BASEBALL FILE SCOUTING REPORTS 1963 BRANCH RICKEY BOX 54 FOLDER 2 August 10, 1963 Billings, Montana MAJOR, TOM 6'1" tall, weight about 175 pounds, right hander. Speed enough, a 'roundhouse curve' - no quick break. Not adequate, but usable. Keep it. He must have a third usable pitch. I believe he can get a change up on his curve ball. He should practice it at not more than 30'. He has a change up on his fast ball. Direction of rotation is not directly back toward him. It is a crooked pitch. It does not change speed. It is usable if he has control. I believe he can get, without too much time, a change up on the curve ball. Aptitude is medium. Desire is good. He has never tried a slider. Has never tried a knuckle ball. He should try both. He must get a usable third pitch. Not a candidate for the Instruction Camp this fall. His challenge is simply in the field of control. His finger manipulation is perfect. Angle of delivery and finger placement repeat. In Tom's case, it is a matter of intent and concentration. His physical set up should give him control. He must become a spot pitcher. Right now, nobody can tell [you] how far he can go or whether he could go or not. This boy is late starting on intensive work in getting any control but it is my judgment that he has to start right there. He has an experience of a sore arm on the point of the shoulder, probably due to over pitching or perhaps press pitching or to the change in the angle of delivery. Right now his delivery is free and smooth and his step and follow through satisfactory. I know of no reason why the boy cannot come to be a control pitcher. If he has a recurring ailment on the shoulder, he should baby it, - stop short of pain always. I don't know this boy's future. I don't think anybody knows. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine April 13, 1965 St. Louis vs. Phillies MAHAFFEY, ART (Philadelphia Pitcher) Pitcher Mahaffey has stuff, plenty of it. He makes balks, plenty of them too. Managers, coaches, and players should be prompt, loud, and persistent in calling attention to umpires on Mahaffey's failure to hold long enough. BRANCH RICKEY September 7, 1963 Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa vs Amarillo MAJTYKA, ROY A very average runner. A good arm, not great. Plays equally as well at second, third, or short. A very useful utility man in AAA. I would not bring him to the major league roster at all. If somebody wants to draft him at Atlanta, o.k. He won't be drafted. I would call him a money player, - good when the chips are down, - either in the field or at bat. A desirable organization man. I know him. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Cincinnati, Ohio May 2, 1963 Cincinnati vs Milwaukee MATHEWS, EDDIE Left hand hitting third baseman with Milwaukee is unpredictable. He can look very bad against a certain pitcher and will slump for a period of several games. He will look bad on changes of speed and then wallop a slow ball out of the park. He is simply a good percentage batsman with a great power. Not at all effective against left handers as he is against right handers. Not now in any possible market and not likely that he ever will be. Not a base stealer. BRANCH RICKEY. St. Louis, Missouri May 1, 1963 St. Louis vs Chicago MATHEWS, NELSON (Chicago Outfielder) A 6'4" right hand hitting outfielder, 21 years of age. Has power. Very desirable. BRANCH RICKEY August 12, 1963 Bismark, North Dakota Bismark-Mandan vs Winnipeg MAY, RUDLOPH (Bismark-Mandan Fitcher) Colored left hand pitcher with Bismark. Belongs to the Twins. Good fast ball, and a good straight downer. Showed courage and control. I would guess him to be 6'2" tall, and will weigh 180 pounds. A very interesting rookie. BRANCH RICKEY Only 19 years of age. In any possible trade with Minnesota, try to get this player. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine July 23, 1963 Toronto, Canada Toronto vs Atlanta MAXIE, LARRY (Toronto Pitcher) Tall, 22 year old, right hand pitcher. A very good fast ball and so-so curve. Threw several change-ups off his fast ball with good effect. He is not a major league pitcher right now. He is not good holding men on. There is no question but that this fellow could become a major leaguer. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine March 26, 1963 MAXVILL, DAL Fielding O.K., arm quick and accurate. Not a Boyer arm. 25 Maxvills' will finish in the second division, but he could be carried by any contending club - pennant-bound. BRANCH RICKEY Dal Maxvill A puney hitter and I mean just that. I hate to say it, but he has almost no power whatever as a major league batter. If he were to play 162 games with the Cardinals in 1963, I don't believe he would have 10% of power on the basis of figuring power with only [a] the number of base hits and the extra base hits involved. The slugging percentage in the book doesn't give at all any sort of accurate judgment on power. The book relates the extra hits to the number of times at bat. In order to get accuracy on sheer power, the extra hits must be related to the number of hits. I repeat that on this basis that Dal would not exceed 10%. He is a righthand hitter. I have turned him over to the left side and he gets the bat and the ball together very well. I believe his batting percentage lefthanded against righthand pitching would be just as high this coming season as his righthand hitting will be against lefthand pitching. I strongly suggest that wherever he [is] may be he should be urged to bat from both sides of the plate. I do not believe this boy has an outside chance to help the Cardinal Baseball Club to advance in [his] its potential position in the 1963 campaign. I understand full well this player's unusual intelligence. [and] His apparent power of self analysis plus his industry might fool me and he might become a pest hitter, although fairly limited to singles. March 14, 1963 MAXVILL, DALE This boy is very surely a fine fielder and an average runner. He is as quick as a cat, alert as a fox, but most certainly he has no power. BRANCH RICKEY March 26, 1963 MAXVILL [Mechanically] Fielding O.K., arm quick and accurate. [Adequate,] [but] Not a Boyer arm. 25 Maxvills' will finish in the second division, but he could be carried by any contending club - pennant-bound New York, N. Y. July 25, 1963 Los Angeles (AL) vs New York (AL) McBRIDE, KEN (Los Angeles Angels Pitcher) Corking pitcher on record and general reputation. Good speed, good curve, - pretty good control in games I have seen him. An effective pitcher. Makes good hitters look bad. This 27 year old right hander is desirable. He shows poise and command. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine March 15, 1963 McCARVER, TIM Does not know how to "body check." BRANCH RICKEY March 26, 1963 MC CARVER, TIM Arm adequate - good enough. Better than Oliver's. I think he will hit .250 or better and with more power than he has shown heretofore. BRANCH RICKEY March 26, 1963 Tom MC CARVER Arm adequate - good enough. Better than Oliver's. I think he will hit 250 or better and with more power than he has shown heretofore. August 6, 1963 New York, N. Y. St. Louis vs New York Mets McCARVER, TIMMY 25 McCarvers' will win every pennant in the National League, year in and year out. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Chicago, Illinois July 16, 1963 Chicago White Sox vs. Senators McCRAW (Chicago First Baseman) Colored boy. Well built, 6' tall, left hand hitter. Looks like a power hitter but a striker-outer. He is a good runner. BRANCH RICKEY St. Louis, Missouri May 1, 1963 St. Louis vs Chicago McDANIEL, LINDY (Chicago Pitcher) 27 year old, right hand pitcher on Chicago. He joins Face in relief work. BRANCH RICKEY August 1, 1963 Brunswick, Ga. Brunswick vs Thomasville McNAMEE, BILL (Brunswick Pitcher) Left hander, - four years of professional experience. Fair fast ball, good curve, - threw nothing else. He has just come out of the army. However, I don't believe he is major league bound. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine August 10, 1963 Billings, Montana Billings vs Boise MEISCHNER, OTTO A big right hand pitcher with a good curve ball, 22 years of age. Got good stuff, poor control. Class A batters wouldn't hurt him. If he is completely sound at the end of the season, I think he should come to the Florida Instruction Camp this fall. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Cincinnati, Ohio May 2, 1963 Cincinnati vs Milwaukee MENKE, DENIS (Milwaukee Infielder) I find no record of him as a runner or as a hitter. He is a big boy with a good arm and has power at the plate. Observation in three games leaves me with a very favorable impression. He is an all-around athlete. Looks like he can play anywhere. I like this player. BRANCH RICKEY Cleveland, Ohio July 24, 1963 Cleveland vs Minnesota MINCHER, DON (Minnesota First Baseman) A fine looking ball player, - left hand hitter. He made to or three plays at first base in the game at Cleveland this evening that were very exceptional. He looked great as a fielder, and he has power to his own field. I liked everything about him on my first impression. Not below average runner. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine New York, N. Y. July 26, 1963 New York Yankees vs. Minnesota MINCHER, DON (Minnesota First Baseman) Change ups bother him badly. He may get over it but it is his greatest weakness right now. He takes the slow ball or swings on it weakly. Apparently the league knows this weakness. The pitch in varied forms was given to him repeatedly in the three successive games I saw. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine March 23, 1963 MINOSO In my judgment, Minoso is just as good a player as when St. Louis got him from Chicago in exchange for Cunningham. He can still run and he can still throw, - and if we should adopt the policy for this season of "pennant or bust", then I would not dispose of Minoso at the present time. Wait and see! June 15th will give a better price. BRANCH RICKEY March 23, 1963 MINOSO In my judgment, Minoso is just as good a player as when St. Louis got him from Chicago in exchange for Cunningham. He can still run and he can still throw, - and if we should adopt the policy for this season of "pennant or bust", then [I believe Minoso should be retained on this club.] I would not dispose of Minoso at the present time - [give] wait & See! June 15 will give a better price x Tuesday, Forenoon, April 2, 1963 St. Petersburg, Florida MINOSO, MINNIE The Mets are interested, so is Houston, but neither club is ready to deal right now. I told Bing that in view of Johnny Keane's dislike of the player the deal with Washington would have to be made, although I still felt, I told him, that the market would show a high cash value before June 15th than it does now. The purchase of Burke compels the apparent reduction of another player and under the circumstances I suppose it has to be Minoso. Therefore the deal with Washington will probably be concluded any day. Of all the old 'spavs' who are not calculated, in my opinion, to win a pennant for St. Louis, Minoso comes the nearest qualifying for retention. Good-bye Minoso. BRANCH RICKEY July 31, 1963 Brunswick, Ga. MISCISCO, DANIEL (Brunswick Pitcher) Left hander, weight 170 pounds, 5'10" tall. Could easily weigh 200 pounds. He has to watch his weight closely. This boy has perfect habits. I hope to God he keeps them. He is a perfectionist. He can learn anything simply by being told. He should not try to pitch the new change of pace curve ball this year. He might do it, but he might get a sore arm out of it. George Kissell should see to it that the boy never practices this new change of pace curve over the 40' distance this year. That is very important. He has a good curve ball and he has a change off this curve ball of his own, but there isn't enough difference in velocity between the two pitches. He has control of his alleged change of speed curve. He steps the same all the time and he has more aptitude than any boy I have worked out on the Brunswick club. He gets the idea instantly and can put it into effect. In my book, this chap is a definite prospect. Might become a Spahn. He is that type, - intelligent-wise and aptitude-wise. I like him. My final advice on this chap to his manager now and in the future and organization-wise is to watch his weight. I think he could pitch at 164 pounds better than at 175 pounds. He is leggy. An only child and for all the tea in China comes from a good family. I congratulate whoever found him. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine August 2, 1963 Brunswick, Ga. MISCISCO, DAN He can't run but he is quick. He is a pitcher right now, - not a thrower. He has both intelligence and guts. He could probably pitch upstairs effectively in 1964. If he had great spped or say sufficient spped, this chap could be a quickie for the majors. It may be that he does not have enough speed to ever make it. He should be given a very thorough trial as a pitcher. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine September 5, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City MONTEAGUDO, AURELIO BING He has a lot of speed, and apparently great control. He threw 12 successive fast balls almost exactly one foot over the batters' heads. He may have a curve ball. He never threw any. Showed more speed than any pitcher I have seen in the American League, including Drabowsky. Very nervous boy. First appearance in the major league. