Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
Just over 100 years after he walked to the plate to become the first batter to face Babe Ruth in a big league game, St. Thomas, Ont., native Jack Graney was honoured with a plaque on his hometown’s Wall of Fame. The former Cleveland Indians outfielder and broadcaster, who singled up the middle against the... Continue Reading →
Jack Graney, the only major league player ever born in St. Thomas, Ont., will be added to the city's Wall of Fame in a ceremony at the Timken Centre on Monday, July 14 at 2 p.m. E.T. Graney, who passed away in 1978, will be honoured posthumously for his 14-year big league playing career... Continue Reading →
[twitter-follow screen_name='coopincanada'] My weekly look at some Canadian baseball stories: - After a rough start to the season, Port Dover, Ont., native John Axford has temporarily lost his job as the Cleveland Indians’ closer. Indians manager Terry Francona informed Axford of the move prior to Saturday’s game. The Tribe skipper says the Canadian right-hander, who... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): - Last week on the Cooperstowners in Canada Facebook page, I listed the eight players, managers or executives that are members of both the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame... Continue Reading →
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): Admittedly, I’ve been feeling nostalgic about the Montreal Expos lately, but last night I concocted a 2013 Toronto Blue Jays' coaching staff comprised entirely of 1981 Expos. This is merely a pipe dream and not to be... Continue Reading →
For longtime Blue Jays fans, the memory of Tom Henke fanning Orioles pinch-hitter Larry Sheets on September 30, 1989 to clinch the club’s second division title remains vivid. What many have forgotten, however, is that without the four shutout innings supplied by right-hander Frank Wills in relief of Jimmy Key that day, there likely wouldn’t... Continue Reading →
Intercounty League pitching legend, Ron Stead, has passed away at the age of 75. He died at 6:15 p.m. ET last night after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in London, Ont., in 1936, Stead grew up in Toronto close to Maple Leaf Stadium. “Where I lived in Toronto was right behind the Maple... Continue Reading →
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): I can understand the Blue Jays’ decision to move Jose Bautista to third base until Brett Lawrie recovers from his broken hand. But the idea of Corey Patterson, Rajai Davis and Eric Thames patrolling the outfield together... Continue Reading →
Former big league pitcher and longtime Blue Jays coach, Mel Queen, passed away this morning at the age of 69. The Blue Jays made the announcement on their website just after noon today. The cause of death was not released. “Our organization would not be what it is today without the contributions of Mel Queen,”... Continue Reading →
*I thought I would re-run this blog entry on baseball pioneer Larry Doby that I wrote back when I started Cooperstowners in Canada. Not many people read it at the time, but I believe Doby's story is worth another look.* Like Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League, also... Continue Reading →