BRANCH RICKEY BASEBALL FILE SCOUTING REPORTS [1955] [C-D] BOX 53 FOLDER 2 Memorandum of January 18, 1955 Following Game in Havana, Cuba Between Cienfuegos and Havana. At first base, there was an old negro player by the name of Cabrerra not worth a nickel. Can't run and can't field. A stationary first baseman. He would be taken continuously by surprise on any unusual or unexpected play. I image he might hit for distance if and when he hits at all. MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 25, 1955. LOPEZ was followed by an underhand right hander named CABRERA He pitched against Brooklyn five years ago here in Puerto Rica and at that time I regarded him as forty years old JALAPA VS AZTECAS AT SECURITY STADIUM, MEXICO CITY, ON NOVEMBER 17TH AND NOVEMBER 19TH, 1955 CANDELARIO (DIAZ) Third baseman Jalapa club. Some major league club has made considerable inquiry about this player. He is a heavy built fellow. Very average runner, fine arm, young, perhaps 22 years old, but not an impressive hitter. B.R. May 10, 1955 MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH JACK BERGER OF THE BRUNSWICK CLUB ON THIS DATE "One thing I particularly want to tell you, - and Frank (Oceak) and I have talked it all over, and he feels and I agree with him, that I ought to tell you that we believe CANUSO is a major league catcher and should catch every day. We also feel that BROCKELL can go to the major leagues as a catcher and he too should be caught every day. Therefore, it is our opinion that one or the other, preferably BROCKELL, should be assigned elsewhere and send us another man who would not have to be caught every day. This is said not because we cannot use BROCKWELL, - we surely can. He can play shortstop or second base or almost anywhere. He is a good ball player and he can go the majors as a catcher. Therefore, he should be given the chance." JACK BERGER BRANCH RICKEY BR/b cc - Branch Rickey, Jr, cc - Harold G. Roettger MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 18, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA BETWEEN CIENFUEGOS AND HAVANA In center field was a negro kid named CARDENAL This boy was drafted by St. Louis from the Cincinnati organization, I believe it was. I don't believe he has great power at the plate. His arm seemed good enough, and his speed is good enough. He showed me nothing tonight to get excited about. JALAPA VS AZTECAS AT SECURITY STADIUM, MEXICO CITY, ON NOVEMBER 17TH AN NOVEMBER 19TH, 1955. CARMONA Third baseman on Aztecas club. Tall looking boy, very young. He might come to be a pretty good ball player. Fair runner, fair arm, pretty good power. B.R. MAZATLAN VS CULIACAN AT CULIACAN, MEXICO, DECEMBER 8, 1955. CASTRO First baseman on the Mazatlan Club. Left hand hitter. A perfectly natural stroke and a perfectly correct one, with power. He might have been, 15 years ago, a major league pinch hitter. He does not have quite the power of John Powers, but Castro hits the ball invariably fair. Par excellence at the plate. He can't run. I had he and his wife to dinner. He seems to know a lot about players, - all over Mexico. I would guess Castro to be around 40 years of age. With a man on first, and one out, the ball was hit on the ground to Castro. Castro leisurely retired the batsman at first when the play, of course, should have been made on the force at second. A single followed, - and a run. B.R. June 4, 1955 CHIARAMONTE, MICHAEL E. Right hand hittter, 21 years of age, just graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He is about 5'8" tall, - weighs about 170. Short-stepper, below average runner, good arm and good batting form. Not a power hitter, but he should hit. I don't know what he would do against curve balls or change of speed pitches, because I saw him only against Sam Narron, and judgment of batters against Sam Narron pitching is untrustworthy. But the boy's form is good in every respect. I would be willing to send him immediately to Burlington, but he should be signed to a Class D contract so that in case he should not make good in Burlington, his contract could be taken over as a free agent by a Class D club. If he should become a .300 hitter in good company, he could have a baseball future. BR/b MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 25, 1955. SANTURCE CLUB The catcher was CHITI 6'2" tall, weighs 240, - or so he looked to me. Had no life, looked slow in his physical actions, and I could not help thinking that he was somewhat indifferent about his work. I think he has a strong arm. It is my belief that he cannot hit a curve ball at all. He didn't try to run at anytime and I don't know whether he can run with any speed whatever. Wid Matthews had built me up considerably on this fellow Chiti and I experienced a very great disappointment. Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906 - 1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information (stamp: Library of Congress) NAME: Christopher Joseph O'Neal FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB?: Clinton LEAGUE: M-O-V SEASON: 1955 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB: Clinton SEASON: 1955 DATE SIGNED: 8/27/54 SALARY: $150 - Tr. BONUS: $200.00 on approval BONUS PAYMENT DATES: 1. $200 pd. 9/30/54 NEGOTIATED BY: Howard Haak EXECUTED BY: DATE APPROVED: PLAYER SCOUTED BY: AT: CONTRACT TERMS CLUB: Phoenix DATE SIGNED: 4/15/55 TERMS: $200 Tr. CLUB: Phoenix DATE SIGNED: 4/25/55 TERMS: $200 Tr. CLUB: Lincoln DATE SIGNED: 7/12/55 TERMS: $250 Tr. CLUB: Williamsport DATE SIGNED: 8/10/55 TERMS: $250 Tr. CONTRACT RECORD DATE: 8/27/54 ASSIGNED TO: Clinton HOW ACQUIRED: Free Agent (1st Contract) DATE: 4/23/55 ASSIGNED TO: Phoenix HOW ACQUIRED: Outright ($250) DATE: 7/11/55 ASSIGNED TO: Lincoln HOW ACQUIRED: Conditionally ($250/30 days) DATE: 8/9/55 ASSIGNED TO: Williamsport HOW ACQUIRED: Outright ($250) Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. NAME: Churn, Jr., Clarance Nottingham FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUB? Uniontown LEAGUE SEASON 1949 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB Uniontown SEASON 1949 DATE SIGNED 10/11/48 SALARY 200.00 BONUS $300.00 6/20/49 if retained BONUS PAYMENT DATES 1. 2. 3. NEGOTIATED BY EXECUTED BY DATE APPROVED PLAYER SCOUTED BY John Whalen AT CONTRACT TERMS CLUB: Hutchinson DATE SIGNED: 2/22/50 TERMS: 200.00 CLUB: Charleston DATE SIGNED: 3/16/51 TERMS: 250.00 280.00/30 days 375.00 450.00/30 days CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 6/5/53 TERMS: 200.00 N. O. CLUB: Charleston DATE SIGNED: 7/16/53 TERMS: 250.00 CLUB: Pittsburgh DATE SIGNED: 1/26/54 CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 4/23/54 TERMS: 600.00 CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 5/12/54 TERMS: 700.00 500.00 N. O. CLUB: Denver DATE SIGNED: 5/17/54 TERMS: 200.00 CLUB: New Orleans DATE SIGNED: 2/28/55 TERMS: $600 TR CONTRACT RECORD DATE: 10/11/48 ASSIGNED TO: Uniontown HOW ACQUIRED: Free Agent - 1st contract CONSIDERATION: DATE: 9/28/49 ASSIGNED TO: Davenport HOW ACQUIRED: Outright- Sel.- Working agreement CONSIDERATION: DATE: 12/15/49 ASSIGNED TO: Hutchinson HOW ACQUIRED: Outright CONSIDERATION: DATE: 9/26/50 ASSIGNED TO: Waco HOW ACQUIRED: Outright- Sel.- Working agreement CONSIDERATION: DATE: 5/8/51 ASSIGNED TO: Temporarily inactive HOW ACQUIRED: Awaiting induction CONSIDERATION: DATE: 5/15/51 ASSIGNED TO: W. D. S. HOW ACQUIRED: Reinstated 5/19/53 CONSIDERATION: DATE: 12/20/52 ASSIGNED TO: New Orleans HOW ACQUIRED: Outright CONSIDERATION: 1,000.00 DATE: 7/11/53 ASSIGNED TO: Charleston HOW ACQUIRED: Optionally CONSIDERATION: DATE: 9/1/53 ASSIGNED TO: New Orleans HOW ACQUIRED: Recalled - not to report CONSIDERATION: DATE: 10/6/53 ASSIGNED TO: Pittsburgh HOW ACQUIRED: Conditionally CONSIDERATION: DATE: 4/22/54 ASSIGNED TO: New Orleans HOW ACQUIRED: Returned by Pittsburgh CONSIDERATION: DATE: 5/12/54 ASSIGNED TO: Denver HOW ACQUIRED: Optionally CONSIDERATION: DATE: 9/1/54 ASSIGNED TO: New Orleans HOW ACQUIRED: Recalled CONSIDERATION: DATE: 9/30/55 ASSIGNED TO: Hollywood HOW ACQUIRED: Outright (With D. Dangleis in exch. for Beene, Carden, Hayes, Lindborg & Wopinek) CONSIDERATION: DATE: ASSIGNED TO: HOW ACQUIRED: CONSIDERATION: MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 25, 1955 CLARKSON played third base, and I know Clarkson is past forty. A tall, slim Puerto Rican negro played the last three innings at third base for Santurce. This boy's name is THOMAS. This boy is a catcher