Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Who has been the Toronto Blue Jays' best starting pitcher in the postseason? It's not Dave Stieb or Jimmy Key, or even Jack Morris, who was signed specifically for his superlative postseason track record. And younger Blue Jays fans might say it's Marco Estrada. But the correct answer would... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Twenty-six years ago today, Tom Henke registered his 300th major league save when he secured the final four outs for the St. Louis Cardinals in their 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYbrLoDljdU In a Canadian baseball fan's perfect world, Henke would've reached that milestone with... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Sports Illustrated writer Phil Taylor once wrote that John Olerud had "a swing so sweet it should be poured on pancakes." That sweet swing, which Olerud perfected with help his from his dad, John Sr. and by reading Charley Lau's book, The Art of Hitting .300, helped Olerud capture... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada The Toronto Blue Jays dealt right-hander John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in exchange for cash considerations. With the transaction, the Canuck will rejoin the team he began his big league career with in 2009. The Brewers noted in their press release that Axford... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Thirty-eight years ago yesterday, Luis Leal tossed a two-hit shutout for the Toronto Blue Jays in their 8-0 win over the eventual American League West champion Chicago White Sox on a steamy night at Comiskey Park. It was the 26-year-old right-hander’s first major league shutout. “It was warm like... Continue Reading →
Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.) is the only Canadian to ever win the MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby. He did so in 2008. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada A player born in Canada will be competing in the MLB All-Star Game for the 23rd time in the past 24 Midsummer Classics. Toronto Blue... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada In an era dominated by self-absorbed, steroid-supported sluggers, Carlos Delgado might be best remembered for his smile. The charismatic ex-Toronto Blue Jay even managed to smile throughout his retirement press conference in April 2011, when he finally conceded that his 38-year-old body would no longer permit him to play... Continue Reading →
The scene after George Bell clubbed a walk-off home run for the Toronto Blue Jays in their final game at Exhibition Stadium 32 years ago today. Photo: YouTube By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada It was a dramatic and fitting end for the Toronto Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium. Thirty-two years ago today, on an... Continue Reading →
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 →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Most longtime Toronto Blue Jays fans can tell you that Bill Singer threw the first regular season pitch in the franchise's history on that snowy day at Exhibition Stadium on April 7, 1977. But who caught that first pitch? The answer is Rick Cerone, who turns 67 today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoyXVG2Xc6E... Continue Reading →
