Don Leppert, the Toronto Blue Jays' first bullpen coach, died on Thursday at his home in Delaware, Ohio at the age of 91.
Original Toronto Blue Jays coach Don Leppert dies at age 91
Ex-Blue Jays: Whatever happened to . . . Tom Bruno?
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada After talking to Tom Bruno over the phone for an hour, you almost forget that he’s not Canadian. The easygoing Chicago native, who now resides in Pierre, South Dakota, has fished for walleye in Gravenhurst, Ont., trained hunting dogs in Saskatchewan and, most memorably for us baseball fans, toed... Continue Reading →
Original Blue Jay Chuck Hartenstein passes away at 79
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Chuck Hartenstein, a relief pitcher on the 1977 Toronto Blue Jays, passed away on Saturday at the age of 79. The University of Texas Athletics department reported his death on their website on Tuesday. After major league tenures with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, Abraham Toro, Ed Sprague, Fergie Jenkins
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: – With the retirement of Ron Gardenhire, the Detroit Tigers are searching for a new manager. I would suggest that one excellent candidate was born right across the border in Windsor, Ont. Stubby Clapp, who was interviewed by the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Dustin Molleken, Dalton Pompey, Russell Martin, Mickey Mantle
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Veteran right-hander Dustin Molleken (Regina, Sask.) has signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican Professional League for the 2020 season. This will be the right-hander’s 18th professional campaign. The 35-year-old Molleken informed me, however, that he will pitch for Canada... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Ryan Dempster, Jason Bay, George Selkirk, Fergie Jenkins
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · With former slugger Jason Bay (Trail, B.C.) and versatile pitcher Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.) being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame together this summer, it got me wondering how Bay fared against Dempster in the major leagues. The answer is not very... Continue Reading →
Ex-Blue Jays: Whatever happened to? . . . Dave Lemanczyk
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He was the Toronto Blue Jays’ first ace. Before there was Dave Stieb, there was Dave Lemanczyk. And few have fought harder to stay on the mound than Lemanczyk, who tossed 11 complete games for a hapless Blue Jays squad in their inaugural season. The strong-willed, 6-foot-4 right-hander pitched... Continue Reading →
Ex-Blue Jays: Whatever happened to? . . . Steve Bowling
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He was the first rifle-armed Toronto Blue Jays right fielder. Before Jesse Barfield, Shawn Green, Raul Mondesi and Jose Bautista, there was Steve Bowling. The former University of Tulsa running back was the starting right fielder for the Blue Jays in the franchise’s first game on April 7, 1977.... Continue Reading →
Ex-Blue Jays: Whatever happened to? . . . Chuck Hartenstein
He’s the answer to one of the more challenging Canadian baseball trivia questions. Who is the only person to be in a big league uniform for the first game at Exhibition Stadium and the first game at the SkyDome? The answer is Chuck Hartenstein, who was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen for... Continue Reading →
In Memoriam – Remembering Canadian baseball legends that died in 2011 – Part 1
As a new year approaches, it’s a good time to look back and savour the memories of the Canadian baseball legends that we lost in 2011. In part one of my two-part series, I've created obituaries for the legends that we lost during the first half of 2011: Roy Hartsfield, January 15 After 15 seasons... Continue Reading →