Kevin Glew’s Canadian Baseball History Blog
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 →
Courtesy of Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame St. Marys, Ont. – On September 5, 1914, a 19-year-old Boston Red Sox pitching prospect stepped up to the plate in the sixth inning and belted a three-run home run off of Toronto Maple Leafs hurler Ellis Johnson at Hanlan’s Point Stadium on Toronto Island. Few thought much... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • In case you missed it, Scarborough, Ont., native George Kottaras signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last Thursday. The Canadian catcher was released by the St. Louis Cardinals on July 29 after the club signed veteran backstop A.J. Pierzynski. Kottaras,... Continue Reading →
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: - To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s first professional home run which he hit at Hanlan’s Point Stadium on Toronto Island on September 5, 1914, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is selling limited edition prints (numbered to 714 and shown above) that... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada It seems fitting that the greatest Canadian pitcher was the first hurler to toss a shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays. On April 24, 1977, Fergie Jenkins, toeing the rubber for the Boston Red Sox, dominated the Jays for nine innings in front of 29,303 fans at Exhibition Stadium.... Continue Reading →
The next time you see J.P. Arencibia attempt to throw a runner out from the squat position, think of early 20th century Canadian Jimmy Archer. The five-foot-10, 168-pound catcher was reportedly the first to throw a runner out from the squat position. “The best throwing catcher of them all was Jimmy Archer,” Chief Meyers, one... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Dick Fowler was a lanky, golden-armed 18-year-old when he dazzled the Toronto Maple Leafs brass at training camp in 1939. The local sensation debuted for his hometown squad in 1940, and Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics would purchase his contract later that same year. The six-foot-five hurler recorded a complete-game... Continue Reading →
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories: For years I’ve been hearing that former Blue Jay Orlando Hudson is a great teammate. If that’s the case, why does he switch teams so often? And why can’t he land a lucrative, long-term deal? A good sign for the Toronto Blue... Continue Reading →
On Jesse Crain’s website (www.jessecrain.net), he writes that one of his favourite mottoes is “Everything happens for a reason.” Well, the fact that the Toronto native is looking to become a closer and the Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a closer should provide a very good reason for him to consider pitching in Canada... Continue Reading →
When Tony Gwynn slashed a single into centre field in the first inning on August 6, 1999 at Olympic Stadium, he became the first - and still only - player to register their 3,000th hit outside of the United States. The sparse crowd of 13,540 rewarded the eight-time batting champ with a lengthy standing ovation... Continue Reading →
