By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – I was very sad to learn of the sudden passing of passionate Canadian baseball supporter, collector and author Marty Healy on Friday at the age of 42. I only met Marty a few times, but he was always... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Larry Walker, Vladimir Guerrero, Joey Votto, Gladwyn Scott
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · As anticipated Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker was not elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame when the voting results were announced on Wednesday. The Canadian slugger’s name was checked on 34.1 per cent of writers’ ballots, which represented a 12.2 per... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, George Gibson, Joey Votto, George Kottaras
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · It’s been 83 years since there’s been a full-time Canadian manager in the major leagues. That was when London, Ont., native and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer George Gibson served as the dugout boss for the Pittsburgh Pirates. But that drought may end soon.... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, Doyle Alexander, Fergie Jenkins
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: Perhaps this is a good omen for the Toronto Blue Jays, who will be attempting to salvage one win out of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon. Twenty-four years ago today, the Blue Jays registered 10 consecutive hits in the second inning... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Justin Smoak, George Kottaras, Cito Gaston
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: The Toronto Blue Jays signed first baseman Justin Smoak to a two-year contract extension on Saturday. The question many Blue Jays fans are asking is why? Though the payout is relatively modest by today’s standards ($4.125 million per season in 2017 and 2018 and a... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . John Scott, George Kottaras, Cole Armstrong
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Happy 64th Birthday to John Scott, the first player to walk to the plate in a major league game for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jackson, Miss., native struck out to lead off the bottom of the first inning in the Blue Jays’ inaugural... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, Jack Graney, Tom Henke
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • For a major league team to make the postseason these days, they require their stars to be stars, but they also need to have one or two outstanding performers that come out of nowhere. The Toronto Blue Jays have five such players. Twenty year-old... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . John Gibbons, Adam Loewen, George Kottaras
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons certainly has his share of detractors, but let’s give him credit where credit is due. It was Gibbons who lobbied for Ben Revere to play every day after the speedy outfielder was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies on... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Tony Gwynn, George Kottaras, Kirk McCaskill
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • When I was leafing through some old baseball cards, I stumbled upon a 1991 Upper Deck Tony Gwynn card (above). This card pictures Gwynn signing autographs at the SkyDome in Toronto prior to the 1991 all-star game. I can’t think of a better way... Continue Reading →
Morneau’s batting title the highlight of a great season for Canadians
Courtesy of http://www.baseballhalloffame.ca St. Marys, Ont. – When Justin Morneau secured the National League batting title on the final day of the regular season, it topped off what has been an excellent year for Canadians in the big leagues. The New Westminster, B.C., native’s .319 batting average cemented him a spot in Canadian baseball lore... Continue Reading →