and I am told that he belongs to the Pittsburgh organization. He lives hereabouts and played last summer in San Domingo. This boy can really throw. He pulls the trigger and a rifle bullet results. Looked to be accurate too. I think we should try to get him to to report. MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, ON JANUARY 25, 1955 CLEMENTE played centerfield for Santurce. I would guess him to be at least 6' tall, weight about 175 pounds, right hand hitter, very young. I have been told very often from many sources about his running speed. I was sorely disappointed with it. His running form is bad, definitely bad, and based upon what I saw tonight, he has only a bit above average major league running speed. He has a beautiful throwing arm. He throws the ball down and it really goes places. However, he runs with the ball every time he makes a throw and that's bad. He has no adventure whatever on the bases, takes a comparatively small lead, and doesn't have in mind, apparently, getting a break. I can imagine that he has never stolen a base in his life with his skill or cleverness. I can that it if was done it was because he was pushed off. His form at the plate is perfect. The bat is out and back and in good position to give him power. There is not the slightest hitch of movement in his hands or arms and the big end of the bat is completely quiet when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. His sweep is level - very level. His stride is short and his stance is good to start with and he finishes good with his body. I know of no reason why he should not become a very fine hitter. I would not class him, however, as even a prospective home run hitter. I do not believe he can possibly do a major league club any good in 1955. It is just too bad that he could not have had his first year in a Class B or C league and then this year he might have profited greatly with a second year as a regular say in Class A. In 1956 he can be sent out on option by Pittsburgh only by first securing waivers, and waivers likely cannot be secured. So, we are stuck with him, - stuck indeed, until such time as he can really help a major league club. The most disappointing feature about CLEMENTE is his lack of adventure, - of chance taking. He had at least two chances tonight to make a good play. He simply waited for the bounce. I hope he looks better to me tomorrow night when Santurce plays San Juan, - the final game of the regular season and the city championship of San Juan is at stake. Perhaps this boy will put out in that game. OBSERVATIONS (CONTINUED) IN THE GAME BETWEEN CHICAGO WHITE SOX AND THE PIRATES ON MARCH, 23, 1955 AT FORT MYERS, FLORIDA I will not be surprised if Mr. Clemente gets to the place where he will be permitted only to play against left hand pitchers. When the pitchers in the National League know his terrific weakness on sidearm pitching, he will not get anything else to hit. in the 9th inning with Shepard on second and the tying run, - don't we have any fast runners on the bench? WILLIAMSPORT-BINGHAMTON GAME AT WILLIAMSPORT, PA. ON JULY 9, 1955 COATES, JIM (Binghamton) Right hand pitcher. Must be 6'3" or 6'4" tall, strong, agile, well built fellow with a lot of speed. His temperment is temper. He has a very strong tendency to umpire his game as well as his pitch. This tendency will be an emotional hindrance for a long time to come, - however, he may be able to cover it up. The fellow has a curve ball, not very good control of it, but there is not any reason to suppose that he will not get control of the curve. With a third usable pitch, this fellow Coates might really be great. He can throw his fast ball right by an ordinary hitter. He apes the manner of placid poise. It could be real. I would rather own Coates' contract than any other player I have seen in Johnstown, Binghamton, and Williamsport clubs, these past few games. B.R. Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. NAME Cobos, Marcus Antonio FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB? Mexicali LEAGUE Southwest Int. SEASON 1952 FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: CLUB Denver SEASON 1953 DATE SIGNED _________________ SALARY _______________________ BONUS _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONUS PAYMENT DATES 1. ________________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. _______________________ NEGOTIATED BY _______________________________ EXECUTED BY ________________ DATE APPROVED __________ PLAYER SCOUTED BY _____________________________________________ AT ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONTRACT TERMS CLUB DATE SIGNED TERMS Denver 3-9-53 $200-T. Opt. Waco 5-10-53 Billings 8-1-53 $225 Denver 2-10-54 $250-Tr. Waco 2/5/55 $300 - Tr. Lincoln 4/14/55 $325 - Tr. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONTRACT RECORD DATE ASSIGNED TO HOW ACQUIRED CONSIDERATION 11-6-51 (1952) Mexicali Free Agent (1st Contract) 12-15-52 Denver Outright ($1,550.00) 5-8-53 Waco Optionally 7-30-53 Billings Outright Subj. Denver Option 9-1-53 Denver Recalled (not to report) 1-14-55 Reserved for 1955 (exchange for Santulli on Res. List Waco Outright & $1,000 by Waco) 4/11/55 Lincoln Outright (Exchange for Haysom) April 28, 1955 LINCOLN-WICHITA GAME AT LINCOLN, NEBRASKA COBOS AN ignoramus from Mexico or Cuba or somewhere. Good arm, fair runner, ordinary hitter. He has no sense. 1955 COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON PITTSBURGH PIRATES AND HAVANA CUBAN ALL-STARS GAME OF SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 14TH, GRAN STADIUM, HAVANA, CUBA. Cole Cole is supposed to be a smart player. With Castiglione caught off second in the fourth inning, he only went half way to second, and then went back to first. He could have easily gone to second. Sandlock Lindell was wild and difficult, but if I ever saw a catcher handcuffed, this was it. His one throw to second base had nothing on the ball. The runner simply outran it. He must be superb defensively every minute in order to stay with this club, for he will not hit a lick. The sooner Fred comes to know that Castiglione, Cole, and Metkovich are impossible as starters, the sooner the Pittsburgh Club will be started in the right direction. Everyone of these boys are simply last place players. MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 25, 1955. COLE, the tall right hand pitcher, now belongs to the Cubs. Pitched very effectively after the fifth hitter in the first inning, allowing only three hits in the last eight innings, two of which were home runs. I did not sit behind Cole, but no one at anytime did anything with his curve ball, and his fast ball was pretty good. His control could have been better. He might be a pretty good pitcher. He looked better at the plate as a hitter than most of the other players on his club. COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON PITTSBURGH PIRATES AND HAVANA CUBAN ALL-STARS GAME OF SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 14TH, GRAN STADIUM, HAVANA, CUBA Cole. Cole is supposed to be a smart player. With Castiglions caught off second in the fourth inning, he only went half way to second, and then went back to first. He could have easily gone to second. Sandlock. Lindell was wild and difficult, but if I ever saw a catcher handcuffed, this was it. His one throw to second base and nothing on the ball. The runner simply outran it. He must be superb defensively every minute in order to stay with this club, for he will not hit a lick. The sooner Fred comes to know Castiglions, Cole, and Metkovich are impossible as starters, the sooner the Pittsburgh Club will be started in the right direction. Everyone of these boys are simply last place players. MEMORANDUM OF GAME BETWEEN SANTURCE AND PONCE AT SAN JAN, PURETO [sic] RICO, ON JANUARY 25, 1955. CONDE was the second basemen. Played a good defensive game. Was unimpressive at the plate, but I was disturbed by dignitaries so much during the game that I did not do the job of scouting that I know Andy High did. Andy came down to Puerto Rica with me and he sat alone up in the stands. This boy Conde is to go with Dallas this coming season. (Marianao Club) -3- January 19, 1955 He was followed by the old pitcher CONTERAS, whom we had in 1953 at Denver, and noticeable only as a stick-in-the-mud. This club is owned by one man, who assembles his club out of the record book and Sporting News. His manager is N. Reyes, whome