Since 1991 when Canadians were included in the draft, the Orioles were non-factors. In the case of the Blue Jays, Duane Larson and Chris Buckley, national cross-checkers, make comparisons and scouting director Tim Wilken has the final say. He said he wasn't hitting as well as he would like, but he's fielding as well as ever. Heather was a solid backer for the Jays to select Cambridge third baseman Scott Thorman, who Heather had watched since he was a peewee, with their first round pick in the 2000 draft. It was a difficult time for Heather.
Scouts naturally become attached to outstanding players in their area.
Disappointed on draft day, Heather took his dog for a walk to Dickson Park. But life goes on in scouting. While scouts watch and wait, they pass time talking. When the flakey Piersall went deep, ran his routine way to first, turned and ran backward around the bases. He won two World Series and had two boxcar loads of near misses.