Scott Brosius:
1991-97, Oakland Athletics
1998-01, New York Yankees
Much of Brosius's career has been one of "almosts." He grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon, almost the same spelling as the much-larger Wisconsin city. His last season in the league, spent with the 2001 New York Yankees, was the year they almost beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series and almost had the first World Series four-peat since achieving the feat in 1936-39. His 1998 season was almost his second 20-home run season, but he finished one short, at 19.
However, even with all the "almosts," his accomplishments cannot be ignored. He hit above .300 twice, in 1996 with the Oakland Athletics and in 1998, with the Yankees. Despite never playing a full 162-game season, Brosius finished with 1,001 hits and 531 RBI, along with 141 home runs. Brosius was also one of just a handful of players to hit a home run in his first major league game, August 7, 1991.
Upon retiring from the MLB in 2002, Brosius became an assistant coach at his alma mater Linfield College, serving under his own coach Scott Carnahan. When Carnahan became the school's Athletic Director in 2007, Brosius was promoted to head coach, a position he currently holds, having amassed a coaching record of 100-38, two Northwest Conference titles and a third-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Division III tournament.
His legacy is one of unfortunately quick-to-fade postseason success, and a Chris Berman-coined nickname, Scott Supercalifragilisticexpiali-Brosius. He never again achieved his staggering 1998 playoff numbers, where he hit .382 (18-47) with four home runs, fifteen RBI and a .406 on-base percentage over thirteen games. His two home runs in Game Three of the 1998 World Series are often seen as the final piece of momentum for the Yankees as they swept the San Diego Padres in four games.
Brosius is certainly not the most well-known Yankee, but his accomplishments cannot be ignored and should not be forgotten.
No comments:
Post a Comment