If you wanted to get information about the draft 50 years ago, your best bet was to buy an issue of Sporting News, the Bible of Baseball. The June 19, 1965 issue, the first one published after the historic first draft, promoted its extensive coverage on the cover: “EXCLUSIVE! COMPLETE LIST OF FREE-AGENT DRAFT SELECTIONS.”
MLB DRAFT: Worst No. 1 picks | 2015 mock draft | Best players picked 1-50
And sure enough, the issue included seven comprehensive pages of draft coverage, including several articles and lists of every team’s picks.
The lead draft story was written by legendary SN scribe Clifford Kachline, who would go on to become the official historian at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and a founding member of SABR. He started the story with a then-timely reference to space travel.
“Like the Gemini space program, Organized Baseball’s first venture into the free-agent player draft got away to a remarkably smooth start,” Kachline wrote. “The blastoff was perfect and all of the technicians behind the great innovations, from Commissioner Ford Frick on down, expressed satisfaction with the launch.”
Setting the scene: “When Frick called the opening selection meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., June 8, the east ballroom of the Commodore was jammed with almost 200 persons. Each major league club was represented by five or more officials, while a number of scouts and minor league officials attended. The news media were represented by several dozen writers as well as numerous photographers.”
On the No. 1 pick in the draft: “As expected, (Kansas City A’s) General Manager Hank Peters selected Robert ‘Rick’ Monday, highly-touted 19-year-old outfielder from Arizona State University. The muscular young slugger was rated as the top prospect by most organizations. … A lefthanded hitter with a swing reminiscent of Duke Snider, the 6-3, 195-pound Monday batted .366 this year for Arizona State. Nearly half his hits were for extra bases.”
The rest of the article went on to chronicle the draft, including several rounds conducted by minor-league clubs, in minute detail. For instance: “The selectors completed two rounds of 60 choices in Class A by 4:40 p.m.” Kachline also took pains to explain the rules of the new draft, including how the draft order was determined, how long players had to sign and what became of undrafted players.
In addition to the main article and list of each team’s draft picks, the issue included sidebar stories on such topics as how Frick’s staff prepared for the draft and which sons of former big leaguers were picked. On story was headlined, “Athletics Had Told Monday He’s Be Their Top Selection.” Another: “Astros Pick 72 Draftees — Orioles Choose 70 Names.”
So when you’re watching the draft on TV tonight, remember how much things have changed in 50 years.
