Elliott, Futures Day IV: Jackson, Leblanc, McDowell, Roach
OF Jason Bay (Trail, BC), left, Adam Loewen (Surrey, BC) and C Maxime St. Pierre (Quebec, Que.) hug closer Steve Green (Greenfield Park, Que.) after the World Baseball Classic upset 8-6 win over Team USA in 2006 at Phoenix.
September 20, 2024
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Here a major leaguer, there a major leaguer.
There plenty on hand to help coach the six teams during the Canadian Futures Showcase, presented by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Let’s see there were the likes of former big leaguers Jeff Francis (Delta, BC), Chris Reitsma (Calgary, Alta.), Mike Johnson (Edmonton, Alta.), Nigel Wilson (Ajax, Ont.), Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.), Rene Tosoni (Port Coquitlam, BC), Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.), Jamie Romak (North London, Ont.), Adam Stern (London, Ont.) and LSL Life-Saving Lou Pote, who coaches the Okotoks Dawgs.
But there was one more former major leaguer on hand, one we had not seen in years. And that was former Anaheim Angel RHP Steve Green (Greenfield Park, Que.).
Green made one spot start for the 2001 Angels and never returned to the big leagues. He pitched six innings against the Oakland A’s allowing two runs and received a no decision. He struck out former first rounder Eric Chavez (twice), Johnny Damon and Olmedo Sáenz.
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Futures Day 1 - Cheong, Ellis, George, Laird, Rompre
Futures Day II — Dessureault, Kiss, Kooy, Rudge
Futures Day III _ Hobbins, Hoechen, Lightfoot, Thierman, Ward
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That’s not what I remember Green for. No, it was the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Manager Ernie Whitt went to Green with an 8-6 Canada lead in the ninth. Facing Mark Teixeira, representing the tying run with a man on second, Green induced a grounder to first baseman Justin Morneau for the final out to cinch the upset victory.
The next day Canada played Mexico. Green emerged from the first base dugout and a fan yelled, “Hey give this to Steve Green and get him to sign it please.” It was the front page of the New York Times and showed Green celebrating after the final out.
Green looked at the newspaper since he had not seen it.
“Are you going to give it to him?” asked the impatient fan.
“Well, I’m Steve Green,” said Green.
Ah the memories ... and now on to those making new ones.
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Ontario Royals INF Nolan Jackson (Grimsby, Ont.)
Name: INF Nolan Jackson.
Hometown: Grmsby, Ont.
Current team: Team Grey.
Travel team: Ontario Royals.
Committed: Seattle University.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My dad, John, a mortgage advisor. He didn’t play baseball, but he played junior hockey in Stoney Creek. I wanted to strive for the same thing ... want to get to the next level. I’m carrying out his dream in my shoes.”
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life -- besides your parents -- and why? “Marcus Stroman. He’s an idol to me. I met him in the dugout with Hazel Mae, of Sportsnet. It was John Gibbons’s last home game as manager (Sept. 26, 2018). I believe in his saying height doesn’t measure heart. He told me to ‘keep going, it doesn’t matter that other guys are bigger.”
What was your greatest day on the ball field? “At the CPBL Prospects showcase they asked me to pitch and I threw two innings. I had a 1-2-3 first and the second was scoreless ... I hit a guy and they had a bloop single. I don’t remember all the guys I faced but Philip Cheong and Benji Kautto (both Ontario Blue Jays) and Ethan Mota-Dias (Terriers).”
Who is your favourite player and why? “Jose Altuve, Houston Astros. I really like his style. He was big for the Astros. I was always a Houston fan growing up.”
The most important life lesson you have learned from the game? “To not give up. Persevere. Don’t give up. Don’t say no.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why? “Greg Maddux, Nolan Ryan, Marcus Stroman and Troy Tulowitzki. I always liked Maddux’s style. I was named after Nolan Ryan. He was the best of his era. Stroman is my main influencer. Tulowitzki was a great shortstop, the way he circled the ball and played consistent shortstop.”
Vauxhall Jet RHP Cedric Leblanc (Dieppe, NB)
Name: RHP Cedric Leblanc
Hometown: Dieppe, NB.
Current team: Team New Blue.
Travel team: Vauxhall Academy Jets.
Committed: Not yet.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My dad, Denis. He coached me from 7U to 15U and taught me everything I know about the game. Last year I pitched for coach Patrick Tardif with the Moncton Mudcats 18U.”
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life -- besides your parents -- and why? “Gerry LeBlanc, who runs the Moncton SportsDome. He used to scout for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was a left-hander. I didn’t know much about much about the game but Gerry taught me a lot about the game.”
What was your greatest day on the ball field? “Pitching at the Canada Cup against Alberta in Saskatchewan. It was a big game for us. i pitched five innings and allowed two earned runs. I’m not sure on the walks and the strikeouts. I think we were edged 5-3.”
Who is your favourite player and why? “Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays. I like the way he plays. I used to be a shortstop.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job for you when you grow up? “An RCMP constable. It would be cool to do.”
The most important life lesson you have learned from the game? “You have to pitch without fear.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why? “Randy Johnson, LeBron James, my mother and father. Johnson was a dominant pitcher on the way to the Hall of Fame. LeBron has had such a long and successful career. He’s going to have his son with him on the Los Angeles Lakers. My mom, Liette, who has always been there for me every step of the way. My dad has been a big influence.”
