RiverDogs honor game's underdogs

Former Spartanburg Methodist College coach Lon Joyce was one of two men inducted into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame on Friday at Riley Park.

Joyce, who works for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Donny Rowland of the New York Yankees, made up the first class of the new hall which will be on display at the six ballparks run by the Goldklang Group.

"It means a tremendous amount to me," Joyce said. "It's the first time anyone's done anything for scouts. For me to be in one of the first classes is very special."

Joyce has been with the Dodgers since 1992 as a territorial scout for Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Among the major leaguers he has signed are Reggie Abercrombie, Luke Allen, Jonathan Broxton, Edwin Jackson and Adam Riggs.

"I think baseball fans know scouts sign players," he said. "I don't think they know how much time is put into traveling to see and evaluate the players."

Rowland has worked in various capacities for the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees.

"This is a special honor," he said. "There are hundreds of scouts across the country who are as deserving or more. My first reaction was how in heck did I get nominated for it.

"People don't realize what goes into this job — the nights away from family, the passion and the respect for the game you need to have."

James and Rowland are part of a dozen scouts who have been or will be honored this summer — two at each park. The criteria to be selected was to have a minimum of 20 years of professional experience and a combination of success in the field, contributions to the game and involvement to the local communities where they are honored.

Reach Bill Henley at 937-5595 or bhenley@ postandcourier.com.