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Original Montreal Expos first base coach and longtime scout Bob Oldis died on September 21 at the age of 97.
Former Expos coach and scout Bob Oldis dies at 97
Long Reads: Frank O’Rourke: MLB’s oldest scout was a Canadian
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Who is the oldest scout in major league history? Well, he was a Canadian named Frank O'Rourke who scouted until age 92 with the New York Yankees.
Original Toronto Blue Jays coach Don Leppert dies at age 91
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Don Leppert, the Toronto Blue Jays' first bullpen coach, died on Thursday at his home in Delaware, Ohio at the age of 91.
Former Montreal Expo Larry Biittner passes away at age 75
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By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Former Montreal Expos outfielder Larry Biittner died on Sunday at the age of 75. The news of his death was first reported on the Baseball Player Passings Facebook page by family friend Dan Pritchard on Sunday morning. The Des Moines Register reported that Biittner died of cancer. Most will... Continue Reading →
Long Reads: 1941: DiMaggio, Williams and the Canadian that became the American League’s first 20-20-20 player
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Jeff Heath. Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada Fate and, some would say, karma, attempted to humble Jeff Heath. For no matter what the brash, broad-shouldered Canadian-born slugger did on a professional baseball field – and much of it was remarkable – he always seemed to be overshadowed. It’s... Continue Reading →
He coached for the Montreal Expos? . . . Mickey Vernon
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By Kevin Glew Cooperstowners in Canada He may have been the most important hitting coach in Montreal Expos history. Yet, even some of the most diehard Expos fans probably won't remember Mickey Vernon's tenure as the club's batting instructor. When the two-time American League batting champion took over as the team's hitting coach under manager... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Jim Adduci, Vladimir Guerrero, Lloyd Moseby, George Selkirk
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My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · It was 41 years ago today that the Toronto Blue Jays began assembling their first team via the 1976 Major League Baseball Expansion Draft. With their first pick, the Blue Jays selected Bob Bailor from the Baltimore Orioles. Bailor proceeded to bat .310 in... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Terry Francona, Brad Mills, Joe Carter
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My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: The 1982 Topps Montreal Expos Future Stars card (pictured above) showcases Terry Francona and Brad Mills together on their first Topps baseball card. Both played for the Expos’ only playoff team in 1981 and 35 years later, Mills is serving as Francona’s bench coach for... Continue Reading →
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Spotlight: Frank O’Rourke
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His toughness was legendary. On many occasions, Frank O’Rourke “took the field so crippled up that every move caused him intense pain,” wrote Toronto Star sportswriter Charles Good in 1933. For 13 professional seasons, the Hamilton, Ont.-born infielder had persevered through sprained ankles, sore arms and the deep body bruises that accompany being perennially amongst... Continue Reading →
Former Toronto Maple Leafs outfielder Jim King passes away at age 82
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Jim King, who was named the International League's MVP while with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1960, died on February 23 in Fayetteville, Ark., at the age of 82. On top of his heroics in Hogtown, King also clubbed 117 home runs in parts of 11 major league seasons between 1955 and 1967 with the... Continue Reading →