By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Jesse Jefferson, a workhorse starting pitcher on the early Toronto Blue Jays teams, would’ve turned 72 today. The underrated right-hander, who hailed from Midlothian, Va., passed away in 2011 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was just 62. Selected by the Blue Jays from the Chicago WhiteContinue reading “Five things you should know about . . . Jesse Jefferson”
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But What Do I Know? . . . Josh Naylor, Andrew Albers, Joey Votto, Tim Wallach
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – “I’ve always dreamed of it happening,” Josh Naylor told Cleveland.com reporter Paul Hoynes about being on the same team as his younger brother, Bo. Hoynes recently wrote an excellent feature about the Naylor brothers, who hail from Mississauga,Continue reading “But What Do I Know? . . . Josh Naylor, Andrew Albers, Joey Votto, Tim Wallach”
He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Dave Parker
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Do you remember when the Cobra was a Blue Jay? No one would blame if you don’t. After all, Dave Parker was only a Blue Jay for three weeks 30 years ago. But in that short tenure at the end of the 1991 season, the then-40-year-old slugger supplied someContinue reading “He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Dave Parker”
Sparky Anderson got start as manager in Toronto
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada When the Detroit Tigers won the World Series in 1984, Sparky Anderson became the first manager to win a championship with both an American League and National League (Cincinnati 1975, 1976) club. But while most associate the fiery, white-haired skipper, who would’ve turned 87 today, with the Big RedContinue reading “Sparky Anderson got start as manager in Toronto”
But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, James Paxton, Mike Soroka, Tim Raines
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – Montreal native and former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin turned 38 on Monday. Some have asked me if Martin has retired. I did some research and the latest update I could find about Martin came from JonContinue reading “But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, James Paxton, Mike Soroka, Tim Raines”
Ex-Blue Jays: A summary of off-season transactions
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Are you wondering where Justin Smoak is playing this year? Or if former Blue Jays catcher Jeff Mathis is still active? Well, I wonder about these things. And that explains why I’ve spent a lot of time this off-season documenting all of the transactions that I could find thatContinue reading “Ex-Blue Jays: A summary of off-season transactions”
But What Do I Know? . . . Ellis Valentine, Adam Hall, James Paxton, Oscar Judd
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Former Montreal Expos outfielder Ellis Valentine is the most talented player with the last name “Valentine” to suit up in the big leagues. This five-tool talent, who grew up in South Central, LosContinue reading “But What Do I Know? . . . Ellis Valentine, Adam Hall, James Paxton, Oscar Judd”
Baseball America uses Canadian artist for 40th anniversary issue
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Baseball America has returned to its Canadian roots. That’s the way a Canuck baseball fan might interpret the storied publication’s decision to use the artwork of Nova Scotian Robb Scott on the cover of its 40th anniversary issue that was released this month. “I love the connection that AllanContinue reading “Baseball America uses Canadian artist for 40th anniversary issue”
Andrew Albers returns to Twins
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada After three seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League, left-hander Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) has signed a minor league deal to return to the Minnesota Twins. The deal, which includes an invitation to big league spring training, was announced by True Gravity Baseball, the agencyContinue reading “Andrew Albers returns to Twins”
But What Do I Know? . . . Mike Soroka, Pat Mahomes, Tom Brady, Joey Votto
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – In case you missed it, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced on Friday that it will not be electing a 2021 class due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s the statement from their board of directors: – InContinue reading “But What Do I Know? . . . Mike Soroka, Pat Mahomes, Tom Brady, Joey Votto”
