Monday, June 1, 1998
Amateur Free-Agent Draft
Photo courtesy of the Joyce family
Harold Joyce was the first Hawaii player
ever taken in the free-agent draft (1965).
Hype was low
in the draft order
In 1965, Kaimuki's Harold Joyce
By Al Chase
didn't know he was picked by the
Indians until 10 days
after the draft
Star-BulletinWhen major league baseball conducted its initial free-agent draft of eligible amateur players in 1965, there was no local predraft media hype.
A story detailing the first-round selections appeared in the paper the next day.
Harold (Hal) Joyce found out he was drafted -- in the 15th round-- when he received a letter from the Cleveland Indians -- 10 days later.
Joyce, a 5-foot-8, 140-pound left-handed hitting outfielder from Kaimuki High School, was the first player from Hawaii selected in baseball's first-ever draft.
The letter said the Indians wanted to sign the Star-Bulletin All-City selection to a contract for the 1966 season. Joyce had hit .371 his senior year at Kaimuki.
He was drafted June 6, received the letter from Cleveland farm director Hoot Evers June 16, the day after his high school graduation, and signed with the Indians August 20. There was no bonus money involved.
"I was kind of figuring I might be drafted, but I didn't put any hopes in it," Joyce said in a telephone interview from his home in California.
Left-handed pitcher Kenneth Suzawa from Baldwin High School also was selected that year, in the 21st round by Cleveland. Both had been recommended by Milwaukee Braves scout Jack Kearns. His reports were shared with the Indians, Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
"Jack told me he was disappointed Cleveland picked me because he wanted me to go with Milwaukee," Joyce said.
The Indians later telephoned Joyce and invited him to work out with the Portland Beavers, their Triple-A farm team that was in Honolulu to play the Hawaii Islanders in a Pacific Coast League series.
"I don't think they knew I was an outfielder because they had me throwing batting practice," Joyce said. "Finally, someone told them I was an outfielder and I got to shag balls at Honolulu Stadium."
Portland manager Johnny Lipon signed Joyce the next time the Beavers came to Honolulu. That ended a period of decision making for Joyce, who also was considering a football scholarship at a mainland college. His parents left the final decision up to him.
"We talked at length about what I wanted to do, but they never pushed," Joyce said. "I felt I would get a one-time shot at this (pro baseball) and that college would always be there. And I hadn't heard anything from any of the colleges."
Joyce played for the Dubuque (Iowa) Packers in the Midwest League in 1966.
Joyce's professional career lasted about two months. The Indians signed some players with bonus money and Joyce was released.
He returned to California and played on a team with rookies from the California Angels' organization. Joyce heard the Angels might invite him to spring training in 1967, but Kearns, his biggest booster, suffered a heart attack and died.
"When Jack passed away, I kind of figured my chances went down the tubes," Joyce said.
Joyce turned to fast-pitch softball, which he played for 18 years.
A salesman for an auto parts distributor, Joyce said he has no regrets about signing out of high school.
"I enjoyed myself. I was treated very well in Iowa," he said. "I feel I had an opportunity a lot of people don't have. I feel I gave it my best shot. I do not regret the decision. I'm proud of it.
"Even five or six years afterward, I felt if there had been a little more opportunity I might have made it, but I didn't feel cheated."
Suzawa received an offer from the Indians, but didn't sign. He enrolled at Fresno City College instead.
"My parents were more interested in my going to college, so I had no choice, said Suzawa, a wood shop teacher at Maui High School.
He was drafted by the California Angels the following year, but by then had arm problems.
Then, in 1970, he was drafted by the Hawaii Islanders for their farm team in Bend, Ore.
"At that time I was ready to sign, but the other draft (military) got me. I couldn't get out of that draft. That ended my career," Suzawa said.
The draft
When: Tomorrow through Thursday
