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

Tony Scott played eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, finally hanging up his cleats in 1984. His career took him from Montreal to St. Louis, then Houston, and then back to Montreal.

The switch-hitting center fielder from Cincinnati made his last appearance on September 21, 1984, wearing the same Montreal Expos uniform he’d worn for his debut eleven years earlier.

Scott’s retirement closed the book on a journeyman career that saw him play for three National League teams, putting up a .249 batting average with 17 home runs and 253 RBIs. He navigated trades, had a few standout seasons, and dealt with the challenge of earning playing time in an era stacked with talented outfielders.

Let’s take a look at the moments that shaped Scott’s career, from his 1979 breakthrough with the Cardinals to his final games with the Expos. We’ll dig into the trades, his relationships in the clubhouse, and what he did after stepping away from the big leagues.

Tony Scott’s Retirement in 1984

Tony Scott wrapped up his 11-season MLB career in 1984, finishing out with 45 games for the Montreal Expos. At 32, he ended his professional playing days with the club that first gave him a shot back in 1973.

Final Season with the Montreal Expos

Scott rejoined Montreal in 1984 after the Houston Astros released him mid-season. That marked his second stint with the Expos, who had originally called him up on September 1, 1973.

His last year in the majors was pretty limited. Scott played just 45 games for Montreal during the 1984 season.

At that point, his bat had cooled off and his role shrank compared to his days as the Cardinals’ starting center fielder. The Expos had drafted him way back in the 71st round of the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.

Circumstances Surrounding Retirement

Houston let Scott go in the middle of the 1984 season. At 32, he saw his playing time shrink as teams turned to younger outfielders.

Scott’s career statistics show a solid, if unspectacular, major league run. He finished with 699 hits in almost 1,000 games.

He batted .249 and hit 17 home runs over 11 seasons. Those numbers fit the mold of a reliable role player more than a star.

Montreal gave Scott a chance to end his career on his own terms. He got to walk away from the game where it all started.

Legacy as a Retiring Baseball Player

Scott’s retirement closed out a career that included stops with the Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Astros.

He had his best years with St. Louis, serving as their starting center fielder in 1979 and 1980. Scott even pinch-hit for Lou Brock after Brock’s 3,000th hit in 1979.

After his playing days, Scott moved into coaching with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He spent over a decade working with young players in the minors.

His career tells the story of a professional who squeezed the most out of his abilities. Scott never became a household name, but he always found a way to contribute.

Career Overview and Notable Milestones

Tony Scott played 11 seasons in the majors, from 1973 to 1984, all as a center fielder for three National League teams. He went through a few big trades, and while his bat was never flashy, he brought steady defense.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Scott debuted in the majors on September 1, 1973, with the Montreal Expos after they picked him in the 71st round of the 1969 draft. He played just 11 games as a pinch runner that year, with only one at-bat.

In 1974, the story was much the same. He spent most of the season in the minors, then got a September call-up, managing just seven at-bats and two hits for a .286 average.

In 1975, Scott got his first real shot as a starter. The Expos made him their starting center fielder, but he struggled.

He batted only .191 through the All-Star break, with 11 RBIs and no home runs. Pepe Mangual took over in center for the rest of the season.

Key Trades and Team Changes

The Expos sent Scott to the St. Louis Cardinals on November 8, 1976, as part of a six-player deal. Scott, Steve Dunning, and Pat Scanlon went to St. Louis for Bill Greif, Sam Mejías, and Ángel Torres.

Scott’s Cardinals days were his best. He split time with Jerry Mumphrey in 1977, batting .291 with three home runs and 41 RBIs. His peak came in 1979 as the full-time center fielder.

That season, Scott set career highs across the board. He hit six home runs, drove in 68 runs, and swiped 37 bases, all while playing strong defense.

On June 6, 1981, the Cardinals traded Scott to Houston. The Astros picked him up for pitcher Joaquín Andújar. At the time, Scott was hitting just .227 and stuck in a nasty slump.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Scott finished his career with a .249 average over 991 games, 17 home runs, and 253 RBIs. His offense was steady, if not eye-popping.

