Claude Osteen was the third member of the Dodger rotation in the mid-sixties. Sutton was a rookie in Koufax’ last year (1966).
I probably would have played against Don Sutton in high school except I quit after the second game. The coach who I liked and still like, had me substituting behind the guy who started the previous year in Right Field. This kid coud catch a fly ball and throw it in slowly. He also moved slowly in the outfield. In brief he was awful and could not hit either.
On the other hand he was the coaches son’s girlfriend’s
brother. In my opinion that was the the only reason he was playing plus he was the son of a prominent businessman.
The first game of the season we played Crestview. We were winning easily so they put me in for a couple of innings. During that time I was at bat twice and hit a home run and double driving in 3 more runs. I also made one of the best plays in the outfield I have ever made.
A ball was hit way over my head. I started running full speed with my back to the ball. I was far enough that I had gotten up a good deal of speed (I held the record for the 100 yard dash). I glanced back twice and just as the ball got over my head I reached as high as my arm would go and speared it. I was totally doing this blind as I could not watch the ball and catch it too. Since I was moving in the same direction as the ball it just barely stuck in the glove. Several of my team mates said it was the greatest catch they had ever seen.
I was sure I would start the next day but instead the coach put the politically valuable plodder in to start and I didn’t even get into the game. The next day I quit and went out for track.
If I had stayed on the team there is not doubt I would have played against Sutton, or at least set on the bench while other played him.
That is just the way it is done in small towns with wealthy and powerful men’s sons playing. I did end my baseball career batting 1000 and with a home run 50% of my at bats.