February 28, 2025
By Kevin Glew
Cooperstowners in Canada
I have been posting a “Super Canadian Baseball Stat of the Day” on my X, Facebook and BlueSky accounts.
I wanted to share them from the past week, in case you don’t use social media.
February 24
Detroit Tigers lefty John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.) had a 30.4 WAR as a relief pitcher in 545 games.
Relievers with lower career WAR:
–Lee Smith 28.9
–Trevor Hoffman 28.0
–Billy Wagner 27.7
–Rollie Fingers 25.6
–Bruce Sutter 24.0
February 25
Victoria, B.C., native Rich Harden‘s 2008 season, split between the A’s and Cubs.
First half with A’s:
-13 starts
– 5-1 – 2.34 ERA
– 77 IP
– 92 Ks
Second half with Cubs:
– 12 starts
– 5-1
– 1.77 ERA
– 71 IP
– 89 Ks
February 26
Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.) is the only Canadian pitcher to have both a 200-strikeout season (2000, 2010) and a 30-save season (2005) during their major league career.
February 27
In 1941, Jeff Heath (Fort William, Ont.) became the first player in American League history to have 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 home runs in the same season. He also batted .340 with 123 RBIs that season.
February 28
Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) went 8-for-11 (.727 batting average) and had seven RBIs in three games for Canada in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
For his efforts, he was named MVP of Canada’s pool and an outfielder on the All-Tournament team.
Thanks for the Super Stats.
Thanks for reading them, Bob.
Maybe Hiller should be in Cooperstown!
Harden was magical that summer. 14 more IP and he wins ERA title and maybe the Cy Young!
That’s an interesting thought about Hiller. Thanks for reading this.