Career Stats at a Glance:

• Games Played: 991
• Batting Average: .249
• Home Runs: 17
• RBIs: 253
• Career Hits: 699

He started strong with Houston, batting .293 in his first season there in 1981. The Astrodome was a tough place to hit, but Scott’s defense helped him stick in center.

Scott’s role shrank in his final years. He hit .239 with one home run in 1982, then became a fourth outfielder in 1983. By 1984, after hitting just .190 in 25 games, the Astros let him go.

Montreal brought Scott back on June 29, 1984, for one last run. He played his final MLB game for the Expos on September 21, 1984.

Teams Tony Scott Played For

Tony Scott spent his whole 11-year MLB career in the National League, suiting up for three teams between 1973 and 1984. He started and ended in Montreal, enjoyed his best seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, and finished as a veteran presence with the Houston Astros.

Montreal Expos

Scott broke into the big leagues with the Montreal Expos on September 1, 1973, at age 21. The Expos had picked him in the 71st round of the 1969 draft.

His first few years in Montreal were pretty quiet. In 1973, he got into just 11 games. The next year, he played 19 games, but still didn’t get much of a chance.

In 1975, Scott finally saw more action, playing 92 games. He hit just .182 with a .496 OPS, so he clearly wasn’t quite ready for everyday duty.

After spending 1976 in the minors, Montreal traded him to St. Louis. He returned to the Expos at the end of his career in 1984, playing his last 45 games and hitting .254.

St. Louis Cardinals

Scott found his stride with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1977 to 1981. Manager Ken Boyer made him the everyday center fielder in 1979. Fans hoped he’d be the next speedster after Lou Brock.

He broke out in 1977, hitting .291 with a .765 OPS in 95 games. That performance locked him into the Cardinals’ lineup.

Scott’s best year came in 1979, when he played 153 games and set career highs in several categories. He hit .259, collected 152 hits, and stole 37 bases, flashing the speed that made him valuable.

The Cardinals used Scott mostly in center field. His quickness in the outfield and on the bases made him a key part of their game plan.

Houston Astros

Scott joined the Houston Astros in the middle of 1981 after St. Louis traded him for pitcher Joaquin Andujar. The trade came during the strike-shortened season, and Scott made an immediate impact.

He had a strong half-season for Houston in 1981, hitting .293 with a .733 OPS in 55 games. Not bad for a veteran.

As he got into his thirties, Scott’s role with the Astros faded. In 1982, he played 132 games but hit only .239. His playing time dropped even more in 1983 and 1984.

The Astros released him in 1984, which led to his short return to Montreal. Even as his career wound down, Scott remained a respected veteran in the clubhouse.

Memorable Teammates, Opponents, and Trades

Tony Scott’s 11-year career put him alongside some great outfielders in Montreal and made him part of a notable trade for pitcher Joaquin Andujar. He faced plenty of top talent in the National League.

Ken Singleton and Montreal Outfielders

Scott started out with the Montreal Expos in 1973, sharing the outfield with Ken Singleton. Singleton was already making a name for himself as a hitter and later became an All-Star.

The Expos’ outfield included Andre Dawson, who joined in 1976. Dawson won Rookie of the Year in 1977 and eventually landed in the Hall of Fame.

Jerry White was another outfield teammate during Scott’s Montreal years. White brought versatility and depth to the team.

That group of outfielders laid the groundwork for a competitive Expos team in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Scott picked up a lot from the veterans while adding his own speed and defense.

Trade Involving Joaquin Andujar

Scott’s biggest trade happened when he moved from Montreal to St. Louis. The deal included pitcher Joaquin Andujar, who went to the Houston Astros.

The trade turned out well for Scott. He got a chance to play every day with the Cardinals from 1977 to 1981.

St. Louis gave Scott his best shot as a starter. He replaced Bake McBride in center field and held onto the job until Willie McGee came along.

Scott’s time in St. Louis was the highlight of his career. He played meaningful games and helped out some very good Cardinal teams.

Matchups Against Notable Players

During his run in the National League, Scott faced off with some of baseball’s biggest names. He went up against players like Pete Rose, who later became player-manager for the Reds.

Scott’s speed made him a threat on the bases. Catchers and pitchers had to keep an eye on him whenever he got on.