I have known for some years. WILLIAMSPORT-BINGHAMTON GAME AT WILLIAMSPORT, PA. ON JULY 9, 1955 COOGAN, DALE He is probably right where he belongs. Hitting right around .300 - lots of life, fielding very good, in fact, hustling all the time. To me, he was a new Coogan. If he could do as well at Hollywood, he would be very helpful there. He is still a very young man. On account of previous reports and records and figures and facts, I would be willing to see him go to the draft at Williamsport. B.R. May 18, 1955 Salinas, Cal. CORELLA 6'3" tall, 180 pounds, left hander, just 21 years of age. Fair speed. Pretty good control of it. Fair curve, - pretty good control of that. Change up on his fast ball could be better but is fairly good right now. The change up on his curve is not distinctively slow, but it is slower than his fast curve. The fellow might become a pretty good pitcher if he can become a "cutie". He does not have burning speed and I don't believe he ever will have. He might go into the money. If he gets a distinctive pitch, he might become anything, - and by distinctive pitch, I mean, for example, a knuckle ball. There is nothing wrong with his delivery and he could become pretty clever in holding men on. B.R. Memorandum of Game Between Santurce and Ponce at San Juan, Puerto Rice on January 25, 1955 A tall, aged, negro left hand hitter named Crowe, played first base. He can hit. A poor fielder and cannot run. WILLIAMSPORT-JOHNSTOWN GAME AT JOHNSTOWN, PA. ON JULY 7, 1955 DANGLEIS, DONALD DANGLEIS has the best change of pace pitches of almost anyone I know, particularly effective is his change up on the fast ball. For seven innings the opposition pounded his fast ball for eight runs and nine hits. Dangleis threw his change-up on his fast ball altogether three times. One was called a strike, one was a called ball that should have been called a strike, and the third was a pop-up to the right fielder. Dangleis had Burbage as his catcher. He never shook off a sign. In other words, Dangleis says to the baseball world, "I have an arm, the catcher has my brains". So, he leaves 50% of his pitching ability on the bench, - and if the catcher has enough experience and brains, Dangleis is a pretty good pitcher. Otherwise, he is a thrower. When he gets into trouble, the only thing he thinks about is to throw the ball harder. For aboy [sic] of his potential, he is a great disappointment. B.R. April 28, 1955 LINCOLN-WICHITA GAME AT LINCOLN DANIELS A fine built colored right hand pitcher. Good fast ball, - only a fair curve. Showed a very excellent change up on his fast ball, but won't use it. Showed me only throwing ability. Was very tight, tense, nervous, - never relaxed. Has some mannerisms of deliberateness, but simply throws everything his best. No change-ups whatever. Not at all a pitcher. Doesn't have any control which may have been due to the fact that he was pitching at my request, etc., etc. All in all, he is destinctively a thrower. If he would use a third pitch frequently, he might become a fine pitcher. New York-St. Louis Game, May 13, 1955 at St. Louis DARK (Shortstop N.Y.) I would not let any outfielder shift very much for Dark. B.R. MEXICO CITY REDS VS PUEBLO AT SECURITY STADIUM, MEXICO CITY, ON NOVEMBER 26, 1955. DARNELL (Mexico City Reds Pitcher) Didn't look anything like he did two years ago. Nice boy. Fair speed, pretty good curve, showed no control. Belongs to Brooklyn. B.R. WILLIAMSPORT-BINGHAMTON GAME AT WILLIAMSPORT, PA. ON JULY 9, 1955 DAVIS, RANDY The Duke University,right hand hitting, speedy outfielder. Born short. Not the boy's fault he will not go anywhere. Correctly chargeable to his ancestry, immediate or remote. Take your pick. Probably both. B.R. Brunswick-Albany Game Brunswick, Ga. July 18, 1955 DAVIS, WAYNE (Albany Outfielder) He is as bad as Powers against left hand pitchers. Dead right field hitter, and in my judgment not a prospect. Probably has a lot of power. B.R. Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File, 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. Name: De Benedetti, Reno Bonus payment dates 1, 2, 3 Subsequent contracts in Pittsburgh organization Club: Davenport Date Signed: 4-22-49 Terms: $150 Club: Charleston Date signed: 3-24-50 Terms: $300 Tr. Club: York Date signed: 6-11-50 Terms: $200 Club: Waco Date signed: 3-29-54 Terms: $300 Tr. Club: Denver Date signed: 4-16-54 Terms: $325 Tr. Club: New Orleans Date signed: 4/7/55 Terms: $525 (Pgh Bal) Right column empty lines Club: ___Date signed:___Terms: PLAYING RECORD YEAR CLUB LEAGUE CLASS G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR S8 CS B8 SO RBI Pct. GS CG W L Pct. IP H R ER SHO ERA 1949 Davenport Three I B 123 434 56 108 166 23 4 9 10 (blank) 50 58 50 .249 1950 Charleston Sally A 36 114 13 30 36 3 0 1 1 (blank) 21 6 18 .263 1950 York Inter-State B 95 341 40 96 131 23 1 3 7 (blank) 28 21 41 .284 1951 to 1954 IN MILITARY SERVICE 1954 Denver Western A 147 553 125 183* 277 39* 5 15 19 (blank) (blank) (blank) 89 .331* April 23, 1955 SAN FRANCISCO-HOLLYWOOD GAME AT SAN FRANCISCO DEL GRECO, ROBERT He is not a third baseman. He is a "catch and throw" infielder. He looks better at the plate,- simply because he is swinging. It is indeed gratifying to observe that he is not continuously taking strikes. Doesn't know how to tag a runner and I believe he is afraid if he does know how. I can't understand Del Greco on the bases He is absolutely dead. Takes a stationary short lead and just stands there. Gets no break at all, - doesn't jockey for one and particularly when running off second he is an Abrams or a Bell. It is sickening to watch him now as a base runner. I had not seen him in a game for two years and it was my recollection that he was somewhat adventurous and that he would become a good base runner. He doesn't look like it now, - not at all. MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 19, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA, BETWEEN MARIANAO AND ALMENDARES The big, colored right hand hitting third baseman, DELIS, may not be a third baseman, but he has a lot of ability. He can run very fast and he has power at the plate. We should have a pretty good look at him when he is with the Washington Club at Orlando, Fla. MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 20, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA BETWEEN MARIANAO AND HAVANA The third baseman is DELIS A colored Cuban boy, a right hand hitter, runs fairly well, shows some power, has a good arm, and not old. I would guess him to be 22. He belongs to Washington. MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 18, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA BETWEEN CIENFUEGOS AND HAVANA Second base a boy named de SOUZA A small package of mediocrity belonging in not above a Class B league. SALINAS-CHANNEL CITIES' GAMES OF MAY 17TH AND MAY 18TH, 1955 AT SALINAS, CALIFORNIA. DIAL Fair fast ball, not great at all, and a very fine breaking curve ball, and he shows remarkable control of his curve. He threw one change in the first three innings and it was a good change up off his fast ball. If this boy is intelligent and would acquire an extra pitch, he might go places. I don't believe he will ever go into the money limited to what he has now. B.R. (LATER) He must pitch his curve ball. It is the only thing he has. If he could get his change-up a little bit slower, he might use that too. Hold him. DIAL Fair fast ball, not great at all and a very fine breaking curve ball, and he shows remarkable control of his curve. He threw one change in the first three innings and it was a good change up off his fast ball. If this boy is intelligent and would acquire an extra pitch, he might go places. I don't believe he will ever go into the money limited to what he has now. BR (Later) He must pitch his curve ball, It is the only thing he has. If he could get his change-up a little bit slower, he might use that too. Hold him. MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 20, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA BETWEEN MARIANAO AND HAVANA. DIAZ was the catcher tonight for Marinao. This is the boy whose contract I purchased for Brooklyn eight years ago only to find that the seller, Joe Cambria, did not have title to the player's services. The purchase was cancelled. He is no good, - perhaps a nice boy, but he cannot catch or do anything else. MEMORANDOM OF JANUARY 19, 1955 FOLLOWING THE GAME IN