Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 RAMOS, DAVE (Outfielder) Good arm. Trajectory very bad. He can run, - perhaps above average. Strikes at anything pitched. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 RAYA, RONALD (Catcher) Heavy, but has very good action. Throws the ball quick, and arm seems to be good enough. June 19, 1956 He has very good power too. Not as good as Mealey. Can't run a lick. Shows me nothing to get excited about. He is too slow. He would not throw many men out on bunts or foul fly balls. Out for me. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b March 23, 1956 RAYDON, CURT This pitcher and no other pitcher whose exact ability we know little about should be sent from this club at this time to Hollywood. It is by no means certain that Hollywood will not have a surplus of pitchers with the addition of Murray and Green without sending anybody else, and it may be that New Orleans or Williamsport or some other club may need pitchers very badly. The place to keep good surplus pitchers is in the hip pocket of the Pittsburgh club, and then to be ready to deliver quickly when the need appears. That goes for all clubs but particularly Hollywood and New Orleans. If you already have information that Hollywood definitely needs pitching in addition to those now scheduled for Hollywood, then of course O.K. on, for example, Raydon to Hollywood. If you do not have this information, then I would delay the move. If Hollywood is to be 'aced' with a pitcher, then it surely cannot be Raydon. There is no assurance that Raydon can be outstanding pitcher in the Pacific Coast League. He certainly does not carry the publicity assurance of a Garber or a Munger or a Donoso or a Trimble or any one of several others who might be available for Hollywood. In other words, the sending of Raydon is a gamble, - first because he may not be needed, and second, he may not be good enough to ace the club. And there is a third reason, namely that New Orleans would find in Raydon a publicity ace and perhaps a real one, and the New Orleans pitching staff surely will need some help. For all there reasons I would hold Raydon at this time on the Pittsburgh club. B.R. June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. Curt Raydon is a one pitch pitcher, - a good fast ball, - practically nothing else. He can't hold runners on. That is to say, any base runner can get a good break, a running start. He stands with every bit of his weight on his right foot. While he is moving over getting ready to step, the runner is running. No catcher born can shoot out the runner, not with Raydon pitching. This chap needs a third pitch or perhaps I should say a second one, - a usable effective something besides his fast ball. As he is today, from the standpoint of the major leagues, he is not worth a dime a dozen. He is as bad a batsman as Bill Doak, possibly worse. He should be downright ashamed of himself. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 REZO, BILL (Infielder) He would have to be a corking good hitter and a good runner for me to have any interest. June 19, 1956 Slow runner. I don't think so. Besides he can't run. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Hollywood-Seattle June 24, 1956 Shortstop Leo Righetti. He is hitting .300, - mirabile dictu. I wouldn't have him. March 23, 1956 ROBERTS, CURT In any event, Roberts should not leave this club until cut down date, - and possibly not then. B.R. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 ROGERS, ROCKY (Infielder) Has a fine arm and good actions. If he can hit and run, he is definitely o.k. I like Rogers. June 19, 1956 Look at him again. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Phoenix, Arizona June 26, 1956 One Day Observation Rosania (Outfielder with Douglas) Right hand hitting outfielder. Very young. Sturdy built chap. He has good form at the plate and good power. If he can run and throw, this boy will attract a lot of attention. Branch Rickey BR/b (Later) He can run, and he can throw. He's a great freshman prospect. B.R. Phoenix, Arizona June 26, 1956 Samford (Phoenix Infielder) A below average runner, not a great arm. I don't believe he is a prospect. Branch Rickey BR/b June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. Roger Sawyer should be moved somewhere. He needs to be worked regularly. Sawyer cannot get regular work at Hollywood. He has come to be a side-arm pitcher. I think it is a very bad mistake to give up overhand pitching, although he may advisably vary his delivery to side-arm. Sawyer has a fine change up on his fast ball, but never throws it. Whose fault it is, I do not know. Hollywood-Seattle June 24, 1956 Schult, Art. A great big man. Just a fair runner with an average arm. Not as much power as his size would indicate. I don't believe he is a major league prospect. