By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · “I’m not thinking about baseball right now, if I’m honest. I’m just trying to take it moment by moment and look after the people closest to me.” That’s what Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) told Sridhar Pappu for... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Edwin Encarnacion, Joaquin Benoit, Adam Loewen
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: Seven years ago today, the Toronto Blue Jays dealt Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds for pitching prospects Zach Stewart, Josh Roenicke and a struggling 26-year-old third baseman named Edwin Encarnacion. It was Stewart the Blue Jays coveted the most, but the Reds would only... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Kevin Pillar, Josh Donaldson, Andre Dawson
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Believe it or not, after Blue Jays centre fielder Kevin Pillar made an ill-advised dive for a line drive hit by Billy Burns in the eighth inning in Thursday’s game against Oakland that turned what should’ve been a single into a triple, there were... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Jim Fanning, Andrew Albers, Joe Carter
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • The official obituary for Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Fanning appeared in Saturday’s London Free Press. The life of the legendary Montreal Expos executive and field manager, who passed away of heart failure on April 25 at the age of 87, will be... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Scott Diamond, Bo Schultz, Dustin Molleken
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • ESPN’s Darren Wolfson reports that free agent left-hander Scott Diamond (Guelph, Ont.) threw for the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. With Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Alex Colome sidelined with injuries and ailments and Matt Moore still recuperating from Tommy John surgery, the Rays... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, Andre Dawson, Jim Henderson
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported on Friday that the Pittsburgh Pirates intend to extend a $15.3-million qualifying offer to free agent Russell Martin. Coming off one of his finest big league seasons, the Canadian catcher reportedly declined a multi-year offer by Pirates during... Continue Reading →
Jerk cellphone-toting dad goads Gary Carter at autograph event
If you've ever wondered why some athletes refuse to sign autographs, check out the YouTube link I've provided below. I do a lot of writing for sports memorabilia publications and I'm happy to report that the vast majority of autograph enthusiasts I've met are first-class people. Most of them attend athlete signings because they want... Continue Reading →