Without Scott Rolen, Canadian slugger Joey Votto likely wouldn’t be a six-time All-Star, and that's just one of the new Hall of Famer's Canadian connections.
Rolen worked hard for Cooperstown honour, helped shape Votto’s career
Willie Horton turns 80, let’s remember his brief tenure with Jays
October 18, 2022 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Willie Horton turns 80 today. As a Detroit Tiger, he was a four-time all-star, a World Series champion and the team's first black superstar whose efforts earned him a statue at Comerica Park. His No. 23 has also been retired by the club, and if Tigers... Continue Reading →
He played for the Expos? . . . Jason Thompson
September 1, 2022 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Most baseball fans have probably forgotten that Jason Thompson spent nearly three months with the Montreal Expos at the start of the 1986 season. And Thompson would likely prefer it that way. A three-time All-Star with the Detroit Tigers, California Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates before being... Continue Reading →
Gibbons recalls Thomas’ 500th HR and Big Hurt’s unceremonious departure from Jays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz5lrqahCRw *Watch Stu Stone’s full interview with John Gibbons for the former Toronto Blue Jays manager’s weekly “Talking Points” feature, sponsored by Bodog Canada, by clicking on the video above. May 31, 2022 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Frank Thomas belted his 500th major league home run off Minnesota Twins right-hander Carlos Silva in... Continue Reading →
He (sort of) played for the Expos? . . . Jack Clark
April 7, 2022 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He feuded with Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith and Frank Robinson. But he was much loved by Mo Vaughn, Andy Van Slyke and Whitey Herzog, the latter of whom called him “the greatest fastball hitter of his era.” Yes, it seems Jack Clark was either loved or... Continue Reading →
He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Bob Robertson
Bob Robertson with the Toronto Blue Jays. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He belted three home runs in Game 2 of the 1971 National League Championship Series hitting behind Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. And he'd club two more during the 1971 World Series to help the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Baltimore Orioles in... Continue Reading →
He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Tony Phillips
Photo: Canadian Press By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada For the two weeks he spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in July 1998, Tony Phillips was the loudest player in the clubhouse. “TP”, as teammates called him, was profane, outspoken and without a filter. He played with a chip on his shoulder and every time... Continue Reading →
He played for the Expos? . . . Orlando Hernandez
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada El Duque was an Expo. No one would blame you, however, if you don't remember him with the club. After all, his tenure with the Expos consisted of seven spring training innings and three rehab starts with the class-A Advanced Brevard County Manatees in 2003, before he underwent season-ending... Continue Reading →
He coached for the Montreal Expos? . . . Mickey Vernon
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He may have been the most important hitting coach in Montreal Expos history. Yet, even some of the most diehard Expos fans probably won't remember Mickey Vernon's tenure as the club's batting instructor. When the two-time American League batting champion took over as the team's hitting coach under manager... Continue Reading →
He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Dave Righetti
Dave Righetti made 13 appearances of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada When someone mentions Dave Righetti, you're more likely to remember him as a young left-hander with the New York Yankees who on July 4, 1983 became the first Bronx Bombers pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Don... Continue Reading →