The baseball scouting community was in a state of shock and disbelief Friday learning that esteemed Texas Rangers scout Scott Littlefield was found dead in his Houston hotel room following an apparent heart attack.
Littlefield, who had heart surgery two years ago, was 59.
Littlefield, the Rangers’ player personnel special assistant who scouted for 34 years, including 16 with Texas, was one of the most popular scouts in the business. If you knew him, you loved him. And if you simply saw him, you’d smile.
He was a close confidant of Rangers manager Bruce Bochy after being together from their days together in San Diego, and spent time with Bochy and the front office during the Rangers’ series against the Astros this week in Houston.
“Scott was one of the most respected scouts in Major League Baseball who had an incredible impact on this organization,’ said Chris Young, Rangers president of baseball operations. “ His voice was influential in all aspects of our baseball operation from professional, amateur, and international scouting to Major League player evaluation. He was an invaluable resource and advisor.
“More importantly, he was one of the most genuine and caring individuals in the game.’
Littlefield, a two-time scout of the year with the Padres (2007) and Rangers (2019), is the brother of former Pirates GM Dave Littlefield and Mark Littlefield, a medical coordinator for the New York Yankees.
The son-in-law of former MLB catcher and Giants coach John Van Ornum, Littlefield is survived by his wife Heather, son Tyler (27), a scout with the San Diego Padres, and daughter Ericka (24), an amateur scouting assistant with the Baltimore Orioles.
“He was a scout’s scout and loved baseball and being a scout more than anyone I have ever met,’ said Rangers scout Mike Anderson, one of his closest friends. “It’s the only job he ever wanted, and he did it for 34 years.’
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