George Scott (first baseman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Scott |
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: March 23, 1944 Greenville, Mississippi |
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| Died: July 28, 2013 (aged 69) Greenville, Mississippi |
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| debut | |||
| April 12, 1966, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 1979, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .268 | ||
| Home runs | 271 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,051 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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George Charles Scott Jr. (March 23, 1944 – July 28, 2013) was a famous American baseball player. People often called him "Boomer". He played as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1979.
George Scott was best known for playing with the Boston Red Sox. He helped them win the American League pennant in 1967. Later, with the Milwaukee Brewers, he led the American League in home runs and RBIs in 1975.
He was chosen as an All-Star three times. Scott was also one of the best defensive first basemen of his time. He won eight Gold Glove Awards between 1967 and 1976. After his MLB career, he became a manager for other baseball teams. He is honored in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.
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Growing Up: George Scott's Early Life
George Scott was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on March 23, 1944. He was the youngest of three children. His father worked on a cotton farm and passed away when George was only two years old.
By the age of nine, George was already helping his family by picking cotton. He said it was hard work, starting very early in the morning and lasting all day. All the money he earned went to his parents to help them get by.
Becoming a Young Sports Star
In his free time, George played Little League baseball. He was so good that he was temporarily removed from the team! He once hit two or three home runs in six straight games.
At Coleman High School in Greenville, George was amazing at baseball, football, and basketball. He was the quarterback for the football team. He led both his football and basketball teams to state championships.
George chose baseball as his career path. He wanted to earn a living and help his mother, who worked three jobs. He didn't want her to struggle for more years while he went to college.
Joining Professional Baseball
A baseball scout named Ed Scott (who was not related to George) discovered him. This scout had also signed the famous Hank Aaron. On May 28, 1962, right after high school, George Scott signed his first professional contract for $8,000.
In 1965, he played for the Pittsfield Red Sox, a minor league team. That year, he became the Eastern League "triple crown" winner. This means he led the league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average.
George Scott's Baseball Career
George Scott joined the Boston Red Sox as a rookie in 1966. He started as a third baseman but quickly moved to first base. He played in all 162 games that season, which was a rare feat for a rookie.
On his first day, April 12, he got his first hit, a triple. He also earned his first RBI by getting a walk with the bases loaded. A week later, he hit his first home run. He finished the year with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs. He was even chosen for the All-Star team!
The "Impossible Dream" Season
In 1967, Scott had a great second season. The Red Sox had an amazing year, known as the "Impossible Dream" season. They won the American League pennant. Scott played in 159 games and had a batting average of .303.
He also won his first Gold Glove Award for his excellent fielding at first base. The Red Sox went to the 1967 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a close series that went to seven games.
All-Star and Gold Glove Star
George Scott was an All-Star three times: in 1966, 1975, and 1977. In 1977, he even hit a home run in the All-Star game.
He hit over 20 home runs in six different seasons. In 1975, he led the American League with 36 home runs, tying Reggie Jackson. He also led the league in RBIs that same year with 109.
Scott was famous for his amazing defense at first base. He won the Gold Glove Award eight times, in 1967, 1968, and every year from 1971 to 1976.
"Boomer" and "Black Beauty"
Over his 14-season career, George Scott had a .268 batting average. He hit 271 home runs, which he liked to call "taters." He also had 1,051 RBIs.
His nickname was "Boomer." He even had a special name for his baseball glove: "Black Beauty." George Scott was known for his great sense of humor. He once told a reporter that a necklace he wore was made of "second baseman's teeth"! He also sometimes wore a batting helmet while playing first base to protect himself.
Changing Teams
George Scott was traded a few times during his career. In 1971, he was part of a big trade that sent him from the Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers. He played for the Brewers for several years.
He returned to the Red Sox for a second time in 1977. In 1979, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals. Later that year, he also played for the New York Yankees. After his time in Major League Baseball, he played in the Mexican League for a couple of years.
George Scott's Lasting Impact
George Scott spent nine of his 14 years in MLB with the Red Sox. He played more games at first base for Boston than anyone else, with 988 games. He hit 154 of his 271 career home runs while playing for the Red Sox.
In 2006, he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. This shows how important he was to the team's history. Baseball legend Tommy John once said about Scott, "When Scott first came into the league, no one knew how to pitch to him, and they didn't find out for three years." This highlights how unique and challenging he was as a hitter.
Later Life and Coaching Career
After his playing days, George Scott became a baseball manager. He managed different teams, from the Mexican League to independent baseball leagues. He coached for teams like the Massachusetts Mad Dogs and the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. He had a combined record of 271 wins and 314 losses as a manager.
George Scott passed away on July 28, 2013, in his hometown of Greenville. Many people remembered him fondly. Dick Bresciani, a Red Sox team historian, said that Scott was "one of the most talented, colorful, and popular players in our history." He also praised Scott's great power, agility, and humor. Bresciani called him "the best defensive first baseman I have ever seen."
Family Life
George Scott had three sons: Dion, George III, and Brian. His grandson, Deion Williams, also played baseball. Deion was a shortstop in high school and was chosen in the 2011 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals. He later became a pitcher and played professionally for a few years.
See also
- List of Boston Red Sox awards
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
