Scott Cursi

Scott Cursi is the bullpen catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, a role he has filled since 1999.[1]

Scott Cursi
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 77
Bullpen catcher
Born: circa 1971 (1971) (age 50)
Pickerington, Ohio
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Teams

Career

He played as a catcher at Pickerington High School in Ohio and Seminole Community College, where he later served as an assistant while taking classes at University of Central Florida. He took a summer job as a bullpen catcher for the Chicago Cubs' Double-A Southern League affiliate, which later became the Orlando Rays under the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Tampa Bay Rays]]) organization.[1] Cursi served as Orlando's bullpen catcher for three seasons, from 1996 to 1998,.[2]

In 1999, Larry Rothschild, then Tampa Bay manager, offered Cursi a job as bullpen catcher on the recommendation of Orlando manager Bruce Kimm.[3] Cursi began catching in Tampa Bay's bullpen on Easter Sunday in 1999, working home games while he completed his college degree, before becoming the full-time bullpen catcher later that season.[4] Cursi went to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game with the Rays' coaching staff, as Tampa Bay was the defending American League champions.[4] There, Cursi warmed up pitchers and caught two rounds of the Home Run Derby.[3]

Cursi previously coached at Bishop Waterson High School in Columbus, Ohio for four years, following his high school graduation in 1989.[3]

Off the field

Cursi graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in physical education.[1] He and his wife Stephanie live in St. Petersburg, Florida with their son, Noah.[1] Cursi also works as an umpire for Little League games in Pinellas County.[2]

References

  1. Chastain, Bill (March 2, 2015). "'Nicest guy in baseball' took alternate route to The Show". MLB.com.
  2. "Scott Cursi #77". MLB.com.
  3. Znidar, Mark (August 18, 2009). "Scott Cursi usually arrives at the ballpark four or five hours before the first pitch". Columbus Dispatch. Dispatch.com.
  4. Mooney, Roger (July 9, 2013). "Rays' Cursi catching every moment in pen". Tampa Bay Times. TBO.com.


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