1. Overview
Scott David Brosius, born August 15, 1966, is a highly respected American former professional Major League Baseball (MLB) third baseman whose career spanned from 1991 to 2001. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to two prominent MLB franchises, the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees. Brosius distinguished himself as an MLB All-Star in 1998, a Gold Glove Award winner in 1999, and a crucial member of the New York Yankees teams that secured three consecutive World Series championships from 1998 to 2000. His exceptional performance during the 1998 World Series earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Following his successful playing career, Brosius transitioned into various impactful roles in coaching and sports administration, including leadership positions at Linfield University, with the Seattle Mariners, and for the United States national baseball team. His dedication and workmanlike approach have consistently appealed to fans, teammates, and management, marking him as a significant figure in the sport.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Scott Brosius grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon, where he attended Rex Putnam High School. After high school, he continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Linfield College, now known as Linfield University, a testament to his early commitment to both education and baseball. His talent on the field caught the attention of professional scouts, and he was subsequently drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 20th round of the 1987 amateur draft. Brosius officially signed with the Athletics on June 9, 1987, embarking on his professional baseball journey.
3. Professional Playing Career
Scott Brosius's professional baseball career in Major League Baseball is marked by his consistent performance and pivotal contributions, particularly during his tenure with the New York Yankees.
3.1. Oakland Athletics (1991-1997)
Brosius made his professional debut with the Oakland Athletics on August 7, 1991. In a remarkable start to his MLB career, he became one of the few players to hit a home run in his very first major league game. Throughout the mid-1990s, Brosius served as the Athletics' primary third baseman. While third base was his main position, he also demonstrated versatility by playing nearly 300 games for Oakland in other roles, primarily in the outfield. His most successful year with the Athletics came in 1996, when he batted .304 with 22 home runs, showcasing his offensive capabilities. However, his performance saw a decline in 1997, a challenging season where he finished last among qualified batters in the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
3.2. New York Yankees (1998-2001)
Following the 1997 season, the Oakland Athletics traded Brosius to the New York Yankees in exchange for Kenny Rogers. This trade marked the beginning of a highly successful period for Brosius. In his first season with the Yankees in 1998, he batted .300, hit 19 home runs, and recorded 98 RBIs. His impressive performance that year led to his only career All-Star Game selection. Brosius was a pivotal figure in the 1998 World Series, where he batted an outstanding .471 with two home runs and six RBIs, earning him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Notably, he hit two home runs in Game 3 of that series, including a crucial blast off Padres closer Trevor Hoffman in the 8th inning, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead and propelling them to a 3-0 series advantage.
Although his statistics in the subsequent three years did not quite match his exceptional 1998 season, Brosius remained a cherished figure among fans in the Bronx. His workmanlike, blue-collar approach and consistent durability resonated with fans, teammates, and management alike, solidifying his status as a perennial fan favorite. During his tenure with the Yankees, the team achieved remarkable success, winning the American League pennant every year from 1998 to 2001, and clinching three consecutive World Series championships from 1998 to 2000. He further cemented his defensive prowess by winning a Gold Glove Award in 1999. On July 18, 1999, in a game against the Montreal Expos, Brosius caught shortstop Orlando Cabrera's foul popup, securing the final out of David Cone's perfect game. Despite his defensive accolades, he led all American League third basemen in errors in 2001, with 22, and had the lowest fielding percentage in the league at .935.
In one of the most dramatic and clutch moments of his career, during Game 5 of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brosius hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game. This remarkable hit set the stage for an extra-innings Yankees victory. The previous night, Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez had achieved a similar feat, hitting a two-out, two-run home run to tie the game in the ninth inning. This marked the first time in World Series history that such consecutive ninth-inning heroics had occurred. The Yankees ultimately lost Games 6 and 7 of the series, and Brosius retired from playing professional baseball thereafter.
4. Post-Playing Career
After retiring as a professional player, Scott Brosius dedicated himself to various roles in coaching and management, making significant contributions to both collegiate and professional baseball.
4.1. Linfield University Coaching Career
Following his retirement from Major League Baseball, Brosius returned to his alma mater, Linfield College (now Linfield University), to begin his coaching career. From 2002 to 2007, he served as an assistant coach under head baseball coach Scott Carnahan, who had also been Brosius's coach during his playing days at the college. In 2008, their roles switched, with Brosius being named the head coach and Carnahan, who was also the athletic director, becoming an assistant coach. Brosius earned his degree from Linfield in 2002.
During his eight seasons as head coach, Brosius was recognized for his leadership and strategic acumen, earning the Northwest Conference coach of the year award five times (in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014). He successfully guided the Linfield team into the NCAA Division III national championship tournament on four occasions. Under his leadership, the Wildcats achieved a third-place finish in 2010. The pinnacle of his coaching career at Linfield came in 2013 when he led the team to its first-ever NCAA national baseball championship, which was the second national championship in Linfield's baseball history, following their 1971 NAIA victory. In 2014, the team attempted a rare repeat championship but was eliminated after two straight games. Brosius concluded his tenure as Linfield's head coach with an impressive win-loss record of 270-96, a winning percentage of .738.
4.2. Seattle Mariners Coaching Career
On December 4, 2015, the Seattle Mariners announced that Scott Brosius would join their organization as the new hitting coach for their Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. His tenure in the minor league system was brief, as he was promoted on October 20, 2016, to serve as an assistant coach for the Seattle Mariners' 2017 Major League season. For the 2018 season, Brosius was further elevated to the position of the Mariners' third base coach, demonstrating his continued value and versatility within the professional ranks.
4.3. United States National Team Management
Scott Brosius's experience extended to international baseball when he became involved with the United States national baseball team. On August 13, 2019, he was named a coach for the team participating in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament. On October 16, 2019, his role expanded when he was promoted to manager of the national team after Joe Girardi declined the position. Under Brosius's management, the team finished fourth in the tournament and consequently failed to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in the initial rounds.
4.4. Athletic Director at Linfield University
Continuing his dedicated service to his alma mater, Scott Brosius was appointed the athletic director at Linfield University in May 2024. In this significant leadership role, he is now responsible for overseeing all aspects of the university's intercollegiate athletics programs, from administration and budgeting to student-athlete development and program success. This appointment further highlights his deep commitment to Linfield and his ongoing impact on sports beyond his playing and coaching careers.
5. Legacy and Honors
Scott Brosius has received several notable recognitions and honors throughout his distinguished career, acknowledging his contributions to baseball both as a player and a coach. He was inducted into the Linfield University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002, celebrating his collegiate achievements and his professional success that followed. In 2005, his broader impact on the sport in his home state was recognized with his induction into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
Brosius has also maintained a strong connection with the New York Yankees organization. He participated in the New York Yankees Old-Timers' Day festivities in both 2007 and 2015, events that honor former Yankees players and allow them to interact with fans. Furthermore, on November 4, 2009, Brosius had the honor of throwing out the first pitch before Game 6 of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium, a symbolic gesture recognizing his cherished place in Yankees history.