August 1, 1953 Roger Sawyer An 18 year old left hander from Mt. Morris, - a town about 30 miles south of Rochester, N.Y. He is about 6' tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. At the time I worked him out, he had won 18 games and lost only one for Hutchinson in the Western Association. He started pitching professional baseball in July of 1952. I worked him out at that time. I am now working him out again on August 1, 1953. This boy has good speed, - not great, but it is good enough, and he has marvelous control of the fast ball. In fact, he has control of everything. His curve ball is not great either, but it is a curve and it is overhand and a "downer", - not a great "downer", I repeat, but it also has the effect of a change of speed. He throws a change-up on his fast ball and it does have less velocity, but it is too fast. He can get a slower ball on his fast change-up. If he will work on it, he will get control of it. Then, he will become quite a pitcher. He has a good pitching attitude and good pitching intelligence. His father and mother drink some and he drinks and he has the apparent virility of a stud horse. He will be bigger and his big enough right now. Beyond any doubt he is quite a prospect. I shall not be surprised if he can pitch splendidly for New Orleans next year. I think so. His hand is wide but he has short fingers. I will say with positiveness that I have never seen a pitcher with so short fingers who had so great control. He has the reputation of being a little wild at night. No boy 18 years of age such as Roger is ever a bad boy. He can be salvaged completely, and Branch, Jr. is the fellow who can do it. He must be given very close attention off the field as well as on it. He can become a technically good pitcher and we must see to it that he becomes a technically fine gentleman. I can easily see him in a World Series in Pittsburgh. BRANCH RICKEY I can easily see him in a World Series in Pittsburgh. Branch Rickey September 25, 1953 James Scherkel Tall, slim, bespectacled right hander from somewhere in Pennsylvania, - 100 miles out. Nice boy. Very ordinary fast ball, no curve, and absolutely nothing else. Delivery o.k. Good follow through. I would take this boy to Brunswick simply as an unsigned free agent. The boys might work with him and give him something else. He is the brother of the Minneapolis pitcher. Not now worth a contract. BRANCH RICKEY COMMENTS AND NOTES REGARDING VISALIA CLUB OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE IN THREE GAMES AGAINST THE STOCKTON CLUB ON JUNE 23, 1954 AND JUNE 24, 1953: Dick Schroyer (Pitcher) A tall, 18 year old right handed pitcher with a fine fast ball, well above average. He just finished pitching seven innings, gave eleven hits, four bases on balls but only five runs. There was not a strike thrown in the game with three exceptions except fast balls. In other words, he can't throw anything over the plate except his fast ball. You can't tell what the boy may become. I don't know, - but I do know that he should be in the hands of somebody who is technically capable of teaching this boy and something more than that, making him work on the things he needs. I think Gardner is a smart fellow, knows all about his players, shrewd, likeable, unafraid when pushed, and with all a good manager. But he is tarred with the stick just the same as our Pittsburgh manager, - "finish out of last place." I would guess that an examination of the records would show that Schroyer has pitched enough innings in the three months period to average much less than nine innings every five days and Schroyer is the type of pitcher who should be pitched with two days rest and probably never with more than three days rest. So it goes. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM FOR TWO DAYS (JULY 31, 1953 AND AUGUST 1, 1953) AT DENVER, COLORADO, AGAINST THE DES MOINES CLUB. BARNEY SCHULTZ A right hander with fair stuff, including a knuckle ball. He is worse than Nelson King on holding men on. He moves his left leg forward and then up and then out and then back and finally pitches. He cannot go any higher and I would recommend that he be made subject to unrestricted draft. