By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Former Montreal Expos hitting coach Billy DeMars passed away on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla., at the age of 95. DeMars was the popular hitting coach of the Expos from 1982 to 1984. He also served as the club's third base coach in 1982 and 1983. Born in Brooklyn in... Continue Reading →
Tag: Toronto Maple Leafs
But What Do I Know? . . . Scott Richmond, Joey Votto, Tyler O’Neill, Howie Starkman
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · If there’s a better guy in professional baseball than Scott Richmond, I haven’t met him. The Vancouver native is kind, thoughtful and inspiring and he recently told me that after 15 years in the pro ranks, he is retiring. However, like fellow B.C. native,... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Mike Soroka, Jeff Heath, George Selkirk, R.J. Swindle
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Calgary, Alta., native Mike Soroka who has been named to the National League All-Star team. With his selection, he becomes the third Canadian to be named to the All-Star team in their rookie season, joining Jason Dickson (Miramichi, N.B.) in 1997 and... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, Jamie Romak, Sparky Anderson, Roberto Clemente
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · All of the presentations were outstanding at the third annual Canadian Baseball History Conference in London, Ont., on Saturday. Thank you to Andrew and Elena North for all that they do to put together this event and a special tip of the hat to... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Stubby Clapp, John Axford, James Paxton, Rich Harden
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp for leading the triple-A Memphis Redbirds to a Pacific Coast League championship for a second consecutive season. The Redbirds defeated the Fresno Grizzlies on September 16 to capture the title. Clapp then led the Redbirds to 14-4... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Justin Morneau, Larry Walker, Vernon Wells, Charlie Gehringer
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · My friends sometimes ask me who the nicest major league player I’ve ever met is. My answer has been New Westminster, B.C., native Justin Morneau. He was an American League MVP, a home run derby champ, a team leader, a great representative for Canada... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . John McDonald, Trei Cruz, Sparky Anderson, Andres Galarraga
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Up until my mid-teens, he channeled his inner Mickey Mantle to hit me countless fly balls down Thames Crescent in Dorchester, Ont. And I chased them pretending to be Jesse Barfield or Dale Murphy. He’s a kind, quiet, patient, gentle and responsible man who... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Roy Halladay, Vladimir Guerrero, Tom Brady, Roberto Alomar
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2017 induction class on Thursday. Longtime Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay and former Montreal Expos slugger Vladimir Guerrero will be inducted in a ceremony in St. Marys, Ont., on June 24, alongside long-serving Baseball Canada president... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Justin Smoak, George Kottaras, Cito Gaston
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: The Toronto Blue Jays signed first baseman Justin Smoak to a two-year contract extension on Saturday. The question many Blue Jays fans are asking is why? Though the payout is relatively modest by today’s standards ($4.125 million per season in 2017 and 2018 and a... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Jimmy Williams, Gordie Howe, Justin Morneau
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: Just a reminder that the annual Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction festivities begin this Thursday with a home run derby and celebrity slo-pitch game starting at 6 p.m. at Rotary Field on the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ont. Admission to the... Continue Reading →