The Madison Mallards have announced that Field Manager Donnie Scott will return for his fifth season. Scott, who led the Mallards to the playoffs in 2016, has a career record of 160-120 in Madison.
“I’m very honored and excited about returning to manage the Madison Mallards for a fifth season. The mission like, every year, is to contend for the Northwoods League Championship. The fans and the atmosphere at the Duck Pond make it so much fun to be at the ballpark! It truly is my ‘Field of Dreams’,” said Scott.
In 2016, the Mallards fell short in the first round of playoffs in a heartbreaking 8-9 loss to the Battle Creek Bombers. “I felt last season was a successful one and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into this season. I believe the 2017 roster that has been assembled is as strong as we’ve had in my time with the Mallards,” said Scott.
Scott has a very impressive resume with an overall record of 213-146 in the Northwoods League, winning two Summer Collegiate World Series Championships, his most recent in 2013 with the Mallards. He won his first championship in 2011 with the Battle Creek Bombers, where he was also named NWL Manager of the Year. Scott will look to add his third title in 2017.
"We are excited to have Donnie back again for the 2017 season," said Mallards General Manager Tyler Isham. "Donnie's professional experience and gritty approach to the game make him one of the best managers in the Northwoods League. Donnie does an excellent job developing our young players, while still putting an emphasis on winning. We are excited to see what he does with the group of young men we have coming to Madison in 2017."
Scott was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 1979 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers on September 30, 1983. He spent time in the major leagues as a back up and part time catcher for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds until he ended his MLB career in 1991.
After concluding his MLB playing career, Scott went on to manage the Rookie level Billings Mustangs (Montana) of the Pioneer League. Scott led the Mustangs to four league championships.
He returned to managing the Gulf Coast (Rookie) Reds after spending three seasons as Field Coordinator. He went on to have two tenures with Class A Dayton Dragons (Ohio), where he led the Dragons to the playoffs four out of five seasons.
Scott was named Manager of the Year in the Pioneer League in 1992 and Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball Weekly in 1994. Scott has also managed two Midwest League All-Star games and has a career record of 689-569 (.548) in the minor leagues.
Scott, 55, resides with his wife Debbie in Pinellas Park, Florida and has two children, son David and daughter Dana. In the off-season he works at NextUp Baseball Academy.
The Mallards will be hosting a live video interview with Donnie on Friday, November 4 at noon via the Mallards Facebook page. Fans can join the conversation on the Mallards Facebook page and submit their own questions for Donnie.