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SHACKLEFORD, RAY (Infielder) Arm good enough. Might be interested, but watch him at the plate. June 19, 1956 No reason why he shouldn't hit. Have a further look. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b June 20, 1956 Side arm thrower altogether. Not a great arm. BRANCH RICKEY Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SETTLE, TED I defer to the judgment of the other fellows. He may have more stuff than it seemed. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SHELBY, BOB (Infielder) Has a quick, short arm throw. Might play second base, not third or short. Don't know anything about his running speed. June 19, 1956 Hitting form is good, and he shows power. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Hollywood, California June 20, 1956 SHELBY, BOB 6'4" tall, 198 pounds, right hander, pretty good speed, fair curve, - nothing else, and I didn't have any luck helping the boy very much. He is a nice fellow. He has pretty good power at the plate. I have a great doubt that he could do creditable work in professional baseball as a pitcher, - right now. He might be a good boy to have in spring training. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b March 16, 1956 SHEPARD, JACK Shepard has lost his appearance of leadership and possibly his sense of it. Without his aggressiveness, his assertiveness, his take-chargeness, he is a doubtful major leaguer. Sooner or later, I believe Shepard will come to that sort of leadership which distinctly characterized his year's work at Denver. B.R. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SHINN, JIM (Infielder) Very good arm, - quite adequate to play anywhere. He looks like an infielder. June 19, 1956 Not very impressive as a batsman. Average runner at that. BRANCH RICKEY June 20, 1956 I have not seen a real exhibition of his running speed, but from what I have seen, he is a very ordinary runner. BR/b BRANCH RICKEY Albuquerque, N. M. June 27, 1956 One Day's Observation Dick Shinnick (Lincoln Pitcher) Tall, right hander. Has been in the organization five years. He doesn't have baseball in his mind except as a sort of a summer job to pay his way throught school. He has a good fast ball, fair curve, nothing else. If he really wanted to be a great pitcher, he might become one. He has no such interest. Branch Rickey BR/b (Later) As a batsman, Shinnick ain't. B.R. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SILVERMAN, RON (Outfielder) Average runner. Good form at the plate. Very good form and the kid has power. Make sure about his arm. June 19, 1956 The boy has slow body reflexes. Has a fine arm, overhand delivery, fine carry on every throw. Surely the only position he could play on the infield, if any, is third base. If he can run well above average, then I would give him a chance to play professional baseball. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. Dick Smith, at shortstop, is barely good enough for a pennant winning club in the Pacific Coast League, - only barely. He is a confirmed puny hitter, and it would be very easy to over-estimate his running speed. He is not a slow runner, neither is he a long strider. He may not really be as fast as he is rated. The boy has no adventure as a base runner. He is a nice person and the Hollywood club can possibly carry him for sometime to come as an integral part of a good club. Hollywood-Seattle June 24, 1956 Third baseman Milt Smith. Last year with San Diego, purchased by Cincinnati and now in some off hand deal belongs to St. Louis. He can run like the dickens and although a right hand hitter, he hits to right field almost altogether. He either has a very sore arm or he can't throw. No arm at all. I would not be interested too much in him even if he could throw. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SMITH, WALLY (Infielder) Very cubbish, very green, immature, no coordination as yet. He might acquire more ability in another year or two. Out of consideration for the present. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 SORENSON, GARY (Infielder) This boy is about 5'7" tall, and will weigh 160 pounds. Only 17. He can run and he can throw and his form at the plate is good. We would not lose any money if we can sign him at $4,000 and he could go to some club right now, - and should go to some club. His experience has been at shortstop but he could probably play any position. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b One Day Observation Los Angeles Club June 17, 1956 Speake (Outfielder) Showed me no arm at all. If his throwing in the fielding practice was in reality Speake's arm at its best, he can't throw good enough to play in a Class C league. He may have a sore arm. June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. R. C. Stevens This big, agile, right hand hitting negro is a 'hitter-upper'. He can scratch more clouds than most anybody. He has power enough to drop the ball out of the park on occasion. He is a young fellow and his ownership should be protected. Albuquerque, N. M. June 27, 1956 One Day Observation Al Stringer (Lincoln Infielder) This is the younger one of the two Stringers [?]