Mike Scioscia
If anyone looked like a manager-in-waiting while they played, it was Mike Scioscia. The slow-running, barrel-chested catcher was the heart-and-soul of Tommy Lasorda's Dodgers' teams in the 1980s and early 1990s. A two-time All-Star reknowned for his ability to handle pitching staffs and opposing runners attempting to run him over on their way to home plate, Scioscia minimized his weaknesses and accentuated his strengths in a solid 13-year career, all with Los Angeles. In 2002, as skipper of the Angels, he won the first World Series title in that franchise's history, defeating his old nemesis from his Dodgers' days - the San Francisco Giants.
Played For
Los Angeles Dodgers (1980-1992)
Managed
Anaheim Angels (2000-2004)
All-Time Rankings
Mike Scioscia ranks #30 among the Top 50 all-time at C. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1985
Even though he had just 180 total bases, scored just 47 runs, and hit just seven homers, Scioscia received five Most Valuable Player votes. He hit .296, far and away the highest full-season mark of his career, and posted a 77-21 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Of course, he provided his usual amazing performance behind the dish, as well.
Where He Played
Catcher
Born
Michael Lorri Scioscia was born on November 27, 1958, in Upper Darby, PA.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: C
Primary Team: LAN
College: Penn State
Major League Debut
April 20, 1980
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1980
Harold Baines
Tim Wallach
Tony Pena
Mike Scioscia
Fernando Valenzuela
Bruce Hurst
Bob Ojeda
Lee Smith
Mark Davis
Similar Players
Johnny Edwards was very, very similar, though he didn't have Scioscia's knowledge of the strike zone. Other than that, they were both big, slow, left-handed hitting catchers with mediocre power (some of which had to do with the parks they played in). They were each known for blocking the plate well, and handled their staffs almost as if they were managers on the field. Edwards never managed in the big leagues, and I'm not sure why, but he probably could have been a good one.
Related Players
Tommy Lasorda, Steve Yeager
Post-Season Appearances
1981 National League Championship Series
1981 National League Division Playoffs
1981 World Series
1985 National League Championship Series
1988 National League Championship Series
1988 World Series
All-Star Selections
1989 NL
1990 NL
Replaced
Steve Yeager
Replaced By
Mike Piazza... Now how's that for a transition? Yeager to Scioscia to Piazza?
Best Strength as a Player
Ability to work a game from behind the plate.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He was a really poor percentage base stealer, but otherwise his slow running didn't hurt his teams, because he hit the ball in the air a lot.
Other stories on the Web about Mike Scioscia
Scioscia extended through 2009 ⇒
Learn More about Mike Scioscia
Search Amazon.com for Books about Mike Scioscia ⇒
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View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
