My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Friday would’ve been New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle’s 86th Birthday. In 1951, Mantle’s rookie season, the 19-year-old outfielder was slumping badly when the Yankees demoted him to the triple-A Kansas City Blues in mid-July. The Blues were managed by Huntsville, Ont., native and... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Andrew Miller, Russell Martin, Steve Rogers
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: On April 12, 2016, left-hander Andrew Miller struck out two Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning to record the save for the New York Yankees in a 3-2 win at Rogers Centre. That was his last appearance against the Blue Jays prior to the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Larry Walker, Tim Raines, Dustin Molleken
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • This article written by MLB.com’s Andrew Simon offers the best statistical evidence I’ve read yet that Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker deserves to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Simon uses advanced statistics to make a case for the Canadian... Continue Reading →
Terry Puhl’s 1980 NLCS performance still the best by a Canadian
*This is a revised version of an article originally published in 2010. When Terry Puhl rapped a base hit to right field in the eighth inning of Game 5 of the 1980 National League Championship Series (NLCS), the Melville, Sask., native set a new record for most hits in an NLCS. It was Puhl’s 10th... Continue Reading →
From small-town Saskatchewan to Yankee Stadium, Dave Pagan defied long odds to pitch in the big leagues
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Dave Pagan felt numb as he peered in for a sign from Thurman Munson. And a case of nerves was understandable for a 23-year-old prairie kid who had grown up in a tiny farming community in northeast Saskatchewan and was now pitching in front of more than 28,000 boisterous... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Vernon Wells, Fred Lewis, Bert Blyleven
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: This quote from Vernon Wells in Richard Griffin’s article in today’s Toronto Star reiterates why I don’t mind V-Dub being paid $126 million: “I think the most important thing about getting contracts like this is you get to go out and do so... Continue Reading →
Puhl fondly remembers 1980 NLCS
When Terry Puhl rapped a base hit to right field in the eighth inning of Game 5 of the 1980 National League Championship Series (NLCS), the Melville, Sask., native set a new record for most hits in an NLCS. It was Puhl’s 10th hit of that grueling, five-game battle between the Astros and the Phillies.... Continue Reading →