Jimmy Scott's High & Tight: The Scott Brosius Interview

In 1997, Scott Brosius hit .203 with the Oakland Athletics.  A major disappointment.  Traded to Yankees as an infamous "player to be named later" that off season for another disappointment, Kenny Rogers, Brosius went on to become a hero.  He had one of his best statistical seasons in '98, but more important, was a big part of the 1998 Yankees team that won a then-record 114 games in the regular season, plus another 11 in the post-season.  He was voted the MVP of the World Series.  Scott was on the 1999 and 2000 World Champion Yankees as well, although his numbers slipped a bit each year (except in the World Series).  Funny things happen, though.  In 2001, he put together a solid year.  He helped get the Yankees back to the World Series and a 7th game against the Arizona Diamondbacks (including a huge home run in the bottom of the 9th of Game 5 to tie the game; a game the Yankees would win in 12 innings).  Clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 in Arizona, a ground ball was hit to pitcher Mariano Rivera.  Rivera threw to Scott for a force-out at third base.  Scott could have thrown to first to complete a double-play.  But he didn't.  Minutes later, after Tony Womack tied the game with a double, Luis Gonzalez won it with a pop fly single that eluded a drawn-in infield.  The game was over.  The Yankees lost.

And Scott Brosius never played another Major League game.

Why?  Why did Scott retire after 2001?  Why did he hold onto the ball?  And why did he move back home, to Oregon, and become a baseball coach?  Why give up the opportunity to earn millions of dollars to coach baseball at a small school, Linfield College, in the Pacific Northwest?  What was it that made this young man (he was only 35) give the professional game up to go home?

Scott tells us now.  In his interview with Jimmy Scott's High & Tight, Scott explains the mysteries of the end of his career.  He talks about how he continued going to college even as he was playing baseball for a living.  Plus, he answers some of your questions.  So buckle up and enjoy the ride.  Scott Brosius, on Jimmy Scott's High & Tight:

THE MUSIC

Salt N Pepa - Whatta Man

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Bruce Springsteen - Factory

Bob Seger - Like A Rock

John Mellencamp - Check It Out

Samuel Barber - Adagio For Strings

Bruce Springsteen - Jungleland

Sting - I Burn For You

Field of Dreams Soundtrack - Field of Dreams