By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He may have been the most important hitting coach in Montreal Expos history. Yet, even some of the most diehard Expos fans probably won't remember Mickey Vernon's tenure as the club's batting instructor. When the two-time American League batting champion took over as the team's hitting coach under manager... Continue Reading →
Tag: Dick Williams
On this date in Canadian baseball history . . . May 7
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Here's a rundown of some significant events in Canadian baseball history that have happened on May 7: 1929 - Former Montreal Expos manager Dick Williams was born in St. Louis, Mo. Prior to managing the Expos to a 380-347 record in parts of five seasons from 1977 to 1981,... Continue Reading →
Former Montreal Expos coach Norm Sherry dies at 89
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Norm Sherry, who served as a coach with the Montreal Expos from November 1977 through the 1981 season, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. His family confirmed his death on Wednesday. His son, Mike, told the Associated Press that Sherry died of natural causes at an... Continue Reading →
Two fun photos: Tony Kubek in Blue Jays uniform, 1980 Expos team card
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada One of the benefits of spending a lot of time reading old stories about the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos is that I've stumbled across a number of fascinating long-forgotten photos. Here are two highlights from this week's research: Tony Kubek in a Toronto Blue Jays' uniform? Most... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . James Paxton, Fergie Jenkins, Joey Votto, Jim Fanning
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Ladner, B.C., native and 2018 Tip O’Neill Award winner James Paxton is rounding into form at the right time for the New York Yankees. After going 6-0 with a 3.57 ERA in 35 1/3 innings in six starts in August, the Canadian lefty allowed... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Mike Soroka, Jeff Heath, George Selkirk, R.J. Swindle
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Calgary, Alta., native Mike Soroka who has been named to the National League All-Star team. With his selection, he becomes the third Canadian to be named to the All-Star team in their rookie season, joining Jason Dickson (Miramichi, N.B.) in 1997 and... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Joey Votto, Eric Gagne, James Paxton, Tim Raines, Dick Williams
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Nine years ago today, Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto became the third Canadian to belt three home runs in a major league game. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman went deep off three different Chicago Cubs pitchers – Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Cito Gaston, Joey Votto, Reggie Cleveland
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: In July, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced it would be revamping its Veterans Committee voting so that separate committees will now examine overlooked candidates from four different eras: Today’s Game (1988 to 2016), Modern Baseball (1970 to 1987), Golden Days (1950 to 1960)... Continue Reading →
Ex-Expos: Whatever happened to? . . . Jim Gosger
Canadian baseball fans are most likely to remember Jim Gosger for his tenure with the Montreal Expos, but it was his performance in Toronto 50 years ago that earned him his first major league starting assignment. Now a spirited, kind-hearted, 72-year-old living in Port Huron, Mich., Gosger has fond memories of his 1965 season with... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . James Paxton, Brad Mills, Mickey Sinks
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • With his victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday, Richmond, B.C., native James Paxton has won the first six decisions of his big league career. Surprisingly, this is not a Canadian record. Toronto, Ont., native Jesse Crain won the first 11 decisions of his... Continue Reading →