Quote:
Originally Posted by Cusick
In case others, like me, have been trying to figure out who Phillies Richard and Robert Haines (pictured above) were, they were twin brothers who signed with the Phils in 1958. They had shown outstanding talent in American Legion ball. They received a huge bonus, which was undisclosed, but rumored at $50,000. They were assigned to Class D ball upon entering the Phils' system. I don't think they were ever invited to the Phils' major league spring camp.
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(A lot of the following is from memory since I grew up in the area the Haines brothers came to prominence in as high school stars, so hopefully I've got my facts straight)..
Richard Haines was the big prospect the Phillies sought.. He was from Montclair, NJ and the local daily newspapers - The Newark (NJ)
Star-Ledger and the Newark Evening News made a big deal out of his signing. Very much like in 1944 when the Phillies pursued Granville 'Granny' Hamner and Granny negotiated a package deal where the Phillies also signed his brother Garvin, so it was in 1958 when Richard or Richie as he was sometimes called, pursuaded the Phillies to sign his brother Robert also. Neither Haines brother made it to the majors, although Richard got at least as high as the AA level. His photo was included in a couple of Phillies yearbooks in their best prospects section, since he'd had some success in the low minors. He was highly regarded in the farm system, but he never quite panned out.
By the way, Granny Hamner, signed at age 17, played 16 seasons for the Phillies as a shortstop and second baseman and had 1528 hits in 1524 games. He tried to convert to a knuckeballing relief pitcher late in his career. He was the Phillies team captain and a three-time all-star. He played all or part of 16 seasons with the Phillies (1944-1959) plus one year with Cleveland. His brother, Garvin the throw-in on the deal, played for the Phillies just one season (1945) his lone season in the major leagues. The Phillies debuted Granny, 17 and Ralph 'Putsy' Caballero, 16 on the same day Sept. 14, 1944 - a couple of youngsters who were too young for the military draft at that time, although both would later serve. Many teams resorted to this tactic of signing players who were too young for the draft, particularly late in the war as manpower shortages worsened. ie: Joe Nuxhall - Cincinnati Reds.