How important is advance scouting?
Well, 15 years after Bill Byckowski and Gordon Lakey gave the Blue Jays their advance report on the Chicago White Sox heading into the American League Championship Series, pitching coach Galen Cisco spotted Byckowski in 2008.
“Now, there’s a good scout,” said Cisco pitching coach of the 1992-93 World Series champion Blue Jays. “He and Lakey told us Frank Thomas would not expand his strike zone and would take a walk.
“The White Sox didn’t have much hitting behind him, so that was our approach.”
Thomas hit .353 (6-for-17) against the Jays with one homer and three RBI, drawing 10 walks.