Shooty Babitt back with A’s as pro scout: ‘It’s fairy tale-ish for me’

Former Oakland second baseman and current NBC Sports California analyst Shooty Babitt has rejoined the A's organization as a full-time scout.

Ex-A's 2B Shooty Babitt is now a pro scout w/his former club. "It is such a wonderful honor & blessing to be back home. I can't thank Billy Beane & the Oakland A's family enough for wrapping their arms around me & bringing me back. It has been an incredibly humbling experience."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) November 15, 2018

Babitt, 59, has been an MLB scout for 25 years, including the last 12 with the New York Mets. He has also scouted for the Diamondbacks and Braves.

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"I'm so thankful and so grateful," Babitt told NBC Sports California. "I don't think I have enough words in my vocabulary to express myself. I'm just thankful that people have trust in me to give me this opportunity."

Babitt was drafted by the A's in the 25th round of the 1977 MLB Draft. He played 54 games in 1981, batting .256 with a double, three triples, and 14 RBI, finishing fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.

"I know it's kind of corny, but it's fairy tale-ish for me," Shooty said. "I'm a local kid who grew up idolizing players on the field at the Oakland Coliseum. Bert Campaneris and I share the same birthday. He was one of my idols growing up. I got drafted by the A's out of high school. I played in the big leagues for the A's."

In addition to scouting for the A's, Babitt will continue in his role as an analyst for NBC Sports California.