Scott Michael Cousins (born January 22, 1985) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...
outfielder
An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to cat ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
for the
Florida / Miami Marlins and
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
from 2010 through 2013.
Amateur career
Cousins, at 6'1" and 197 lbs, attended North Valleys High School in Reno, Nevada ('03) where he was a standout in both baseball and basketball.
As a sophomore at the
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university in San Francisco, California. The university's main campus is located on a setting between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. The main campus is nicknamed "The Hil ...
in 2005, Cousins batted .309 with 30 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, and 7 home runs. On the mound, he went 8–5 with a 2.64 ERA and 76 strikeouts.
[Scott Cousins Statistics](_blank)
The Baseball Cube. Retrieved on 2021-10-31.
In 2006, as a junior, Cousins hit .343 with 46 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and 7 home runs for the Dons. He also won 4 games striking out 61 batters.
For his performance, Cousins was named a first-team All-American and the 2006 West Coast Conference Player of the Year. Cousins' play helped the Dons win their first WCC title and make an inaugural trip to the NCAA Regionals.
[Former USF Baseball Standout Scott Cousins Called up to Florida Marlins](_blank)
. USF Dons (2010-09-02). Retrieved on 2021-10-31.
Professional career
Florida / Miami Marlins
Cousins was drafted by the Marlins in the third round of the
2006 Major League Baseball Draft.
In 2007, for Class A Greensboro (SAL), Cousins hit .292 with 18 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. He earned "MiLB.com Class A Best Single-Game Performer honors when he slugged three home runs and drove in a career-high nine RBIs on Aug. 22 against Hickory ... stroked a game-tying two-run homer, launched a grand slam, the first of his career, an inning later, and finished his day with a three-run drive in the eighth."
In 2008, as a member of the
Mesa Solar Sox
The Mesa Solar Sox are a baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games in Mesa, Arizona, at Sloan Park, which is also the spring training facility of the Chicago Cubs. The team was established ...
, Cousins led the
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fill ...
in RBIs with 33 and hit .297 with 6 home runs.
In 2009 for the Jacksonville Suns, Cousins batted .263 with 74 RBIs, 12 home runs, 27 stolen bases, and led all AA with 11 triples (also setting a Marlins' minor league record).
Cousins was added to the Marlins' 40 man roster following the 2009 season to protect him from the
Rule 5 draft.
Cousins hit .285 with 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases for the
New Orleans Zephyrs
New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created.
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
Albums and EPs
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
in the
Class AAA
Triple-A (officially Class AAA) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL ...
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
before being called up to the major leagues on September 2, 2010.
Cousins recorded his first hit, a walk-off single, against the Atlanta Braves on September 5, 2010. Regarding Cousins' call up, USF head coach Nino Giarratano stated, "Academically, athletically and personally he is most deserving of the opportunity and a lifetime of opportunities in Major League Baseball."
On September 24 and 25, Scott Cousins became the first major leaguer since
Willie McGee
Willie Dean McGee (born November 2, 1958) is an American professional baseball coach and former outfielder who is an assistant coach for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for four teams, over 18 seasons. He ...
in 1982 to record back-to-back pinch hit triples when he hit three baggers against the Brewers at Miller Park. On April 21, 2011, Cousins hit his first career home run, a
grand slam
Grand Slam most often refers to:
* Grand Slam (tennis), one player or pair winning all four major annual tournaments, or the tournaments themselves
Grand Slam or Grand slam may also refer to:
Games and sports
* Grand slam, winning category te ...
off
James McDonald of the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
.
On May 25, 2011, during a game against the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
, Cousins collided with catcher
Buster Posey
Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III (born March 27, 1987) is an American former professional baseball catcher. Posey spent his entire twelve-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the San Francisco Giants, from 2009 until his retirement at ...
at home plate after tagging up from third base on a sacrifice fly from
Emilio Bonifacio Emilio may refer to:
* Emilio Navaira, a Mexican-American singer often called "Emilio"
* Emilio Piazza Memorial School, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
* Emilio (given name)
* ''Emilio'' (film), a 2008 film by Kim Jorgensen
See also
* Emílio (dis ...
. Posey sustained a broken fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Cousins said he hit Posey on purpose so that he could score. "If you go in first feet and slide they punish you. If you hit them, you punish them and you punish yourself, but you have a chance of that ball coming out." While Cousins maintained that he did not intend to injure Posey, many others disagreed, and argued that Cousins hit Posey with the intention of hurting him. This collision led to MLB and the
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association (or MLBPA) is the union representing all current Major League Baseball players. All players, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who hold or have held a signed contract with a Major League club ...
to agree to a new rule intended to limit home plate collisions.
On June 15, 2012, Cousins was called up to the majors. Two days later, on June 17, Cousins made his first start as a Marlin since being called up. He went 3 for 7 against the
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...
, including a game-winning RBI triple in the 15th inning.
Toronto Blue Jays
On October 17, 2012, Cousins was claimed on waivers by the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
after being designated for assignment by the Marlins.
Seattle Mariners
On November 1, Cousins was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and was claimed off waivers by the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...
5 days later. On November 20, The Mariners designated him for assignment.
Los Angeles Angels
The
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
claimed Cousins on November 30, 2012. He was designated for assignment on May 18, 2013. He was later re-signed and sent to Salt Lake. With two teams that minor league season, Cousins hit .242, with 3 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run, and 19 RBIs to go along with 6 stolen bases.
Texas Rangers
Cousins signed a minor league deal with the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
in January 2014. He was released on March 29, 2014. On April 16, 2014, Cousins signed a minor league contract with the
Texas Rangers.
Retirement
Cousins signed with the
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, that is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They compete in the Eastern League, known as the Double-A Northeast in 2021, and ...
for the 2015 season. Cousins then retired on July 7, 2015.
Post-playing career
In , Cousins became an
area scout based in
Scottsdale, Arizona
, settlement_type = City
, named_for = Winfield Scott
, image_skyline =
, image_seal = Seal of Scottsdale (Arizona).svg
, image_blank_emblem = City of Scottsdale Script Logo.svg
, nick ...
, for the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cousins, Scott
1985 births
Living people
Arizona League Angels players
Baseball players from Nevada
Carolina Mudcats players
Florida Marlins players
Greensboro Grasshoppers players
Gulf Coast Marlins players
Jacksonville Suns players
Jamestown Jammers players
Jupiter Hammerheads players
Los Angeles Angels players
Major League Baseball outfielders
Mesa Solar Sox players
Miami Marlins players
New Orleans Zephyrs players
North Valleys High School alumni
Oakland Athletics scouts
Salt Lake Bees players
San Francisco Dons baseball players
Somerset Patriots players
Sportspeople from Sparks, Nevada