The Boston Red Sox confirmed Monday that Sox Hall of Famer George Scott, a key player on two of the most memorable seasons in team history, died Sunday at his home in Greenville, Miss. A report from a newspaper in his home state listed his age at 71, but national reports indicated he was 69.
A three-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner at first base, Scott finished his 14-year career with a .268 batting average, .333 on-base percentage, .435 slugging mark, 271 home runs and 1,051 RBIs in 2,034 games.
“In losing George Scott, we have lost one of the most talented, colorful, and popular players in our history,” said Red Sox vice president/emeritus and team historian Dick Bresciani, who has been with the club since 1972. “He had great power and agility, with a large personality and a large physical stature. He could light up a clubhouse with his smile, his laugh, and his humor — and he was the best defensive first baseman I have ever seen.”
The personable but mercurial Scott, nicknamed “Boomer,” had two stints in Boston. He came up in 1966 and was an American League All-Star as a rookie (and third in the Rookie of the Year balloting), hitting .245/.324/.433 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs — plus a league-leading 152 strikeouts. With the Brewers in 1975, Scott led the league in home runs (36), RBIs (109) and total bases (318) while hitting .285/.341/.515. He was an All-Star and finished eighth in the MVP balloting.
Five years later, the Sox sent 26-year-old Cecil Cooper to Milwaukee to reacquire Scott and Bernie Carbo. While Cooper went to become a star for the Brewers over the next decade, Scott had one final hurrah, putting together his third All-Star season in ’77 when he hit .269/.337/.500 with 33 home runs and 95 RBIs.
He was traded to the Royals (for outfielder Tom Poquette) on June 13, 1979. After being released by the Royals in August of that year, Scott finished his career by playing in one game for the Yankees.
Information from WEEI.com contributed to this report.
