Scott Bethea played somewhere over 12 seasons, made AAA
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Scott Bethea signed on with independent Bayou in 1998 and his manager Andy Skeels expressed surprise he wasn't elsewhere, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser.
That season marked Bethea's ninth as a pro, a career that had seen him briefly hit AAA, but not the majors.
"It's a crime he's not playing somewhere right now," Skeels told The Daily Advertiser that May. "Too old? I don't think he is."
Bethea ultimately saw 12 seasons in all, six of those in independent ball. He topped out with seven games at AAA.
Bethea's career began in 1990, taken by the Red Sox in the 29th round of the draft out of Louisiana State University.
Bethea started with the Red Sox in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at high-A Winter Haven. He hit .251 in 48 games.
He made high-A Lynchburg for 1991. He hit .241 in 112 games. That August, he spoke to The Lynchburg News and Advance after a 10-4 win, the night after a post-game meeting called by manager Buddy Bailey.
"We had been a little flat and Buddy just told us last night that it was time to kick it into gear," Bethea told The News and Advance after he scored twice on two hits. "In the course of a 140-game season, you're going to have those lulls. Now, it's time to put it all together."
Bethea made AA New Britain in 1992. He also saw seven games at AAA Pawtucket. He went 1 for 15 at Pawtucket. He hit .229 on the year overall.
He returned to New Britain for 1993, then moved to high-A High Desert for 1994. That May in 1994, he spoke to The Victorville Daily Press after a 12-4 win. Bethea had three hits and four RBIs.
"They say hitting is contagious," Bethea told The Daily Press. "When the guys before you gets a hit, all of a sudden you start thinking, 'Hey, I can get a hit, too.' It kind of snowballs."
Bethea played his last affiliated ball in 1995, 11 games with the Cardinals at AA Arkansas. He then moved to independent ball.
He played 1996 and 1997 at independent Abilene, then 1998 at Bayou and Elmira. He continued playing into 2001. He last played at Baton Rouge.
- Lynchburg News and Advance, Aug. 21, 1991: L-Sox crush Keys, extend lead
- Victorville Daily Press, May 2, 1994: Mavs know way to (beat) San Jose
- Lafayette Daily Advertiser, May 16, 1998: Bethea
Made the Majors:1,482-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,188-68.3%