After four concussions in five years, vet ump Scott calls it quits
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — As a big league umpire, Dale Scott saw maybe 1 million pitches from the field. His final call, it turned out, was the easiest of all.
Rather than risk yet another concussion, Scott has decided to retire at 58.
“I’m done,” he told The Associated Press.
The veteran crew chief missed nearly the entire 2017 season after a foul ball off the bat of Baltimore slugger Mark Trumbo in Toronto on April 14 caught him hard in the mask, causing Scott’s second concussion in nine months and fourth in five years.
Within a few days, while undergoing treatment for head, neck and shoulder injuries, Scott realized it was the end of a major league career that began in 1985 and included three World Series assignments, three AllStar Games and 91 postseason games.
“In fact, it was pretty easy,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on this year being the last one. But I thought, this is a sign.”
Especially when he asked three doctors about the possible long-term effects if he got jarred again.
“They said, ‘We just don’t know,’” Scott said. “But they told me that the more times you get hit, the more probability that you’ll have issues.”
This summer, he saw Bruno Mars and Green Day in concert, watched Fourth of July fireworks from a boat near his home in Portland, Ore., and enjoyed more time with husband Michael Rausch.
They’ve been together since 1986 and were married in November 2013 in Palm Springs, Calif., by the city’s mayor.
Scott came out as gay after the 2014 season. The next spring training, Reds outfielder Marlon Byrd gave Scott a big hug while trotting to the dugout.
“You’re free, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Byrd told him.
Says Scott: “I did feel free. I am who I am.”
Scott’s decision will resonate, said Billy Bean, Major League Baseball’s vice president for social responsibility and inclusion. Bean came out as gay after his big league career ended in 1995.
“He has achieved everything in his umpiring career, and has carried himself with integrity and garnered the respect of his peers and MLB players,” Bean said.
Scott worked 3,897 regularseason games and was a crew chief for 16 seasons — half his career.
Now, he walks away with his health intact. And if there were any doubts, he keeps the video of that last violent concussion on his cellphone.