debut with Toronto on April 28.

Major League Baseball Career

Scott Brow pitched in the majors from 1993 to 1998, mostly with the Toronto Blue Jays, and wrapped up with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His time in pro baseball showed his resilience as a righty during the 1990s era.

Debut and Early Years

Scott Brow made his

Teams and Notable Appearances

Brow played for two major league teams: the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks. His career had a few memorable games and moments that stood out.

Playing for the Toronto Blue Jays

Brow started his MLB career with the Blue Jays, debuting on April 28, 1993. Born in Butte, Montana, on March 17, 1969, the Blue Jays picked him in the 7th round of the 1990 draft, 199th overall, after he played college ball at Washington.

He spent three seasons with Toronto: 1993, 1994, and 1996. In 1993, he joined a Blue Jays team that went on to win the World Series, though he didn’t play a huge role.

Toronto mostly used him as a reliever and occasional starter. His time with the team had its ups and downs while he tried to carve out a spot in the majors.

He missed the 1995 season but came back to the Blue Jays in 1996 for his last year with them before moving on.

Time with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Brow signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a free agent in December 1997, joining the expansion team for their first season in 1998. It was a new chance with a brand new National League club.

He pitched in the Diamondbacks’ very first game on March 31, 1998, giving up one run in an inning during a 9-2 loss to the Rockies. That put him in the record books as part of the franchise’s debut.

In total, Brow appeared in 18 games for Arizona in 1998 before being traded. His time with the Diamondbacks was short but memorable, helping lay the groundwork for the new team.

That 1998 season with Arizona ended up as Brow’s last in the majors.

Chicago Cubs and Futures

After his time with the Diamondbacks, the Cubs traded for Brow during the 1998 season. He never got into a big league game for Chicago, and that was it for his MLB days.

Brow also spent time in the minors with different organizations, always trying to work his way back up.

He never made it back to MLB after 1998. When all was said and done, Brow played for just two big league teams: the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks.

After stepping away from playing, Brow left pro baseball, wrapping up a career that spanned parts of four big league seasons from 1993 to 1998.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Scott Brow’s move from pro baseball to regular life brought a big shift for the former Blue Jays reliever. Retiring in 1998 ended his six-year MLB run and started something new, full of both challenges and possibilities.

Announcing Retirement in 1998

Brow decided to hang it up in 1998 after six years in the majors. At just 29, he played his last season in 1998, closing the book on a career that started when Toronto picked him in the 7th round of the 1990 draft.

His final pro appearance came with the Atlanta Braves’ organization. Most of his MLB days were with the Blue Jays, where he debuted on April 28, 1993.

He didn’t make a big deal about retiring, which is pretty common for middle relievers who leave the game without the spotlight.

Transitioning to New Careers

Like a lot of former MLB players, Brow had to figure out who he was after baseball. His post-playing life took him away from the baseball spotlight.

His time at the University of Washington really helped as he made that transition. He’d enjoyed his college classes and built a solid foundation for life after the game.

Instead of sticking around baseball as a coach or analyst, Brow chose something different. He seemed to understand early on that “minor league life was tough,” so he prepared for what came next.

Challenges and Notable Losses

Adjusting to life after baseball isn’t easy. Brow, like plenty of former players, had to get used to a world without the structure and camaraderie of pro sports.

He also faced a personal loss that hit him hard. While he kept most details private, it’s not unusual for retired athletes to struggle with the sudden identity shift and loss of purpose after leaving the game.

A lot of former players deal with health issues, too. While there’s nothing specific on Brow, it’s common for ex-athletes to deal with old injuries or health problems from their playing days. The physical grind of pro baseball has a way of catching up years later.

Mentally, the switch can be just as tough. Many ex-players talk about how hard it is to replace the competitive fire that drove them for so long.

Contributions to the Community

After retiring in 1998, Scott Brow took that competitive spirit and put it to work in his community. Since leaving baseball, he’s focused on helping young people and supporting causes that matter to him.

Mentoring and Community Leadership

Brow started shifting into a community leader role right in his hometown of Hillsboro, Oregon, launching the Scott Brow Baseball Camp back in 2000. Every summer, he and a handful of local volunteers run this free camp for underprivileged kids, blending baseball drills with some real talk about life skills.

“Working with kids gives me the same rush as taking the mound,” Brow once told a local reporter. “But the rewards last much longer.” You can almost hear the grin in his voice.

