Vance Lovelace, who along with Dan Cataline was acquired by the Dodgers from the Cubs for Ron Cey in 1983, has been named Director of Pro Scouting, a newly created position by the Dodgers. Lovelace has been with the organization in some sort of scouting capacity since 2001, previously held the title of special assistant to the general manager, one of eight such positions.
Lovelace, 46, was largely responsible for the advance scouting of the Cubs prior to the 2008 NLDS, a series swept by the Dodgers in three games. Earlier this spring, Ned Colletti said Lovelace was so fired up about the scouting report, that he had Lovelace address the team to give the report. Colletti had nothing but praise for Lovelace:
In my four years with the Dodgers, Vance has proven himself to be a trusted advisor and a keen judge of baseball talent on the Major League level. I think he will flourish in his new role overseeing all of our professional scouts and I look forward to strengthening our working relationship in 2010 and beyond. His passion for baseball and for the Dodger organization will help many advance to a higher level.
As a player, Lovelace pitched in the Dodger organization for three seasons (1983-1985), and pitched in the majors for parts of three seasons (1988-1990) with the Angels and Mariners.