Checking our vast archives we have come up with a list of big league hopefuls. Perhaps some of our fans can locate an uncle, long lost cousin or long-ago friend. All were rookie prospects around 1960-1970. Some players made the big time, many did not. Anyway, here's our list:
John Charles Ellis, Catcher, 1B, 3B, Right-handed, Born New London, Conn., 8/21/1948 - 6-2, 220 pos., - Played for Ft. Lauderdale in 1967-68 as 19 year-old, scouts give 3+Stars for catching skills, 4-Stars for hitting ...... 1969 hit .361 at Kingston, Carolina League and caught 22 games for New York Yankees, hitting .290, 4 Ds, 1 Hr .... started 1969 at Syracuse brought up to Yankees and played 1B, 3B, C .... hit .248, blasted 12 Ds, 7 Hrs in only 78 games, 226 at-bats. Appears ready, willing and able.
Oscar Gamble, Outfielder, Bats LH Throws RH, Born Ramer, Alabama, 12/20/1949 ... looks impressive, started minor league ball with Treasure Island, Pioneer League in 1968 ... moved up to San Antonio, Texas League in '69 ... joined Chicago Cubs late in year, (only 20 years-old) ... played 24 games hit .225 ... scouts rate 4-Stars ... likeable, smiling personality ... does show batting power ... traded to Philadelphia Phillies in November '70 with pitcher Dick Selma for OF John Callison .... Gamble has speed, good arm ... tab for big future.
Ralph Garr, OF, Bats LH Throws RH, 5-11, 185 pos., Born Monroe, La., 12/12/1945 ... appears ready for big leagues, possesses 5-Star speed, good hitter ... in 1969, at Richmond, led International League in batting (.329) and stolen bases (63) ... joined Atlanta Braves in late-August in '69, played 22 games, in 27 at-bats scored 6-runs, hit .222. In '70, with Braves played 37 games, 96 at-bats, scored 18 runs, hit .281 ... Highly regarded by Braves' management.
Michael Robert McQueen, Pitcher Left-handed, Born Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 8/30/1950 ... Throws rapid Fastball ... scouts rate 5-Stars ... As a 18-year-old in '68, Fanned 64 batters in 49 innings (wow!) at Twin Falls, Pioneer League ... has been plagued with injuries ... called up by Braves in '70, posted a 1-5 mark in 22 games, 66 innings, 54 Ks, 31 Ws, 5.59 ERA ... needs more minor league experience ... tab for future date.
Bernard Williams, OF, RH, 6-1, 175 pos., Born Alameda, CA, Fast, good fielder, has big league power ... played for Medford, NW League in '67, hit .271 in 225 at-bats, 11 Ds, 14 Hrs, Scored 58 runs, 55 RBIs ... for Amarilio, Texas League '69 Played mostly OF but was tried at 3B ... Hit .309 for Phoenix, P.C. League, collected 346 at-bats 15 Ds, 47 at-bats before Being called up by the San Francisco Giants late in season, In 7 games hit .313 with 2 doubles ... promising future.
Nolan Ryan, Pitcher Right-handed, 6-2, 190 pos., Born Refugio, Texas, 1/31/1947 - highly sought by all big league clubs ... hails from farming town in Texas ... throws a 100 mph fastball, as a 18-year-old in '65, fanned 115 in only 78 innings at Marion, Appal. League, ... Scouts rate 5-Stars with a note that he allows too many walks. Fastball approaches batters as a blur. In '66, wore New York Mets' jersey for 2 games, 3 innings - struck out 6 in 3 innings but - 15.00 ERA ... rest of '66 was awesome at Greenville, W. Carolina L. Where he went 17-2, led league in wins in Ks with 272 in 183 innings, and in walks 123, posted a 2.51 ERA. In '68, with Mets was 6-9, fanned 133 in 134 innings, 3.09 ERA.
Kenneth George Sanders, Pitcher RH, Born St. Louis, Mo., 7/8/1941- been pitching in professional ball since 1960, when he was 19-10 at Sanford, Florida St. League ... drafted by Boston Red Sox in Nov. '65 and as changed from starter to reliever .. at Vancouver, PC League in '65 led league in games 57 ... hurled 92 innings, 2.74 ERA ... Pitched for Red Sox and Royals in '66, 62 games 6-10 record, 3.74 ERA, In '67 at Vancouver 9-6, 84 innings, nice 2.04 ERA. Again at Vancouver in '68 in 35 games - 3.41 ERA ... Joined Oakland A's in late-'68, 7 games, 11 innings 3.27 ERA ... looks good, just can't seem to break in for good ????? Signed with Brewers in '70 after pitching 10 years, mainly in the minors ... in 50 games with Milwaukee an outstanding 1.76 ERA, 5-2 record.
Charles Richard McKinney, SS, 3B, Of, RH - 6 ft., 185 pos., Born Piqua, Ohio, 11/22/1946 - good hitter, fine fielder ... Scouts rate 3-Stats ... played shortstop at Evansville, Southern League in '68, hit .261, 12 Ds, 9 Ts, 7 Hrs, 37 RBIs in only 86 games - impressive big league future ... Batted.326 in '69 with Columbus, moved up in mid-year to Tucson and in mid-'70 after hitting .303 joined the Chicago Cubs ... played 3B-SS in 43 games, 119 at-bats hit 5 Ds, 4 Hrs, but batted only .168 ... needs more minor league experience, still only 24-years- old.
James Harlan York, Pitcher Right-handed, 6-3, 200 pos., Born Maywood, California, 8/27/1947 ... debuted in pro ball in '69 at age 22 for Winnipeg, Northern League ... posting a 3-1 record, racked up 61 Ks in just 36 inning, 0.75 ERA... throws an outstanding rising fastball ... 4+-Stars ranking ... in '70 pitched for Elmira and Omaha going a combined 13-5, 101 Ks in 102 innings ... joined The Kansas City Royals in mid-Aug. and recorded a 1-4, 5.32 ERA in 44 innings, 4 games ... tab for future.
James Holt, OF-1B, Bats LH, T RH, 6 ft., 190 pos., Born Graham, No. Car., 5/27/1944 ... Speed to burn, excellent and aggressive play-to-win player ... At Leesburg, Florida St. League, stole 22 bases, batted .286, scored 62 runs in 126 games. Moved up to Peninsula, Carolina League racked up 60 RBIs while hitting .312 ... In '68 wore Minnesota Twins uniform for 70 games, 106 at-bats but hit only .208 ... at Denver in '69, hit .336 in 139 games, led league with 37 doubles ... lined 12 triples, powered 11 homers, batted .336 ... rejoined Twins late in season and hit .357 in 12 games .... looks ready ... Coaches all think big things ahead for Holt ... played 142 games For Twins in '70, rapped 15 extra base hits, 40 RBIs, hit .266 ... Rates 3-Stars ... fine athlete, good speed, excellent team player.
Amos Otis, OF-3B, Right-handed Born Mobile, Alabama, 8/29/1947 ... debuted with Harlen, Appal. League in '65 ... scouts rank - high speed, power, 4+-Star athlete ... started '67 at Jacksonville, joined Mets late in season - hit .220 in 19 games. In '68 at Jacksonville stole 21 bases, scored 71 runs, batted .286, lined 29 doubles, 15 home runs in 139 games, 500 at-bats ... traded to Royals in Dec. Of '69 ... In rookie season, led the AL with 36 doubles .. batted .284, including 9 triples, 11 Hrs and scored 91 runs ... promising big league future. Baseballhistorian.com archives