. I don't believe he can do anything. If you have a young infielder anywhere, I would put him in here and give this chap his unconditional release. Branch Rickey BR/b Albuquerque, N. M. June 27, 1956 One Day Observation Richard Stuart (Lincoln Outfielder) This tall, right hand hitter, has very unusual power. His running speed is only average, - if that. His arm is good, but some people say it is only average, but in my book, it is well above average. He has an excellent arm. Dick is an eccentric, - perhaps born a bit short. The only thing he thinks about or talks about is a home run. He does not regard any other part of his play as important. The date of this dictation is June 27th and Dick has now made 40 home runs to date in the Western League. He will probably break this year the all-time record for home runs in professional baseball. Branch Rickey BR/b March 20, 1956 SURKONT, MAX This player should have been disposed of also at the winter meetings. Right now, several clubs in the National League need pitching. But everyone is shopping for an ace pitcher. The same identical procedure should be followed as I have indicated elsewhere on Ward. Exactly the same. Ward, Surkont and Atwell should have brought to this club $100,000. I made that very remark last summer and I said it at the end of the season and I said it on more than one occasion in the fall, and I tried to indicate as strongly as I could that I could bring about these deals but not once was I given other than the impression I was to stay completely out of any effort in these directions. And I choose to believe from information given me by other clubs that those clubs were not supposed further to discuss with me about players. Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Chicago, but particularly Milwaukee and Cincinnati, told me of conversations about which I know nothing. In any event, none of the deals have been made and we can possibly be in front of a compulsory acceptance of the waiver price for these players. It is not simply the loss of the money that encompasses all my concern. It is the possible loss of playing strength that might have come to us in these deals. That could be something very real. B.R. April 2, 1956 SWANSON, ART (RED) Swanson is a bonus player and when he grows up he might be quite a pitcher. He has the deliberate approach to his job and is a student of pitching. I have great hopes for his comparatively early future. B. R. Hollywood-Seattle June 24, 1956 Outfielder Joe Taylor. A tall, rough, sea-going negro who allegedly plays a great game when he is sober. He has a reputation of being a complete rounder, - a fence screeching tomcat with not enough females in sight. He even plays a good game, so 'tis said, with his snoot full. This fellow can run and he can throw and he can hit the ball 'a fur piece'. I don't know how old he is. So far as I can find out, no one does. He is somewhere between 20 and 40. Age doesn't matter very much because he is agile, fast, and obviously full of confidence. He is presently hitting .325 with 24 doubles and 16 home runs. Taylor bears such a vile reputation that I guess I couldn't have the remotest interest in him, but he impressed me very much as a player in the few games I saw him play. June 26, 1956 Phoenix, Arizona One Day Observation Billy Joe Thompson (Phoenix First Baseman) A big, 6'5", right hand hitting first baseman. He has power and he can run, but he has no adventure at all. Gets no lead and doesn't try to get a break. Just stands dead off any base. Branch Rickey BR/b Albuquerque, N. M. June 27, 1956 One Day Observation Kenny Toothman (Lincoln Infielder) Just an ordinary player in every respect. I don't believe he should be considered as a possibility for anything higher than AA. His future depends upon his hitting. Branch Rickey BR/b March 27, 1956 TRIMBLE, JOE This young right hander has major league stuff. When he really cuts loose on his curve ball, it is unhittable. He has a good fast ball and a good knuckle ball which he seldom uses. He has a variety of stuff and plenty of it. He acts to me like a stage-fright kid. His liver shakes inside. He reminds me of Friend in '51, '52, '53. He has the mannerism of calm deliberation but it is not real. If and when he becomes oriented, - he certainly will be quite a pitcher. Words or vocal encouragement will hardly help him in his present state, and the poise he needs will not likely come quickly. Pitching in high company and lots of it is the cure, - sure and quick. The question is whether or not we can afford to give him that kind of work. B.R. June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. Ben Wade. An old right hander, but a likeable chap. He was told, in effect, when he left Pittsburgh a year ago that I was responsible for his leaving the club. I did not have the remotest thing to do with the decision to send him out. Nevertheless, he has said uncomplimentary things due, of course, to his misinformation. Clay tells me that if he had to let loose of a pitcher, the first man to go would be Wade. That could be the correct decision. I do not know. He is a non-prospect, and I think Bobby Bragan is very wrong in asking for his assignment back to Pittsburgh. