By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Some Canadian baseball news and notes: -A new Canadian baseball history book called "Our Game, Too: The Development of Canadian Baseball" will be released this spring (likely in early May). Andrew North, the co-founder of the Centre for Canadian Baseball Research and the organizer of the annual Canadian Baseball... Continue Reading →
1954 Montreal Royals Team Photo . . . Dick Whitman
He lost his big league job to Duke Snider and had to compete for playing time with Roberto Clemente, but Dick Whitman still managed to forge out a 13-year career in professional baseball. Born in Woodburn, Ore., in 1920, Whitman played for the semi-pro Silverton Red Sox alongside future big leaguers Johnny Pesky and Joe... Continue Reading →
In Memoriam – Remembering Canadian baseball legends that died in 2011 – Part 1
As a new year approaches, it’s a good time to look back and savour the memories of the Canadian baseball legends that we lost in 2011. In part one of my two-part series, I've created obituaries for the legends that we lost during the first half of 2011: Roy Hartsfield, January 15 After 15 seasons... Continue Reading →
Duke Snider: The Duke of Delorimier
Before he became the “Duke of Flatbush,” Duke Snider was Montreal's “Duke of Delorimier.” Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a 17-year-old, Snider’s first contract included a $750 signing bonus and a $250 monthly salary. The power-hitting outfielder suited up for 131 games with Newport News of the Piedmont League (Class B) in 1944. After... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Cito Gaston, J.P. Arencibia, Brandon Morrow, Rogers Sportsnet
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Some baseball pundits are endorsing Cito Gaston as a manager of the year candidate. I have to say that, despite employing strategies that baffle and flabbergast, Gaston has the Jays playing much better than I expected. I was one of those people that... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Adam Lind, Fred Lewis, Roberto Alomar, Travis Snider
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Two words that Adam Lind has grown to dread are high fastball. He just can’t seem to lay off the high heat. I remember reading a story of how Branch Rickey sent a young Duke Snider to the minors and made him stand... Continue Reading →