Found a fun story looking at many of the minor leaguers who would soon
be ready to take their places with the Dodgers. With the 1958 team
struggling, the Times’ Ned Cronin interviewed longtime Dodger executive
Fresco Thompson about the team’s prospects.

"If the veterans can’t get the job done there are a lot of pretty fair
ballplayers standing around begging for a chance to show what they can
do," said Thompson, described by Cronin as "the acute head of the
Dodger farm system and one of the most intelligent men in the entire
organization."

Some of the names listed are familiar to Dodger fans–Ron Fairly, Tommy
Davis and Frank Howard. There are two future Hall of Fame managers in
Tom Lasorda (spelled La Sorda in the Times’ story) and George "Sparky"
Anderson. And there are names that, well, I have no clue about.

Jim Harwell? Thompson said he "was pitching American Legion ball this
time last year. We’re pretty high on this kid."  Al Norris? Thompson
said he had good power.

Earl Robinson, a third baseball signed out of Cal, was also mentioned.
I found his stats on baseball-reference.com and learned he made it to
the Dodgers for eight games in 1968. He was sold to Baltimore in 1960
and played there in 1961, ’62 and ’64.

keith.thursby@latimes.com