Zack Scott
Zack Scott (born 1977) is an American sports executive who served as the acting general manager of the New York Mets between January 2021 and September 2021.
Zack Scott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1977 (age 46) Natick, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont (BS) |
| Occupation | Sports executive |
| Employer(s) | Boston Red Sox (2004–2020) New York Mets (2020–2021) |
| Spouse | Molly Scott |
| Children | 2 |
Previously, he worked for the Boston Red Sox in different roles between 2004 and 2020, including his last two seasons as assistant general manager. In 2017, The Boston Herald described him as an analytics guru due to his work for the Boston Red Sox.[1]
Early life and family
Zack was born in 1977 in Natick, Massachusetts.[1] He started his college education at the University of Texas-Austin with a major in computer science, but because of a family emergency he transferred to the University of Vermont where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a major in statistics in 1999.[2][3]
From an early age, Zack was interested in baseball and became a Red Sox fan in the '86 World Series vs. the Mets.[3] During his high school, he continued playing baseball and participated in Babe Ruth League.[3]
Career
Between 2000 and 2004, Zack worked as an analyst for a baseball simulation software company called Diamond Mind, Inc.[2][3]
In 2004, he joined the Boston Red Sox as a baseball operations intern and later, in 2005, became an assistant.[1][2] Between 2006 and 2011, he served as an assistant director of baseball operations.[2][5] In 2016, he became the vice president of baseball research and development.[1][3]
Theo Epstein, former manager of the Boston Red Sox, credited Zack Scott for identifying Dave Roberts as a trade target.[6] He later stole a base in a key game on the run to win the 2004 World Series, the first championship for the Red Sox in 86 years.[6] He is also known for recommending Koji Uehara, the elite closer for the 2013 World Series champ Red Sox.[7]
In December 2020, Zack joined the New York Mets as an assistant general manager and senior vice president after working with the Boston Red Sox for 17 seasons with last two seasons as the assistant general manager.[2][8]
In January 2021, he was promoted to the position of acting general manager of the New York Mets replacing Jared Porter.[9]
In September 2021, he was placed on administrative leave for a driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest.[10] Later, in November 2021, New York Mets parted ways with him, and Mets president, Sandy Alderson, called him a "good man who did excellent work".[11][12]
In January 2022, Judge Eric Press acquitted him of the DWI charge and the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired (DWAI).[13] After reviewing the body-camera footage, Judge Press concluded that he was not asleep (his head was down only because he was using cell phone in his lap) and was clearly not intoxicated.[13]
References
- ^ a b c d "Red Sox analytics guru Zack Scott keeping the team up to speed". February 26, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Mets promote assistant GM Scott to acting GM". ESPN. January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Numbers Game".
- ^ "Chris Cotillo: Zack Scott adjusting to life as Mets acting GM after 17 years with Red Sox". masslive. April 30, 2021.
- ^ "Donnelly surfaces". December 16, 2007.
- ^ a b "Theo Epstein Shares Fascinating Tale Of Red Sox's Trade For Dave Roberts In 2004". March 24, 2020.
- ^ Britton, Tim. "Zack Scott took over the Mets' front office in a time of turmoil. Who is he as a baseball executive?". The Athletic.
- ^ "Mets hire Zack Scott as part of Red Sox front-office trend". December 24, 2020.
- ^ Wagner, James (January 27, 2021). "Zack Scott Elevated to Acting General Manager of the Mets". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Mets place Zack Scott on administrative leave after DWI arrest". September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Sandy Alderson wishes Zack Scott well: 'He's a good man'". Audacy. November 9, 2021.
- ^ Ragazzo, Pat. "The Backstory Of What Happened Between Zack Scott And The Mets". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ a b Britton, Tim. "Former Mets executive Zack Scott found not guilty of DWI: What happened at the trial and his reaction to the verdict". The Athletic.