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 →
But What Do I Know? … Charlie Lea, J.P. Arencibia, Dave McKay
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): It’s been a sad year for those of us who have fond memories of the 1981 Montreal Expos team that lost to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Right-hander Charlie Lea became the third member... Continue Reading →
Former Expo Charlie Lea dies at 54
Charlie Lea, the only Montreal Expo to toss a no-hitter at Olympic Stadium, died at his home in Collierville, Tenn., on Friday. Reports indicate that the 54-year-old, former all-star died of a massive heart attack. Lea, who had been working as a radio analyst with the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate), was interviewed... Continue Reading →
Original Blue Jay Jesse Jefferson dies
Jesse Jefferson, a right-handed pitcher on the Toronto Blue Jays 1977 squad, has passed away at the age of 62. He died of prostate cancer in his hometown of Midlothian, Va., on Thursday. Selected by the Jays in the 1976 expansion draft, Jefferson was a mainstay on the club’s pitching staff from 1977 to 1980.... Continue Reading →
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, Billy Harris, passes away
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 →
Canadian ball hall president shared special friendship with Killebrew
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame president, Tom Valcke, continued his preparations for next month’s induction ceremonies in St. Marys, Ont., with a heavy heart today. This morning he received word that good friend and baseball legend, Harmon Killebrew had passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 74. The longtime Twins slugger had begun... Continue Reading →
Beloved Blue Jays coach, Mel Queen, passes away
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 →
Canadian baseball legend Reno Bertoia passes away
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and Windsor baseball legend, Reno Bertoia, passed away this morning at the age of 76. He had been diagnosed with lymphoma in February. “Reno is a true Canadian icon who will be remembered forever in our Hall’s museum, and by me personally, as a kid whose Windsor roots put a... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Ron Piché, Woodie Fryman, Michael Young
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Funeral services were held yesterday for Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Piché in Laval, Quebec. Hall president Tom Valcke reported that Piche would be buried in his honourary Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame blazer. Piché, who pitched for parts of six seasons... Continue Reading →
Ron Piché (1935 to 2011): Memories of Monsieur Baseball
He pitched in the big leagues alongside Warren Spahn and Bob Gibson, but Ron Piché’s most important contribution to his sport was as a mentor, ambassador and inspiration to baseball-loving kids in Quebec. One such youngster was Derek Aucoin, who, with a relief appearance on May 21, 1996, became the only Montreal-born player to be... Continue Reading →