Last week, Alan Milstein proposed that the NFL Draft be eliminated. He examined its anti-competitive effects and noted how troubling most of us would find it if we couldn't pick our employer or even location of employment. A number of commentators argued against this position, claiming that big-market teams would dominate the signing of amateur players. Earlier today, I happened to be reading an interview with former Red Sox great Johhny Pesky, for whom Fenway Park's "Pesky Pole" is named. His response to a question by David Laurila of Red Sox Nation reminded me of last week's debate:
David Laurila: Tell us about signing with the Red Sox [in 1940]?An anecdote for a time long ago? Sure. But perhaps the elimination of drafts wouldn't be the end of pro competition. Perhaps amateur players, like all of us, would think seriously about non-monetary factors in where they would play. And in the case of Pesky, those non-monetary factors happened to include flowers and bourbon for his parents.
Johnny Pesky: Back then, you could sign with anybody -- there was no draft yet. There were a number of teams interested in me, and some offered more money than Boston. My mother and father wanted me to sign with the Red Sox, though, because their scout brought her flowers when he came to the house -- and bourbon for my father. They were immigrants, and even though it was the Depression, that was more important than the extra money. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.
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