Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: So far so good for Montreal Expos legend Tim Raines in the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting. Thanks to the hard-working Ryan Thibodaux, who documents baseball writers’ ballots that have been made public, we know that Raines has been named on 139 of 153... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: On Tuesday, it was announced that Darryl Sittler will be among the newest inductees to Canada’s Walk of Fame. He’s certainly a worthy honouree, but how can Canada truly have a Walk of Fame without Larry Walker on it? The Maple Ridge, B.C., native is... Continue Reading →
Courtesy of Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmy Williams passed away on Monday in Baltimore, Md., just 12 days after celebrating his 90th birthday. Born in Toronto, Ont., on May 25, 1926, Williams was a multi-sport star at Toronto’s De La Salle College School, excelling in hockey, football, lacrosse and... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • When Alison Gordon was assigned to cover the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979, she became the first full-time, female beat reporter in American League history. Sadly, it took her death in Toronto on Wednesday at the age of 72, for many to learn about... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • It’s been an eventful week for Montreal native Russell Martin. On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates extended a one-year, $15.3-million qualifying offer to him and two days later, he was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at the catching position. Martin, who’s coming... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Quebec baseball pioneer Jean-Pierre Roy passed away on Friday at the age of 94 in Margate, Fla. Roy had been suffering from prostate cancer, but his wife, Jeanne Duval Roy, said that he died from complications related to high blood pressure. Born in Montreal... Continue Reading →
He didn't quite make the big leagues, but Wally Fiala must have been able to tell some great stories about his professional baseball career. The gritty infielder, whose road to the big leagues was blocked by Brooklyn Dodgers superstars like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Gil Hodges, roomed with the spirited and loquacious Tommy... Continue Reading →
When Glenn Mickens raved to a baseball acquaintance about a promising, young outfielder that was playing behind him on the 1954 Montreal Royals, he may have inadvertently inspired a transaction that would change Pittsburgh Pirates history. “Ironically, one of the other scouts that helped sign me, Howie Haak, was now with the Pirates and came... Continue Reading →
Montreal Gazette reporter Dink Carroll referred to Homer "Dixie" Howell as "the prodigal son." The description was apt when you consider that Howell played parts of six seasons, in four separate stints, with the Montreal Royals. No matter where the likeable catcher traveled during his lengthy professional baseball odyssey, his road always seemed to point... Continue Reading →
He lost his big league job to Duke Snider and had to compete for playing time with Roberto Clemente, but Dick Whitman still managed to forge out a 13-year career in professional baseball. Born in Woodburn, Ore., in 1920, Whitman played for the semi-pro Silverton Red Sox alongside future big leaguers Johnny Pesky and Joe... Continue Reading →
