BRANCH RICKY BASEBALL FILE SCOUTING REPORTS 1964 L-R Box 54 Folder 8 July 11, 1964 Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh vs Burlington LABOY, JOSE He is perfection in all seven points of batting form, and he has power. He should hit in any league. He can't run, - below average. I believe his arm is good enough. Not great. BRANCH RICKEY September 14 and 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville LABOY, JOSE This colored right hand hitting third baseman has splendid batting possibilities. My earlier observation rated him well below average in running speed. I believe that rating is in error. He is below average, but not very much. He can throw, - a really strong arm and very quick. He has a forearm quickness and strength that would make him an ideal second baseman, and he has the long throwing power as well. He has changed his open stance considerably in the batter's box and his pivot foot is several inches further away from the plate than it was during the past season when he was with Raleigh. If he holds to this open stance, he surely should move his right foot to the inside line of the batter's box. He was hitting around .390 at Raleigh up to the time of a real fracas in Rocky Mount a couple of weeks before the close of the Carolina League season. The opposing pitcher, filled with obvious venom after a damaging homerun, threw at Jose, - also Chasteen. The next time at bat, Jose bunted and the pitcher fielding the bunt roughly tagged [at] Jose en route to first base. Jose was carrying the bat with him and quite deliberately struck the pitcher with the bat a second time in the midriff and laid the pitcher out. Arrest followed and jail, - a fine and a probational jail sentence. After that affair, the player went from .390 in the next dozen games to .360, making only one hit in the next nineteen times at bat. With Jacksonville, he finished the season with about a .270 average. This experience may have changed his batting position at the plate. His manager, George Kissell, feels very strongly that it did affect the boy's hitting. This affair to me is very surprising and disappointing. LABOY, JOSE -2- 9/14 and 15/64 Jose is reporting to the Hollywood camp on Monday morning, October 5th. I had a long visit with him at which time I knew nothing about the Rocky Mount assault. In the course of this visit, I discovered that the boy is very positively upset with homesickness. He has an understandable devotion to his mother to whom he gave all of his $5,000 bonus and sends her regularly most of his current salary check. He is in love with a girl in Ponce, Puerto Rico, - hopes to marry her shortly. He writes to her and receives from her a letter almost daily. He needs to go home for two or three days. It will make him a different person and a different player. I told him that the club would send him to his home as soon as he is through at Jacksonville and would pay his expenses back to the Hollywood camp. My personal observation of this player leads me to say unequivocally that he is the best immediate prospect for the Cardinal club we have anywhere in our minor league organization. He will gladly lend himself to a new position, - either catching or first base or anywhere. His fielding at Jacksonville has been excellent. His batting just so-so. BRANCH RICKEY CC - Mr. Robert L. Howsam [*Jose may be a slow orientier - I hope not. BR*] July 15, 1964 Rock Hill, S. C. Rock Hill vs Shelby LAIOLO, Harry A finely built big boy. Right hand hitting catcher, 20 years old. A pretty good arm, not great, but better than McCarver's, for example. Not a humpty runner and he is a good receiver. His arm is quick. His batting form is not bad. He is unafraid and he has 'guts'. He should be used this year as much as possible. The club did not hold batting practice for four straight days. I am not sure about his power. He is big enough and active enough to have everything. BRANCH RICKEY March 30 and March 31, 1964 St. Louis vs Chicago White Sox St. Pete and Sarasota, Fla. LANDIS, JIM His stance at the plate is alright and his step seems to be short but his bat movement gives the effect of a hitch and change of speed pitching, particularly the curve ball, makes him look 'strikeoutish'. I don't see how he will ever hit for a high percentage. BRANCH RICKEY June 29 and 30, 1964 Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake vs Denver LANDRUM, Don (Salt Lake Outfielder) Landrum is Landrum. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine May 1, 1964 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs Pittsburgh LAW, VERNON His fast ball was as good as ever and he had good control. He can pitch in the major league. We ought not waive on him. BRANCH RICKEY St. Petersburg, Fla. March 10, 1964 Intra-Squad Game LEMAY, RICHARD A pretty fair curve ball but in this first workout in spring practice he showed very ordinary speed. His control was good. Tall boy, left hander. Showed no change-ups. I believe Lemay has a good move in holding men on. BRANCH RICKEY September 16, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. LeMAY, RICHARD An intelligent, high class fellow. Native of Cincinnati, now lives in California. Has been to three or four colleges. Lacks more than a year of finishing. Has a great desire to finish at San Jose University. He needs to make his so-called fork ball his dominant pitch. It could take him to the majors. An intelligent left hander about 26 years of age. He could be a 'cutie' by perfecting his delivery with a runner on first with a distinctive peak pause of his right knee. He understands. I would like to have him for ten days at Hollywood. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam St. Petersburg, Fla. March 10, 1964 Intra-Squad Game LEWIS, JOHNNY We have got to do something about his bat position. He does not exactly 'hitch' with the bat, - instead he moves his body front and away from his batting position. His hands should be moved at least 6" farther back. BRANCH RICKEY LATER I doubt if this fellow can help us in 1964. I doubt it. His bat position is positively bad. B.R. March 14, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Mets LEWIS, JOHNNY Gets no lead off bases. Very far from being an adventurous base runner. BRANCH RICKEY September 14 and 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville LEWIS, JOHNNY This left hand hitting colored outfielder can run and throw and has power. He is completely without any confidence whatever against left hand pitching. Any curve ball, - high, low, inside, or outside strikes him out. I doubt if he can hit .100 against left hand pitching and he will strike out against left hand pitching more than 50% of his times at bat. He is definitely a negro who has been properly characterized as having a racial inferiority complex. He has shown improvement in this respect but still lacks. It is perfectly silly to permit this boy to continue his left hand hitting against left hand pitching. He should go to Hollywood and hit right handed against left handed pitching, - indeed all pitching until the right hand hitting form becomes habitual. He might really become a very great player. I have formerly believed that the fellow should be regularly played in winter baseball. I am now opposed to it, - preferring the Hollywood assignment this fall. I believe he should be required to report to St. Louis as soon as possible after he finishes at Jacksonville. We would have the chance to talk with him and I believe we would be able to convince him that he should go to Hollywood. He gets rusty if benched and I don't believe he would be worth a nickel to us in 1965 with his present weaknesses. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam September 14 and 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville LIPSKI, ROBERT Probably do alright as our second string catcher in AAA in 1965. Not going anywhere and has no market value. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam March 18, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Detroit "B" Game LONG, JOFF For the first time in two years I have been looking at Long he has hit the long ball in games. He has fine power and a fine body and control of it. He has been a complete mystery to me. I would like to see Long make good. He has a lot of 'so-called' potentials. He has been consistently a "big man little poop" hitter, that I had almost given up on him. If he can hit as he has in the last few games, he will go major. BRANCH RICKEY April 3, 1964 Ft. Myers, Fla. St. Louis vs Pittsburgh LONG, JOFF He does not hit breaking stuff. I don't think he would hit it very well in the batting practice if he knew it was coming. He is a fast ball hitter and a low percentage hitter against good pitching. He has never faced assorted pitching very much. He needs more experience at the plate to become a helpful major leaguer. I doubt if he can help our club in 1964 as a pinch hitter, but I prefer Long to Shannon. BRANCH