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CARDINALS SELECT CATCHER JACK MEYERS FIRST OVERALL IN 1908 MAJOR LEAGUE DRAFT

St. Louis Hopes for a Day-One Starter Behind the Plate as Teams Begin Contract Talks

By Charles H. Wentworth and George F. Winthrop, Sporting Times
December 15th, 1908

The 1908 Major League Draft has drawn to a close, and the selections are now official. All eyes were on St. Louis, where the struggling Cardinals held the coveted first overall pick and faced the challenge of setting the tone for the rest of the draft. After much deliberation, the club chose Jack Meyers, a 28-year-old catcher expected to be a day-one starter if he signs his contract.

Cardinals Place Faith in a Proven Backstop

Manager General Stafford addressed reporters following the selection, emphasizing the club’s desire to add a steady, mature presence behind the plate.

“We had a number of fine young men to consider,” Stafford said. “But Meyers stood out to us as someone ready to step in and handle a pitching staff from the start. He’s got the tools, the toughness, and the experience we need. This is a big step forward for the Cardinals.”

For his part, the new top pick appeared eager for the opportunity to prove himself.

“It’s an honor to be chosen first,” said Meyers. “I’ve worked hard to get here, and I’m ready to give St. Louis everything I’ve got. If we can get a deal done, I’ll be behind that plate come opening day.”

Teams now have until mid-February to negotiate and sign their draft selections if they hope to see them take the field in 1909.

1908 Major League Draft Results

Round 1

St. Louis Cardinals: C Jack Meyers, age 28

Detroit Tigers: LF Zack Wheat, age 20

Brooklyn Superbas: CF Fred Beck, age 22

St. Louis Browns: LF Harry Hooper, age 21

Chicago White Sox: 2B Dots Miller, age 22

Philadelphia Phillies: 1B Fred Luderus, age 23

Cincinnati Reds: 1B Dick Hoblitzel, age 20 (Minnesota State University Mankato)

Boston Doves: SS Art Fletcher, age 23

Washington Senators: SP Willie Mitchell, age 19

New York Giants: SP Fred Anderson, age 23

New York Highlanders: SP Jim Scott, age 20

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Louis Drucke, age 20

Cleveland Naps: LF Clyde Engle, age 24

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Ray Collins, age 21

Chicago Cubs: C Doc Wiley, age 21

Boston Red Sox: CF Ray Demmitt, age 24

Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Bob Groom, age 24

Round 2

St. Louis Cardinals: C Ted Easterly, age 23

Detroit Tigers: RP Russ Ford, age 25

Brooklyn Superbas: 1B Bill Pettus, age 24

St. Louis Browns: SS Stuffy McInnis, age 18

Chicago White Sox: 3B Tillie Shafer, age 19

Philadelphia Phillies: CF Spottswood Poles, age 20

Cincinnati Reds: CF Rebel Oakes, age 24

Boston Doves: LF Rube Ellis, age 23

Washington Senators: SP Harry Suter, age 21

New York Giants: SP Jack Quinn, age 25

New York Highlanders: CF Burt Shotton, age 24

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Dixie Walker, age 20

Cleveland Naps: SS Tom Downey, age 24

Chicago Cubs: SS Morrie Rath, age 20

Boston Red Sox: SP Marty O'Toole, age 20 (University of Portland)

Pittsburgh Pirates: CF Ward Miller, age 24

Round 3

St. Louis Cardinals: SS Ashes Jackson, age 25

Brooklyn Superbas: SP King Cole, age 22

Detroit Tigers: 1B Del Gainer, age 22

Brooklyn Superbas: LF Ham Hyatt, age 24

St. Louis Browns: RP Pat Ragan, age 25

Chicago White Sox: SP Dolly Gray, age 30

Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Jimmy Austin, age 29

Cincinnati Reds: SP Rip Hagerman, age 22

Boston Doves: CF Bill O'Hara, age 27

Washington Senators: SP Ralph Works, age 20

New York Giants: C Tommy Clarke, age 20

New York Highlanders: SP Grover Lowdermilk, age 23

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Tommy Atkins, age 21

Cleveland Naps: RF Hi Myers, age 19

Chicago Cubs: RF George Hunter, age 21

Boston Red Sox: SP Elmer Knetzer, age 23

Pittsburgh Pirates: SP John Raleigh, age 21

With negotiations now underway, the attention of fans and managers alike will turn to who signs — and who holds out. But for today, it is Jack Meyers’ name that headlines the next generation of major league talent.