The Texas Rangers have announced that Scott Littlefield, a longtime scout, passed away on Friday at the age of 59.
According to USA Today, Littlefield, who had played a crucial role for the MLB team for 16 years, was discovered dead in a hotel room in Houston.
The personnel special assistant is thought to have had a heart attack while serving with the Rangers at the time.
The baseball community is in shock and sadness on the passing of the renowned scout, who allegedly had heart surgery two years ago.
Chris Young, president of baseball operations for the Rangers, said, “Scott was one of the most respected scouts in Major League Baseball who had an incredible impact on this organization.”
From Major League player evaluation to professional, amateur, and international scouting, his voice had a significant impact on every facet of our baseball operation. He was a great advisor and resource.
More significantly, he was among the game’s most sincere and compassionate players. His two brothers and two children all work for Major League Baseball teams, making the Littlefields a baseball family. This week, a number of us spent time with Scott alone in Houston, and his enthusiasm for our team never wavered.
Littlefield, whose wife is Heather, is the son-in-law of former Major League Baseball catcher and Giants coach John Van Ornum.
In addition, he leaves behind his daughter Erika, 24, and son Tyler, 27. Erika works as an amateur scouting assistant for the Baltimore Orioles, and Tyler is a scout with the San Diego Padres.
Two-time scout of the year Littlefield is the brother of former Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield and New York Yankees medical coordinator Mark Littlefield.
He became deeply active in the scouting department after joining the Rangers in 2009.
During his tenure in Texas, the Rangers advanced to the playoffs six times.
He was recognized by the team as the 2019 Red Jacket Scout of the Year. Littlefield was also nominated twice as MLB’s Scout of the Year throughout his 34-year tenure, once with the Rangers in 2019 and once with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007.
The Rangers made it to the playoffs six times after he joined their organization in 2009.
Before their game on Saturday, the team honored Littlefield with a moment of silence.
During his time with the Pirates, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres prior to joining the Rangers, Littlefield had a close relationship with now-Texas manager Bruce Bochy.
Rangers scout Mike Anderson, one of his closest friends, remarked, “He was a scout’s scout and loved baseball and being a scout more than anyone I have ever met.” “He worked there for 34 years, and it was the only job he ever wanted.”
In their first game after Littlefield’s passing became public, the Rangers lost 4-3 to the Miami Marlins on Saturday night.
Before the game at Globe Life Field, the team honored its highly valued scout with a moment of silence.