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine August 9, 1963 Billings, Montana MONTGOMERY, FRANK Slim boy, about 6'1" tall, and will weigh 170 pounds. Left hander. I believe the boy has enough speed to go places. He has a curve ball. He has a change-up on his fast ball. It is my opinion that he does not have control of anything. He has physical control of the ball - almost perfect. If you place a baseball in the middle of home plate, I will enter this chap as a favorable candidate to hit that ball on a given number of pitches against any young pitcher you may name. He has arm control, - very good. There isn't any way to estimate his future because of his lack of control and it is something that he can get, - if he wants to enough. He should practice spot pitching constantly with every pitch he has. He is a one legged pitcher. That is not really bad but it is not really good. When he delivers any pitch, his right leg is straight up and his body straight up also. The left leg has been attached to his body from birth but he just lets it dangle. It hardly comes down to the ground. He must come to know that he cannot do anything with the ball after it leaves his hand. At that instant, he must sense that he is now a fielder. That will give him a new position. I think this boy has three pitches. I don't believe he is a 'quickie', - meaning that I don't think he will come to the majors in one year, but the organization should not quit on him. It is my judgment that he will walk a lot of men in professional baseball and he will do it for another year, - maybe two. An intelligent boy, good habits, good background. Lacks one semester from graduation at Mississippi State at Starkville. I don't believe this boy can be helped over much by bringing him to the Instruction Camp this fall in Florida. He knows what he has to do to become a pitcher. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine June 17, 1963 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs N. Y. Mets MORAN (New York Mets Infielder) I would never accept him as a throw in in any deal. With me, he is second division from top to toe. BRANCH RICKEY August 6, 1963 New York, N.Y. St. Louis vs New York Mets MORAN, AL (New York Mets Infielder) Right hand hitting infielder. In thinking, throwing, running, and hitting, a good minor league ball player. 25 Morans' would finish in last place. He would probably do a good job at Atlanta. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine New York, N.Y. July 25, 1963 Los Angeles (AL) vs New York (AL) MORAN, BILLY (Los Angeles Angels Infielder) Highly regarded in the American League. Right hand hitting infielder. About thirty years old. Six or seven years ago, I didn't think Moran was a major league prospect. At that time, I didn't regard him as a power hitter at all, but he has developed into a pretty good hitter and about 40% power. Plays everywhere and is smart. He is not the type for St. Louis to deal for in any winter trade. 25 Morans' would never win a pennant. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Brunswick, Ga. July 29, 1963 Brunswick vs Moultrie MURRAY, CHARLIE (Moultrie Outfielder) Murray is completely unacquainted with a left hander's curve ball. He might get acquainted with it some day, in which case he might be quite a player. Just about the most helpless man I have ever seen against left hand pitching. He couldn't make good on the Lucasville High School team if all pitchers were left handed. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine St. Louis vs. Chicago Sarasota, Fla. March 25, 1963 MUSIAL, STAN There isn't any doubt about Stan's hitting ability. He can still hit, but I don't believe he can hit as he formerly did, either percentage-wise or power-wise. The dismal unwelcome fact is that he cannot run a lick. I am trying to think of someone in baseball today as slow a runner as Musial. I simply cannot think of anyone. I regret the candid necessity of saying that I believe that Carmel or James or Kolb in left field will win more games for St. Louis in 1963 than Musial. Furthermore, the public will tearfully agree to this last statement before the year is over if Stanley continues to play as a regular left fielder. BRANCH RICKEY St. Louis vs. Chicago Sarasota, Fla. March 25, 1963 STAN MUSIAL There isn't any doubt about Stan's hitting ability. He can still hit, but I don't believe he can hit as he formerly did, either percentage-wise or power-wise. The dismal unwelcome fact is that he cannot run a lick. I am trying to think of someone in baseball today as slow a runner as Musial. I simply cannot think of anyone. I regret the candid necessity of saying that I believe that Carmel [and] or James or Kolb [alternating] in left field will win more games for St. Louis in 1963 than Musial. [Frankly, I believe that James in left field and playing regularly will do us more good than Stanley.] Furthermore, the public will tearfully agree to this last statement before the year is over if Stanley continues to play as a regular left fielder. April 16, 1963 St. Louis vs Pittsburgh MUSIAL, STAN Read my spring training reports. The possibilities not only become probabilities but the probabilities have already become