Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/658783
22 PLAY BALL BAY AREA NEWS GROUP THE GAME F irstimpressionsareeverythingtobaseballscouts.Theywatchandevaluatethousandsofplayers every year. They are always looking for something that stands out. But scouts can make their own strong initial impressions on players, too. And Matt Cain has a clear recollection of the first time Giants scout Lee Elder walked into his suburban Memphis home. "I remember staring at that big-ass Yankee World Series ring on your hand," Cain often tells him. "Now I own a couple more of those big- ass World Series rings, thanks to you," Elder shoots back. Cain and Elder are a rare pair. It's not too often that a pitcher can walk onto the field in spring training, still in the same organization 14 years after being drafted, see the scout that signed him leaning against the dugout rail, his mouth wadded up with sunflower seeds, and wave. MattCainjoinedtheGiantsfranchiseafterLeeElder,above,discoveredhimonascoutingtrip."AfterthreeinningsIcalledup(GiantsvicepresidentDick)Tidrow and said, 'I just saw the quickest arm I've seen on a high school kid yet,'" said Elder. Cain was drafted out of high school by San Francisco in the first round in 2002.