Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
This week’s column is devoted to Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) is the only other Canadian player to be elected to the Cooperstown shrine. He was honoured in 1991. Here are some fun facts and firsts from... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Speaking of Jason Bay, he’s the only Canadian to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. That could change this year, however, with the way Calgary, Alta., native Mike Soroka is pitching for the Atlanta Braves. Through 12 starts, Soroka is 8-1... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Victoria, B.C., native Nick Pivetta made his first start at the Rogers Centre on Saturday. The 25-year-old right-hander started for the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed five runs and struck out four in 6 2/3 innings in his club’s 8-6 loss to the Toronto Blue... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · When the Toronto Blue Jays called up Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) on Friday, it topped off a great week for Canadians in the majors (Keep reading below for more Canadian highlights). The switch-hitting outfielder became the eighth Canadian to appear in a major league... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Thursday wasn’t a good day for Philadelphia Phillies players born in Victoria, B.C. After allowing one earned run in 4-2/3 innings in his start that day, Nick Pivetta was sent down to the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs following the game. In four big league... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Tony Phillips, who was selected by the Montreal Expos with their first pick (10th overall) in the January 1978 Secondary Draft, passed away on Wednesday from a heart attack at the age of 56. Phillips spent parts of three seasons in the Expos organization,... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • When I was leafing through some old baseball cards, I stumbled upon a 1991 Upper Deck Tony Gwynn card (above). This card pictures Gwynn signing autographs at the SkyDome in Toronto prior to the 1991 all-star game. I can’t think of a better way... Continue Reading →
The consensus among Blue Jays fans is that Frank Thomas's tenure in Toronto was a disaster. The Big Hurt was 38 years old when he inked a two-year, $18.12-million deal with the Blue Jays on November 18, 2006. It's a contract that many Jays supporters rank as one of the worst in franchise history. But... Continue Reading →
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 →
With Adam Lind demoted and Ben Francisco serving as their primary DH, the Toronto Blue Jays may fast-track future Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero into their lineup. Signed to a minor league contract on May 10, Guerrero, who had been hitting in the Dominican Republic before joining the Jays, reportedly belted a 495-foot home run... Continue Reading →