Pat Gillick turns 84 today. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: –How is this for a welcome back to the big leagues? After being called up by the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, left-hander Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) was summoned from the bullpen in the... 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 →
But What Do I Know? . . . Aaron Sanchez, Dave Stieb, Casey Janssen
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: For the time being Aaron Sanchez will be part of a six-man starting rotation for the Toronto Blue Jays to keep his innings count down and preserve his arm for the future. But just how much have times changed when it comes to safeguarding young... Continue Reading →
Bob Alexander: A British Columbia pitching pioneer
In recent years, British Columbia has become a hotbed for baseball talent. Current major leaguers Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC), Jason Bay (Trail, BC), Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC), Rich Harden (Victoria, BC), Jeff Francis (North Delta, BC) and Blake Hawksworth (North Vancouver, BC) all hail from Canada’s western-most province. But 55 years ago, Bob Alexander... Continue Reading →