A Peek Inside a 1958 Dodgers Scouting Book from Al Campanis

From time to time you run into something really fascinating on eBay.  That's not to say that the past items I've featured from the online auction house aren't as interesting, it's just that this particular item really takes the cake.  The above guide is purported to be Al Campanis' personal spring training notebook for the 1958 season - the Dodgers first in Los Angeles.  It includes everything from schedules, rules, player notes and photographs.  Check out the auction listing here.

As you may know, Al Campanis was a lifelong Dodger.  He was originally signed by the franchise as a 23-year old free agent in 1940, became a scout for the team after his retirement from playing and eventually rose to the clubs GM position until the infamous incident on "Nightline" in 1987. 

The guidebook appears to be filled with all kind of scouting goodness.  There's grades and notes for every player on the roster, as seen below.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

For Sandy Koufax is says:

Good curve but needs control

There's also scouting notes on numerous up-'n-coming prospects.

Including notes on a couple of well known future Dodgers' - Maury Wills and Frank Howard.

For Wills it says:

Hands too close to his body.  Falls away from the plate.  Not covered outside.  Is afraid of the ball.

Must keep his hands away from his body.  Must step more towards the pitcher keeling his front shoulder in.  This will help him on balls away, especially the slow stuff.

On Frank Howard:

Not covered outside on let-up stuff.  Collapses front knee.  Front shoulder comes out too soon.  Steps hard instead of smooth.  Has a big stride.  Might habe to be shortened.  Is a fine student.  Pulls everything.  Must hit ball where it is pitched.  Must stay with outside pitch a little longer.  Is a bit far from the plate.

Heck, there are even rules for the batting cages; including this one helpful suggestion:

"Be serious when practicing your bunting"

I have no idea what something like this is worth to a collector, but it sure provides some valuable and interesting information about the Dodgers of yore.

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Blog Kiosk: 11/9/2015 - Dodger Links - AGon, Ryu and Scully

Nuthin' But A "Ryu" Thang

On Saturday was Adrian Gonzalez's first annual Bat 4 Hope Celebrity Softball Game at Dodger Stadium and a good number of Dodgers' were on-hand to lend a hand; including rehabbing pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Although he didn't play on the field Ryu did come out with the baddest hoodie ever.  Check it out in the photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

That is bitchin'!

As for the event Adrian had this to say, via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“This is just fun. … We’re excited about it, and it’s a great opportunity to raise some awareness and raise some funds.”

BTW, he also commented briefly about some of the Dodger changes.

“I think I always look at it from a standpoint that when we show up at Spring Training, we’ll know who we have,” Gonzalez said. “Right now, there’s no point at looking at the team. Zack might be back. We might have other people back. The only thing that will be different is the manager at this point. Other than that a lot of the things will be the same.”

Go here to check out a bunch of pics from Jon from the softball event.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Lyle Spencer at MLB.com, "Scully recalls college days while accepting honor."  He received the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award  from the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
  

  "One of my most memorable games was when we played Yale in 1947. I'd never been to Yale, and it was a thrilling day, a great game. It gave me a taste of what the big leagues were like, with the grandstand, public address system, scorecards, an enthusiastic crowd.
  
  "It was 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth when their shortstop [Art Moher] hit a home run with a man aboard, and we lost, 3-1. Their first baseman was George Herbert Walker Bush. Wonderful, lovely man, politics aside. Terribly bright."

• Per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, the Dodgers will interview Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez.
• Via Eric Avakian at Dodger Blue, "Clayton Kershaw Reflects On Postseason, Talks Being A Perfectionist."
  

  “At least I didn’t end the season again, that was better. It felt good for about 24 hours, until we lost the next game. Losing is losing and obviously that is no fun.”

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Pederson on what went wrong and making things right."

“I could have told you everyone knew they were going to throw hard fastballs in (to me). It’s not a secret. That’s a pitch that they didn’t necessarily go away from. I didn’t show them I could hit it. And when I did hit it they had a shift on. It’s something at the start of the year I would take the balls and hit the strikes. But when I’m in a bad position, I wouldn’t hit that pitch. That’s the way it goes.”

• Via Ben Platt at MLB.com, "Monday honored by Marines for saving flag."
  

  "This means a lot," said Monday, who attended the event with his wife Barbaralee. "Tonight is a special night. When I think back to when I was a Marine Corps recruit so many years ago, and you hear about the Marine Ball -- and to have it onboard the USS Hornet, the retired aircraft carrier that has had so much history of itself. Combine the history of the Hornet, the history of the Marines; it's the perfect matchup for the Marine Corps Ball."

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