history. Branch Rickey April 25, 1963 San Francisco, California St. Louis vs San Francisco Musial, Stan In the seventh inning of the game today in San Francisco, with two men on, he gave them a run. Didn't reach the ball in time to make a quick throw and even then the runner outran the ball. Positively looked helpless at the plate. Struck out twice against a right hander and then popped up to the first baseman in the ninth inning. Branch Rickey St. Louis, Missouri May 8, 1963 St. Louis vs Los Angeles MUSIAL, STANLEY In the seventh inning withone out, Howard hit a fly ball to left field. Groat could have easily caught the ball and should have got it. However, Musial took it. Tommie Davis scored easily standing up. It was a gift run. Branch Rickey May 18, 1963 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs Cincinnati MUSIAL, STANLEY With Spencer the first man up in the third inning against Cincinnati, he delayed on a fly ball to left field. It was a really high fly ball. Musial didn't come within 10' of it. Spencer scored. The ball would have been caught by any average running outfielder. BRANCH RICKEY August 6, 1963 New York, N.Y. New York Mets vs. St. Louis MUSIAL, STAN John continues to play Musial. The Mets run in the first inning was due to Musial's weak arm on the throw to third. He can't run, he can't field, and he can't throw. 25 Musials' would finish in last place, below the Mets. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine June 17, 1963 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs N. Y. Mets NEAL, CHARLES Looks like he is through. Plays indifferently Don't take him in any deal. BRANCH RICKEY March 19, 1963 NEEMAN, CAL An old player, good arm, fair runner, and a good catcher. No hit. A gentle man. BRANCH RICKEY August 10, 1963 Billings, Montana Billings vs Boise NEWCOMER, JACK Right hand hitter. Not a power hitter and a pretty good runner. Arm very good. He would have to become a minor league .300 hitter to go major. This player should be discussed in the fall meeting. More extended observation should control. It might be advantageous to have this boy go to the fall camp in Florida. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Brunswick, Ga. July 30, 1963 NEWTON, DOIN Twenty one year old left hander from West Plains, Missouri. Has two children. Fair speed, - not [a great fast ball]. Has a very good curve ball and he has a change up on this fast ball that is very good, - and apparently good control of all three pitches. I think this boy has unusual aptitude. He can learn to do something with the ball simply from conversation. I believe he can acquire very quickly a change up on his curve ball. This additional pitch frequently causes lame arms but not if it is learned at not to exceed thirty feet. This boy might be a good pitcher. I would hold him. BRANCH RICKEY Chicago, Illinois July 16, 1963 Chicago White Sox vs. Senators NICHOLSON, DAVE (Chicago Outfielder) Big fellow, - lot of power. Doesn't know how to throw from the outfield. BRANCH RICKEY September 2, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles NICHOLSON, DAVE (White Sox Outfielder) A very big right hand hitting outfielder. A completely bewilldered batsman. If the ball is pitched where he is swinging, fences make no difference. He has power. If properly pitched to by an ordinary major league pitcher with control, this batsman should not hit over .100. He handles himself very clumsily in the outfield in the several games I saw him and indifferently in the fielding practices. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing DeVine September 5, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City NICHOLSON, DAVE (Kansas City Outfielder) I do not understand how Manager Lopez can keep Nicholson in his regular lineup. Doesn't look like a good outfielder, average arm, below average runner. 25 Nicholsons on the same club would finish last in any good minor league. BRANCH RICKEY Cincinnati, Ohio May 3, 1963 St. Louis vs Cincinnati NUXHALL, JOE (Cincinnati Pitcher) Left handed Cincinnati pitcher. Fine control, good stuff. To Burke and Groat and the other boys who stand too far from the plate, he pitched with great consistency on the outside and with complete effect. It has been many a day since I have seen any pitcher with finer spot control. More than that, he knew why/where he wanted to throw it. I don't believe there were more than three or four pitches from Nuxhall in the entire game above the waistline. BRANCH RICKEY April 13, 1963 St. Louis vs. Phillies OLDIS, BOB (Philadelphia Catcher) I've known this boy for several years. He is one of the best receivers in the game. Not an accurate thrower and in my