Update on Bob Elliott - February 12

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

I spoke with our founder and editor-in-chief Bob Elliott today. He is resting comfortably and is in good spirits.

Bob had two stents inserted into his heart on Monday night by Dr. Bryan Har, who did an outstanding job.

“I knew I was in good hands when I heard the doctor’s last name was “Har,” because as I was laying on the table before the procedure I immediately thought of John Haar - even though it’s a different spelling,” Bob told me.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee John Haar.

Haar, of course, is a national coaching legend who was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Haar helped Baseball Canada establish the National Baseball Institute (NBI) in 1986, which enabled top Canadian players to attend post-secondary school while practicing and playing together in Vancouver. Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.), Corey Koskie (Anola, Man.) and Paul Spoljaric (Kelowna, B.C.) are among the eight NBI grads that went on to compete in the major leagues. Haar also managed the Canadian Junior National Team to its first international gold medal in 1991.

Next step in treatment

In the next step of Bob’s treatment - and keeping with the baseball theme - he will be examined by cardiologist Dr. Andrew G. Howarth. This, too, seems like a good omen because his new doctor not only shares the same last name as Bob’s long-time friend and Toronto Blue Jays legendary broadcaster Jerry Howarth, but he is also a Queen’s University graduate. Queen’s is, of course, located in Bob’s hometown of Kingston, Ont.

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If you remember in the last update, Bob shared a conversation he had with his eight-year-old grandson in which his grandson told him he would “get a shutout and everything would be better.” Well, Bob had another conversation with his grandson on Sunday night and it went like this:

Grandson: Grampee, are you feeling better?

Bob: Yes, I am. I slept a lot better. My cold is not as bad.

Grandson: Remember I told you I would get you a shutout?

Bob: Yes.

Grandson: Well, I did.

Bob: That’s great. Against who?

Grandson: The Bulls.

Bob: You guys beat the Chicago Bulls?

Grandson: Grampeee! (laughs)
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From the bottom of his heart, Bob would like to thank everyone for their best wishes, prayers, texts, emails and phone calls.

I will have another update soon.