In our Ninth installment, we travel back to 1970, a time when the New York Mets were just one year removed from shocking the world and Major League Baseball. With a roster filled with rookies and seasoned players alike, the Mets were a melting pot of talent, hope, and anticipation. Baseball Digest kept a close watch on these young prospects, with scouting reports that sparked the imagination of fans and analysts alike.
From the promising prospects heralded as the next big thing to the cautionary tales that hinted at potential pitfalls, the 1970 Mets were a canvas painted with bold predictions and cautious optimism. As we look back at the official scouting reports, preserved in the confidential files of Major League clubs, we'll uncover some of the stories that unfolded from these early forecasts.
Did the bright young stars live up to the hype? Were there diamonds in the rough that even the keenest scouts missed? Join us as we sift through the pages of history, comparing the dreams of yesterday with the realities of today, and rediscover the magic that makes baseball more than just a game—it's a journey through time, filled with hopes, dreams, and the undying spirit of America's pastime.
1970 was distinctly different for the Mets. The four scouting reports that year focused on the team's top prospects: Tim Foli, Jon Matlack, Ken Singleton and Leroy Stanton. These players had distinctly different outcomes, and career paths reflecting the unpredictable nature of baseball. Their scouting reports offer a fascinating glimpse into the early assessments of these careers and underscore the importance of scouting in shaping the future of baseball. Join us as we delve into the stories behind these players and the scouts who recognized their potential.
From Prospect to World Series Champion: The Fiery Journey of Tim "Crazy Horse" Foli
Scouting Report:"Boy to watch. Good Hands, fair speed, but can swing a bat. Should be up in three years"
The March 1970 scouting report in Baseball Digest on Tim Foli painted him as a prospect with "good hands, fair speed, but can swing a bat," predicting he would make it to the majors within three years. This assessment underscored his fielding prowess and potential at the plate, though it suggested he wasn't exceptionally fast. Fast forward to his actual career, Tim "Crazy Horse" Foli played 16 seasons in the majors for six different teams, showcasing a career characterized by his intense competitive spirit and fiery temper.
Foli debuted as a September call-up in 1970, and made the Mets' roster out of spring training in 1971, playing in 97 games that season, thus . Despite his efforts, he was traded on April 5, 1972, alongside Mike Jorgensen and Ken Singleton, to the Montreal Expos in exchange for Rusty Staub. Foli’s defensive skills and solid, if unspectacular, offensive contributions made him a valuable utility player. His career highlight came in 1979, when he helped the Pittsburgh Pirates clinch the World Series. Despite his initial billing as a "boy to watch," Foli’s journey through professional baseball was marked by numerous team changes and a reputation for on-field confrontations. Ultimately, he lived up to his scouting report's prediction of a promising player, becoming a key figure in baseball's 1970s and '80s landscape.
Jon Matlack: A Sure Bet He was Great Beyond the Numbers
Scouting Report: "Throws lively fastball and improving curve. Shows remarkable poise for youngster. Sure Bet for majors soon."
In March 1970, Baseball Digest featured a scouting report on a promising young pitcher named Jon Matlack, describing him as having a "lively fastball and improving curve," along with "remarkable poise for a youngster," predicting he would be a "sure bet for the majors soon." This early evaluation proved prophetic, as Matlack went on to carve out a distinguished career in Major League Baseball, particularly with the New York Mets. Despite a career win-loss record of 125-126, Matlack's performance metrics tell a different story. His exceptional ERA, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and numerous complete games and shutouts underscore his skill and consistency on the mound. Matlack's career, marked by an impressive Rookie of the Year win in 1972 and significant contributions to the Mets' success in the early 1970s, highlights how traditional metrics like win-loss records can sometimes obscure the true value of a pitcher’s contributions. Matlack, a member of the Mets Hall of Fame, remains one of the most underrated and underappreciated pitchers in Mets history, exemplifying that consistency and performance often outweigh superficial statistics.
Ken Singleton: From Scouting Prospect to Baseball Legend .
Scouting Report: "Runs well for big man fields well at first. Should hit well. Ready this year of next."
The scouting report on Ken Singleton from the March 1970 issue of Baseball Digest was notably optimistic, predicting that he would field well at first base, hit well, and be ready for the major leagues by 1971. These projections only partially captured the career that Singleton ultimately had. While he did not make a lasting mark as a first baseman, Singleton evolved into one of baseball's premier switch-hitters. Over his 15-year career, beginning with the Mets and Expos before a significant tenure with the Orioles, Singleton was a three-time All-Star and a vital part of Baltimore's 1983 World Series championship team. His patience at the plate and consistent power made him a standout, with his ability to draw walks and hit for both average and power. Post-retirement, Singleton became a beloved Yankees broadcaster, further cementing his legacy in baseball beyond his playing days. The scouting report's prediction of Singleton being "ready" by 1971 was accurate, but it could not have foreseen the breadth and impact of his contributions to the game..
Beyond the Scouting Reports: The Remarkable Journey of Leroy Stanton.
Scouting Report: "Speed, hitting and fielding all there. Could hang as a reserve outfielder."
The scouting reports from March 1970 Baseball Digest on Leroy Stanton painted a picture of a player with immense potential: "Speed, hitting, and fielding all there. Could hang as a reserve outfielder." While these words seemed optimistic, the journey of Leroy Stanton, a ballplayer from humble beginnings, provides a stark contrast to such projections. Stanton's path to the majors was marked by adversity, including a career-threatening injury from a beaning early on, and a hiatus due to military service. Despite these setbacks, Stanton persevered, making his mark as a solid outfielder with the California Angels and later the Seattle Mariners. Notably, he was part of the infamous trade that sent him from the New York Mets to the California Angels alongside Nolan Ryan, a deal that would shape baseball history. His career, though not without its struggles, showcased moments of brilliance, such as his 27 home runs in the Mariners' inaugural season. Yet, Stanton's legacy transcends mere statistics; he embodied resilience and consistency, reflected in his remarkably even splits in batting average and slugging percentage across various conditions. Even after hanging up his cleats, Stanton continued to contribute to the baseball community, coaching and mentoring young athletes.Tragically, Leroy Stanton died on March 13, 2019 at age 72 from injuries sustained in a single-car crash in his hometown of Florence, South Carolina. His untimely passing in 2019 left a void in the hearts of those who knew him, but his impact lives on, a testament to the enduring spirit of a true ballplayer.
In the tapestry of baseball's rich history, the journeys of Tim "Crazy Horse" Foli, Jon Matlack, Ken Singleton, and Leroy Stanton stand as vibrant threads, each weaving a unique story of perseverance, talent, and resilience. From Foli's fiery spirit igniting the diamond to Matlack's poised dominance on the mound, Singleton's switch-hitting prowess, and Stanton's steadfast resilience, the 1970 Mets prospects were a canvas upon which these players painted their indelible marks. As we close out another installment of Hit or Error, we celebrate the enduring legacies of these four players, whose paths remind us that greatness is not merely measured in statistics, but in the hearts of those who play the game with passion and purpose.
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