Dick Scott waited a long time to reach the major leagues, and when he got there, as a 30-year-old rookie, he quickly experienced highs and lows.
A left-handed pitcher, Scott was in his eighth season in the minor leagues when he got called up to the Dodgers for the first time in May 1963.
The first team Scott faced was the Cardinals at St. Louis. His debut went splendidly. The next night was a different story.
This post is in remembrance of Scott, who died Feb. 10, 2020, at 86.
Down on the farm
Born in New Hampshire, Scott went to high school in Maine and played multiple sports. He was 20 when the Dodgers signed him as an amateur free agent in August 1953. After two years in the Army, Scott began his pro baseball career in the Dodgers’ farm system in 1956.
One of Scott’s biggest boosters was Bobby Bragan, who managed him at Spokane in 1958.
Scott “should make the majors,” Bragan said to the Spokane Chronicle.
Bragan, who managed the Pirates and Indians before taking the Spokane job, told the Spokane Review, “All that Scott needs is a little confidence, that feeling of thinking to himself, ‘Just give me the ball and let me out there. I’ll mow them down.’ ”
In 1960, Scott, 27, was 8-1 with a 2.27 ERA for the Dodgers’ farm club in Atlanta, but he had left elbow surgery in September, the Atlanta Constitution reported. Toward the end of spring training in 1961, Scott pitched 18 consecutive scoreless innings, but he remained in the minors.
While pitching for Spokane in 1962, Scott “has given up the idea of trying to overpower every batter and has become a better pitcher in the process,” according to the Spokane Chronicle.
“I’ve found out I have better control when I don’t throw too hard,” Scott said.
Meet me in St. Louis
Scott had a strong spring training in 1963 and nearly made the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. His impressive pitching carried over to the regular season with Spokane. In his first start, he pitched a three-hit shutout at Denver in a game attended by heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston.
On May 7, 1963, Scott was leading the Pacific Coast League in ERA (0.77) when he was called up to the Dodgers.
Scott reported to the Dodgers at St. Louis on May 8 and made his major-league debut that night against the Cardinals.
Entering in the eighth, with the Dodgers ahead, 10-5, Scott retired Curt Flood, Dick Groat and Bill White in order.
After the Dodgers added a run in the top of the ninth, Stan Musial led off the bottom half against Scott and lined out to second. Ken Boyer doubled, but Scott got George Altman to ground out and Tim McCarver to pop out to third. Boxscore
Scott’s two scoreless innings against the star-studded Cardinals lineup made a strong impression. Scott “is ready to pitch any time the Dodgers need him,” the Los Angeles Times declared.
Tough encore
Scott didn’t have to wait long. The next night, May 9, the Dodgers led, 2-0, in the fifth when the Cardinals loaded the bases with none out against starter Pete Richert.
Manager Walter Alston called for Scott to face Bill White, a left-handed batter.
“I was looking for the fastball on the first pitch because I figured Scott would try to get ahead of me,” White told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The ball was right down the middle.”
White hit the ball over the pavilion roof at Busch Stadium and onto Grand Avenue for a grand slam, giving the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.
After Boyer lined out to center and Musial flied out to right, Charlie James singled and Gene Oliver put the Cardinals ahead, 6-2, with a two-run home run off Scott.
Rattled, Scott gave up singles to Julian Javier and Bob Gibson before Larry Sherry relieved him. Sherry surrendered a RBI-single to Flood and the run was charged to Scott.
Scott’s line: 0.2 innings, four runs, five hits. Boxscore
Wrong place, wrong time
Scott pitched in nine games for the Dodgers before he was returned to Spokane in July 1963.
A month later, Scott was sitting on the edge of the visitors dugout at San Diego when the weighted end of a lead warmup bat swung by teammate Bart Shirley, who was in the on-deck circle, came loose and struck him above the right eye.
Scott was taken to a hospital and needed 25 stitches to close the wound, according to the Spokane newspapers.
Fortunately, Scott recovered, started against Portland on Sept. 3 and pitched 7.1 innings, allowing one run.
Scott finished with a 2.28 ERA for Spokane. In December 1963, the Dodgers traded him to the Cubs for pitcher Jim Brewer and catcher Cuno Barragan.
The 1964 season was Scott’s last as a professional player. He pitched in three games for the Cubs and spent most of the year with their Salt Lake City farm team.
Who am I to contradict the legendary Walter Alston, but, it’s obvious that Scott still wasn’t ready to be placed in a pressure packed bases loaded situation. The Cardinals were waiting for him. Still though, you can’t have anything but respect for people like Dick Scott. Served his country, maintained a family as a minor league player, and was an honest productive citizen.
Nicely said. Thanks.