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 →
Ernie Whitt remembers Jays’ first manager Roy Hartsfield
They had their differences, but Ernie Whitt has come to appreciate how difficult Roy Hartsfield’s job was during the Toronto Blue Jays’ formative years. Hartsfield, who managed the Blue Jays for their first three seasons, passed away on Saturday at the age of 85. “Roy was put into a situation where you knew that you... Continue Reading →
Roy Hartsfield, Blue Jays first manager, dies
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 →
Canadian Mike Gardiner reflects on playing for Sparky Anderson
Mike Gardiner will always be thankful for the 15 days in 1994 that Sparky Anderson made him a big league closer. With ninth-inning fixture Mike Henneman on the disabled list, the Tigers venerable manager called the Sarnia, Ont., native into his office to tell him he would be the interim closer. “Sparky told me not... Continue Reading →
Don Drysdale played in Montreal and later died in the city
He was one-half of what many consider to be the best pitching duo in big league history. Hurling alongside Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale amassed 209 wins and regularly led the National League in hit batsmen during his 14 big league seasons. But while intimidation was a key part of his game, the fiery 6-foot-6 right-hander’s... Continue Reading →