By: Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Uxbridge native Chris Begg hung up his spikes shortly after the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, but a call from Greg Hamilton and a common kitchen accessory got him back in the game.

“I got released by the Giants in July 2008 and went to the summer Olympics that year,” Begg said. “Then I went to the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and figured I would be able to sign as a free agent after that.”

The right-hander got into one game in the ’09 WBC and it was a doozy. On home soil at Rogers Centre Begg took to the mound in front of a raucous Canadian crowd in the fourth inning, replacing Canadian starter Mike Johnson. He would last an inning and a third and give up two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. Adam Dunn would take him over the wall for the Americans fifth and sixth runs of the game.

Canada would go on to lose the game 6-5 despite a ninth-inning RBI double from Joey Votto to bring the game within one. They would be bounced by Italy the next game.

That’s where he thought the story ended. A career that took him to AAA with the San Francisco Giants, the Olympics and two World Baseball Classics would be considered a dream come true for most.

Turns out, Begg still had more to give.

“I talked to some people in Taiwan, Korea and Japan,” Begg said. “I was dealing with a partially torn labrum, after the draft I made a realistic assessment and decided that was it.

Flash forward to August. Imagine a picturesque cottage and time spent with family. It all sounds like a great way to end a summer. The 2009 World Cup was the furthest thing from his mind.

“I get a call from Greg Hamilton,” Begg said. “He said they need a pitcher and asked if I could go.”

Being a fierce competitor and representing Canada eight times previously, he knew how much the phone call meant.

“When Greg Hamilton calls you, you answer,” Begg said. “Taking care of my labrum was a full-time job. I told him we’ll see if I can get it going.”

So here’s Chris Begg, at his cottage trying to enjoy what was left of his summer and now was thrust into preparation mode for an international event.

People would figure with his background, he would find a catcher, pick up one of his many gloves and a couple pearls and start a throwing program. That was far from the case. He looked around his cottage and used what he had.

“I had one glove and one ball at the cottage,” Begg said. “I got my brother to play catch with me.”

But wait, with only one glove how did he possibly play catch? The answer? With a simple piece of fabric found in most people's kitchen.

“I got an oven mitt,” Begg said. “Well it wasn't even an oven mitt, it was one of those square potholders. I used that for two days until I got home.”

As he stood on an uneven dirt road throwing a baseball to his brother with a pot holder on his hand there is only one thing on his mind.

“All that was going through my head was getting ready to play for Canada again.”

After making the trek home from the cottage he contacted fellow Uxbridge native and Louisville Slugger First team All-American catcher Chris Robinson.

“Luckily I was able to get the younger Chris Robinson throwing with me everyday,” Begg said. “After a week I was throwing bullpens and got up to 50 or 60 pitches. The arm wasn’t feeling too bad and I told Greg I think I was good to go.”

The next thing on the agenda after he committed to playing was finding him a role on the team. Since he was dealing with an injured arm and couldn’t bounce back quite as quickly it was decided that he would start. He also points to the fact big leaguers Jim Henderson and Dustin Molleken were rounding out the bullpen as a reason he didn't fit into that mix in the pen.

Team Canada was off to North Carolina to play their exhibition games against the United States when the doubt began to creep into his mind.

“I remember coming off the mound after an innings and my arm had its own heartbeat,” Begg said. “I put my head in my hands and wondered if I could even do this. Am I being selfish and hurting the team?”

In the end, Begg figured that each game from there on out would be better. The grind was really on now.

Canada opened the 22 team tournament in Stockholm, Sweden in a group with Sweden, South Korea and the Netherlands Antilles. Canada disposed of North Korea 9-1 and followed it up with a 15-0 thumping of the Netherlands Antilles. It got worse for Canada’s opposition as they would beat the hosts Sweden 19-1, booking their ticket to Round 2.

Round 2 took the team to Italy and it didn't get off to quite as good of a start. Facing the Americans they were handed an 8-0 defeat. Australia would be next and they would also down the Canadians, 5-3. After their next game was rained out they rallied off victories against Mexico, Japan, the Netherlands Antilles, Italy and Chinese Taipei to finish the second round 5-2. Despite the win against Italy Begg remembers not even getting an out during his appearance and again questioning what he was doing.

“I didn't get an out, that was the low point,” Begg said. “But we won.”

 The tournament was down to eight.

Canada would shut out Puerto Rico 3-0 in the third round opener, beat Venezuela 9-2 in Game 2 and the Netherlands in Game 3. It was decided based on the format that Canada would be playing for bronze, making their next game against Cuba a “nothing” game as Begg puts it. He was lined up to pitch the bronze medal game despite not getting an out against Italy. A change was about to be made, swapping Begg’s start to the Cuba game. Canadian pitching coach Denis Boucher would deliver the news.

“Denis Boucher came into my hotel room. I could tell he felt bad for having to tell me about switching.”

Begg wasn’t so surprised, however.

“I said Denis, don't worry about it,” Begg said. “I’ve been waiting for someone to come tell me because it’s the right move for the team.”

Begg pitched against Cuba and was dealt a no-decision in the 5-1 loss. He gave up a solo shot but Adam Stern later hit a home run of his own to get Begg off the hook. To this day he still remembers the last pitch he ever threw.

“It was a changeup,” Begg said. “The guy rolled over on it for a double play. When I came off after that inning Ernie Whitt came up to me and I said I have one more for you.”

That is when Whitt delivered the news that really hurt.

“He told me we were going to the bullpen,” Begg said. “I broke down. I knew that was the last competitive pitch I was ever going to throw.”

Canada would go on to beat Puerto Rico to claim the bronze medal, their first medal ever at the World Cup. The celebration was on. Bringing home a medal was extra special to Begg.

“We sang the national anthem after the game on the bus,” Begg said. “That was my ninth time playing for Canada and my first time bringing home a medal.”

Thank goodness for sturdy potholders.