HAVANA, CUBA, BETWEEN MARIANAO AND ALMENDARES DONOSO will likely pitch Saturday night. I will report on him further. I had a talk with him tonight. MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 22, 1955 FOLLOWING GAME BETWEN ALMENDARES AND CIENFUEGOS AT HAVANA, CUBA. DONOSO Should pitch the knuckle ball, - at least enough to put it into the minds of the batsmen and keep it there. In the first three innings of the game tonight, he never threw a single knuckle ball. The first one he threw was to the second hitter in the third inning. The hitter struck at it and missed. Another reason and a sufficient reason in itself for Donoso throwing the knuckle ball is because he will have a tendency to tire. He throws his best all the time, - curve and fast ball, and I thoroughly believe that the occasional, if not frequent, use of the knuckle ball would extend his strength. LATER Donoso is trickly a minor leaguer without the knuckle ball. Futhermore, Donoso can pitch in the major leagues only if he throws his fast ball occasionally, only occasionally. He was pitch the curve, the knuckle ball, and the change-ups. His fast ball is not bad, but he over pitches it very much. The first six hits made off Donoso were off his fast ball. There are a good many left hand hitters who are weak on left hand side arm pitching. Donoso can throw both his curve and fast ball side arm, and he should have sense enough to do it on occasion. He will throw the side arm pitch in warming up before the game, but when the game starts, quite evidently he never thinks of it. A 2 and 2 pitch to Gonzales in the 8th inning was the second time he threw the knuckle ball in this game. [Handwritten] Donoso advised Monchy this pitch was not a knuckle ball but a curve. He only threw one the entire game. Branch Rickey Papers Series - Baseball File 1906-1971, Scouting Reports, 1951-1964 Routine Player Record Card removed to protect private information. NAME DONOSO (GALATA) LINO FIRST CONTRACT IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: CLUB? LEAGUE: SEASON: FIRST CONTRACT WITH PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION: Hollywood -11-23-53 $400 per. mo., $600 salary if retained 5-1-53 CLUB SEASON 1954 DATE SIGNED 1-24-54 SALARY $400. -return transportation No Bon BONUS $300. salary advance for clothes for signing this contract BONUS PAYMENT DATES: 1. 2. 3. NEGOTIATED BY Howard Haak EXECUTED BY DATE APPROVED PLAYER SCOUTED BY AT SUBSEQUENT CONTRACTS IN PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION CLUB: Hollywood DATE SIGNED: 2-2-55 TERMS: 1,000 TR CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: CLUB: DATE SIGNED: TERMS: PLAYING RECORD YEAR CLUB LEAGUE CLASS G AB/GS R/CG H/W TB/L 2B Pct. 3B/IP HR/H SB/R CS/ER BB SO RBI/SHO Pct./ERA 1954 Hollywood Pac. Coast Open 46 21 8 19 8 .704 205 175 60 54 51 141 4 2.37 1955 Hollywood PCL Open 15 5 1 4 3 .571 58 1/3 57 24 21 13 42 0 3.24 Pittsburgh National M March 1, 1955 Fort Myers, Fla. CHARLES "WHAMMY" DOUGLAS He really has a fine curve ball and throws it both overhand and sidearm and his fast ball is good, and I see no reason why his control of both the curve and fast ball should not be good. This fellow cannot hold men on, - that is to say, the runner can get a long break. It may be that Douglas can throw quickly to first base and perhaps catch men on occasion and all that, but when he pitches to the plate, some movement of the shoulder or arm, I am not sure which it is, gives the runner plenty of change for a running start. This must be given attention in a special workout and Rex must schedule the boy with me at an early date. BRANCH RICKEY CHARLES "WHAMMY" DOUGLAS March 10, 1955 OBSERVATIONS IN A GAME WITH THE KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS AT FORT MYERS, FLA. It was the 6th pitch in the second inning before the boy threw a change-up on the fast ball. It was high and outside. Of course he has a beautiful curve and a good fast ball, but Fricano, the opposing pitcher, not having a good fast ball, pitched five of his first eleven pitches as change of paces and all were effective. Not one time in the first inning did Fricano throw a fast ball as a strike. If Douglas is not going to pitch any changes, then most