My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Earlier this month, I mentioned that the good thing about Juan Rivera is that he hits like Geroge Bell. The bad thing is that he also fields likes George Bell. And now, with the Jays’ decision to move him to DH, I’m almost... Continue Reading →
Cooperstowners that were rumoured to be coming to Toronto
Phil Niekro, Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Rickey Henderson are Hall of Famers that once suited up for the Toronto Blue Jays. And Roberto Alomar will, of course, have his day in Cooperstown this summer. But in the club’s 34-year history, a number of other legends were also rumoured to be coming to Toronto. Part... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Ron Piché, Woodie Fryman, Michael Young
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: Funeral services were held yesterday for Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Piché in Laval, Quebec. Hall president Tom Valcke reported that Piche would be buried in his honourary Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame blazer. Piché, who pitched for parts of six seasons... Continue Reading →
The Elite Eight: Members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Cooperstown
One trivia question that I like to ask my fellow Canadian baseball junkies is, how many players, managers or executives are members of both the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (CBHFM) and the National Baseball Hall of Fame? With Pat Gillick and Roberto Alomar set to be honoured in Cooperstown this summer, the answer to... Continue Reading →
Top Canadian Baseball Stories of 2010 – Part 1
Happy New Year! With the calendar now turned to 2011, here’s part one of my look back at the top Canadian baseball stories of 2010 (in no particular order): Votto wins NL MVP, Lou Marsh and Tip O’Neill awards After battling anxiety and depression in 2009, Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto’s 2010 season was nothing... Continue Reading →
Former Blue Jay Fred McGriff belongs in the Hall of Fame
For those requiring further evidence that Pat Gillick is a Hall of Fame general manager, I present the following transaction. On December 9, 1982, Gillick, while acting as the Jays GM, shipped pitcher Dale Murray and infielder Tom Dodd to the Yankees for Dave Collins (who would hit .308 and steal 60 bases for Toronto... Continue Reading →
Pat Gillick elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame
Former Toronto Blue Jays general manager, Pat Gillick, was elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame this morning. The mastermind of the Jays’ two World Series-winning squads was the only candidate elected by the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Expansion-Era committee. Gillick secured 13 of a possible 16 votes from the committee that consists of... Continue Reading →
Pat Gillick deserves to be in Cooperstown
He’s the most important person in Toronto Blue Jays history. Without Pat Gillick, there wouldn’t be five division title banners and two World Series banners hanging in the Rogers Centre. In fact, without this intelligent, personable California native, there wouldn’t be a Rogers Centre. The former Blue Jays general manager is one of 12 candidates... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … John McDonald, Pat Gillick, Frank Thomas
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: I’m not writing this to bash Derek Jeter, but those of us who follow the Toronto Blue Jays know that John McDonald is the best fielding shortstop in the American League. If reports that the Padres will listen to offers for first... Continue Reading →