Christian Scott received advice from one of the game’s legends right before his last big-league call-up in July: “Just be yourself.”
The Mets’ rookie right-hander hasn’t struggled with that since being called up to make his MLB debut in May against the Tampa Bay Rays. A welcoming clubhouse and confidence in how his stuff plays allowed Scott to feel so comfortable being himself on the mound and in the clubhouse that he’s been known to dance at his locker before starts.
“I like to have fun and stay loose,” Scott told the Daily News on Tuesday before the Mets hosted the Baltimore Orioles. “I used to be super locked in and [wouldn’t] talk to anybody, just super in my own world. Now it’s, I like to be loose and energetic. I think it helps give me more energy later in the games and helps me stay on track.”
Somehow, the dancing didn’t come up in conversation with Cal Ripken Jr.
After receiving the call that the Mets were bringing him back up to the big leagues to face the Washington Nationals in July, Scott boarded a flight for New York. Assigned the first seat on the plane in first class, Scott mistakenly placed his bag in front of his seat. When his seatmate arrived, he informed Scott that his bag needed to go in the overhead compartment. That’s when Scott looked up and realized he was sitting next to the Hall-of-Fame former shortstop.
Despite having been too young to see Ripken play, the 25-year-old Scott recognized him immediately and introduced himself.
“He had no idea who I was,” Scott said. “He asked, ‘What are you doing here? What are you flying out for?’ I said, ‘I’m pitching, actually, for the Mets against the Nationals.’ He was like, ‘Ever been to Camden Yards?”
As it turns out, Scott’s younger brother Camden is named after the ballpark, with his parents coming up with the idea for the name during a trip to watch the Boston Red Sox play the Orioles.
Knowing Ripken is still involved in the game as part of the Orioles’ new ownership group, Scott took the opportunity to ask his opinions on the state of the current game and its recent evolution. Ripken was happy to engage.
“It was funny because he was super surprised to have another baseball player sitting next to him,” Scott said. “It was a lot of fun to talk baseball with him and just soak up all of the information.”
Ripken provided plenty.
“He said I can’t ride the roller coaster,” Scott said. “There are going to be ups and downs whether you’re pitching really good or pitching or pitching really bad, you’re going to be able to get yourself out of it. If you’re pitching really good, you’re never really going to pitch that good forever. If you’re struggling or if you’re pitching really bad, you’re not going to pitch bad forever. It’s just about being consistent, staying in that process and being able to lean on the older guys too.
“Everybody learns something in this game every day.”
Scott found it encouraging that Ripken’s message to him was the same as the one the Mets’ leaders preach daily. The Mets often talk about not “riding the coaster” in order to control their emotions.
Clubhouse leaders Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Francisco Alvarez and J.D. Martinez aim to create a positive atmosphere where players of all levels and backgrounds feel free to be themselves. Celebrate the wins, learn from the losses and show up as the same person every day, all while keeping a level head.
There’s always another game tomorrow. The Iron Man knows that more than anyone else after having played 2,632 consecutive games.
“To have him say the same things to me that I feel like I do on a daily basis is really just a sense of confidence,” Scott said. “If Cal Ripken is telling me that I’m going about it the right way, then I feel like I definitely am.”
Right-hander Jose Butto was also on the flight, but missed out on the seminar with Ripken having been seated a few rows back. As it turned out, Scott needed the witness to verify the story.
“I texted my dad when we landed and he didn’t believe me,” Scott said. “Who knew we would have a moment like that? It was a lot of fun and a memory I’ll have forever. He said he was going to watch my Washington start. I hope he did.”
Scott is currently on the injured list with a right UCL sprain and aiming to return before the end of the regular season. He played catch from 125 feet this week and threw his changeup. The next step will be throwing from 150 feet and then finally off a mound.
