Big Dutch Dotterer, the patriarch of a baseball family, played pro ball in the minor leagues before starting a lengthy career as a baseball scout. Dotterer was an outstanding football, baseball and track star at Dean Academy. He also excelled in baseball at New York University.

But Dotterer’s professional baseball aspirations were cut short by a career-ending injury in 1933. But he stayed involved in the sport in another capacity: by scouting talent for pro clubs. He worked for four organizations including 14 years with the Cleveland Indians. Dotterer retired in 1985.

In 1989, he was honored by Major League Baseball's commissioner's office for his over 50 years of service to baseball. He was inducted into the Dean Academy Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame in 2004.

Dotterer had two sons follow in his baseball footsteps, Dutch, major league catcher, and Tom, who played minor league ball. Father and sons all are members of the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1927: Played baseball and football for Dean Academy.

1929: Played baseball at New York University

1929: Signed contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Played with Dansville (3-1 League), Rochester (International League) and Brown–Lipe Chapin (Semi-pro industrial league)

1930: Spring training with St. Louis Cardinals; Played for Ft. Wayne and Richmond of the Central League. Overall batting average: .325.

1931: Byrne Seiberlings – Post Standard League.

1932: Akron/Dayton, Central League.

1933: Spring training Brooklyn Dodgers but injury ended career

1945-1948: Scout for Syracuse Chiefs

1949-1961: Scout for Cincinnati Reds

1961-1974: Scout for Cleveland Indians

1977-1985: Scout for New York Yankees