Last week I posted about the March issues of the old Baseball Digest which offered “scouting reports” on promising rookies. This week, it’s the American League’s turn.
- Don Baylor, Orioles, outfield: “Everything to make him big leaguer in two years.” Pretty accurate: it took him that long to play in more than nine ML games. Of course he went on to a brilliant career as a player and then, less so, as a manager (although he was named manager of the year in the strike shortened 1995 season).
- Carlton Fisk, Red Sox, catcher: “Outstanding arm, improving as a receiver with power at plate. Aggressive, take charge catcher. Needs experience.” Well, I think we can all agree that he got it, playing 24 years and making it to the Hall of Fame.
- Nobody on the Angels worth writing home about.
- Same for White Sox.
- Ed Farmer, Indians, pitcher: “Slow in developing curve. Throws fair fastball but lacks control.” A default selection compared with the other rookies BD included for the Indians. Managed to last 11 seasons playing for eight clubs. Gave up 345 walks in 624 innings.
- Elliott Maddox, Tigers, infielder: “Has good arm, speed to go with bat. Fine chance to make it.” Played for five teams over 11 years.
- Paul Splitorff, Royals, pitcher: “Fast ball lively, fair curve. Needs a couple of years experience but has a fair chance.” More than fair as he still holds the record for most career wins for the franchise, with whom he spent his entire 15-year career.
- Rick Dempsey, Twins, catcher: “Aggressive young receiver who has what it takes one day to be a star. Still green and will need another year or two in the minors.” True, it took a while for Dempsey to get going, but when all was said and done, this catcher, like Fisk, played for 24 years.
- Thurman Munson, Yankees, catcher: “Ralph Houk high on this boy [Munson was 22 at the time]. Not much power, but good arm, improving defensive catcher. Should stick this year.” He sure stuck, winning AL Rookie of the Year in 1970. He was the heart and soul of the heart and soul of the team until his untimely death in 1979.
- Gene Tenace, Athletics, catcher: “Can’t miss. Fine catcher with good bat. Ready now.” What a year for backstops. Tenace served well for the As dynasty of the early ’70s and beyond.
- Skip Lockwood, Pilots, pitcher: Needs lots of work to develop. But can throw and learning to pitch. Should make it soon.” A very serviceable reliever for 12 seasons.
- Toby Harrah, Senators, infielder: “Improved hitting gives him a chance. Good hands, fine range.” Reliable lunch-bucket man for the Senators/Rangers) and Indians (and the Yankees for one season) for 17 years.
In none of the capsule assessments are the identities of the writers revealed; it could have been one person writing them all or several per team. and as the saying goes, very few players make it all the way or last very long once they arrive. I only looked for players who had a decent ML career, so I wasn’t paying attention to the others, who might have had a “can’t miss” label pinned on them and failed to live up to the hype.
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You “complete” me
October 26, 2026 · 0 comments
But the one that really grinds my gears is “complete.”
In some rare cases, it might be accurate.
Overall, however, that’s just not right.
Until a thing is, well, complete — that is, totally done — can a book ever be “complete?”
Anything statistical cannot be considered complete unless
Here are just a few examples. Some are instructional in nature, others are more historical or statistically driven.
So if something is “revised,” can it be complete?
But these? Nope. “Life,” in the form of new seasons and games, goes on
I could go on, but you get the point.
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