Scott Schoeneweis: Former New Jersey Born Mets Relief Pitcher (2007 - 2008)
Schoeneweis attended to Duke University & made all American in his freshman year, winning 12 games with the schools second best record in team history.
Cancer Survivor: At age 19 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and it was found spreading to the lymph nodes. He received an aggressive chemo treatment over a three-month period, lost 20 pounds but beat the cancer.
When he returned to pitching, he needed Tommy John surgery, after extensive rehab he returned to pitch in his Senior year and go on to win ten games.
Scott graduated from Duke University with a degree, and left as the school's all-time victory leader, as well as being second all-time strike outs. He played for the 1996 USA National team, then got drafted by the Anaheim Angels.
getting sidelined with more arm troubles. He returned in 2000 as a starter and was 7-10 with a 5.45 ERA.
In 2001 he won 10 games (10-11) posting a 5.08 ERA but was a much better pitcher against lefties. In both seasons as a starter, he allowed 21 long balls each year.
2002 Angels Championship Season: Scott gradually became a full-time middle reliever. In 2002 he was 9-8 with a 4.88 ERA & getting credit for 11 holds.
2002 World Series: In the win over the San Francisco Giants, Scott appeared in two games. He appeared in Game #1 & Game #3 pitching scoreless 8th innings both times.
The next season he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In July White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, put him in the starting rotation. Schoeneweis went 6-9 in 19 starts, posting a 5.59 ERA, and was granted free agency at the end of the year.
The next season he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In July White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, put him in the starting rotation. Schoeneweis went 6-9 in 19 starts, posting a 5.59 ERA, and was granted free agency at the end of the year.
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In 2005 he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he would pitch parts of two seasons. Early on during a game in Oakland, he fell down on the wet grass during warmups, injuring his knee, tearing a tendon. He would pitch with the tear for two years. Midway through 2006 he was sent to the Cincinnati Reds going 2-0 there while posting a 0.63 ERA in 16 games.2007: Schoeneweis had a good month of April, getting credit for five holds & posting a 1.86 ERA. In a three-game span from May 12th to May 19th, he gave up 11 runs in three innings pitched.
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On September 12th the Mets were up seven games on the Phillies but from there they went 5-12 missing out on a playoff berth on the final day of the season.
Schoeneweis pitched well with runners in scoring position, as hitters only batted .221 against him. He pitched well against lefties holding them to a .204 batting average. But he struggled mightily against righties when he was used in that role. He went 0-2 overall giving up 33 earned runs in 59 innings, getting credit for 11 holds.
April 8th, he blew a save & was the losing pitcher on the last Opening Day in Shea Stadium history.
From April 26th to June 1st, in 115 appearances, he gave up just one run in 17 innings of work, getting credit for six holds posting a 0.53 ERA.
On July 10th, he earned his first victory of the season in a relief effort in a 7-3 win over the Giants at Shea. Over the next month he blew two saves & had his issues. On the year he allowed seven HRs, usually in key games, lost six decisions (2-6) and became a target of the Shea Stadium boo birds.
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Steroid Drama: In 2007, he was accused of receiving a steroid shipment back while with the White Sox although he denied the charges. That December it was announced that there was insufficient evidence against him & no disciplinary action would be taken.Trivia: On the last day of the season, in the final game ever played at Shea Stadium he was the losing pitcher after giving up an 8th inning HR to Florida’s Wes Helms.
Luis Ayala came in and gave up another HR, but it’s Schoeneweis’ HR that is most remembered, since it was the games losing run. The fans really let him have it upon on his exit. (centerfieldmaz was in attendance that day).
Post Mets Career: Scott's days were done in New York; in the off season he was traded to the Arizona D-backs for Connor Robertson.
Drama & Family Tragedy: In May of 2009, Scott’s wife Gabrielle was found dead from an overdose of cocaine in their Arizona home. Her body was first discovered by their 14-year-old daughter Gabrielle was just 39 years old, leaving behind four children.
Drama & Family Tragedy: In May of 2009, Scott’s wife Gabrielle was found dead from an overdose of cocaine in their Arizona home. Her body was first discovered by their 14-year-old daughter Gabrielle was just 39 years old, leaving behind four children.
Scott left Florida where the D-backs were playing the Marlins and was given some time off to settle things best he could.
He returned the following month but couldn’t get his mind on baseball; he allowed 15 runs over just nine innings pitched. He was placed on the DL by August in order to deal with depression.
In 2010 he was a free agent & his old Mets coach Rick Peterson gave him a shot with the Milwaukee Brewers. He went to Spring Training but didn’t make the team.
Schoeneweis signed with the Boston Red sox & made their Opening Day staff, but after 15 games and a 7.90 ERA he was designated for assignment.
Trivia: The Jewish Schoeneweis is the all-time leader in games pitched for Jewish pitchers passing Hall of Fame legend, Sandy Koufax & former Oakland A's twenty game winner, Ken Holtzman.
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