As a center fielder, Scott had to chase down drives from the league’s best power hitters. His defense was tested constantly.

He played from 1973 to 1984, right in the thick of some tough National League competition. Scott managed to hold his own and carved out a solid role as a dependable outfielder.

Playing Style and Career Performance

Tony Scott built a reputation as a steady outfielder, finishing with a .249 batting average in 991 games. His ability to switch-hit and his speed on the bases gave him value, even if his offense never wowed anyone.

Outfield Defense and Versatility

Scott mostly played center field during his career, showing off solid defensive skills all over the outfield. He spent most of his time patrolling center for three different National League teams.

Managers trusted his defensive versatility and often shifted him around the outfield when they needed to mix things up. This flexibility really paid off during his years with the Cardinals, where he got regular playing time.

He covered a lot of ground in center field and made up for any offensive shortcomings with his glove. Over his 11-year career, teammates and coaches saw him as a reliable defender.

Switch-Hitting and Batting Skills

Scott hit from both sides of the plate, which gave managers some nice options when setting the lineup. He finished his career with a .249 average, 17 home runs, and 253 RBIs in 991 games.

His best year at the plate came in 1977 with St. Louis, when he batted .291 and posted a .765 OPS. That season really stood out for him offensively.

Scott focused more on making contact than hitting for power. With just 17 career homers, he fit the mold of a table-setter rather than a big run producer.

He posted a .297 on-base percentage, which was modest for the time but still worked for his role. Most of his offensive value came from putting the ball in play instead of racking up power numbers.

Base Running and Stealing Bases

Scott brought real speed to the basepaths throughout his career. He swiped 125 bases and got caught 69 times, which was a decent success rate for that era.

In 1979, he had his best year stealing bases, grabbing 37 bags for the Cardinals. That speed gave his offensive game another layer.

He often led off or set the table, using his legs to create opportunities. Those 125 career steals showed he contributed more than just with his bat.

Scott’s aggressive style on the bases created chances for teammates to drive in runs. That part of his game became especially valuable during his years in St. Louis.

Post-Retirement Activities and Legacy

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1984, Tony Scott stayed close to the sport through coaching and playing gigs. In 1989, he joined the Senior Professional Baseball Association and later spent over a decade coaching in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Senior Professional Baseball Association Years

Scott found a new spark when he joined the Winter Haven Super Sox in 1989. The Senior Professional Baseball Association gave former pros aged 35 and up a chance to play again.

He really thrived there, hitting .360 in 51 games with the Super Sox. That average was way better than his MLB career mark of .249.

The league only lasted for the 1989 season, but Scott still showed he had plenty of baseball left in him, even five years after leaving the majors.

Coaching with the Philadelphia Phillies

Once his playing days ended, Scott moved into coaching. He worked in the Phillies’ farm system from 1989 to 2000, taking on different roles at several minor league levels.

He managed teams like the Batavia Clippers (1989-1991), Spartanburg Phillies (1992-1994), Clearwater Phillies in 1999, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 2000.

On July 11, 1990, Scott stepped in as interim manager for the Batavia Clippers for just one game, and the team won under his leadership. He filled the gap between Dave Cash and Ramon Aviles.

The Phillies promoted him to their major league coaching staff from 2001 to 2002. For Scott, that was the highlight of his coaching career, finally working at the highest level.

Winter Haven Super Sox Contributions

Scott’s time with the Winter Haven Super Sox really showed he could still play. The team competed in the first—and only—season of the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

He led the club with a .360 batting average, ranking among the league’s top hitters. Scott played in 51 games that season, proving his instincts and defensive skills hadn’t faded.

The Super Sox gave him a chance to keep doing what he loved. His success there made it clear why he chose to stay involved in baseball after his MLB days were over.

Influence and Recognition in Baseball

Scott built his reputation in baseball circles through an 11-year MLB career and years of coaching. He played 991 games and kept a .249 batting average with three National League teams.

He spent over a decade coaching with the Philadelphia Phillies, shaping the next wave of young players. As a center fielder and base stealer, Scott shared real, hard-won advice with minor league prospects.

Scott died on May 26, 2024, at age 72 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His passing closed the chapter on a baseball life that stretched from the 1970s to the 2000s, both as a player and coach.