Retro Mariner Sunday 12/11/11

It would be five days before the beginning of the 1985 season. The Mariners were wrapping up Spring Training in Tempe, AZ. When deciding on backup catchers for the aging Bob Kearney, the Mariners decided to swap the light hitting 22 year old Orlando Mercado to the Texas Rangers. In return the Mariners would receive 23 year old Donnie Scott who spent most of the 1984 with the Rangers. His bat had a little more pop, and he might be a little better behind the plate. It seems as though he had done a fairly good job for the M's behind the dish in 1985 and would push for more time in 1986.

Although Donnie had done fairly well in the 74 games he was in behind the plate, there was another kid coming through the system at catcher. Near the end of the 1986 Spring Training the Mariners decided to release Donnie in favor of a young Dave Valle. Scott would spend 1986 at AAA Rochester in the Orioles system. From 1987 to 1989, Donnie was part of the Brewers system spending tome at both AA El Paso, and AAA Denver. Donnie even pitched 1 2/3 innings for the Zephyrs in 1987. Scott would move to the Reds organization in 1990 playing at AAA Nashville. After spending 1991 again at AAA, Donnie would get a September call to the Reds. Deciding he had had enough time in the minors, Scott retired after the 1991 season.

Donnie would move on to manage the Billings Mustangs to three straight league titles from 1992 to 1994 and would have the best record with the team in 1995. 1996 would see Donnie manage the A Charleston AlleyCats in the Reds system. 1997 would bring a return to Billings for a year. For two years in 1998 and 1999 he would spend time as the Minor League fielding coordinator. He would spend some time on the bench in '99 with the Gulf Coast Reds. 2000 was another year as the fielding coordinator. From 2001 through the 2003 seasons, Donnie would be the manager of the A Dayton Dragons.

The year in 2004 would bring a change, becoming the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast Reds. In 2005 Donnie was able to work with young catchers as the Minor catching coordinator. In 2006 it was time to manage the Sarasota Reds. For the 2007 and 2008 seasons it Donnie's path back to Dayton to manage the Dragons again. In 2011, Donnie would be hired to manage the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League. He would lead the Bombers to the title of the summer wood bat college league.

While Donnie never got to spend the time that might have been deserved in the Majors, he has done many good things in the minors. He has had a hand in helping develop young players in to Major League players. Thank you for your short time in Seattle Donnie. Big thanks also to Coot Veal for reminding me of Donnie Scott in his post a few months ago.