Scott Richmond
A late-blooming Canadian pitcher whose unique journey to the majors saw him rise from indie ball to start for his home country's team in the World Baseball Classic.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Canadian baseball player·Birthday: August 30·Generation X
Biography
Scott Richmond's baseball narrative defies the typical prospect blueprint. The British Columbia native didn't sign his first professional contract until age 27, after years playing in the independent leagues and for the Canadian national team. His breakthrough came with the Toronto Blue Jays, a story that captivated a nation. Making his MLB debut at 29, Richmond became a reliable innings-eater in the Blue Jays' rotation in 2009, his signature high leg kick and competitive fire endearing him to fans. His career highlight was arguably starting for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, taking the ball against the United States in front of a roaring home crowd at the Rogers Centre. While injuries later curtailed his MLB tenure, Richmond's perseverance led him to a successful second act in Asia, where he pitched in Taiwan's CPBL. He stands as a testament to the idea that talent can be found off the beaten scouting path, and that representing one's country can be the pinnacle of a professional journey.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Scott was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Scott Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Scott's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Pitched for the Canadian national team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, starting a game against Team USA in Toronto.
- Won his first four Major League decisions with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009, posting a 2.70 ERA over that stretch.
- Struck out a career-high 11 batters in a single game for the Blue Jays against the Chicago White Sox in May 2009.
- Played three seasons in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan, winning 10 games in 2015.
Did You Know?
Before signing with the Blue Jays, he played for the independent league Edmonton Cracker-Cats and the Orange County Flyers.
He was a member of the Canadian team that won the gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games.
Richmond worked as a carpenter and played semi-pro baseball in Canada before getting his chance in affiliated ball.
He is one of a small number of players to have played in MLB, the CPBL in Taiwan, and for the Canadian national team.
“I took the long road, but I made it.”
