Marco Scutaro
Encyclopedia
Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro (icon; born October 30, 1975) is a Venezuela
n professional baseball
shortstop
with the Boston Red Sox
of Major League Baseball
. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela
, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets
(2002–2003), Oakland Athletics
(2004–2007) and the Toronto Blue Jays
(2008–2009). He bats and throws right-handed.
and Brewers
organizations, and two seasons with the Mets as a backup, Scutaro landed a starting second baseman
position after Mark Ellis
had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training
. Scutaro was also in the 2005 documentary film "A Player to Be Named Later" which followed various players from Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, for one season.
(.273), RBI
(43), runs (50), hits (124), doubles
(32), at bat
s (455) and games played
(137). He played multiple positions, including second base, shortstop
, third base
, and left field.
While in the minors with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
in 2001, Scutaro was one of four players profiled in the documentary film "A Player To Be Named Later".
Because of his Italian heritage , Scutaro was given the option of playing for either Italy or Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
. He chose to play for Venezuela as a utility infielder.
for minor league pitchers Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey
.
Scutaro was the Jays' third baseman
for at least a month, after a finger injury sustained by teammate Scott Rolen
, and then returned to a starter's role after an injury to David Eckstein
in his right hip flexor suffered on May 6. Shortly after Eckstein's return, David and Blue Jays teammate, Aaron Hill collided trying to catch a fly ball. Hill suffered from concussion-like symptoms and Scutaro filled in at second base.
Scutaro was the starting shortstop for the Blue Jays in 2009, and had his best season to date, achieving career highs in almost every offensive category: 12 HR, 60 RBI, 35 doubles, 235 total bases, 162 hits, 100 runs, 14 stolen base, and 90 walks in 574 at bats.
. The deal also includes a third-year mutual option. On April 12, 2010, Scutaro recorded the first hit in Target Field
history on a single up the middle in the first inning off Twins
starter Carl Pavano
. Soon after, he was caught stealing second base, making him the first out recorded at the Twins' new ballpark. In his first season with the team, Scutaro set a number of career highs, including games (150), at-bats (632), hits (174) and doubles (38) while suffering for much of the season with a right shoulder injury which forced him out of practice.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(2002–2003), Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(2004–2007) and the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(2008–2009). He bats and throws right-handed.
Early career
After spending seven seasons in minor league baseball in the IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organizations, and two seasons with the Mets as a backup, Scutaro landed a starting second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
position after Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis (baseball)
Mark William Ellis is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He has played for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies.-Early career:...
had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. Scutaro was also in the 2005 documentary film "A Player to Be Named Later" which followed various players from Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, for one season.
Oakland Athletics
In 2004, he reached career highs in batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.273), RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(43), runs (50), hits (124), doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(32), at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s (455) and games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
(137). He played multiple positions, including second base, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, and left field.
While in the minors with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in 2001, Scutaro was one of four players profiled in the documentary film "A Player To Be Named Later".
Because of his Italian heritage , Scutaro was given the option of playing for either Italy or Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
. He chose to play for Venezuela as a utility infielder.
Toronto Blue Jays
On November 18, 2007, Scutaro was traded to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for minor league pitchers Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey
Graham Godfrey
Graham H. Godfrey is a professional baseball player for the Oakland Athletics.Godfrey attended Memorial High School in Houston, Texas and College of Charleston....
.
Scutaro was the Jays' third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
for at least a month, after a finger injury sustained by teammate Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
, and then returned to a starter's role after an injury to David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
in his right hip flexor suffered on May 6. Shortly after Eckstein's return, David and Blue Jays teammate, Aaron Hill collided trying to catch a fly ball. Hill suffered from concussion-like symptoms and Scutaro filled in at second base.
Boston Red Sox
On December 3, 2009, Scutaro agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. The deal also includes a third-year mutual option. On April 12, 2010, Scutaro recorded the first hit in Target Field
Target Field
Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball...
history on a single up the middle in the first inning off Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
starter Carl Pavano
Carl Pavano
Carl Anthony Pavano is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently with the Minnesota Twins.-Early career:...
. Soon after, he was caught stealing second base, making him the first out recorded at the Twins' new ballpark. In his first season with the team, Scutaro set a number of career highs, including games (150), at-bats (632), hits (174) and doubles (38) while suffering for much of the season with a right shoulder injury which forced him out of practice.