My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp who was named the St. Louis Cardinals’ George Kissell Award winner for excellence in player development in the Cards’ organization on Friday. The Canadian manager led the Cardinals’ triple-A Memphis Redbirds to a franchise record for wins... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know?. . . John Axford, Pedro Martinez, Robin Yount, Eric Cyr
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Port Dover, Ont., native John Axford has signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays that includes an invite to big league spring training. The 6-foot-5 reliever struggled in 2017 after beginning the campaign on the disabled list with a right shoulder... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Tim Raines, Jack Morris, Jim Clancy, Pete Orr, Roy Howell
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: So far so good for Montreal Expos legend Tim Raines in the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting. Thanks to the hard-working Ryan Thibodaux, who documents baseball writers’ ballots that have been made public, we know that Raines has been named on 50 of 56... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . J.A. Happ, Dave Stieb, James Paxton
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: If the Toronto Blue Jays advance to the post-season, the first Christmas card they should send out this December should be to Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage. Searage helped turn around the careers of three ex-Pirates who are now key members of the Blue... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Dustin Molleken, Dustin McGowan, Fergie Jenkins
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: After 13 long seasons in the minors, right-hander Dustin Molleken (Regina, Sask.) was called up by the Detroit Tigers on Monday. Unfortunately, he did not pitch in a game before the Tigers shipped him back to triple-A Toledo two days later. A 15th round pick... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Jesse Barfield, Damaso Garcia, Pat Hentgen
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesse Barfield announced on Twitter on Monday that he’s 100 per cent cancer-free. The popular ex-Jay has not disclosed the type of cancer he was battling. Throughout his private battle, the 56-year-old Barfield remained active in baseball, participating in... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . John McDonald, Tom Henke, Alex Rodriguez
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • On a New York Mets broadcast in 1988, Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner said, “On this Father’s Day, we’d like to wish all you fathers out here a Happy Birthday.” So to paraphrase Kiner, Happy Birthday and Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful dad,... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Luke Easter, Jesse Crain, Dustin McGowan
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Today seems like an appropriate day to remember “Luscious Luke” Easter, a hulking, six-foot-four, 240-pound slugger who became the 11th African-American to compete in the big leagues when he debuted with the Cleveland Indians on August 11, 1949. Known for clubbing tape-measure homers –... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Pat Borders, Cal Quantrill, Jim Henderson
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • The Philadelphia Phillies have hired former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Pat Borders to manage the Short-Season Class-A Williamsport Crosscutters for the 2015 season. The 1992 World Series MVP suited up for 17 big league campaigns, including parts of eight (1988 to 1994, 1999) with... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Alison Gordon, Fergie Jenkins, Ray Hathaway
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • When Alison Gordon was assigned to cover the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979, she became the first full-time, female beat reporter in American League history. Sadly, it took her death in Toronto on Wednesday at the age of 72, for many to learn about... Continue Reading →