assuredly he must go to his curve ball as his dominate pitch. Changes of speed offer just as great a problem to the batsman in the horizontal field that deflections offer to the batsman in the vertical field. A man only good in one field and not in the other can make good in the majors. Those who are good in both fields are Mathesons and Deans. Douglas must have control ofhis curve to pitch in the majors and he could pitch in the majors provided further that he would pitch it. Apparently Douglas has no control of his change up on his fast ball/ Wilson, in the first inning, showed he could hit fast stuff with power. Did he get a single change-up the second time at bat? Douglas proceeded to show his great speed on his fast ball, the idea being to throw the ball by the batsman. He would show him said he and cut loose he did. It never occurred to him to fool anybody. He was simply determined to overpower the batter. Let me have Douglas for another special workout on his move on holding men on. Not once did he practice the move of coming through without stopping. Not one time. BR/b July 7, 1955 ALOYSIUS DRAPCHO He is a Junior American Legion boy, 6'2" tall, 178 pounds. Lives up near Penn State College. Right hander, small boy, pretty good speed and a fair curve,nothing else. He should be followed. I would not be surprised if the boy could become a good pitcher. B.R. LINCOLN-COLORADO SPRINGS GAME OF MAY 16, 1955 AT COLORADO SPRINGS DRILLING, DICK My former written opinion on Drilling may have under-estimated him. He certainly gives you all he has. The difference between him and Bill Bell is that Bell has infinitely more stuff but conceals it splendidly. This fellow shows you all he has. B.R. July 13, 1955 Brunswick, Georgia DROTAR, JOSEPH 18 years old, will be 19 in October. Right hander, slim boy, 6' tall, from Munhall, Pa. He is three-quarters delivery or perhaps below that. The ball is 'live' and his speed is good enough. His curve ball is hardly a curve. It rotates differently, of course, than the fast ball, and deflects some, but no one would call it a good curve and the boy himself says that he doesn't have a curve. He wishes he did. He has had a change-up on his fast ball, but it was too fast. He slowed it up beautifully by making a semi-palm ball out of it. He really has a good change-up now, and he has good control of it. This boy took to the curve ball change-up beautifully. He will get it. He has to do a lot of work on it simply for control. I like this chap, - he might go all the way. Hands are adequate and his fingers are long and slim. B.R. July 13, 1955 Brunswick, Georgia DUFFALO, JIM 21 years of age in November. He is from Dubois, Pa. Married, right hander, about 6'1" tall, 170 pounds. This boy has a fair fast ball, - not great at all, - not in the class with Foss and Perry and fellows like that. He has very fine control of his fast ball, - an easy delivery. Curve ball so-so. Not particularly attractive in any respect but he has fair control of it. He has a change-up on his fast ball, but it is no good and he has no control of it. He throws a slow curve by simply letting up on his pressures and he has pr[e]ty good control of that. This fellow should win in a Class D league and should win in somewhat higher than D simply because of his control. He undoubtedly gets his stuff over the plate. He doesn't have the stuff or power that most of these other good prospects have. B.R. LINCOLN-COLORADO SPRINGS GAME OF MAY 16, 1955 AT COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. DUNLOP, HARRY (Catcher) Tall, Slim right hand hitter. Young enough, big enough. He stands too far back of the plate in his catching position. Looks like a very good receiver and I think he throws good enough considering a catcher doesn't have to throw. I don't believe this fellow can hit a lick, - in any league, - certainly not with power in a little league. I have seen him only in two games, - once three years ago and tonight. It is indeed a very brief observation to risk a positive opinion, but I repeat again, I don't think he can hit a lock [i handwritten over o]. He didn't get any chance to run, so I can't pass on his running speed. B.R. Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.