By Razeen Gutta
South African sensation Tayler Scott, who made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year, is the first-ever pitcher to represent the country in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Scott moved to the States at the age of 16 to pursue the sport, though he still spends his vacations at home and proudly wears the South African flag on his glove.
“There were a couple of us in the race to be the first South African. There is still the title of being the first South African pitcher, so I’m still in the race for that. It would be a great achievement to have that title,” Scott said per Good Things Guy back in 2018.
“Baseball down in South Africa is very tiny. It’s kind of a recreational thing for guys on a Sunday. Slowly MLB has started getting scouts down there to see the guys, and we have played in the World Baseball Classic.
“Like any sport, you have to kind of grow up in it, with the tradition and culture. Since we have soccer and rugby, it’s kind of hard to grow the culture of baseball. We don’t have the facilities.
“Whenever I could find the time, I found some sport I could play. Baseball started taking over as I got older and I got better.”
After playing his way through the ranks at the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, to name a few, the 31-year-old was called on to the majors by the Dodgers in May.
He made a successful debut for the side on 4 June and certainly looks like one to keep an eye on.
Pictured above: Tayler Scott
Image source: @taylerscottsa
