MLB 2007 First-Year Player Draft Dlog

With the top pick in the 2007 first-year player draft, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays nabbed David Price of Vanderbilt. Price was an impressive 11-0 with a 2.71 ERA as he led division 1 with 175 strikeouts.

This is the first MLB draft to be televised. Karl Ravech is the MC of events over on the deuce, he is joined by Steve Phillips and Peter Gammons. As we prepare to cover the rest of the opening round, let's take a look at former first overalls and how they have failed miserably when compared to those taken behind them:

• 1965: A's take Rick Monday as Johnny Bench goes 36th to the Reds. Nolan Ryan goes 226th to the Mets. John Olerud went 67th to the Angels, which is amazing because he had yet to be conceived. Not enough credit is given to the Angles for their insight that year

• 1966: Mets pass on Reggie Jackson to take Steve Chilcott, one of only two top picks never to make the show. They would later nab Tom Seaver, so I guess they made out pretty well. The Yankees drafted Kan Stabler, who won them a Super Bowl in 1977.
  

• 1967: Yanks take Ron Blomberg who would go on to bat an incredible .500 during his rookie campaign (3-for-6). Bloomberg also has the distinction of being the first guy on an MLB starting lineup card to be told, "Nah, you stay here, we'll go field. We don't need you f#@%ing this up for us." Vida Blue went 27th.

• 1968: Mets nab Tim "Crazy Horse" Foli. Yankees more than happy to settle for Thurman Munson with the fourth pick.

• 1969: Senators take Jeff Burroughs, let him go after two seasons and he becomes one of just four top picks to be named a league MVP (1974 - Rangers). Dave Winfield was selected as a high school pitcher in the 40th round by the Orioles.
  

That wraps up the 60's. We'll tell GM's of the 70's how dumb they were later on in the draft.