He didn’t stop at baseball. In 2005, Brow teamed up with the Blue Jays Alumni Association to open up scholarship opportunities for college-bound kids who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

Brow drops by local schools regularly to talk about sticking with education and pushing through tough times. His “Beyond the Game” program has reached more than 10,000 students in Oregon and Arizona—he always tries to visit the places he once played.

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy

Brow’s humanitarian work really took off in 2008, when he joined a group of former athletes pushing for human rights. He credits his teammates from all sorts of backgrounds during his Blue Jays years for opening his eyes to these issues.

He now sits on the board of Athletes for Democracy, an organization that gets people in underserved communities registered to vote and involved in civic life. Their “Every Voice Counts” campaign has helped thousands sign up.

“Baseball taught me that teams succeed when everyone participates,” Brow said at a 2019 fundraiser. “Democracy works the same way.” You can tell he means it.

He’s also fought for equal access to sports in public schools, testifying in front of state legislators about how much athletics can help kids and bind a community together.

Legacy and Influence

Scott Brow didn’t have the longest MLB career, but his impact reached far beyond his stats. He never became a household name, but his presence in baseball left an impression—sometimes a quiet one, but it stuck with the people who paid attention.

Influence on Florida Baseball

Brow’s Florida baseball connections came mostly through spring training with the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He never suited up for the Florida Marlins, but his reputation as a steady middle reliever made him a respected figure in Florida’s baseball circles.

Even after retiring, Brow would show up at Blue Jays alumni events in Florida now and then. His work ethic and stubborn perseverance became stories coaches shared with young pitchers in the state’s baseball-rich programs.

A few Florida high school coaches have pointed to Brow’s journey—from undrafted guy to MLB contributor—as proof that you can make it, even if the odds seem stacked against you.

Impact on MLB and Peers

Around MLB circles, Brow earned a reputation as a versatile reliever who could eat up innings when needed. Teams started paying more attention to guys like him when building their bullpens.

A few of his former teammates have talked about how Brow mentored them early on. He approached games with a kind of quiet professionalism that rubbed off on younger pitchers.

When he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first roster in 1998, Brow helped set the tone for the new franchise. He didn’t pitch a ton, but he brought a veteran presence when the team really needed it.

Brow showed everyone that middle relievers—even if they don’t get much glory—can be the glue that holds a winning team together.

Personal Life and Health

Since retiring from the majors in 1998, Scott Brow has kept things pretty low-key. He’s focused on family, health issues, and, like everyone else, figuring out life during the pandemic.

Family and Personal Relationships

After he hung up his cleats, Scott John Brow settled into family life. Born March 17, 1969, in Butte, Montana, he put his energy into his loved ones once his six-year MLB run ended.

He tends to keep family details out of the spotlight. Friends and old teammates say his commitment to family helped him adjust to life after baseball. The former reliever got married soon after retiring and has kids, but he rarely brings them up in interviews.

His college days at the University of Washington still matter to him. Brow has said he enjoyed his classes there, and they gave him a sense of direction after baseball.

Dealing with Health Issues, Including Heart Attack

In his early 40s, Brow had a major health scare—a heart attack during a pickup softball game with old teammates. The news surprised a lot of people, since Brow had stayed in good shape after his baseball career.

Former teammates who saw it happen said quick medical help made all the difference. Afterward, Brow started speaking up about cardiac health and why former athletes shouldn’t ignore the risks.

He switched to a stricter diet and exercise routine. Friends from his Blue Jays days say Brow became a lot more aware of how pitching had affected his body over the years.

His rehab lasted several months, and during that time, he reconnected with a few old teammates from Toronto. Maybe not the easiest chapter in his life, but it sounds like he found some silver linings.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic

Like a lot of former athletes, Brow saw his routine thrown off during the COVID-19 pandemic. He missed out on baseball alumni events and charity functions—everything got canceled through 2020 and into early 2021.

Instead of just waiting it out, Brow turned the isolation period into a chance to focus more on his health recovery program. He also found ways to connect with fans, mostly through virtual baseball events. As someone who pitched middle relief from 1993 to 1998, he joined a bunch of online forums, chatting about how relief pitching has changed over the years.

The pandemic kept Brow from going to the memorial service for a former pitching coach who really shaped his early days with the Toronto Blue Jays. After the Blue Jays drafted him in the 7th round in 1990, that coach became a huge influence.

These days, Brow spends more time on social media. He uses those platforms to stay in touch with fans and former players, and he’s been spreading the word about heart health too.