Former Mets acting general manager Zack Scott has been found not guilty on charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired, according to reports from Anthony Rieber of Newsday and Tim Britton of the Athletic. (Scott was found to have committed two traffic violations and fined $200.00). The charges stemmed from a late August arrest in White Plains, N.Y.
Scott had been leading the New York baseball operations department at the time. After 17 years in the Red Sox’s front office, he was hired by the Mets as an assistant general manager last December. He took over as GM on an interim basis a month later, when then-GM Jared Porter was fired once Porter’s past sexual harassment of a reporter had been made public.
Scott spent seven-plus months as acting GM and looked a strong candidate to assume the position permanently before his arrest. The Mets placed Scott on administrative leave the day after his arrest was made public, with team president Sandy Alderson assuming control of daily baseball ops through the end of the season. After the season, the Mets moved on from Scott entirely. A few weeks later, Billy Eppler was hired as general manager.
It’s presently unclear if/when Scott will attempt to pursue new opportunities within Major League Baseball. He released a statement Thursday morning (via Britton), which reads in part:
“I am thankful for today’s verdict. Nevertheless, I regret choices I made on August 31, resulting in circumstances that led to my arrest. … Professionally, I’m grateful to Sandy Alderson for the opportunity to lead baseball operations for the Mets and wish my former teammates nothing but the best going forward. I believe this humbling experience will make me a better husband, father, son, friend and leader, and I look forward to what the future holds.“
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