The Texas Rangers and the baseball community are in shock, as they mourn the loss of Scott Littlefield. The highly respected scout and Player Personnel Special Assistant passed away at the age of 59.

Littlefield was found lifeless on Friday in a Houston hotel while he was on assignment with the Rangers. No cause of the death of the 33-year baseball veteran has been released yet, as reported by the Dallas News. But this certainly adds to an air of mystery surrounding the sudden loss of a beloved sports person.

Rangers broke the news on X: “We mourn the passing of Player Personnel Special Assistant Scott Littlefield, who passed away yesterday at age 59. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time.” The statement had so many fans, insiders, and players reeling with grief.

Texas Rangers president Chris Young also paid a fitting tribute to Littlefield.

Young mentioned, “Scott was one of the most respected scouts in Major League Baseball who had an incredible impact on this organization. His voice was influential in all aspects of our baseball operation, from professional, amateur, and international scouting to Major League player evaluation. He was an invaluable resource and advisor. More importantly, he was one of the most genuine and caring individuals in the game. The Littlefields are a baseball family, with his two children and two brothers all working for MLB teams. Several of us were just with Scott in Houston this week, and his passion for our team never waned.”

Littlefield is survived by his wife, Heather, and his two children, Tyler and Erika, both of whom work in professional baseball—just like their dad.

Texas Rangers fans and the MLB community mourn Scout Scott Littlefield

One user mentioned, “A legend.” Littlefield has had a long history in the sport—33 years to be precise, when it comes to MLB scouting. Before he landed with the Texas Rangers, he made his name with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1997 to 2004, the Atlanta Braves from 1991 to 1997, and even the San Diego Padres. Then, he was finally hired by the Texas Rangers in November of 2009.

Another fan summed it up perfectly. “RIP. He was a good one.” Scott Littlefield wasn’t just well-liked; he was a respected person across the league. Over his career, he earned the “Scout of the Year” honors. Not once but twice, first with the Padres in 2007 and second in 2019 with the Texas Rangers. This was when he got the team’s prestigious Red Jacket Scout of the Year award.

“Condolences to Scott’s family and friends. RIP,” said a fan. It is indeed a dark day for his family. In fact, he is from a baseball family, essentially, given his brother Dave is the former Pirates GM. His other brother, Mike, is also currently the New York Yankees medical coordinator. His children are both in the same field, too. Tyler is a scout for the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, Erika is an amateur scouting assistant with the Baltimore Orioles.

Putting it simply, another comment read, “Phenomenal friend and legendary scout.” And that sums up Scott Littlefield’s time with the team. He had a great relationship with the team. In fact, his terms with the manager, Bruce Bochy, date back to the early 2000s when both worked in San Diego. With the team, he went to the playoffs six times, including that memorable WS win in 2023.

One user remarked, “Lit was a great baseball mind with a wonderful sense of humor that left a lasting impact on everyone around him. Sending love to his family, friends, and the Rangers family.” He was special to everyone, and several insiders, like Bob Nightengale and Jon Heyman, put out their condolences for the scout.

Heyman mentioned on X that he was an “all-around nice guy, RIP.” 

One thing is for sure: He will be missed by the baseball community, his friends, family, and everyone else whose life he has touched.