05/23 at 11:53 PM

Scott Sullivan has pitched against some of the best batters in Major League Baseball, in some of its biggest venues and received the requisite media attention usually reserved for right-handed, sidearm middle relievers.

Now Sullivan, the new baseball coach at Lee-Scott, said it’s his new players’ time.

“It’s about the future, it’s about the kids,” he said. “I’m part of history. And looking back on some of those box scores I’ve been a part of, I wish I could forget it.”

Sullivan, a 1993 Auburn University graduate, spent 10 years in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds (1995-2003), Chicago White Sox (2003) and Kansas City Royals (2004), compiling a 40-28 record and a 3.98 ERA in 737 1/3 innings.

Sullivan walked on to the Tigers in 1991 and pitched three years for them before he was taken in the second round by the Reds in 1993.

Almost three years in the minors, and he was ready for the show.

“I was fortunate enough to trick a couple people in the minors, then I was able to trick a couple of people to swing at the slop I was throwing to spend some time in the majors,” he said.

If self-deprecating humor was an art form, Sullivan could be the next Van Gogh.

Lee-Scott athletic director Bobby Samford said Sullivan would be the last one to tell you about his accomplishments.

Samford should know. He first met Sullivan when the new coach was 14.

Samford coached Sullivan at Pickens Academy in Carrollton from 1985-1988, winning the AISA state title in 1988.

“You’re going to have to draw everything he’s done out of him,” Samford said. “He’s been successful beyond anyone’s wildest dreams as far as baseball goes, but he’s not the guy to talk about it.

“And that’s the type of example we want for our kids.”

Sullivan, who has been living in the Auburn area with his wife, Leann, and three children (Seth, Lauren and Lily) since shortly after his retirement from baseball, is making his first foray into coaching high school players.

He served as a volunteer assistant on Tom Slater’s staff at Auburn last year and said he gained some valuable experience working with younger players later in his career as a veteran on predominantly young Reds’ and Royals’ teams.

Still, he’s the first to admit his first head coaching job will be a challenge. And that he’ll be the first to ask for help from seasoned coaches on Lee-Scott’s staff, such as Robert Maddox and Chad Prewett.

“It’s going to be a learning experience for me,” Sullivan said. “I’m going to have to rely on the wisdom I’ve gotten from coaches over the years. I’m hoping to implement some of the things I’ve seen that have worked, and hopefully it will pay off at Lee-Scott.”

Sullivan is taking over for Jay Harper, who is retiring from the Warriors after 10 years, seven postseason appearances, a state title and a 202-114 record.

Samford said he first approached Sullivan about the possibility of an opening last summer, because he felt it might be Harper’s final year with his son, Jace, graduating.

It wasn’t until about a month ago that Samford said Harper let him know for sure. And Sullivan was the first name that came to mind.

“He knows being a good coach is not just a February through May job,” Samford said. “You have to be involved in your kids’ lives year-round. He didn’t want to take on that responsibility until he was sure he was ready for it.”

Sullivan said he is not taking the Lee-Scott job to relive his glory days on the mound. And he is certainly not taking it to draw any more attention to himself.

He said he just wants to try and give a little back to the community that has given him so much.

“I hope to instill the passion and the love of baseball I’ve acquired over the years in these kids,” Sullivan said. “I had the opportunity to play college ball here, graduate here and I’m grateful for all the people that helped me along the path I took.

“I just want to try and do the same.”

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