[twitter-follow screen_name='coopincanada'] For this week's column, I thought I would provide updates on several of the Canadian players and coaches that were in big league camps this spring: - After posting a 6.88 ERA in five appearances - including three starts - with the Tampa Bay Rays this spring, Navan, Ont., native Erik Bedard was... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Cito Gaston, Roy Halladay, Jesse Crain
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 in St. Marys, Ont., is offering fans a chance to own a piece of Toronto Blue Jays history. The ball shrine is selling seats from Exhibition Stadium, the first... Continue Reading →
Who will win the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award?
Courtesy of Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame St. Marys – Four Canadians made their Major League debuts, two were selected for the All-Star game and one hoisted the World Series trophy for his first time. Yes, 2013 was a banner year for Canadian baseball players – 22 of whom competed in the big leagues this... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Chris Robinson, Jesse Crain, 1994 Montreal Expos
My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): - Dorchester, Ont., native Chris Robinson recorded his first big league hit in style last night when he belted a three-run, pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning off of Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Eury De La Rosa.... Continue Reading →
Canadian connections to the MLB All-Star Game
A Canadian will be playing in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the 17th consecutive season. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who grew up in Etobicoke, Ont., will start at first base for the National League in Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic at Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y. Toronto-born reliever Jesse Crain, who has posted... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Russell Martin, Pete Orr, Jesse Jefferson
My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): - I’ve met Canadian catcher Russell Martin three times and each time I found him to be warm, engaging and charismatic. So I was surprised and disappointed by his selfish – by his own admission –... Continue Reading →
Canadian Ball Hall’s Tip O’Neill award is wide open
Courtesy of http://baseballhalloffame.ca It’s been a banner year for Canadians on the diamond. Twenty-two Canucks played in the big leagues, while the men’s Senior National Team dominated in a qualifying tournament in September to secure a berth in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Not to be outdone, the Junior National Team captured silver at the... Continue Reading →
Toronto Blue Jay Omar Vizquel has several Canadian links
For the first time in his 24-year major league career, Omar Vizquel is suiting up for a Canadian team. The likely Hall of Famer, who will turn 45 on April 24, won the Toronto Blue Jays’ utility infielder’s job over Mike McCoy. But though the 11-time Gold Glove Award winner hasn’t called Canada his big... Continue Reading →
Votto’s new contract to dwarf the value of previous highest deals signed by Canadian MLBers
With Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto on the cusp of signing a reported 10-year, $225-million extension with the Cincinnati Reds, here’s a look back at the largest previous contracts signed by Canadians. A second chart is also included that reveals the Canadians that have made the most over the course of their big league careers,... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Orlando Hudson, Jesse Crain, New York Yankees
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: For years I’ve been hearing that former Blue Jay Orlando Hudson is a great teammate. If that’s the case, why does he switch teams so often? And why can’t he land a lucrative, long-term deal? A good sign for the Toronto Blue... Continue Reading →