Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • In case you missed it, Scarborough, Ont., native George Kottaras signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last Thursday. The Canadian catcher was released by the St. Louis Cardinals on July 29 after the club signed veteran backstop A.J. Pierzynski. Kottaras,... Continue Reading →
[twitter-follow screen_name='coopincanada'] My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective: - Congratulations to former big league pitchers Jason Dickson (Chatham, N.B.) and Rheal Cormier (Cap-Pele, N.B.) on their election to the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. The two Maritime moundsmen will be inducted in a ceremony in St. Stephen,... Continue Reading →
After the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2014 on January 8, former big leaguer Jason Dickson tweeted out congratulations to his "favourite player of all-time." The Miramichi, N.B., native and current vice-president of Baseball Canada never had the opportunity to compete against Greg Maddux, but he greatly admired the soon-to-be Cooperstowner... Continue Reading →
When Canadian pitcher Jason Birmingham fielded a comebacker and tossed it to first baseman Troy Croft for the final out to clinch the gold medal at the World Youth Baseball Championships in Brandon, Man., on August 4, 1991, their teammates rushed towards the mound to celebrate. Ordinarily Todd Schell, a scrappy, swing-from-the-heels outfielder, would’ve led... Continue Reading →
Jason Dickson is definitely not your average retired jock. The bright, articulate Maritimer, who overcame long odds to pitch professionally for 11 seasons, is now a political junkie, tireless volunteer and vice-president of Baseball Canada who earns his living as a nursing home administrator in his native New Brunswick. “I’m not the kind of person... Continue Reading →
At 14, he was blowing fastballs by men twice his age. Two years later, he was mowing down the mighty Cubans at the World Youth Baseball Championship. And today, more than two decades later, when you mention the name Joe Young to long-time Canadian baseball scouts, they’re bound to stop and rave about the six-foot-four,... Continue Reading →
* Writer's Note: This is my first in a series of "Things you might not know ..." articles about this year's Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees. This year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in St. Marys, Ont., on the museum's ceremonial grounds. Admission is... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): - The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame will announce its class of 2013 this week. Stay tuned to this blog for more details. - New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, who owns three Super Bowl rings,... Continue Reading →
If former big league all-star Jason Dickson and Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau were eligible to cast a ballot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting, they would definitely check the box beside Larry Walker’s name. Unfortunately, when the votes were tallied last Wednesday, not enough baseball writers felt the same way and Walker’s... Continue Reading →
A Canadian has been selected to play in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the 16th consecutive season. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who grew up in Etobicoke, Ont., will bat cleanup for the National League in tonight’s Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Vancouver native Dave McKay, who was the... Continue Reading →