My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: · Congratulations to Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) who has been named the first baseman on The Sporting News MLB All-Decade Team. He joins Robinson Cano (second base), Francisco Lindor (shortstop), Adrian Beltre (third base) and Buster Posey (catcher) to form the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Roy Halladay, Josh Donaldson, Yogi Berra
My weekly observations and notes about some Canadian baseball stories: • Longtime Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay is excited that his former club will be playing in the postseason for the first time in 22 years. Earlier this morning, he sent out a congratulatory message to the Blue Jays on Twitter. “Congrats to the... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . George Kottaras, Derek Jeter, Babe Ruth
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 →
Cooperstowners in Canada: Steve Carlton
He won four Cy Young Awards, was selected to 10 all-star games and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. But what you might not know about legendary left-hander Steve Carlton is that he started his professional baseball career in Canada. After he was signed as an... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? . . . Vern Benson, Andrew Albers, Dustin Molleken
[twitter-follow screen_name='coopincanada'] My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective: - Baseball lifer Vern Benson passed away on Monday at the age of 89. The North Carolina native's 15-year playing career included stops with the Triple-A Toronto Maple Leafs in 1946 and the Class-C Winnipeg Goldeyes in 1956 and 1957.... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Chris Robinson, Jesse Crain, 1994 Montreal Expos
My weekly observations about stories around the baseball world from a Canadian perspective (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports): - Dorchester, Ont., native Chris Robinson recorded his first big league hit in style last night when he belted a three-run, pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning off of Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Eury De La Rosa.... Continue Reading →
But What Do I Know? … Dustin McGowan, Scott Thorman, Ryan Dempster
My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (My apologies for the wonky spacing. I can't figure out how to adjust this): Nobody loves Dustin McGowan’s comeback story more than me, but the Blue Jays’ decision to sign him to an extension is baffling. Perhaps the memory of J.P. Ricciardi low-balling Chris... Continue Reading →
Steve Carlton is the most famous Winnipeg Goldeye
Before he won 329 big league games, four Cy Young Awards and a World Series ring, Steve Carlton made 12 starts for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in 1964. At that time, the club was the Northern League Class-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. While in Manitoba, the 19-year-old southpaw would register four wins and a... Continue Reading →