Jeff DeWillis in spring training with the Blue Jays in 1986. Photo supplied. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Jeff DeWillis dug into the batter’s box at Comiskey Park with two outs in the top of the fifth inning with the Toronto Blue Jays trailing the Chicago White Sox 3-2. One of his catching heroes,... Continue Reading →
Nine things you might not know about . . . Jimmy Key
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Who is the most underrated player in Toronto Blue Jays' history? If you asked a seasoned Canadian baseball fan this question, Jimmy Key would be one of the most common answers. Just how underappreciated is the longtime Blue Jays lefty? Put it this way: For the 10 seasons spanning... Continue Reading →
These Blue Jays stars were originally drafted by who?
You probably know that John Olerud played with the Mets from 1997 to 1999, but did you know that he was draft by the Mets in 1986? By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Last week, while listening to former big leaguer Bret Boone interview John Olerud for his podcast, I learned that Olerud was originally... Continue Reading →
Why Mark Bomback started on Opening Day for the Blue Jays 39 years ago today
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada When you examine a list of the Toronto Blue Jays' Opening Day starting pitchers, all the names you'd expect to see are on it. There's Roy Halladay (seven Opening Day starts), Dave Stieb (four), Jimmy Key (three), Pat Hentgen (two) and Jim Clancy (two). Other prominent names on the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Ellen Harrigan, Freddie Freeman, James Paxton, Jackie Robinson
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – Congratulations to Kim Ng, who was named the general manager of the Miami Marlins on Friday. With this assignment, she becomes the first female general manager in major league history. Ng has spent 21 years working in the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Fergie Jenkins, Matt Stairs, Paul Quantrill, George Selkirk
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: - Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) posted this powerful photo (below) on Twitter on Tuesday. He also shared a more personal message two days later. He is an important voice to be listening to... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Phil Marchildon, Dick Fowler, James Paxton, Pedro Martinez
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · On this Remembrance Day, please take a moment to think about Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Marchildon (Penetanguishene, Ont.), who was not only an ace pitcher for the Philadelphia A’s in the 1940s, but he also served as a tail gunner in... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, Rob Thomson, Jim Henderson, George Bell
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Don Wade of the Daily Memphian reported on Monday that the Texas Rangers have had “preliminary discussions” with Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp about their vacant managerial position. Wade also indicates that if Clapp doesn’t get a big league manager’s job with another club,... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Russell Martin, John Axford, Joey Votto, Jimmy Key
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · After Toronto Blue Jays back-up catcher Luke Maile went 2-for-4 with a walk-off single and three RBI in the second game of his club’s doubleheader sweep of the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, Montreal native Russell Martin, who started the first contest, was playfully... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Larry Walker, Erik Bedard, Fergie Jenkins, Gary Carter
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · For baseball writers on the fence about whether Larry Walker deserves their Hall of Fame vote, I offer this tweet from Ryan Spaeder (@TheAceofSpaeder on Twitter) that was sent out on Tuesday: “No player in baseball history has more career home runs (383) and... Continue Reading →