During my visit to the Hall of Fame I came across quite a few interesting pieces. Throughout the next week I will share some of my favorites, but you will also be able to access photos of the trip on Shutterfly.

To start off, I took pictures of original scouting reports for Johan Santana, Tom Seaver, and Sandy Koufax. Each is interesting, especially the notes by the scout.

Johan Santana

Johan Santana Scouting Report: Double Click to Enlarge

Santana was scouted on May 3rd, 1995 by the Houston Astros. In 1999, the Marlins would pick him in the Rule V draft and flip him to the Minnesota Twins for Jared Camp.

The report describes him as a “good hitter and defensive outfielder.” He just started pitching six weeks earlier so it should be no surprise his biggest opportunity was “lack of pitching and pitching knowledge.” It states he “throws a good curveball with good rotation,” but that he is still in “the learning phase” of pitching.

Apparently it took two months to convince Santana to convert to the mound. His “lack of speed” and “good arm” were the deciding factor.

There is a good amount of reason to believe that Santana might have been able to play the outfield. Of course, I think we would all agree he made the right decision.

It sounds like his ability to be coached and easygoing personality were keys early in his minor league career.

Look at the one part where it asks the scout to input what he is demanding in terms of a signing bonus and what he is worth. Santana asked between 10k – 15k, but the Astros believed he was worth 35k.

Tom Seaver

Tom Seaver Scouting Report: Double Click to Enlarge

Tom Seaver was scouted by the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 23rd, 1965. A man by the name of Tom Lasorda wrote up this scouting report

Reading Lasorda’s notes he talks about the “life” on Seaver’s fastball, his “slider-like curve” that he feels he can improve. He also notes his “desire to pitch,” and how “he wants to beat you.”

Seaver would be drafted by the Dodgers later that year, but the club passed on his $70,000 demands for a signing bonus. Seaver signed with the Atlanta Braves, who drafted him in the secondary draft, the following year. Commissioner William Eckert would void the deal because Seaver’s college team had played two exhibition games. He was deemed ineligible by the NCAA, so pro-baseball was the only route for him to go. Eckert decided to award his rights to the Mets, who won it in a lottery against the Indians and Phillies, and matched his signing bonus from Atlanta.

That’s the kind of luck the Mets haven’t had in quite some time.

Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax Scouting Report: Double Click to Enlarge

As you can see Koufax graded well as a hitter and pitcher. You can see also see the note about how adamant he was about attending the University of Cincinnati because he wanted to graduate. He would play both baseball and basketball at Cincy as a freshman.

This is the legendary report by Dodgers scout Bill Zinser, which was originally filed and forgotten by the Dodgers front office. Koufax would throw for the Giants and Pirates before the Dodgers ultimately signed him. Reportedly, Al Campanis heard about Koufax from a sporting goods store owner, and he would be signed by the Dodgers after throwing for Walter Alston and Scouting Director Fresco Thompson at Ebbetts Field.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Johan Santana, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, New York Giants, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Sandy Kouax, Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, University of Cincinnati