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM IN DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST SIOUX CITY AT SIOUX CITY ON MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1953. BARNEY SCHULTZ The Western League is high enough for him and surely he is not an ace in the Western League. NAME SCHULTZ BOB LIFETIME RECORD Year Club League 1946 Fulton Kitty 1947 Greenville Cotton State 1948 Memphis Southern 1949 Muskegon Central 1949 Memphis Southern 1950 Nashville Southern 1951 Chicago National 1951 Springfield International 1951 Nashville Southern Class 1952 Chicago National Major 1953 Pittsburgh National Major Chicago National Major New Orleans South. Assn. New Orleans South Assn. PLAYER RECORD CARD NAME Last Name SCHULTZ First Name ROBERT Middle Name HOME ADDRESS [not recorded] PRESENT CLUB [not recorded] POSITION Pitcher HEIGHT 6'3" WEIGHT 201 BATS Right THROWS Left DATE ACQUIRED BY HOW ACQUIRED SIGNED TO [not recorded] September 14, 1953 RUDY SEECS A catcher. He looks about 6'4" tall, - as awkward as an overgrown 17 year old boy, but shows a lot of interest. The general opinion is that the fellow cannot hit a lick. That may be, but I would go with the crowd that would say he might become a better hitter than he now is. If this slim gink can run at all, I would see him next spring. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b PITTSBURGH ATHLETIC COMPANY, INC. OPERATING PITTSBURGH BASEBALL CLUB SOLAN SHAW Visalia, California, June 24, 1953 Boy will be 19 in November. Right hander, a pitcher type, not the thrower type. Fast ball only fair. Pretty good control of it. Curve ball only fair. Pretty good C control of that. Throws a change-up on his curve ball. It is his own. Just fair and not worthy of a separate signal. He has O a knuckle ball. It is pretty good. He throws it with three fingers, all contacted on the smooth surface of the ball. The P ball knuckles and you can't call it ahead of time. His delivery on all pitches is the same and that's something. This boy worked Y a few minutes on my slow curve ball. He can get it. The fact is that he is the type that can get almost anything. He comprehends. He has a half-sister. He doesn't know how old she is, - probably about 30. She has been married twice, - the first one was killed in World War II, and the second one was no good. Divorced, and she now lives all by herself in her own house. He has an older brother. In Korea. His father is a policeman down on the waterfront. They live in Compton, California. This boy has a chance but he must go in the direction of perfectionism. Caught intelligently he can win now in Class C, and he might go the majors someday. He is in front of the war. BRANCH RICKEY RONALD SHEETZ June 2, 1953 "Dead-Eye Dick" control. I have never seen anything to equal it. In my entire live I have never seen anything to equal the native, inherent control of this young pitcher. Out of a dozen fast balls right off the start, only one missed the dead strike zone, and the curve balls just about the same. Everything is over, - constantly so. This boy is 18 years of age, 5' 11" tall, and weighs 165. Nice boy. Has two younger brothers and a father and mother. He lives in Newmanstown, Pa., about 30 miles East of Harrisburg. His father is a Bethlehem steel worker. He is a good clean boy, a definite prospect, and unless he has emotional fracases that I cannot now tell about, he can make good with a bang almost anywhere. I would not be afraid of him in a B league, but he should go lower. He is really much further along than the other boy I worked out from Oklahoma City this morning, - Bob Shipman. However, Shipman has more "potentials". Sheetz could become a major league pitcher spiritually, very soon. And he will go to the major leagues as fast as his stuff will let him. If I had him at the University of Michigan, I would never lose a game. BRANCH RICKEY NAME SHEETZ, RONALD EARL FIRST CONTRACT IN BASEBALL: CLUB? Bristol LEAGUE: Appalachian SEASON: 1953 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB: Bristol SEASON: 1953 DATE SIGNED: 6-6-53 SALARY: $150 per mo.--transportation BONUS $2000 on approval and an additional amount on 9-15-53 so that salary and bonus for 1953 will not exceed $3000 BONUS PAYMENT DATES: Bristol reimbursed for $2000, on July 17, 1953 NEGOTIATED BY: Ray Welsh EXECUTED BY DATE APPROVED June 27, 1953 PLAYER SCOUTED BY AT SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB: Waco DATE SIGNED: 2-5-54 TERMS: $200--Trs. $225/40 days CLUB: Waco DATE SIGNED: 6-16-54 TERMS: $250-Tr. PLAYING RECORD YEAR 1953 CLUB Bristol LEAGUE Appalachian CLASS D 18 18 12 12 5 .706 132 116 73 57 56 141 4 3.89 YEAR 1953 CLUB Waco LEAGUE Big State CLASS B 37 19 7 .731 211 193 84 79 101 130 Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM IN DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST SIOUX CITY AT SIOUX CITY ON MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1953. JACK SHEPARD His quick future depends upon his batting. He has lost some of his confidence at the plate. He is no longer cocky. He has power and eventually he will hit. How soon is the question. He will go as far as his hitting takes him. