By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons answered more than once when asked about his popularity in Toronto: “Canadians are a lot like Texans ...” And often he would add with a grin: “And I don’t mean to offend either side.”

Funny thing is ... we heard that once before. Duncan McNaughton (Cornwall, Ont.), who won gold in the high jump at 1936 Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1998, the summer Ben Johnson was supposed to win Canada’s first medal in track and field since McNaughton, my boss Wayne Parrish sent me to Austin, Tex.

It was not because of my track and field background, I just went a couple of days early on my way to watch the Blue Jays play the Texas Rangers in Arlington. McNaughton had been in the oil business and according to him “got in at the right time and got out at the right time.” He had spent years in Australia and now was retired in Austin.

“Australians remind me of lot of Texas in many ways, they have spunk ... just like Canadians when we get riled up.”

* * *

The Carl Lewis-Johnson 100-metre final was a hot topic in those days in the Jays clubhouse. Rick Leach picked the American Lewis, while George Bell bet on Johnson ... “My man from the Islands (Jamaica.)”

If they had an contest for the two loudest people in the clubhouse it would have been Leach as No. 1 and Bell as 1A. Or vice versa.

They teased each over for days leading up to the event. And the day after Johnson won Bell was ruthless yelling at Leach and the way remember it ... collecting the money. There is no wagering in baseball on baseball only on events in Korea.

Then, the Jays reached Boston for the next leg of their trip to find out that the IOC has stripped Johnson of his gold. Leach wanted him money back and told Bell so.

Loudly.

“I bet on the guy who would cross the line first -- not the guy who would win gold, I win,” Bell yelled.

End of argument.

* * *

RHP Connor Sparks (Saskatoon, Sask.) was a 26th round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers and scout Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC)

The 6-foot-5, 210 pounder played for the Saskatoon Cubs and Canadian Junior National Team for coaches Greg Brons, Dan Morari and Greg Hamilton before committing to the Sacramento State Hornets.

Teddy Cahill of the highly-respected Baseball America has Sac State as one of the best Under-The-Radar 2018 Recruiting Classes with Sparks as the top prospect.

Sacramento State

Recruiting coordinator: Jake Angier

Top recruit: Connor Sparks, RHP

Sacramento State has become a consistent contender in the Western Athletic Conference, and this year’s recruiting class should help it maintain that position. The Hornets this year mined Canada, landing four players who spent time with the Canadian Junior National Team. The best of the bunch is Connor Sparks, who was drafted in the 26th round by the Brewers. Listed at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, he throws from a steep downhill angle and gets heavy sinking action on his 88-90 mph fastball.