Canada Reds’ RHP Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont.)
Name: RHP Lukas McDowell.
Hometown: Kingston, Ont.
Current team: New Blue.
Travel team: Canada Reds Academy.
Committed: Not yet.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “Steve Vallier, who used to run the Kingston Baseball Association. He got me into pitching at 11U playing against Brockville and Cornwall. And I have to give props to Bob Fatal. I went to play in Ottawa in 2021. He helped me go from a pitcher who was clocked in the 70s to and hitting 90 mph.”
What was your greatest day on the ball field? “A few weeks back I pitched a quarter final game against Showtime Select, a team from New York. It was a BCS Perfect Game event. That day I had all three pitches working and we won 4-2 but lost in the semi-final. We were out of pitching. In my game, I pitched 5 2/3 innings allowed two earned runs and two walks, striking out seven. Our team is spending a month in Davenport, Fla. I flew here for this.”
Who is your favourite player and why? “Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), Seattle Mariners. He’s from a small town -- it was even smaller when he left. He’s doing well and puts Kingston on the map as its first major leaguer.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job for you when you grow up? “I’m good at math ... maybe engineering. I like to learn how things work ... nothing really specific yet.”
The most important life lesson you have learned from the game? “You have to be able to forget the bad things and take the good ones with you. Like if you go to a restaurant and it’s a bad experience it does not mean all restaurants are bad. Or if you get bit by a dog, it doesn’t mean every dog will bite you. Our family has a black mouth cur from South Carolina. My mother, Petra is a fchild psychologist working for the school board and my father, Matthew is at the First Nations Tech Institute in Deseronto.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why? “Matt Brash, Randy Johnson, my grandpa on my father’s side and Josh Donaldson. I’ve met Matt’s parents, but what an honour it would be to meet him. Johnson was what 6-foot-11, I’m tall (6-foot-8). He throws hard, I throw hard. I’d like to talk to my grandfather about my accomplishments, I’m sure he’d be proud. Donaldson was so good when he played for the Jays during my childhood. I liked the way he played, especially since I used to play third.”
Toronto Mets RHP Jason Roach (Aurora, Ont.)
Name: RHP Jason Roach
Hometown: Aurora, Ont.
Current team: Team Grey.
Travel team: Toronto Mets.
Committed: University of Evansville Purple Aces.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My mom is the one. I wanted to play hockey, but mom didn’t want cold arenas or the early mornings. I tried baseball (Richmond Hill), fell in love with the game and here I am. Mom, Sharyn, is a product manager for Body Blue. From Richmond Hill I played for Aurora-King and then Newmarket for 15U.”
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life -- besides your parents -- and why? “My coaches Rick Leitch and Ryan McBride. They helped me develop. Without them my journey would be different. They believe in their players. They give us the blue print and it is up to do the work.”
What was your greatest day on the ball field? “It would have to be our fall trip in 2022. We went to Evansville and that’s where they recruited me. Each pitcher had an inning. I struck out the side -- their 4-5-6 hitters. They were only playing their freshmen and sophomores, but that’s when it all started.”
Who is your favourite player and why? “Max Scherzer, Texas Rangers. I love his mentality. I want to think like him. It helps to be a former hitter. I can act the same way after a big out. I get hyped.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job for you when you grow up? “Real estate. I’ve always been a big fan of houses and interior design. It is something to strive for ... to own a house or a brokerage. I’m taking business at school.”
The most important life lesson you have learned from the game? “That it’s not easy. Pitching is not easy. Hitting is not easy. You have to be resilient, consistent.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why? “Drake, Michael Jackson, Josh Donaldson and my late father. I love Drake’s music, my favourite song is Sandra’s Rose. Michael Jackson was more my mom’s music and seems like he would have been an interesting person to talk with. Donaldson was the Bringer of Rain. I had pictures of him all over my bedroom walls. That famous play where he slid into home plate head first (Donaldson was on second, when Russell Martin bounced to short, the Rangers tried to turn two, but Rougned Odor bounced the throw in the dirt and Donaldson raced home for the walk-off win in the 10th) I was seated in the second row right behind the first base dugout. And I’d love to see my father Allan, who passed away when I was 11.”
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All-star bat boys: Marshall Francis, son of Jeff Francis along with brothers Chase and Brett Griffin, sons of former Guelph University coach Matt Griffin and grandson of talented workaholic scribe/podcaster Richard Griffin, all drew rave reviews for their constant hustle
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Pro scouts on hand: Blue Jays (seven), Cincinnati Reds (three), San Diego Padres (three), Kansas City Royals (two), Philadel.phia Phillies (two), and one each from the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Schools on hand: Four-year schools: LSU, Georgia State University, Brigham Young University, Gonzaga University, Michigan University, St. John’s University, Utah University, University of Illinois, Indiana University, Washington State University, Boston College, University of Connecticut, Eastern Michigan University, Sienna College, Canisius College, Niagara University, Hofstra University, University of British Columbia, North Dakota State University, East Central University, University of Mary, University of Rochester and Hamilton College.
Two-year schools: Dodge City Community College and Tyler Junior College.