RICKEY July 11, 1964 Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh vs Burlington LORTSCHER, Dennis A very tall, right hand pitcher with Burlington. Smooth delivery. A pretty good fast ball and at times a sharp breaking overhand curve. He has all the appearance of a fine prospect. I don't know his age but he looks young and active. I don't believe he is any kind of quick prospect but with his size, strength, and probable youth, I am not turning thumbs down at all. He can run. BRANCH RICKEY St. Petersburgh, Fla. March 10, 1964 Intra-Squad Game MASTERMAN, RICHARD Tall, left hander. Showed nothing. Not a good fast ball, an ordinary curve, and no control. It was his first workout and of course the boy cannot and should not be judged on this initial showing. BRANCH RICKEY April 6, 1964 Homestead, Fla. MASTERMAN, RICHARD Young left hander of good size and good action. Showed only an ordinary fast ball but a corking good curve, - it breaks. Showed no control of anything. I would call him a base on balls pitcher. In addition to his good curve ball, he has a good change up on his fast ball. In other words, he has a good change up and a good curve and no control, and again I would call him a base on balls pitcher. BRANCH RICKEY April 7, 1964 Homestead, Fla. MASTERMAN, RICHARD Left hand pitcher, - drafter last November from Baltimore. Last year with Bluefield. Pitched very little. The boy has a good fast ball, - that is to say that it is alive. It is not straight. His curve is good. It curves with regularity. Control doubtful. He has a change up on his fast ball. It has a darn good effect. I believe he is an intelligent pitcher. My previous observation of this boy at St. Petersburg and here at Homestead didn't give me a favorable impression. My observation was too limited. This chap is a lot better than I thought he was. He should have a good trial, - given plenty of work. He is assigned to Winnipeg. Ron Plaza might have to have considerable patience with this pitcher in his early games. I will not at all be surprised if he comes through as a definite major league prospect at the end of the year. He is 6' tall, - weighs about 185. BRANCH RICKEY April 4, 1964 I would keep Gagliana, Kolb, Maxvill, and Buchek, any one of whom could play the outfield if necessary. I would send out Shannon, Clemens, or both before I would send out any one of the four named above. BRANCH RICKEY St. Peterburg, Fla. March 11, 1964 Intra-Squad Game MAXVILL, DAL A nice boy. Nice every way but just not a major league batsman. BRANCH RICKEY March 14, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Mets MAXVILL, DAL The Cardinals don't believe in races but if the time when this boy Maxvill comes into competition with the men on the Cardinal baseball club, he surely will outrun most of them. I regard him as an above average player. BRANCH RICKEY April 2, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. MAXVILL, DAL If Groat were to get hurt, Maxvill would play shortstop for me. If Maxvill is up with men on bases in a tight game, even in the early innings, a pinch hitter could be used for Maxvill, then come to Buchek. Maxvill is capable of making the great play, the spectacular play. He is dependable. He can run. He has great defensive strength from all angles. He will outhit Buchek for percentage but not for power. BRANCH RICKEY July 10, 1964 Raleigh, N. C. MAY, Rudolph (Portsmouth Pitcher) This colored left hand pitcher is a cinch to go major league. I would like to have him on the Cardinal club right now. BRANCH RICKEY May 1, 1964 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs Pittsburgh MAZEROSKI, BILL I wouldn't claim him on waivers. He is 'leggy', - heavy hipped. Has lost running speed. He doesn't care enough. BRANCH RICKEY September 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville McCORMICK, MIKE (Rochester Pitcher) Left hand pitcher, 26 years old. For six innings showed a good fast ball and a corking curve. Fine control of both. This boy came from Pasadena High School to the major league at 18 years of age. Has never been in the minor league until the present season. He can help us. Has a history of a damaged arm. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam May 1, 1964 St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis vs Pittsburgh McFARLANE, ORLANDO Right hand hitting colored catcher. He can run. He can throw. He has power and he should hit. He needs a counselor and a boss. 25 McFarlanes could win any pennant in any league, - provided they wanted to enough. BRANCH RICKEY Sarasota, Fla. July 18, 1964 Sarasota Rookie League MEIER, John Right hand pitcher, 21 years old. In the five innings he pitched today, he showed me no speed, no curve, NO CONTROL, no anything. This boy must get control of what he has plus an additional usable pitch. Otherwise, I would not be interested in him for a minor league club. BRANCH RICKEY September 14 and 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville MENA, RIGOBERTO An under-sized right hand hitting colored infielder. He can throw pretty good, run pretty good, and is cocky at the plate. Gets a piece of the ball. Not a power hitter, but he is not puny either. He might conceivably help Jacksonville next year. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam March 24, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Kansas City MONTEAGUDO, AURELIO First year, right hand pitcher, 5'10" tall, weighs about 185. A lot of speed and had a record at Portland last year of more than four strikeouts to each base on balls. Fair curve. Looks like he throws it over his thumb. He had control for two innings and then 'poohed' out. I would follow this player very closely. I think he can go major league. He needs a change up. BRANCH RICKEY August 18, 1964 Buffalo, N. Y. Jacksonville vs Buffalo MORGAN, JOE An excellent player in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville club in 1965 can be built around players like Morgan, Damaska, Will, Ricketts, Gaglano, and Cox as a sort of veteran nucleus of a pennant winning club in the International League. The Jacksonville club in 1965 could be a strong developer of players for the 1966 Cardinal club. We should not permit the Jacksonville club to be loaded down very much further with veteran players or even young players limited to AAA ability. It would be well if the Jacksonville club could be given additional power at the plate. Then load it up with prospective pitchers, - no spaves. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert Howsam June 29 and 30, 1964 Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake vs Denver MORTON, Bubba (Denver Outfielder) Colored outfielder. Not a prospect. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine October 9, 1964 West Palm Beach, Fla. St. Louis vs. Milwaukee NEWMAN, DANNY (Milwaukee Catcher) An enthusiastic, hustling 'humpty'. Cannot throw, - at least he didn't. I doubt if he can do anything. BRANCH RICKEY July 15, 1964 Rock Hill, S. C. Rock Hill vs Shelby NEWTON, Doin (Leo) I worked this boy out in Brunswick, Ga. on July 30, 1965. His record with Rock Hill so far this season shows that he gave 6.3 bases on balls per nine inning game. He will be 23 years of age in September. He is left handed and not very big, say 5'9". I know him, - also his wife. He is not a first year man. He struck out 63 batsmen at Brunswick last season in 61 innings, and his record at Brunswick shows better control than he has this season. his earned run record in 1963 was very good. It seems to me that casual analysis of statistics indicate that we should hold on to this boy further. BRANCH RICKEY August 17, 1964 Buffalo, N. Y. International League All-Stars vs Cleveland NORTHRUP (Syracuse Outfielder) Left hand hitter. Big boy. Perfect batting form. Should have great power. He can run and I am told that he has a good arm. I would like to make a deal for this fellow. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert Howsam July 15, 1964 Rock Hill, S. C. Rock Hill vs Shelby O'BRIEN, Phil Did not see him. BRANCH RICKEY March 23, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Houston OWENS, JIM He has a good fast ball and a high velocity curve and it curves. He throws a change up off his fast ball, - not too slow but very effective. On this date, he had excellent control of everything. BRANCH RICKEY July 11, 1964 Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh vs. Burlington PACHECO, Edwin This boy is surely a prospect. Good arm, good running speed. Knows the strike zone. He stands farther back from the plate than any man I have seen in a long time, - very young. Colored Puerto Rican. He should be followed closely. BRANCH RICKEY July 13, 1964 Winston-Salem, N.C. Raleigh vs Winston-Salem PACHECO, Ed I think Pacheco's manager would render a real service to this player if he would place him closer to the plate. He can't reach the outside of the plate with his bat from his present position. The boy's heel is