Scott embracing opportunity to be role model for next generation

As he was working with some of the 230 schoolchildren attending a recent free baseball clinic, Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II had it dawn upon him that it wasn’t too long ago when he was the wide-eyed kid hoping to glean any sort of information from the MLB player conducting the fundamental drills.

Scott, 24, then pondered the importance of being a role model and needing to be a shining light for impressionable children -- in his adopted hometown of St. Louis, in his native Atlanta and all around the baseball world -- looking to him to help them along their paths.

“Being a role model for kids is something I take very seriously, because you’re trying to influence the next generation to be hard workers, to be motivators of their own and to try and become the next big leaguers,” said Scott, who recently worked alongside MLB players Josh and Richie Palacios and Chandler Simpson to teach skills to Brooklyn, N.Y., students. “If I can influence just one kid who might say, ‘Hey, I might not be the biggest, the fastest or the strongest, but I am going to play the game the right way.’ I just want to give them that motivation.”

In this season of giving, Scott considers himself to be “blessed” to be in a position where he can give back to others. In his first full MLB season with the Cardinals, the speedy Scott was a finalist for the National League’s Gold Glove Award for center fielders, and he efficiently stole 34 bases in 38 tries. In addition to wanting to better himself at the plate, Scott is already formulating plans of giving back to children in the St. Louis area in the year ahead.

“I really would like to work with special-needs kids in St. Louis and try to help them get outside and playing sports,” Scott said. “I’m also using this offseason to look into ways I can help in St. Louis. I also want to host camps in Atlanta back at my high school [McEachern High in Powder Springs, Ga.]. That’s my vision.”

The Cardinals also have clear visions for how they want to help those in need in the St. Louis area during the holiday season. Here is a look at some of the charitable events Cardinals Care will be conducting:

• Cardinals Care is teaming up with the American Red Cross, KMOV and Delaware North Sportservice for the 14th annual Holiday Gift Drive. Fans can support the gift drive for local children of all ages by dropping off new, unwrapped toys or gift cards at Gate 4 of Busch Stadium on Dec. 3 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT. Fans who donate will receive a thermal mug full of hot chocolate from Delaware North Sportservice and a token of appreciation from the Cardinals, while supplies last. Also, fans donating toys or gift cards can meet Cards alumni Scott Cooper, Bernard Gilkey, Jason Simontacchi, Ken Dayley, Andy Benes, John Costello, Lonnie Maclin, Al Hrabosky, Kyle McClellan, Brad Thompson, Scott Terry and Ricky Horton. Fans unable to drop off toys at that time can make a tax-deductible donation at cardinals.com/giftdrive through Dec. 3.

• The Cardinals Care Holiday Party on Dec. 4 will be for children who participate in the Redbird Rookies Program, as well as kids served through other community agencies. Attendees will be treated to several holiday-themed activities, including a photo with Santa and a visit with Cards alumni Bengie Molina and Thompson.

• Alan Benes, Hrbosky, Cooper, Terry, Horton, Maclin and FREDBIRD will serve as volunteer bell ringers for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign -- known as the Tree of Lights Campaign to many St. Louisans -- on Dec. 5.

In addition to wanting to bring more smiles and baseball to kids and special-needs children, Scott also wants to be an ambassador for the African American community in St. Louis. Scott is hopeful that as more Cardinals fans see him, Masyn Winn or Jordan Walker starring for the club, they serve as beacons of hope.

“I want to help every kid however I can, but if I can get an African American kid to play baseball or want to pick up the sport, that would just give me so much joy,” Scott said. “As African Americans, we’re in basketball and football, but there’s not as many of us in baseball. I just want to try and show them that they can reach the big leagues if they do X, Y and Z. I hope they know that they can do it because Victor Scott is doing it, because Masyn and Jordan are doing it. That would mean everything to serve as an example to the kids.”