Smart, Wrong, and Lucky

Overview

What do Joey Votto, Mookie Betts, and Albert Pujols have in common? They all defied expectations on their way to Major League Baseball stardom. Smart, Wrong, and Lucky dives deep into the world of baseball scouting to uncover the hidden potential and unexpected journeys of these remarkable players.

MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo explores the crucial role of scouts, coaches, and mentors in shaping these players' careers. Through exclusive interviews and meticulous research, this collection reveals:

• How underdogs overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of baseball
• The backstories behind key draft decisions and player evaluations
• The blend of skill, chance, and unwavering belief that fuels unexpected success

Reviews

“You know the players but you don’t truly know their professional origin stories—until now. With impressive detail, Jonathan Mayo illuminates the fascinating and mysterious world of scouting. Grab a seat as Mayo takes us along scouts’ journeys to find hidden greatness. You will enjoy the ride.”
—Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, FOX, and MLB Network

“My favorite stories in baseball are the origin stories, the tales of players who were not necessarily projected to be stars but reached that level through their own talent and hard work—and the confidence of the scouts who saw qualities in them others did not. Jonathan Mayo has longtime relationships with those scouts. He understands their value as well as anyone in the sport. And in Smart, Wrong, and Lucky, he tells incredible stories of how they found some of the biggest stars in the game, the so-called diamonds in the rough.”
—Ken Rosenthal, Senior writer, The Athletic, and field reporter, MLB on Fox

“There are few stories more enjoyable than scouting tales of finding diamonds in the rough, and Jonathan relates some of the best from recent years. He not only details how late-round picks became superstars, but also how evaluators discerned a glimmer of their upside. Some of these players are headed to the Hall of Fame, and this book belongs there too.”
—Jim Callis, Senior Writer, MLB Pipeline

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