Ex-Dodgers Scout Director Ben Wade Dies

.c The Associated Press

12/03/02 20:02 EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former Los Angeles Dodgers scouting director Ben Wade has died after a long battle with cancer, team president Bob Graziano said.

Wade, who turned 80 last week, died Monday. He spent more than 30 years in the Dodgers' organization as a player, scout and scouting director prior to retiring after the 1990 season.

The Dodgers signed Wade as a scout in 1962 and he was promoted to director of scouting in 1973, a post he held until his retirement.

Among the players drafted during Wade's tenure as scouting director were Mike Piazza, Rick Sutcliffe, Dave Stewart, Mike Scioscia, Bob Welch, Mickey Hatcher, Steve Sax, Mike Marshall, Steve Howe, Orel Hershiser, John Franco, John Wetteland, Eric Karros and Eric Young.

A right-hander, Wade pitched in the majors for five years, including parts of three seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1952-54) in which he had a 19-15 record in 92 games. He also pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 1948 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954.

Funeral services will be held next Monday at the Douglas and Zook Mortuary in Monrovia. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Association of Pro Baseball Players of America, 1830 W. Orangewood Avenue, Suite 206, Orange, Calif., 92868.