SABR

The Sandlot Mentors of Los Angeles

By Rick Obrand

This article presents those little known but important men who helped to launch so many players from the sandlots of Los Angeles to baseball stardom.  Southern California has long been fertile ground for major-league talent. Walter Johnson, Jackie Robinson, Bob Lemon, Duke Snider, Don Drysdale, George Brett, Tony Gwynn, and Ozzie Smith all began their careers on the sandlots and high school diamonds of the greater Los Angeles area. So many gifted athletes—but it takes more than raw talent to achieve big-league success. A strong work ethic, the opportunity to . . .

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