 Ott spent the 1975 season as a full-time Catcher learning the trade while playing in the minor leagues.He was quite successful being recalled to the major leagues debuting behind the plate for Pittsburgh on September 16, 1975 at Wrigley Field in Chicago against the Chicago Cubs in a late-season "September Call-Up".Ott made the Pirates major league roster as third-string catcher in 1976, backing up Manny Sanguillén and Duffy Dyer.