Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
Vancouver native Bob Alexander pitched in four games for the Baltimore Orioles in 1955. Photo: The Evening Sun (Baltimore) By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Bob Alexander was the very definition of a journeyman professional pitcher, toeing the rubber for no less than 17 teams in 18 seasons. But the crafty right-hander’s resume does boast... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He may have been the most important hitting coach in Montreal Expos history. Yet, even some of the most diehard Expos fans probably won't remember Mickey Vernon's tenure as the club's batting instructor. When the two-time American League batting champion took over as the team's hitting coach under manager... Continue Reading →
Cal Ripken played the first of his 2,632 consecutive games 39 years ago today. It was against the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium. By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: -Early Friday afternoon, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said in an interview on the MLB... Continue Reading →
Dave Righetti made 13 appearances of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994 By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada When someone mentions Dave Righetti, you're more likely to remember him as a young left-hander with the New York Yankees who on July 4, 1983 became the first Bronx Bombers pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Don... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Most longtime Toronto Blue Jays fans can tell you that Bill Singer threw the first regular season pitch in the franchise's history on that snowy day at Exhibition Stadium on April 7, 1977. But who caught that first pitch? The answer is Rick Cerone, who turns 67 today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoyXVG2Xc6E... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada It was 40 years ago yesterday that first baseman John Mayberry was named the captain of the Toronto Blue Jays. "I felt like the club needed a leader and that's why I appointed Big John," Blue Jays manager Bobby Mattick told reporters at the time. "He was the only... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Here's my weekly roundup of former Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos news: - On Friday, the Chicago White Sox declined their $12-million option on Edwin Encarnacion for next season, making the former Blue Jays slugger a free agent. Encarnacion, who clubbed 239 of his 424 big league home... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – In case you missed it, Langley Blaze and Junior National Team graduate Tyler O’Neill has been named winner of the Fielding Bible Award for major league left fielders. The Maple Ridge, B.C., native was among the winners announced... Continue Reading →
