Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
*This is part of my ongoing series of articles about members of the 1954 Montreal Royals. While manning left field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Don Thompson threw out New York Yankees second baseman Billy Martin to end Game 4 of the 1953 World Series. But while this toss was one of the highlights of Thompson's... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada It’s the most famous photo of Jackie Robinson with the Montreal Royals. Pictured in an over-sized uniform about to enter the Brooklyn Dodgers' clubhouse, the baseball pioneer looks young and happy as he stops to acknowledge a group of reporters. With the words “KEEP OUT” boldly emblazoned on... Continue Reading →
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): Wouldn’t it be boring if Prince Fielder re-signed with the Brewers and Albert Pujols re-signed with the Cardinals? This is looking more and more like a possibility. A couple of things about Fielder: he was not... Continue Reading →
He once called his tenure as general manager of the Montreal Royals his best three years in baseball. That’s lofty praise when you consider that Buzzie Bavasi was the architect of four World Series-winning teams with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Assembling talent like Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider, the bold New Yorker also... Continue Reading →
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and former Brooklyn Dodger, Billy Harris, has passed away at the age of 80. According to the Moncton Times & Transcript, the New Brunswick pitching legend was recently hospitalized to treat a series of bleeding ulcers after he had fainted about a month ago. He died at his home in... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week, I wrote about Walter Alston’s successful tenure as manager of the Montreal Royals, before he became a legendary skipper with the Dodgers. “The Quiet Man,” as he was sometimes dubbed, would pilot the Dodgers for 23 seasons, leading them to four World Series titles and seven National League pennants. But Alston isn’t... Continue Reading →
Before guiding the Dodgers to four World Series titles and seven National League pennants, Hall of Fame skipper, Walter Alston, honed his managerial skills with the Montreal Royals. Born in Venice, Ohio on December 1, 1911, the legendary bench boss enjoyed a brief, uneventful stint in the big leagues as a player. His only major... Continue Reading →
Before he became the “Duke of Flatbush,” Duke Snider was Montreal's “Duke of Delorimier.” Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a 17-year-old, Snider’s first contract included a $750 signing bonus and a $250 monthly salary. The power-hitting outfielder suited up for 131 games with Newport News of the Piedmont League (Class B) in 1944. After... Continue Reading →
The snow blanketing the field for the Toronto Blue Jays' inaugural game on April 7, 1977, must have been a shock for Roy Hartsfield, the team’s first skipper who had managed the Padres’ Triple-A club in Hawaii for the previous four seasons. But a little snow wasn’t about to cool Hartsfield’s excitement. After 15 seasons... Continue Reading →
Roy Campanella wasn’t one to wallow in his hardships. But if anyone had a right to be bitter, it was the stocky catcher from Philadelphia. Forced to endure unspeakable racial taunts as a minor leaguer, “Campy” persevered to become the best catcher in the big leagues from 1948 to 1957, only to have his career... Continue Reading →