On Roberto Clemente Day, I take a look back at Clemente's first pro season with the Montreal Royals and the legend's other Canadian links.
Remembering Roberto Clemente’s season in Montreal on Roberto Clemente Day
Remembering Roberto Clemente on the 50th anniversary of his death
When Roberto Clemente's plane carrying relief supplies to Nicaragua crashed 50 years ago today, down with it went the hearts and spirits of the thousands Clemente managed to touch during his short life.
Roberto Clemente started his pro career in Montreal
Roberto Clemente with the Montreal Royals in 1954. Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame September 15, 2022 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada When historians talk about baseball legends with connections to Canada early in their career, they often mention Babe Ruth who hit his first professional regular season home run in Toronto or the... Continue Reading →
Former Montreal Expos scout Kelvin Bowles passes away at 82
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Former Montreal Expos scout Kelvin Bowles passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 after a lengthy illness. He died in his home in Smith Mountain Lake, Va. Bowles was a versatile and respected scout for Jim Fanning and the Expos from 1985 to 1990. He was entrusted... Continue Reading →
“El Presidente! El Perfecto!” – Dennis Martinez’s perfect game 30 years later
This 1991 Upper Deck card is a tribute to Dennis Martinez's perfect game that was tossed 30 years ago today By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada It was 30 years ago today that "El Presidente" was "El Perfecto." That was how legendary broadcaster Dave Van Horne poetically summarized Montreal Expos ace Dennis Martinez's perfect game... Continue Reading →
Canadian MLBers you might not have heard of . . . Bob Alexander
Vancouver native Bob Alexander pitched in four games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1955. Photo: The Evening Sun (Baltimore) By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Bob Alexander was the very definition of a journeyman professional pitcher, toeing the rubber for no less than 17 teams in 18 seasons. But the crafty right-hander’s resume does boast... Continue Reading →
Jackie Robinson: “I owe more to Canadians than they’ll ever know.”
Jackie Robinson played his first season of integrated baseball with the International League’s Montreal Royals in 1946 before breaking Major League Baseball’s colour barrier the following year. Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. *Here’s an article I wrote a few years ago and have been updating each year. It has never been more important to... Continue Reading →
Former Montreal Expos coach Norm Sherry dies at 89
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Norm Sherry, who served as a coach with the Montreal Expos from November 1977 through the 1981 season, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. His family confirmed his death on Wednesday. His son, Mike, told the Associated Press that Sherry died of natural causes at an... Continue Reading →
Sparky Anderson got start as manager in Toronto
Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame 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... Continue Reading →
Former Expos infielder Johnny Paredes dies at 58
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Former Montreal Expos second baseman Johnny Paredes passed away on Thursday in Maracaibo, Venezuela after a battle with cancer at the age of 58. Danny Gallagher was the first Canadian reporter to share the news. His death has also been reported in El Nacional. Born on September 2, 1962... Continue Reading →