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM FOR TWO DAYS (JULY 31, 1953 AND AUGUST 1, 1953) AT DENVER, COLORADO, AGAINST THE DES MOINES CLUB. JACK SHEPARD First year of professional baseball. Just out of Stanford University. 6'3" tall and weighs 190 pounds. Not a great arm but throws quickly and correctly. Has a great desire. Has excellent batting form and will hit with power. I see no reason why he cannot go to the major league, and probably next year. REPORT ON THE CHARLESTON CLUB SEEN IN ONE GAME AGAINST COLUMBIA ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1953. LARRY SHEPARD ( MANAGER) While coaching at third base, with nobody out, on a scratch two base hit, he sent the man home in a tie game and the catcher had the ball when the runner was barely half-way to home from third. In the same inning, the pitcher bunted on what was apparently a squeeze play. The base runner on third never moved. All this happened while Shepard was coaching at third. June 2, 1953 ROBERT SHIPMAN Just graduated from high school down in Oklahoma City, Okla. 6'3" tall, 185 lbs., right hander. Good speed, good fast curve. Got another curve not as fast as the fast one and not as good control of it. Throws a change-up on his fast ball. Not very good, but he can learn it. He can learn a change-up curve ball. This boy is intelligent, has good delivery, no faults. I would say he is a major league prospect, but not too quick. He pitches almost everything high. He needs perfection in techniques of his pitches and definitely needs better control. His first engagement should be in Class D. He might come very fast. He has good eyes, good face, good manner and is worthwhile. I would like to have him. His promotion might be faster than anyone thinks. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b REPORT ON THE CHARLESTON CLUB SEEN IN ONE GAME AGAINST COLUMBIA ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1953. JOHN SIMMONS An outfielder. This is his league. He should hit .400 in this league. That just about lets him out. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM FOR TWO DAYS (JULY 31, 1953 AND AUGUST 1, 1953) AT DENVER, COLORADO, AGAINST THE DES MOINES CLUB. CHUCK SIPPLE Didn't work him out. Didn't see him, but he should be disposed of in a money market if we can find one. Should go to draft on a B club. Would then probably quit. So what? H8W ----- 5/26 George Sisler Pittsburgh May 25, 1953 Joe L. Brown New Orleans Branch Rickey Branch Rickey, Jr. Prospect- DON JOE BROCATO Harold Roeetger Dear George: Enclosed you will find a scout report card on player Don Joe Brocato, a 6'5" 195 lb. right-hand pitcher from Gilbert, Louisiana. I believe that you already have a card on this young man, as he worked out for Mr. Rickey on March 28, 1952 and I forwarded a card on to you shortly after. Brocato has already graduated from high school, and there are a number of major league clubs interested in him. He has already promised the Detroit Club that he will go to Detroit with his Mother and Aunt. I have written to Brocato three times and have also talked with him on the telephone on two occasions, and he has promised me that he will go on to Pittsburgh from Detroit and work out with you in Forbes Field. He is driving on the entire trip, and it will not be necessary for you to make any transportation arrangements for him. I suggested, however, that he call you collect and let you know when he is to arrive in order that you may make hotel reservations for him and his mother and aunt. I also told the boy that you would reimburse him for his transportation and living expenses and any other expenses involved in making the trip from Detroit to Pittsburgh. This young man worked with us last year and looked like a very fine prospect, George, and I am quite anxious that you and Mr. Rickey have a good chance to see him. I would appreciate receiving your opinion of his ability, as well as the result of his visit to Pittsburgh. With every good wish, I am, Sincerely, Joe L. Brown Joe L. Brown SPECIAL DELIVERY AIR MAIL COMMENTS ON BASEBALL GAME, PITTSBURGH VERSUS CUBAN ALL-STARS, GRAN STADIUM, HAVANA, CUBA, FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 20, 1953. Dick Smith could take a job on our infield anywhere, - over most anybody, but he is surely a puny hitter. Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. NAME SMITH, JACK LESLIE FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUB? , Waco LEAGUE: Big State SEASON: 1952 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB: Waco SEASON: 1952 DATE SIGNED: 9-10-51 SALARY $250 permonth BONUS: $10,000: $3,500 on approval; $3,500 Jan. 15, 1952; $3,000 Jan. 15, 1953 - Trans. BONUS PAYMENT DATES: 1. Paid 2. 