Abbotsford Cardinals retire Eckstein's No. 47

The Abbotsford Cardinals retired three numbers on April 17, including the No. 47 worn by longtime director of player development Corey Eckstein. Photo Supplied.

April 27, 2025

By Ken Keeley

April 17 was a special day for the Abbotsford Cardinals as they welcomed the Ontario Blue Jays to Delair Park as part of the Blue Jays Spring Training Tour.

Cardinals alumnus Corey Eckstein is the Ontario Blue Jays president.

The day was billed as a day to celebrate baseball in Abbotsford.

With Firefighters manning the concession grills to raise funds for the Challenger Baseball Program, 50/50 and raffle prize draws, there were as many off-field activities as on field.

In the afternoon, the Junior Cardinals played the Blue Jays 16u, winning by a score of 6-1.

In the evening game, the Senior Cardinals defeated the Blue Jays 17u, 7-1.

More importantly than the games was the ceremony between games celebrating baseball. Several teams were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2024 season, including the Bantam Cardinals Western Canadian Champions, 13u AAA National Champions, 13u AA Western Canadian Champions and 13u A Provincial Champions.

The Cardinals also used the opportunity to recognize and thank Corey Eckstein for his 15 years (2005-2020) as director of player development with the club and for his outstanding efforts as owner of the Sandlot Baseball Academy and director of the Baseball Academy at Yale Secondary. Under his leadership the Cardinals won BCPBL Championships in 2016 and 2018.

He was also an assistant coach with the Junior National Team and head coach of Team BC at Summer Games, Canada Cup and T-12 tournaments.

As part of the ceremony, the Cardinals retired three numbers on the Delair Park outfield fence:

-42 honours Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the Major Leagues, and his tireless work for civil rights both on and off the field.

-14 honours Sean Phillips, a Cardinal player tragically killed in a car accident in 2007. Each year, the Cardinals award the Sean Phillips Bursary to graduating players who demonstrate Sean’s strong work ethic, his good academic abilities and his community involvement.

-47 honours Corey Eckstein for his commitment to baseball with the Cardinals, the community of Abbotsford and the Province of BC. As a memento, Cardinals president Brad Rosse presented him with two pairs of custom Nike cleats: one sporting No. 47 custom painted with the Cardinals logo and the second Derek Jeter themed.