Just Remembered...

While sitting around with some friends and watching the Tribe on Sunday, a trivia question came on the screen: Who was the Indians first ever draft pick?

The answer was Ray Fosse, in 1965. You know, the guy that Pete Rose ran over in the 1970 All-Star game and effectively ended his career.

My thought was: "What the hell, 1970? When was the first draft in MLB history? How have the Indians acquired players since 1901?"

First MLB draft was in 1965. The Indians played their first game in 1901.

Who was responsible for assembling baseball teams? Was it just all of the fast talkin', huge promisin' baseball scouts that looked like this:

Was it team owners that signed 15 year olds? I really would like to know how Indians players became Indians players from 1901-1965. Or really, how any team was assembled from the beginning of time to 1964, for that matter.

Can somebody please explain?