With Bill Caudill faltering as the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer in 1985, general manager Pat Gillick looked within the organization to solve the club’s ninth-inning woes. Fortunately, a bespectacled, 27-year-old fireballer that the Jays had plucked from the Texas Rangers as free agent compensation for Cliff Johnson was dominating International League batters. In 51-1/3 innings... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Charlie Lea, J.P. Arencibia, Dave McKay
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): It’s been a sad year for those of us who have fond memories of the 1981 Montreal Expos team that lost to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Right-hander Charlie Lea became the third member... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Joey Votto, Gary Carter, Bob Forsch
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): They’re definitely not the Montreal Expos anymore. The deep-pocketed Washington Nationals have been linked to almost every big name free agent this season. The team reportedly has interest in Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Roy Oswalt and Mark... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Russell Martin, Adam Lind, R.J. Swindle
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Earlier this month, I mentioned that the good thing about Juan Rivera is that he hits like Geroge Bell. The bad thing is that he also fields likes George Bell. And now, with the Jays’ decision to move him to DH, I’m almost... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Alex Anthopoulos, Dennis Lamp, Shawn Hill
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos indicated this week that free-agent-to-be John Buck saw the bulk of playing time at catcher for the club last September because he gave the veteran backstop his word that he would be the regular catcher for the entire season.... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Vernon Wells, Tom Henke, Larry Walker
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: It’s difficult for me to separate the person from the player. Vernon Wells is a good man. He was arguably the greatest community ambassador the Blue Jays have ever had. During his tenure in Toronto, the sure-handed outfielder proved to be much classier... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Joey Votto, Russell Martin, Jeff Francis
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: The illness that prevented Joey Votto from attending Baseball Canada’s annual banquet on Saturday – an event at which he was added to the organization’s Wall of Excellence – appears to have been “contractitis.” Reports emerged on Sunday that the Etobicoke, Ont., native... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Vernon Wells, Fred Lewis, Bert Blyleven
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: This quote from Vernon Wells in Richard Griffin’s article in today’s Toronto Star reiterates why I don’t mind V-Dub being paid $126 million: “I think the most important thing about getting contracts like this is you get to go out and do so... Continue Reading →
Top Canadian Baseball Stories of 2010 – Part 2
Here’s part two of my look back at the top Canadian baseball stories of 2010 (in no particular order): Ex-Expos broadcaster Dave Van Horne wins Ford C. Frick While Jays fans lobbied for Tom Cheek to win the Ford C. Frick Award, it has to be considered a victory for Canadian baseball that longtime Expos... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … John McDonald, Pat Gillick, Frank Thomas
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: I’m not writing this to bash Derek Jeter, but those of us who follow the Toronto Blue Jays know that John McDonald is the best fielding shortstop in the American League. If reports that the Padres will listen to offers for first... Continue Reading →