History of Scott Spiezio in Timeline

Scott Spiezio is a former MLB infielder best known for his clutch performance with the Anaheim Angels during the 2002 World Series. His pivotal three-run home run in Game Six helped the Angels rally and ultimately win the championship. He also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and St. Louis Cardinals. Notably, he's the son of former major league player Ed Spiezio, carrying on a family legacy in baseball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

September 21, 1972: Scott Spiezio Born

On September 21, 1972, Scott Edward Spiezio was born. He later became a professional baseball infielder.

Others born on this day/year

1992: All-Big 10 Team and Cape Cod League

In 1992, Scott Spiezio was selected for the All-Big 10 Team in baseball. He also played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

1993: All-Big 10 Team and Cape Cod League

In 1993, Scott Spiezio was again selected for the All-Big 10 Team in baseball. He also returned to the Cape Cod Baseball League and played for the Cotuit Kettleers.

1993: Drafted by Oakland Athletics

In 1993, Scott Spiezio was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the player draft and signed with them later that year.

1996: MLB Debut with the Oakland A's

In 1996, Scott Spiezio made his Major League Baseball debut with the Oakland Athletics. He established himself as a utility player, playing first base, second base, and third base.

1997: Tied Postseason RBI Record

In 2002, Scott Spiezio tied Sandy Alomar Jr.'s postseason record of 19 RBI in one postseason, which was set in 1997.

2000: Signed with Anaheim Angels

In 2000, Scott Spiezio signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Angels.

2002: Career Year and World Series Homer

In 2002, Scott Spiezio had a career year with the Angels, setting highs in batting average, on-base percentage, and RBI. In Game 6 of the World Series, he hit a three-run homer, helping the Angels win their first World Series championship.

2002: Most Productive Full Season

In 2002, Scott Spiezio had his most productive full season, achieving a .807 OPS.

2002: Key Moment in the World Series

In 2002, Scott Spiezio hit a crucial three-run home run in Game Six of the World Series while playing for the Anaheim Angels, contributing to their come-from-behind victory against the San Francisco Giants. This was also his most productive full season, with a .807 OPS.

2002: Best Season Since 2002

In 2006, Scott Spiezio had his best season since 2002. He was used as a pinch hitter and reserve player.

2002: Huge Party

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that after 2002 series, his friends threw him a huge party.

2003: Free Agency and Signing with Seattle Mariners

After the 2003 season, Scott Spiezio became a free agent and signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners.

2004: Back Injury

During the 2004 spring training, Scott Spiezio tripped over a mound, resulting in a debilitating back injury that threatened his career.

2004: Downward Spiral

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that the 2004 spring training injury led him to begin drinking heavily.

August 19, 2005: Release from the Mariners

On August 19, 2005, after playing only 29 games and compiling a .064 average, the Seattle Mariners released Scott Spiezio.

2005: No Contact with parents

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that from 2005 to 2007 his parents did not speak to him at all.

February 18, 2006: Signed with St. Louis Cardinals

On February 18, 2006, Scott Spiezio signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals with an invitation to spring training, reuniting him with former Angels teammate, David Eckstein.

November 16, 2006: Contract Extension with Cardinals

On November 16, 2006, Scott Spiezio signed a two-year contract to return to the Cardinals until the end of the 2008 season, with a club option for 2009, for an estimated $4.5 million.

2006: World Series Championship with the Cardinals

In 2006, Scott Spiezio was a utility player on the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the World Series.

2006: World Series Ring with Cardinals

In 2006, Scott Spiezio won his second World Series ring with the Cardinals, after hitting a two-run triple in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series to tie the score.

2006: Alienated Friends

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that as early as 2006, he had alienated so many of his friends in his hometown that no one joined him to celebrate the 2006 World Series win.

June 15, 2007: Relief Pitcher Appearance

On June 15, 2007, Scott Spiezio pitched as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the eighth inning during a game against the Athletics, pitching one inning, giving up one walk, no hits, no runs, and no strikeouts.

August 7, 2007: Medical Incident

On August 7, 2007, Scott Spiezio received IV fluids but left the stadium rather than accept medical treatment, being described as irritable and anxious.

August 9, 2007: Placed on Restricted List

On August 9, 2007, the Cardinals placed Scott Spiezio on the restricted list for seeking treatment for an unspecified substance abuse problem.

September 14, 2007: Reactivated to Play

On September 14, 2007, Scott Spiezio was removed from the restricted list and reactivated to play in that evening's home game after 36 days.

December 30, 2007: Car Crash Incident

On December 30, 2007, Scott Spiezio crashed his BMW into a fence in Irvine, California, and fled the scene while intoxicated, leading to legal charges.

2007: Sporadic Contact with parents

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that from 2007 to 2011 his parents had only sporadic contact with him.

February 27, 2008: Release from Cardinals

On February 27, 2008, the Cardinals released Scott Spiezio after police in Irvine, California, issued a warrant for his arrest due to a car crash on December 30, 2007.

March 31, 2008: Signed with Atlanta Braves

On March 31, 2008, Scott Spiezio signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves and was assigned to their top affiliate, the Richmond Braves.

2008: Contract Return to Cardinals

On November 16, 2006, Scott Spiezio signed a two-year contract to return to the Cardinals until the end of the 2008 season.

2009: Joined Orange County Flyers

In 2009, Scott Spiezio joined the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League after deciding to give baseball another shot.

2009: Club Option for 2009

On November 16, 2006, Scott Spiezio signed a two-year contract to return to the Cardinals until the end of the 2008 season, with a club option for 2009.

2010: Played for Newark Bears

In 2010, Scott Spiezio signed a one-year deal to play for the Newark Bears, hitting .279 with three home runs and 35 RBI in 52 games.

2011: Sporadic Contact with parents

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that from 2007 to 2011 his parents had only sporadic contact with him.

April 7, 2015: Arrest in Ottawa, Illinois

On April 7, 2015, Scott Spiezio was arrested in Ottawa, Illinois, after allegedly punching out a window at his girlfriend's apartment and fleeing from police.

2018: Severe Jaundice

In 2022, Scott Spiezio revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he finally bottomed out in 2018, when he went to the hospital with severe jaundice from a badly damaged liver.

2022: Interview with The Athletic

In 2022, in an interview with The Athletic, Scott Spiezio revealed that he had battled substance abuse for 13 years, tracing his spiral to a 2004 injury, and discussed his struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction, rehab stints, arrests, and strained family relationships. He revealed he has been sober since 2018.