UBC retires McNiven's number
September 23, 2024
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds retired former right-hander Brooks McNiven’s No. 19 in a ceremony on Saturday.
McNiven honed his skills with UBC from 2000 to 2003 before he was selected in the fourth round of the MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants. He was the first Canadian taken in the 2003 draft.
In his four seasons with UBC, McNiven posted a 2.25 ERA, had a winning percentage over .800 and was selected to the NAIA All-Region 1 team in 2002 and 2003. In his senior season, the 6-foot-5 right-hander was named NAIA West Player of the Year.
For his efforts, he was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
Following his collegiate career, McNiven toed the rubber for seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants’ organization, posting a 4.05 ERA in 194 appearances (88 starts). He recorded 338 strikeouts in 656 innings and made it as high as triple-A.
Raised in Vernon, B.C., McNiven was also a key contributor to the Canadian national team. He pitched for Canada at the 2007 Baseball World Cup and posted a 1-0 record and a 2.25 ERA for Canada at the 2008 Olympics. He was also part of Canada’s roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Since hanging up his playing spikes, McNiven has become a high school teacher and a highly respected coach in his home province with the North Shore Twins and West Vancouver Baseball Academy.
He is also the owner and director of Inside Performance, an indoor baseball training centre, in North Vancouver.