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 WALLACE, KIM (Infielder) Almost no stride, gives you all he got when he hits. Level swing. See more of that boy by all means. June 19, 1956 He has a quick arm, - a sound arm, not great velocity. Second base, I guess, is his position. He can go professional if he can hit. His future depends upon what he does with his bat in his hands. He is the kind of prospect you would not care to put any money into, i.e., a bonus. If he wants a job, o.k. Very young. Just can't get the bat against any curve ball or any breaking ball. I am completely upset about it. He is just a boy. No power at the plate. I would say undoubtedly not ready for professional ball. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b March 27, 1956 WALLS, RAY LEE I don't care what Walls says, - he is not in physical condition to play baseball on a winning major league club. Between second and third on his three base hit, he practically blew up. He could hardly finish. That is simply an inexcusable physical condition for a major league outfielder. Nevertheless, in my book Walls can do our club or any other club more good than Skinner in the outfield. B.R. Phoenix, Arizona June 26, 1956 One Day Observation Walton (Douglas 2nd Baseman) Little fellow. He may have a good arm, but he doesn't show it. Very average runner. This could be his league. Branch Rickey BR/b (Later) Walton has much less than an average arm. B.R. March 20, 1956 WARD, PRESTON This boy could have been disposed of surely at the winter meeting. In fact, I know that the deal could have been consummated at that time, and his marketing should have been handled in such a manner that either, first, brought about a favorable deal within the National League, and second, upon waivers secured in the National League, a money deal in the American League. This we also know could have been brought about. Player Ward should not have been brought to this camp this spring and it never was in my plans that he should have been brought to this camp this spring. The procedure even now could be somewhat as follows. A telephone conversation with every National League club who might be inclined to claim Ward on a waiver request, in which the club was told if a claim was to be entered, then the Pittsburgh club would prefer not to ask waivers at this time. And this statement would not be a bluff because under the present circumstances if Ward is claimed at $10,000 within the National League, we then know we have a chance of making a much better deal. Then, indeed, Ward should be held until the cutdown date on May 15th when clubs will either have to waive or find themselves in the position to offer a much higher consideration. In my judgment, it is just too bad that Ward was not disposed of before March 1st. B.R. March 27, 1956 WATERS, FRED I think Branch, Jr. is dead right about this fellow. He must simply pitch his way off this club. I would rather have him than Littlefield. He has a better curve ball and better control. He has a corking move to hold men on and I don't believe for one minute that he is subject to stage-fright. B.R. June 24, 1956 Hollywood, Cal. Fred Waters should be retained right where he is. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 Welch, Jim (Outfielder) OUT. Branch Rickey BR/b Hollywood - Seattle June 24, 1956 Second baseman Artie Wilson. You can have him. Hollywood, California June 18, 1956 WISE, SAMUEL (Infielder) He has an outfielder's arm and not too strong. Would not give him any consideration anywhere in the infield, - not at this time. Jun 19, 1956 Shows very good arm and has body control. BRANCH RICKEY BR/b Albuquerque, N.M. June 27, 1956 One Day Observation Joe Zavattaro (Lincoln Catcher) Looks like he has a good arm. Knows how to put his clothes on and has a good manner on the field. With the bases full, he took three straight pitches right through the heart of the plate. He never moved his bat off his shoulder. Branch Rickey BR/b (Later) I doubt if he knows a good ball from a bad ball up at the plate. I don't believe he is any kind of a good hitter, - not at all. B.R. Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.