Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
Did you know that the first night baseball game in Canada was played in Vancouver in 1931? Or that Jackie Robinson was rumoured to be the first manager of the Pacific Coast League’s Vancouver Mounties in 1956? These are just two of the engrossing and little-told stories shared in an outstanding new book called, “Play Ball! The Amazing Stories and Captivating Characters Who Have Made Baseball a Winning Ticket in Vancouver for Over 100 Years.”
My weekly Canadian baseball news and notes column discusses Steven Jaschinski, the Naylor Brothers, Matt Brash, Jordan Romano and Brooks Robinson.
Hall of Famer and former Vancouver Mounties third baseman Brooks Robinson died on Tuesday at the age of 86.
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • You know those baseball cards you collected as a kid? Well, it turns out that it was a Canadian who masterminded the first set of baseball cards that was packaged with gum. Nova Scotia native Enos Gordon Goudey, who later moved to Boston, Mass.,... Continue Reading →
The following is a short piece that I wrote in 2010 about Robinson's tenure with the Vancouver Mounties. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He’s widely considered the best third baseman ever. From 1955 to 1977 with the Baltimore Orioles, Brooks Robinson was named to 18 all-star teams, won 16 Gold Glove awards, slammed 268... Continue Reading →
The headline in the Toronto Star the next day read, “When the rain came, Earl went home.” And as the baseball community mourns the passing of Earl Weaver, who died Saturday of a heart attack at the age of 82, many of those in attendance at Exhibition Stadium on September 15, 1977 still reminisce about... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Dave Pagan felt numb as he peered in for a sign from Thurman Munson. And a case of nerves was understandable for a 23-year-old prairie kid who had grown up in a tiny farming community in northeast Saskatchewan and was now pitching in front of more than 28,000 boisterous... Continue Reading →
He’s widely considered the best third baseman ever. From 1955 to 1977 with the Baltimore Orioles, Brooks Robinson was named to 18 all-star teams, won 16 Gold Glove awards, slammed 268 homers and was a two-time World Series champion (1966 and 1970). For his efforts, the gregarious Arkansas native was elected to the National Baseball... Continue Reading →
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: I understand the Jays’ decision to shut down Brandon Morrow, but boy baseball has changed over the last 20 years. Making an announcement that you’re shutting down your most dominant pitcher after his first start in September equates to Blue Jays management waving... Continue Reading →
