The First Major League Baseball Player to be Drafted
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most popular professional sport in the United States and its players are some of the most famous athletes in the world. As such, the league has a long history of drafting players to join teams. The first MLB player to be drafted was Rick Monday in 1965.
Biography of Rick Monday
Rick Monday was born on November 20, 1945 in Batesville, Arkansas. He attended Arizona State University, where he was a two-sport athlete and starred on the college’s baseball team. Monday was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the first round of the 1965 MLB draft, making him the first player to ever be selected in the draft.
Monday’s MLB Career
Monday made his MLB debut in 1966 with the Athletics. He played for the team for five seasons before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1971. He played for the Cubs from 1972 until 1976, and then for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1977 until 1984. Monday was a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 1978. He also hit a memorable home run against the Montreal Expos in the 1981 National League Championship Series.
Monday After Baseball
After retiring from the MLB, Monday became a broadcaster for the Dodgers, working as a color analyst for the team’s games from 1985 until 1989. He then went on to work as a broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. Monday has also been involved in several charitable causes, including the Special Olympics and the United Way.
Monday’s Legacy
Rick Monday is remembered as the first player ever to be drafted in the MLB, and his legacy as a professional baseball player has been carried on by the generations of players that have followed in his footsteps. He is also remembered for his charitable work, and for his iconic home run against the Expos in the 1981 NLCS.
The MLB Draft Today
Since Rick Monday was drafted in 1965, the MLB draft has grown significantly in size and scope. The draft now consists of 40 rounds and over 1,000 players are selected each year. It is one of the most important events in the MLB season and it is a key component of the league’s player acquisition strategy.
The Impact of the MLB Draft
The MLB draft has had a profound impact on the sport of baseball. It has allowed teams to acquire players that they would not have had access to in the past, and it has given hundreds of players the opportunity to pursue their dream of playing in the MLB. It has also allowed teams to develop young players and build their rosters for the future.
The MLB Draft Process
The MLB draft process is complex and involves a great deal of research and analysis. Teams must evaluate hundreds of players and make decisions based on a variety of factors, including a player’s potential, their physical abilities, and their performance in college or the minor leagues.
The MLB Amateur Draft
The MLB amateur draft is a separate process from the regular MLB draft. It is designed to give teams the opportunity to select players who are not eligible for the regular draft, such as high schoolers, international players, and college juniors.
The MLB International Draft
The MLB international draft is a separate process from the amateur and regular drafts. It is designed to give teams the opportunity to select players from outside the United States and Canada. The draft began in 2012 and has become increasingly popular over the years.
Conclusion
Rick Monday was the first MLB player to be drafted in 1965 and his legacy as the first player to be selected in the draft will live on forever. Since his selection, the MLB draft has grown significantly in size and scope and it is now one of the most important events in the sport. The draft has allowed teams to acquire talented players from around the world and it has given hundreds of players the opportunity to pursue their dreams of playing in the MLB.
Major League Baseball (MLB), Rick Monday, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB Draft, MLB Amateur Draft, MLB International Draft