This is the seventh of my “Find the Canadian Connection” features. For this feature, I close my eyes and reach into a random box of baseball cards in my basement and pull out a single card. I then try to establish a Canadian connection for the player featured on the card. You can read all... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Larry Walker, Mike Soroka, Ray Daviault, Paul Hodgson
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: - If you haven't already done so, please take 24 minutes to watch this extensive interview that the National Baseball Hall of Fame conducted with Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker after his orientation visit on February 25. In... Continue Reading →
He played for the Blue Jays? . . . Willie Horton
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada As a Detroit Tiger, Willie Horton was a four-time all-star, a World Series champion and the team's first black superstar whose efforts earned him a statue at Comerica Park. His No. 23 has also been retired by the club, and if Tigers fans were to anoint another Mr. Tiger,... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Luke Easter, Al Kaline, John Hiller, Fergie Jenkins
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · It has become an Easter tradition on this blog to pay tribute to ex-big league slugger Luke Easter on Easter Sunday. “Luscious Luke” was a hulking, 6-foot-4, 240-pound slugger who became the 11th African-American to compete in the big leagues when he debuted with... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Brett Lawrie, Allan Roth, Jacob Robson, Larry Doby, Jesse Jefferson
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Last Sunday, on the same day I sent out my column wondering why there had been no update on Langley, B.C., native Brett Lawrie, the Milwaukee Brewers announced that the Canadian infielder had officially signed a minor league deal with the club. The contract... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Larry Walker, John Axford, Paul Beeston, Chris Mears
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories. · The National Baseball Hall of Fame will announce its 2019 induction class on Tuesday. The MLB Network’s coverage begins at 3 p.m. E.T. My guess is that Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez and Mike Mussina will be elected. All are doing well on... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Jim Adduci, Jordan Romano, Tim Harkness, Fergie Jenkins
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Burnaby, B.C. native Jim Adduci signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs this week. The 33-year-old first baseman/outfielder enjoyed his longest tenure in the big leagues in 2018, batting .267 in 59 games for the Detroit Tigers. He also hit .309... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, John Axford, James Paxton, Rich Harden
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp for leading the triple-A Memphis Redbirds to a Pacific Coast League championship for a second consecutive season. The Redbirds defeated the Fresno Grizzlies on September 16 to capture the title. Clapp then led the Redbirds to 14-4... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Joey Votto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Scott Thorman, George Gibson
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · There will be a strong debate about who should win the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award, which is presented annually to the top Canadian player. Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) has captured the honour in seven of the past eight years, but... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . James Paxton, Jim Adduci, John Hiller, Terry Puhl, Rich Harden
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · I have to think that Ladner, B.C., native James Paxton will be named to his first All-Star team when the American League roster is unveiled on Sunday (UPDATE: He was not named to the roster). The Canadian lefty boasts an 8-3 record and a... Continue Reading →