1971 Profile: Ron Blomberg

"It may be next year before he's ready, but the Yankees are content to wait. Ron is a fine natural hitter, with good power, plenty of speed and a strong arm. He has everything but experience.
The very first choice in the 1967 free agent draft, the Yanks took him out of Atlanta, Georgia, where he was born, August 23, 1948. He began his career as a first baseman, now he's an outfielder. Ron batted .273 at Syracuse last year after a .284 at Manchester in 1969.
He has one all-consuming hobby: food. Ron once ate 28 hamburgers in a single sitting while in high school.
'They had a deal where they gave you a hamburger for a 1956 penny,' he said. 'I collected 28 pennies.'"

-Joe Gergen, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1971 Edition

"The 22-year-old slugger, who has progressed steadily towards Yankee Stadium since he was the Yankees' first draft choice and first selection in the country in 1967, was slowed up a lot last year by military service. But while he was playing Instructional League ball in Clearwater, Florida last October, he requested permission for a few days off to get married. When he came back, Ronnie hit five home runs in five days as well as a couple of bases-loaded doubles. (Many Happy Anniversaries!)
It's generally conceded that Blomberg (he pronounces it 'Bloom-berg') has the potential for super stardom. Originally a first baseman, Ronnie was converted to the outfield to make better use of his speed."

-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook

"Blomberg moved up to AAA last year and hit a respectable .273 at Syracuse despite much Army Reserve duty, which had him in and out of the lineup. He was sent to the Florida Instructional League last fall for more playing time, then left the club to be married and when he came back hit three homers in two games, and raised his average from .250 to .304 by the end of the Instructional League season.
Ron is a big, strong powerful hitting lad with a good arm and speed. He was signed as a first baseman but was switched to the outfield in order to utilize his running ability.
Yankee players still talk about the shot he hit over the right field roof of Tiger Stadium during batting practice late in the 1969 season. He had been recalled from Manchester in September and hit .500 in six official at-bats against major league pitching.
Blomberg is considered one of the top prospects in the Yankee organization and not too far away from regular duty at Yankee Stadium."

-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide