But What Do I Know? … Justin Morneau, Tom Henke, John McDonald

My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports):

– I understand why the floundering Minnesota Twins would trade Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.) to the Pittsburgh Pirates. What I don’t understand is why they would deal the Canadian slugger for a fourth outfielder (Alex Presley) and a player to be named later or cash considerations. In the final year of a six-year, $80-million deal, Morneau is set to become a free agent, but the small price the Pirates had to pay for the Canuck infielder will leave a lot of other GMs saying, “Is that all it took to get Justin Morneau?”

–  Technically, they won’t qualify for the list of Canadian batteries that David Matchett has dutifully assembled for the  Canadian Baseball Network, but after being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals by the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Port Dover, Ont., native John Axford will now be warmed up by Guelph, Ont., native Jamie Pogue in the Cards’ bullpen. Pogue has served as the Cards’ bullpen catcher for the past two seasons.

– Some Toronto Blue Jays trivia for you: Who was the first batter to walk to the plate for the club in their first game on April 7, 1977? The answer is John Scott, who has apparently disappeared from the face of the earth. Several years back when Jerry Howarth was writing a “Where Are They Now?” publication about former Jays, John Scott was the only player he couldn’t track down. Scott has also become one of the Holy Grail Toronto Blue Jays autographs for collectors.  Mailing lists assembled by autograph experts offer a California address for the man, but if that is, indeed, his real address, he hasn’t responded to fan mail. A legitimately signed Scott item would probably fetch over $100 at auction.

– It was wonderful to see Carlos Delgado’s name added to the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence on July 21. He definitely deserves the honour, but I’m still waiting for Tom Henke’s name to be added. At the Blue Jays’ State of the Franchise event prior to the 2012 season, Paul Beeston said that Henke was being considered for the honour. The question is, what’s the hold up? Let’s get the Terminator’s name up there in 2013.

– Canadian citizen Mark Teahen (St. Marys, Ont.), currently playing with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League, is behind one of the most amusing Twitter feeds out there. Here was his response to one of those annoying weight-loss tweets that have become epidemic on Twitter: “@Colby7617: In case U want to reduce 19 pounds within 27 days!? go to my account” Teahen’s Response: I’m looking to lose 20 lbs in 26 days #Almost

– And also this great Tweet from Ben Raby, a Montreal native who works for the Washington Capitals Radio Network, about John McDonald being dealt to the Boston Red Sox yesterday (Johnny Mac has also played for the Pirates, Indians and Phillies this season): “John McDonald has joined his 4th MLB team of 2013. Matches # of provinces John McDonald oversaw as Canada’s 1st Prime Minister- 1867”

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