only a few inches from the outside line of the batter's box. BRANCH RICKEY March 23, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St Louis vs Houston PACIOREK, JOHN Tall, well-built 19 year old boy. Form is good at the plate. BRANCH RICKEY July 18, 1964 Sarasota, Fla. Sarasota Rookie League PALMER, Larry Hits and throws right. A pudgy, roly-poly, overweight, 16 year old boy. Two years from now he could be 2" taller and weigh ten pounds less than he does now. The book says he is 5' 10". He is not as tall as I am and I'm 5' 9". The book says he weighs 180 pounds. He looks 190 pounds or better to me, and I am somewhat known as a good guesser on the weights of baseball players. A good many young athletes from 16 to 18 or even a year or two older have a weight problem. This boy would be a very active guard on his high school team, a good blocker around end. As a major league baseball prospect at the present time, he belongs on a high school football team. Larry Palmer and Mel Ott come from entirely different sort of ancestry. I don't think anyone can tell right now what kind of a runner or batsman Larry will be two years hence. He may be worth holding on to. He has no promise of distinction at the present time as a thrower, runner, or hitter, - not as I saw him in two games. BRANCH RICKEY July 14, 1964 Salisbury, N. C. Rock Hill vs Salisbury PARLIER, William (Salisbury Outfielder) 20 years old, six footer, big boy. Switch hitter with power from either side. This boy should be scouted further. This boy was, I believe, #3. If so, he is impressive. I may have him "mixed up" with some other player. BRANCH RICKEY April 6, 1964 Homestead, Fla. PATENAUDE, JERRY This boy has had considerable experience. I would not estimate his fast ball as exceptional, - only ordinary. Has a curve and throws change ups. I don't think he is a quickie for the major league and while I would not say that he may not possibly be a major leaguer, he surely is in the doubtful class. He might get a knuckle ball or something and be entirely different. I doubt if he can go [boh] both ways in fielding his position. His finished delivery is very faulty in this respect. BRANCH RICKEY PEARSON This big, right hander is an emotional cuss. An umpires decision or a wild pitch or what not, - anything and everything upsets him. He shows some sort of physical reaction on almost every called-ball pitch. His job is to get control of his mind. Never stops in his delivery with a runner on first base, - balks all the time. 23 years of age, but shows less poise than a rookie. I believe the size of Pearson's hat is 6-1/4. I doubt if there is anything the staff can do to help this boy in this camp. Some kind of a psychiatrist might help. I doubt it. HARRIS Harris is not ready at all for a game. Don't play him for a couple of weeks. DAVIS I don't like him as a batter. He gives every evidence of a guess hitter. He takes perfect strikes and then is a goose for the wild pitch. As a Cardinal prospect within any reasonable future time, you can have him. COSMAN No control of his curve ball. With men on base he [is] has a quick throw. Starts his arm first. However his delivery is terribly slow. Anybody can steal on him. He must [deivid ] divide his weight. Cannot field his position. I doubt very much that his early coming to the Cardinals can be helped very much in this camp. July 13, 1964 Winston-Salem, N. C. Raleigh vs Winston-Salem PEARSON, Charles A right hander. Takes charge. Showed poise. His fast ball is very good, and he has two curves, both good. Uncertain control. The umpire gave him a bad time this evening. Pearson's curve ball fooled the umpire more than it did anyone else. The bad calls on Pearson's curve gave Winston-Salem the first inning run. I would like to have the chance to work Pearson privately. I believe his 'crooked stuff', plus pitcher 'guts' and a good showing of sense surely make[s] this fellow a probability. I shall follow his record with much interest. Every now and then he comes side arm very effectively. BRANCH RICKEY March 30 and March 31, 1964 St. Louis vs Chicago White Sox St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Fla. PETERS, GARY Tall, slim, left hand pitcher with a great change of speed curve and a good fast ball. Excellent control. He is a major league pitcher in all directions. It took him four or five years to "come". I'd like to know why. BRANCH RICKEY July 11, 1964 Raleigh, N. C. Raleigh vs Burlington PIETRI, Wayne A good athlete. I