1/15/52 - pd. 1/14/52 3. NEGOTIATED BY EXECUTED BY: DATE APPROVED [not recorded] PLAYER SCOUTED BY Geo. Sisley, Rex Bowen and Mr. Rickey SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANZATION: [not recorded] PLAYING RECORD YEAR 1952 CLUB Waco LEAGUE Big State CLASS B G 86 AB 315 R 20 H 81 TB 99 2B 10 3B 1 HR 2 SB 1 CS [no entry] BB 31 SO 53 RBI 29 Pct. 257 September 11, 1953 JIMMY SMITH Jimmy is the son of old Jimmy Smith, - a tall, young fellow with a lot of pep and life and throws in all directions except the one he is looking at, completely erratic. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1953 (MEMORANDUM THIS DATE DICTATED AFTER SEEING THE VISALIA CLUB IN THREE GAMES. SPENCE (Outfielder) This boy is a better runner than I thought. He should be left right in Visalia. In my opinion, no harm could be one to turn him over as a hitter. Branch Rickey Papers Series- Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. [CHART - FORM] NAME: STUART FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB? MODESTO LEAGUE: CALIF. SEASON: 1951 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB: Modesto SEASON 1951 DATE SIGNED 6-24-51 SALARY $175 per month BONUS $6,000: $3,000 on approval - $3,000 Jan. 2, 1952 - Return T. BONUS PAYMENT DATES: 1. 2. ($3,000 char. to Mod.) 12-27-51 $3,000 Mod. to plyr. 1-2-52 3. NEGOTIATED BY EXECUTED BY DATE APPROVED PLAYER SCOUTED BY AT SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB: Modesto DATE SIGNED: 6-24-51 TERMS: $175 T. CLUB: Modesto DATE SIGNED: 2-21-52 TERMS: $185 (200 31 days) CLUB: Billings DATE SIGNED: 4-13-52 TERMS: $190 - T. (200/31 days) PLAYING RECORD YEAR:1951 CLUB: Modesto LEAGUE: Calif. CLASS: C G: 66 AB GS: 201 R CG: 21 H W: 46 TB L: 67 2B Pct.: 9 3B IP: 0 HR H: 4 SB R: 2 CS ER: BB: 27 SO: 47 RBI SHO: 31 Pct ERA: .229 YEAR: 1952 CLUB: Billings LEAGUE: Pioneer CLASS: C G: 129 AB GS: 515 R CG: 115* H W: 161* TB L: 292* 2B Pct.: 30 3B IP: 4 HR H: 31* SB R: 4 CS ER: BB: 72 SO: 99 RBI SHO: 121* Pct ERA: .313 YEAR: 1953-1954 IN MILITARY SERVICE PLAYER RECORD CARD NAME: SURKONT MATTHEW DATE 8/19/50 ACQUIRED BY Boston (NL) HOW ACQUIRED Outright from Sacramento (Boston franchise transferred to Milwaukee 3/18/53) DATE 12/28/53 ASSIGNED TO Pittsburgh HOW ASSIGNED Outright from Milwaukee (with Waters, Jethroe, Gordon, Lassalle and cash for O'Connell SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB: Chicago AL DATE SIGNED: 2/1/50 CLUB: Sacramento DATE SIGNED: 3/8/50 CLUB: Boston NL DATE SIGNED: 8/21/50 CLUB: Boston NL DATE SIGNED: 1/8/51 CLUB: Boston NL DATE SIGNED: 1/28/52 CLUB: Boston NL DATE SIGNED: 1/26/53 RALPH TERRY October 31, 1953 Right hander, 6'3" tall, 184 pounds, will be 18 in January of 1954. Mother and guardian Mrs. Dawes. Has one older brother in the army. Lives in Chelsea, Oklahoma. Good American Legion record, good high school and semi-pro record. In the graduating class of 1954, Ralph was number three/and/is attending a branch of Oklahoma A. & M. at Miami, Oklahoma. A good boy, good background, good habits, 12 letter man in high school, interested in his school work and in his athletics to the complete exclusion, I would say, of women. Intelligent face, fine manner, understands my baseball conversation. Aptitude fair to good. Will have trouble getting correct spinning direction on all new pitches. Needs a lot of work but he knows how to apply himself. He might acquire any new pitch because of his application. For example, he would have considerable difficulty acquiring regular or repeating direction to his spin on the so-called thumb slow curve ball. He gets it on occasion, therefore, he can get it on all occasions. It is doubtful if he needs this pitch for he has a slow curve ball distinctive enough from his regular curve. He lacks useable control of the pitch, however. His fast ball is good enough, not great, but good, and his control of it is indeed unusually good. He had difficulty also in spinning direction on his change-up fast ball. His regular curve breaks at times beautifully. However, lacks consistency and when he presses on his pitch, he is wild with it. The greatest reason for saying that this boy has a chance to go all the way is, first, his size, body control, regularity in delivery, fast ball control and above all his desire. If he were in the hands of Kinnamon or Bragen, it is possible to show enough improvement in one year to be generally rated as a prospect. In my book, he has a chance. He needs attention on pitching skills, and lots of work. He should not be placed anywhere that he would be benched; unless indeed he were to be a bonus