Scott Spiezio, the Illini career home run leader, is back in professional baseball after a 16-month absence.
The 1993 All-American signed a free-agent contract this week with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League and made his debut Tuesday night. Spiezio last played professionally in April 2008 with Richmond — then the Class AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves — before being released.
The 36-year-old infielder-outfielder immediately made his presence felt, going 3 for 4 with a solo home run and three runs scored in his Flyers’ debut. The performance propelled Orange County to a 7-0 victory against Chico.
Spiezio played in the major leagues from 1996 to 2007, hitting .255 with 119 home runs and 549 RBI. His best seasons were with the Anaheim Angels from 2000 to 2003, a period highlighted by his performance in the 2002 World Series. Spiezio drove in eight runs, tying World Series MVP Troy Glaus for the team lead, as the Angels defeated San Francisco in seven games. His three-run homer in Game 6 propelled Anaheim to a come-from-behind 6-5 victory.
Spiezio played on another world championship team in 2006 as a utilityman for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Late in his 12-year major league career, however, Spiezio battled alcohol-abuse issues. During the 2007 season, the Cardinals placed him on the restricted list, stating he would seek medical treatment for an unspecified substance-abuse problem.
Although he returned later that season, Spiezio was released in February 2008 after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Irvine, Calif., in connection with a car crash the previous December. Spiezio later pled guilty to driving under the influence and hit-and-run charges.
In late March 2008, Spiezio signed a minor-league contract with the Braves but was released on April 12 when he reported for a game “unready to play,” according to Braves general manager Frank Wren.
Spiezio is one of four former major leaguers playing for the Flyers, the defending GBL champions. The others are is Damian Jackson, Robert Fick and Ben Johnson. The team is managed by a former major leaguer Phil Nevin.
Spiezio hit 48 home runs in three season at Illinois, including a then-school record 19 in 1992. The two-time All-Big Ten selection signed with the Oakland Athletics after drafted in the sixth round in 1993.