opinion never has been. I say this regardless of his reputation as a fine defensive catcher. A very ordinary hitter in any league and a double play runner. Under no circumstances would I take Oldis in a deal. BRANCH RICKEY March 26, 1963 OLIVER, GENE Unless his arm is sore, he does not have a strong arm. BRANCH RICKEY April 2, 1963 St. Petersburg, Fla. OLIVER, GENE Catcher Oliver must have an ailing arm. He cannot throw a ball hard, and this ailment, whatever it is, may effect his apparent inability to throw the ball overhand. Invariably on practically every throw, - even the toss back to the pitcher, is from a little above a three-quarters delivery. He is not a quick thrower. Very deliberate. With Broglio pitching, any average speed runner, with an ordinary lead and break, should be able to steal second. If Oliver's arm is sound, then he cannot throw. BRANCH RICKEY April 11, 1963 St. Louis vs Mets OLIVER, GENE What is the purpose of objective of a catcher backing up first base on balls hit to the infield? The answer, in all cases, is the retrieve a wild throw. Well, if the purpose is worthy, if really it pays to retrieve, then the retrieving should be done correctly and with energy and without handicap. Why catchers back up bases and particularly first base with a mask on, I don't know. What protection does a mask give a catcher 40 [ ] in back of first base when he is chasing a wild ball? What obstruction is it that can hit him in the face on such an occasion? Nevertheless, Oliver invariably runs all over the place with his mask still on. I am so glad that he doesn't stop to pick up the hitter's bat and carry it along as an extra handicap. BRANCH RICKEY April 20, 1963 Philadelphia, Pa. St. Louis vs. Philadelphia DEMETER scored in the fifth inning from first base on Siever's hit to left field. The retrieving was deliberate, but Boyer's realy throw was 15' ahead of the runner who slid into home and apparently kicked the ball out of OLIVER's hand to the wall. It was most certainly a gift run. BRANCH RICKEY April 25, 1963 San Francisco, California St. Louis vs San Francisco OLIVER, GENE Positively will not or doesn't know how to body check a low pitched ball. He plays every dirt pitch as if he were a shortstop. He looked helpless with a bat in his hands. Struck out three times. BRANCH RICKEY May 25, 1963 OLIVER, GENE Everyone says that Oliver's arm has improved. I believe it has improved, but it is very far from being a strong arm, and he cannot throw even at short distances. He actually threw out Kranepool at second on a questionable decision. The ball was 9 feet high and 'Andy over'. BRANCH RICKEY March 19, 1963 OLIVO, DIOMEDES 42 years of age. 22 years of age in strength and stuff. Has pitching savvy and fine team attitude. A game saver and a morale builder. Good for two or three more years. Maybe. BRANCH RICKEY Afternoon, April 19, 1963 Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, Pa. OLIVO I was strong for the inclusion of Olivo in the recent Pittsburg-St. Louis deal. However, this 45 year old very pleasant gentleman is bound to reach the precipice of his value sooner or later and probably sooner. In yesterday's game, he had nothing at all. There should be close observation to discover deterioration well in advance of the time when his record of the year proves it. If Olivo fails to impress us the next two relief days, it could well be that he should be one of the three to be disposed of not later than May 7, 1963. Over indulged sentiment is the most insidious disease a manager can have, and that statement is to be given careful consideration when closely examining the work of players on the Cardinal club other than Olivo. Branch Rickey Chicago, Illinois July 16, 1963 Chicago White Sox vs. Senators OSBORNE, LARRY (Washington First Baseman) Below average runner. Left hand hitter, almost and over-strider. I might want him at Tulsa. He can be pitched to by anybody with a variety of pitches. Against good pitching in the major league, I would call Osborne a .240 or .250 hitter, but of no interest to St. Louis in any kind of a deal. Branch Rickey September 2, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles OSINSKI, DANIEL (Los Angeles Pitcher) Right hander, thirty year old. Fast ball looked pretty good. Curve ball went everywhere. He does not have the stuff that the Cardinals need to win a pennant. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine Chicago, Illinois July 16, 1963 Chicago White Sox vs. Senators OSTEEN, CLAUDE (Washington Pitcher) Left hand pitcher with Washington. Unimpressive. Fair fast ball, fair curve. Run of the mine. BRANCH RICKEY Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.