player, in which case he must close attention from a special coach. His tendencies are in the way of a pitcher not a thrower. I did not try him with men on bases. He might show similarly bad form and inexperience in this department, but I think he would be easily teachable. He does not follow his pitch, evidently he has never been coached on the point. There is a complete regularity and repeat in the stepping position of his left foot, also the right one. I am very sure he would acquire a follow-up movement of the left foot easily and quickly. His fingering is good on all pitches. There is no variation in the thumb position, nor in the split between the fingers nor the placement in relation to the sock. His fine control of his fast ball is therefore understandable. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b P.S. Following the above dictation, I had a talk with the boy and his mother. He is in the field for $40,000 or some such sum. I am not interested. I don't believe he will get $40,000 or any other considerable bonus and if he doesn't get more than $4000, I think he is inclined to come to Pittsburgh. Someone should keep in touch with him. B. R. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM FOR TWO DAYS (JULY 31, 1953 AND AUGUST 1, 1953) AT DENVER, COLORADO, AGAINST THE DES MOINES CLUB. JAKE THIES Right hand pitcher, about 25 years of age, rugged underhand delivery, comes over on occasion. This boy has never impressed me with great stuff. He is probably right were he belongs. However, we will watch him. He is making a great Western League record this year. COMMENTS AND NOTES ON LONGVIEW-WICHITA FALLS DOUBLE HEADER AT WICHITA FALLS ON JUNE 20, 1953: TURTURRO He can play second base in the Big State League easy enough. A glove artist. No hit. If he is smart enough, he ought to go into something else. Probably limited to Class B. REPORT ON THE LONGVIEW CLUB AS SEEN IN ONE GAME ON TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1953 AT TYLER, TEXAS TORTURRO He can play any infield position, anywhere, and that takes in shortstop. He runs well enough and his arm is good enough. He doesn't hit. I don't believe he will be drafted from Longview. September 14, 1953 RUDY TRBOVICH A 17 year old right hander from East Liverpool, Ohio. He has all the rhythm and movement of a finished pitcher. I would follow him very closely. I didn't work him out, but observed him closely from the stands. He impressed me very much. BRANCH RICKEY The above dictation was made thrity minutes ago. I have now worked the boy out. He has a side arm fast ball which is very much alive and he has a side arm curve ball which is very good. He changed the method of throwing his cuve ball for me and showed great improvement. There is no question in my mind that this boy could become a major league pitcher and before long. I am for him all over. He does not graduate until next June. I explained to him that we could not spend one center on his expenses to come to Pittsburgh. He said he understood that. He impressed me very much. BR September 9, 1953 TOM TROSSEN 6'4" right hander, weighs about 190, from Cleveland, Ohio. Has several different pitches. Throws what we used to call in the country an inshoot, also a regular fast ball. The so-called inshoot is alert, active, a high rate of spin. I thought it was better than his regular fast ball. He has a curve and it curves, - also a take-off on his curve and he throws all the pitches with the same identical delivery. His delivery is not bad, - nothing in it to keep from becoming a good fielder. He throws what he calls a slider, really a fast velocity, non-spinning curve, having the effect of a sidearm curve ball. It does not curve a great deal and it spins very slowly but it approaches his fast ball in speed. It is a pitch that he probably could use to advantage from time to time. I would say his control on all pitches is not bad. In fact it is much above the average of youngsters with try out. From the so-called aptitude test to acquire a change-up curve, he finally had to do it his own way, which involved a change in fingering which enabled him to throw the change-up curve on the same fingering and manner in which he throws his regular curve. He got spin in the right direction and velocity was not bad, but the ball rotated very slowly. He might acquire a useable pitch in this direction. He has just finished his freshman year at Notre dame. It is my understanding that he is willing to go out next spring but would like to have enough money to finish his first-half year (1953) of college work. Most certainly if that is in the neighborhood of $500.00, I would be quick to do it. BRANCH RICKEY [Chart-form] NAME: URQUHART, DONALD F. FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB: Wilkes-Barre LEAGUE: Eastern SEASON: 1949 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB: New Orleans SEASON: 1953 DATE SIGNED: 5/18/1953 SALARY: $250.00 per mo. BONUS: None SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB: Batavia DATE SIGNED: 4/26/49 CLUB: Ozark DATE SIGNED: 7/6/49 CLUB: Ozark DATE SIGNED: 4/17/50 CLUB: Gainesville DATE SIGNED: 6/30/50 CLUB: Gainesville DATE SIGNED: 3/18/51 CLUB: Leesburg DATE SIGNED: 3/6/53 2/24/53 TERMS: Disapproved CLUB: Leesburg DATE SIGNED: 3/24/53 CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 5/16/53 TERMS: 250.00 Opt. CLUB: Burlington DATE SIGNED: 5/20/53 TERMS: N.O.-Burl. 250 PLAYING RECORD YEAR CLUB LEAGUE CLASS G CG W L Pct. IP H R ER BB SO SHO ERA 1949 Batavia Pony D NO RECORD Ozark Ala. State D NO RECORD 1950 Ozark Ala. State D 17 6 5 6 .455 100 106 65 43 55 62 0 3.87 Gainesville Fla. State D 11 3 4 3 .571 63 64 26 18 34 50 1 2.57 1951 Gainesville Fla. State D 35 14 17 9 .654 202 184 93 66 92 120 2 2.94 1952 Gainesville Fla. State D IN MILITARY SERVICE 1953 Burlington Carolina B 22 13 12 7 .632 167 141 71 55 70 116 1 2.96 Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. July 17, 1953 JACK VALE A very big left hander from Georgetown University. A basketball player. Looks to be about 21 years of age, 200 pounds, 6'4". Only fair fast ball, but good movement. Curve ball so so. Throws his curve ball with the tips of his two fingers, - has a knuckle ball effect, really nothing else, and neither of the two pitches he has is great. He may be a good hitter and a good first baseman. We will look into that. BRANCH RICKEY br/b COMMENTS AND NOTES ON LONGVIEW-WICHITA FALLS DOUBLE HEADER AT WICHITA FALLS ON JUNE 20, 1953 VANGELAS Left hand hitter, right hand thrower, first baseman. Has been in the army two years. Should have stayed there. Has a better future as a soldier than as a ball player. Batting form absolutely perfect. He should hit. Arm good enough. He will never make any good play. He won't get a man on a force play at second once in ten tries, - hesitates, and holds the ball, plays every ball slow, doesn't know what to do with it when he gets it. Very average runner, - indeed below average. Not worth a dime. I don't know whether or not to recommend him for the 1954 Waco team. If he hits enough home runs, may be so. REPORT ON THE LONGVIEW CLUB AS SEEN IN ONE GAME ON TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1953, AT TYLER, TEXAS VANGELIS We should have a better man for the Waco club in 1954. Great batting form, otherwise a complete bust. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM FOR TWO DAYS (JULY 31, 1953 AND AUGUST 1, 1953) AT DENVER, COLORADO, AGAINST THE DES MOINES CLUB. BOB WAKEFIELD An outfielder with power. Pretty good arm, ordinary runner, not going anywhere. Not too desirable. About 26 years of age. REPORT ON THE DENVER CLUB AFTER SEEING THEM IN DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST SIOUX CITY AT SIOUX CITY ON MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1953. BOB WAKEFIELD I think he is a good man to get rid of. NAME WATERS , FRED CLUB Pittsburg SEASON 1954 BONUS Purchased from Milwaukee 12/23/53 SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURG ORGANIZATION CLUB Greenwood DATE SIGNED 4/18/49 CLUB Ft. Worth DATE SIGNED 2/20/50 CLUB Elmira DATE SIGNED 4/24/50 CLUB Ft . Worth DATE SIGNED 8/1/50 CLUB Ft. Worth DATE SIGNED 5/12/51 CLUB Newport News DATE SIGNED 5/21/51 CLUB Asheville DATE SIGNED 6/2/51 CLUB Greenwood, Miss DATE SIGNED 7/3/51 PLAYING RECORD Year - Club - League - Class - G - AB/GS - CG - W - L -Pct. - IP - H - R - ER - BB - SO - SHO- ERA 1949 - Greenwood - Cotton St. - C - 33 - - 18 - 18 - 6 - .750 - 236 - 176 - 105 - 69 - 163 - 218 - 6- 2.63 1950 - Elmira - Eastern - A - 22 - - 5 - 5 - 9 - .357 - 106 - 97 - 67 - 52 - 76 - 64 - 0 - 4.42. (1950) - Fort Worth - Texas - AA - 3 - - 0 - 0 - 0 - .000 - 5 - - - - - - - - - - 0 - - 1951 - Greenwood - Cotton St. - C - 14- - 12 - 11 - 1 - .917 - 110 - 72 - 30 - 24 - 77 - 84 - 2 - 1.97 (1951) - Asheville - Tri-State - B - 3 - - 1 - 2 - 0 - 1.00 - 0.21 - 15 - 9 - 8 -13 - 13 - 0 - 3.43 (1951) - Newport News - Piedmont - B - 2 - - 0 - 0 - 0 - .000 - 4 - - - - - - - - - - 0 - --- 1952 - Mobile - Southern As - AA - 38 - - 3 - 4 - 8 - .333 - 129 - 140 - 86 - 70 - 70 - 77 - 0 - 4.88 1953 - Lincoln - Western - A - 30 - - 13 -10 - 10 - .500 - 191 - 175 - 111 - 89 -108 - 173 - 0 - 4.19 (1953) - Atlanta - Southern As. - AA - 2 - - 0 - 0 - 0 - .000 - 5 - - - - - - - - - - 0 - --- Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NAME WAUGH FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB? NEW ORLEANS LEAGUE: SO. ASS'N. SEASON: 1951 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB New Orleans SEASON 1951 DATE SIGNED 6-23-51 SALARY $200 BONUS $10,000 for signing July 1, 1951; $10,000 for signing July 1, 1952; $10,000 for signing July 1, 1953 BONUS PAYMENT DATES: 1.