believe above average runner. If the boy hits, he might go places. BRANCH RICKEY July 13, 1964 Winston-Salem, N.C. Raleigh vs Winston-Salem PIETRI, Wayne He caught a foul fly ball 50' beyond first base. The man on third beat the throw home. The throw was 20' from the plate but the player would have beat the throw even if it was accurate. I wonder about his arm. BRANCH RICKEY September 14 & 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville PIGNATANO, JOE (Rochester Catcher) An old catcher. Positive liability above Class "C". BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam July 18, 1964 Sarasota, Fla. Sarasota Rookie League PITTS, Gaylen This boys interests me very much. He is 18 years old, a 6'1" right hand hitting infielder, with a good arm, - just exactly how good I don't know. He can run well above average and he doesn't look or act like a stranger at shortstop. At the plate, I just don't know. He walked twice. BRANCH RICKEY July 13, 1964 Winston-Salem, N. C. Raleigh vs. Winston-Salem POLITTE, Cliff I had a talk with this boy this afternoon. He pitched seven innings this evening against Winston-Salem, perhaps the best hitting club in the Carolina League. Gave two hits, three bases on balls and struck out four. I don't believe the boy 'bore down'. He simply tried to get the ball over the plate. However, he would throw four successive pitches to the pitcher at bat, and not one of the four within three feet of the plate. It may be that Stanky has given up on this pitcher in which case that would be his reason for instructing George Kissell to 'bull pen' him. It is very difficult for me to give up on this player. But he didn't look like he did - (stuff-wise) a year ago. His won and lost record is bad. His statistical record is very good. BRANCH RICKEY October 9, 1964 Hollywood, Florida POLITTE, CLIFFORD I don't believe that this boy has the GREAT fast ball that I formerly thought he had, but it is good. His curve ball is excellent, but even in my workout with him on the sidelines, the control of his curve was faulty indeed. If he had spot control of his curve ball, very few batters in the major leagues could hurt him. His change up off his fast ball is a bit too fast but it is his best control pitch. This boy is a mystery to me because he does not control either the fast ball or his curve ball but does control his change up. Why one and not the other? I have just been informed that his contract has been assigned outright to Indianapolis. Therefore, there is no point in keeping him longer in the camp at Hollywood. We should follow his work at Indianapolis next summer very closely. I think the boy can go major league. BRANCH RICKEY June 29 and 30, 1964 Salt Lake City Salt Lake vs Denver POPOVICH, Paul (Salt Lake Infielder) Doesn't impress me in any direction as a professional baseball player. He must be a better player than he looked in the two games at Salt Lake City. Showed no power at the plate in batting practice and didn't look like a contact hitter in the games. Well built, well below average runner, good arm - not at all great. (Later) I am told that this boy is ailing with a bad leg. However, even with a good leg I am not interested. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine July 16, 1964 Jacksonville, Fla. Columbus vs Jacksonville PRIDDY, Robert (Columbus Pitcher) This right hand pitcher belongs to Pittsburgh. Good stuff, no control. When control is in trouble, he lets up. When he is not in trouble with his control, he 'presses' and gets into trouble. He might become a good pitcher [at thirty] later. BRANCH RICKEY March 21, 1964 Bradenton, Fla. St. Louis vs Kansas City REYNOLDS, TOM Young fellow, well above 6' tall and he can run and he looks like a real hitter. Arm good enough. Colored boy. I like him. 22 years old. Has good form at the plate. Has good power. I would claim this player on waivers. BRANCH RICKEY June 29 and 30, 1964 Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake vs Denver RIBANT, Dennis (Denver Pitcher) Looks about 5' 11" tall, about 165 pounds, right hander, 22 years old. A pretty good curve ball, a definite slider, and fine control. He is a pitcher not a thrower. His fast ball is average. He is a nervous boy, - very aggressive. Wants to get three men out with one pitch. He uses all his stuff. His pitching statistics for Denver in 1964 should be given attention. He is a competitor deluxe. I believe this boy is the most completely nervous pitcher I have ever seen in the professional game. He doesn't go 'up in the air', he is already there. He starts up 'in the air'. If this boy could and would avoid throwing his fast ball in the dead strike zone, I believe he could help a major league club. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine March 17, 1964 Tampa, Fla. St. Louis vs Cincinnati RICKETTS, DAVE I don't think he will hit enough to help our ball club, - not a lick. He is a big man and undoubtedly a fine gentleman, but in my book he is a puny hitter. BRANCH RICKEY St. Petersburg, Fla. March 11, 1964 Intra-Squad Game RICKETTS, DAVE I don't believe this boy is good enough ever to be a major league catcher. He cannot hit either right or left handed enough, and he lacks power. And he is not a good receiver. With Ricketts catching, there will be a lot of so-called wild pitches which should really be called passed balls. BRANCH RICKEY April 1, 1964 St. Petersburg, Fla. St. Louis vs Philadelphia RICKETTS, DAVE Why he lies down with his right leg spread out on the ground, I don't know. I have never known him to call for a change of speed pitch. 25 Ricketts on the same club would compete for last place and the same thing goes for Coker. BRANCH RICKEY August 18, 1964 Buffalo, N. Y. Jacksonville vs Buffalo RICKETTS, DAVE About the same as previously recorded. A pretty good catcher. Hits to the opposite field. Scant power. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert Howsam September 14, and 15, 1964 Rochester, New York Rochester vs. Jacksonville RICKETTS, DAVE This fine colored gentleman has intelligence and desire and nothing else. He cannot run, his three-quarter arm has excessive trajectory and he has no power at bat. He is of managerial type and could be a valuable scout without any doubt in our negro production field. We should ask waivers on Ricketts and if claimed, let him go. If not claimed, his contract should be assigned outright to Jacksonville immediately. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Robert L. Howsam March 17, 1964 Tampa, Fla. St. Louis vs Cincinnati ROBINSON, FRANK (Cincinnati Outfielder) A change of pace pitch upsets Robinson, - either the change up off the fast ball, or, particularly the slow curve. BRANCH RICKEY March 30 and March 31, 1964 St. Louis vs. Chicago White Sox St. Pete and Sarasota, Fla. ROBINSON, FLOYD Left hand hitting colored outfielder. Can run. He is 28 years old and he has good power. His plate position is entirely sound. He seems to be a good bad ball hitter and he is not too choosey on the size of the strike zone. BRANCH RICKEY September 14 and 15, 1964 Rochester, N. Y. Rochester vs Jacksonville ROCHESTER CLUB Marvin Breeding Steve Demeter Gino Cimoli Joe Durham Joe Altobelli Not desirable anywhere. All playing with Rochester in 1964. Not going anywhere. BRANCH RICKEY June 29 and 30, 1964 Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake vs Denver ROOF, Phillip (Denver Catcher) A tall, slim boy about 6'3" tall, 23 years of age, weighs about 190 pounds, right hand hitter. Pivot foot from the plate is as far as Groat's. He acts completely inexperienced at the plate. Right now I don't think he will hit good right hand pitching even in the small minors. He has a good cut. If he connects on his pitch, he has ample power. Bow-legged as the dickens, but so was Honus Wagner, Lave Cross, and Don Gutteridge's legs were not straight. He has no pep, seems indifferent. He may not be lazy but he certainly acts like it. As a possibility for the Cardinals, I would prefer him to Coker or Uecker, or Rickets. The best point about him is his ability and habit of throwing without stepping. He gets the ball away very good. The worst bad thing about him is his running. He has a good arm, stronger than most. It is the only present qualification for the major league. This boy is tall enough that I think he might reach the outside of the plate with the end of his bat. It would require a lot of leaning. If this boy could be played somewhere every day for 150 consecutive games, he might improve as a batsman. He doesn't care whether he takes batting practice or not. BRANCH RICKEY cc - Mr. Bing Devine July 18, 1964 Sarasota, Fla. Sarasota Rookie League RUBERTO, John An 18 year old right hand hitting catcher. He does not have a major league arm and he does not have a major league bat. He is not built for a runner, but he looks better in that department than he does in the others. BRANCH RICKEY Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.