Milwaukee’s Best, Part 4: The 50 Best To Play For Braves, Brewers: 20-11
By Phil Watson
George Scott, as shown in a 1976 Topps photo.
14. George Scott, 1B
Brewers 1972-76
The Brewers made a splash in October 1971 when they acquired George Scott along with outfielders Billy Conigliaro and Joe Lahoud, right-hander Jim Lonborg, left-hander Ken Brett and catcher Don Pavletich from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielders Tommy Harper and Patrick Skrable and right-handers Marty Pattin and Lew Krausse.
“Boomer” didn’t disappoint.
He was an All-Star in 1975, when he led the American League in home runs, RBI and total bases and finished eighth in the MVP voting.
Although he wore his batting helmet in the field, Scott was a terrific fielder, winning Gold Gloves in each of his five seasons in Milwaukee, and he hit .306/.370/.488 while leading the AL in total bases in 1973.
Scott was second in the American League in batting and fifth in slugging in 1973 and was fourth in slugging in 1975. He was also second in the league in doubles in 1974.
In December 1976, Scott was part of another big trade with Boston, returning to the Red Sox along with outfielder Bernie Carbo in exchange for first baseman Cecil Cooper.
Signed as an amateur free agent by Boston in May 1962 out of Coleman High School in Greenville, Miss., Scott debuted in the majors in April 1966. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals in June 1979 and signed with the New York Yankees in August of that season after he was let go by the Royals. Scott never played in the majors again, but spent five more seasons in the Mexican League before retiring after the 1984 season.
He died in his hometown of Greenville, Miss., in July 2013 at the age of 69.
Here are Scott’s statistics from his five seasons with the Brewers:
| Year | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 28 | 152 | 629 | 578 | 71 | 154 | 24 | 4 | 20 | 88 | 16 | 4 | 43 | 130 | .266 | .321 | .426 | .746 | 124 |
| 1973 | 29 | 158 | 673 | 604 | 98 | 185 | 30 | 4 | 24 | 107 | 9 | 5 | 61 | 94 | .306 | .370 | .488 | .858 | 144 |
| 1974 | 30 | 158 | 672 | 604 | 74 | 170 | 36 | 2 | 17 | 82 | 9 | 9 | 59 | 90 | .281 | .345 | .432 | .777 | 124 |
| 1975 ★ | 31 | 158 | 675 | 617 | 86 | 176 | 26 | 4 | 36 | 109 | 6 | 5 | 51 | 97 | .285 | .341 | .515 | .857 | 140 |
| 1976 | 32 | 156 | 671 | 606 | 73 | 166 | 21 | 5 | 18 | 77 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 118 | .274 | .334 | .414 | .748 | 121 |
| TOTALS | 782 | 3320 | 3009 | 402 | 851 | 137 | 19 | 115 | 463 | 40 | 24 | 267 | 529 | .283 | .342 | .456 | .798 | 131 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/20/2015.
Next: 13. World Series Hero In 1957