[blank] 2.[blank] 3.[blank] NEGOTIATED BY Branch Rickey EXECUTED BY[blank] DATE APPROVED [blank] PLAYER SCOUTED BY George Sisler AT [blank] SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION opt NO- $100 CLUB: Brunswick DATE SIGNED: 6-30-51 TERMS: $100 (52) $275 CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 12-5-51 TERMS: 375/31 dys CLUB: [Blank] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [Blank] OPT CLUB: Charleston DATE SIGNED: TERMS: $400.- CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [BLANK] OPT CLUB: Burlington DATE SIGNED: 5-25-53 TERMS: $200.- CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] CLUB: [BLANK] DATE SIGNED: [Blank] TERMS: [BLANK] PLAYING RECORD YEAR CLUB LEAGUE CLASS G GS CG W L Pct. IP H R ER BB SO SHO ERA 1951- Brunswick- Geo.-Fla.- D- 18- -- 13- 10- 8- .556- 119- 106- 5- 45- 60- 88- 0- 3.43 (1951)- New Orleans- So.Ass'n.- AA- 2- 2- 2- 2- 0- 1.000- 18- 12- 3- 2- 9- 10- 0- 1.00 1952- PITTSBURGH- NATIONAL- MAJOR- 17- 7- 1- 1- 6- .143- 52- 61- 43- 37- 32- 18- 0- 6.40 1952- CHARLESTON- SALLY- A- 18- 16- 5- 4- 9- .308- 116- 112- 53- 41- 63- 63- 0- 3.18 1953- BURLINGTON- CAROLINA- B- 9- - 7- 6- 3- .667- 87- 67- 21- 13- 28- 50- 1- 1.34 1953- PITTSBURGH- NATIONAL- MAJOR- 29- 11- 1- 4- 5- .444- 90- 108- 70- 65- 56- 23- 0- 6.50 Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PITTSBURGH ATHLETIC COMPANY, INC. OPERATING PITTSBURGH BASEBALL CLUB HARRY WEAKLEY Visalia, California, June 24, 1953 Right hand pitcher, - no follow through. 170 pounds, 6'1" tall, 23 years old. Has been in the army. No follow through. Half the time hwen [when] he pitches the right food goes back toward the mound in his delivery, - never passes the left foot. Fair fastball, - only fair. No curve. Slow curve better than his so-called fast curve, but no control of it. Showed very good control of his fast ball although his reputation on the Visalia club is bad on control. Change-up on his fast ball is no good. Too fast, and no control of it. I imagine this fellow in a game would look better. He would have to show me something in a D League before I put him higher. BRANCH RICKEY COPY September 11, 1953 AL WEDZIK He can throw. He can throw hard, - harder than most anybody, and he throws right now. I don't know whether he can run or hit, but we should certainly find out. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b COMMENTS AND NOTES ON LONGVIEW-WICHITA FALLS DOUBLE HEADER AT WICHITA FALLS ON JUNE 20, 1953 WILCOX Professional ball player simply because he is determined to be one. He has improved very much over the Deland showing of October, 1951, and he will doubtless continue to improve. I can hardly imagine him playing above Class A and will not make the money. Might be a good man for Waco in 1954. REPORT ON THE LONGVIEW CLUB AS SEEN IN ONE GAME ON TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1953 AT TYLER, TEXAS WILCOX I don't want him at Waco next year. I don't like his attitude although he is a real hustler. He cannot run a lick. Put him to "C" League for draft and the same goes for Garcia,..... and if we have a first baseman, I would have Vangelis go to draft from a "C" League. June 11, 1953 DEWARD T. WILLIAMS 21 year old, 6' 2 1/2", righthander from Lincoln Memorial College. Good speed, fair curve, - slow curve better and fairly good. Change-up on his fast ball correctly thrown. This boy seemed to be a bit nervous with me and didn't show the control his twin brother Don had. Deward's delivery on his change-up fast fall is very different from his delivery on his fast ball. His two curves are at the same on delivery. This boy is no Dizzy Dean with his fast ball but it is good enough. These William twins are country boys, eleven children, live on a Virginia farm some twenty miles South of Roanoke. Very definitely they can be rated as prospects. Deward pitched nine games for Lincoln Memorial and won eight of them. He should. Branch Rickey BR/b June 11, 1953 DON WILLIAMS By three minutes, the older of the two, and they definitely look exactly alike. Don has a better delivery than Deward on his follow through. His stepping foot moves a seond time on almost all deliveries. He has a good fast ball. Showed me a better fast ball than Deward's. He has a very effective slow curve. His fast curves is a "twister". His change-up on the fast ball is more developed than Deward's and has good control of it. This boy pitched about ten games for the University of Tennessee. Had a good record. He has a fine strikeout record. At the moment, I would say that Don is the more effective of the two. I would like to have both boys. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b COMMENTS ON GAME BETWEEN PITTSBURGH AND THE HAVANA CUBANS AT GRAN STADIUM, HAVANA, CUBA, ON MARCH 23, 1953. Wolfe Never shook his head a single time, - eight straight fast balls, - not very much on any of them. March 23, 1953 WOLFE INTERR-SQUAD GAME GRAN STADIUM, HAVANA, CUBA March 23, 1953. Just before tonight's game, this man Wolfe ran around the park and came up and told Kenneth that he just had to see a doctor, - that he couldn't see. A few minutes later he wanted Bob Rice to get a doctor for him. 15 minutes later, he was working on the field, dancing around behind the pitcher. Later, during the pitchers' batting practice, he hit a home run over the fence and joyfully celebrated. He was full of life and pep during the entire batting practice. Went into the game in the sixth inning as the pitcher. Walked the first man up on four pitched balls, then struck out a man. The next man bunted and on the try to get the man at second both men were safe. That put Wolfe up in the air and he began walking everybody, ending up by Rossi hitting a ball back at Wolfe, - struck him on the shoulder. Down went Wolfe on his belly with the ball 10' away. You can have Wolfe. Name: Wolfe First contract in professional baseball: club? INDIANAPOLIS League: AMER.ASS'N. season: 1949 First contract with Pittsburh organization: club INDIANAPOLIS season 1949 date signed 10-18-48 salary $200 Bonus $3,000 on approval Bonus payment dates 1___ 2 ___ 3___ Negotiated by___ executed by ___ date approved ____ Player scouted by L. Broadbent and Tom Downey at ___ ========================= Two columns: column left Subsequent contracts in Pittsburgh organization Club: Modesto Date Signed: 4-12-49 Terms: ___ Club: Bartlesville Date signed: 6-22-49 Terms: ___ Club: Modesto Date signed: 4-10-50 Terms: $200 225/5-22 Club: Bartlesville Date signed: 5-29-50 Terms: $200 Club: Charleston Date signed: 3-15-51 Terms: $250 300/30 dys Club: Charleston Date signed: 5-18-51 Terms: $300 (2nd) Club: New Orleans Date signed: 3-3-52 Terms: $425 $500/31 days [OPT.] Club: New Orleans Date signed: 5-3-52 Terms: $350 Right column Club: PGH. New Orleans Date signed: 4-9-53 Terms: 5000. $300 ========================== PLAYING RECORD YEAR CLUB LEAGUE CLASS G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR SB CS BB SO RBI Pct. GS CG W L Pct. IP H R ER SHO ERA 1949 Modesto California C 12 --- 1 2 2 .500 46 48 42 30 40 28 0 5.87 1949 Bartlesville KOM D 16 --- 7 9 4 .692 94 104 65 48 56 48 0 4.60 1950 Modesto California C 19 2 1 1 2 .333 18 15 13 11 20 15 0 5.50 1950 Bartlesville KOM D 25 --- 17 15 8 .652 193 139 81 64 90 146 4 2.98 1951 Charleston Sally A 33 21 14 11 10 .524 186 165 75 64 93 139* 4 3.10 1952 Pittsburgh National Major 3 0 0 0 0 .000 4 7 3 3 5 1 0 6.75 1952 New Orleans So. Ass'n. AA 35 24 8 15 13 .536 186 210 105 92 105 94 2 4.45 1953 New Orleans So. Ass'n. AA 8 5 1 2 2 .500 38 33 21 20 24 18 0 4.77 Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1953 (MEMORANDUM DICTATED AFTER SEEING THE VISALIA CLUB IN THREEE GAMES AGAINST STOCKTON. WORTLEY (Pitcher) I didn't see. COMMENTS AND NOTES ON LONGVIEW-WICHITA FALLS DOUBLE HEADER AT WICHITA FALLS ON JUNE 20, 1953 WUESTHOFF Big man, little poop. He ought to go into something else, and if we have anybody for Longview right now, I would recommend the assignment of his contract to Visalia. September 25, 1953 DAVID ZEBLEY From over near Philadelphia. Looks to be about 18 years of age, 6'3" tall, and weighing about 185 pounds. Right hander. Sent in by Ray Welsh. Pretty good fast ball and very good control of it. Curve ball nothing at all. In the first palce the ball isn't a curve and in the second place it is never over. Throws a slow curve, - it curves some and he has fairly good control of it. The boy worked on a change-up on his fast ball. Showed promise. Delivery is alright and he looks and acts intelligent. He is certainly a deliberate cuss. I doubt if he has any undue excitement in him anywhere. He didn't impress me in his development as being worth a bonus of any sort. He is worth signing to a contract without a bonus and we would be hopeful to get somewhere with him next spring. Like all young pitchers of his size, age, and strength, he mus be put in the class of having a chance. He is not at all a lemon. BRANCH RICKEY Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.