Genovese Named Top Baseball Scout on the West Coast

If ever there was a guy who knows how nice it is to carry a batting average of 1.000, it is veteran San Francisco Giants scout George Genovese.

Genovese, a North Hollywood resident, last week was named West Coast Scout of the Year in a vote of his peers--in Genovese’s first year of eligibility for the award.

The award is given annually to a major league scout from the West, Midwest and Eastern regions with at least 25 years of service.

“It’s quite an honor, especially since it was my first year on the ballot,” said Genovese, 66, a member of the Giants organization for 29 years, the last 25 as a scout in Southern California.

Genovese has signed some of the biggest names in recent club history. Included among the position players he has signed are Garry Maddox, Jack Clark, George Foster, Dave Kingman, Gary Matthews, Rob Deer, Chili Davis, Matt Nokes and Chris Brown.

He also has signed pitchers DeWayne Buice, Randy Moffitt and Eric King, among others.

He said that being recognized by his peers is what made the award special.

“That makes me feel pretty good,” he said. “I’ve known some of these guys for a long time.”

Genovese will be awarded a trophy and a ring by Major League Baseball.