For six seasons, Vancouver native Scott Mathieson has been conquering Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) batters for the storied Yomiuri Giants. Since heading to Japan in 2012, the 33-year-old right-hander, whose fastball still registers in the high-90s, has posted a 2.30 ERA, averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings and has set the NPB record for most holds by a foreign player. So, with a resume like this, why isn't he pitching in a major league bullpen?
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Justin Morneau, Larry Walker, Vernon Wells, Charlie Gehringer and Eric Lindros.
Read MoreIt has to be the most amazing defensive play ever made by a Canadian pitcher in a professional game. And when you approach Vancouver native Scott Richmond to ask him about “that play,” he knows immediately what you’re referring to. The Canadian Baseball Network caught up with Richmond at the recent Baseball Canada National Teams Awards Banquet & Fundraiser to talk about "that play" and the veteran right-hander's professional career.
Read MoreOne of the greatest Canadian baseball players of all-time is calling it a career as New Westminster, B.C., native Justin Morneau announced his retirement at a news conference at Target Field in Minnesota on Wednesday.
Read MoreYou might think that after a player’s best major league season that they would celebrate with a long vacation to a tropical island, but Andrew Albers has done the complete opposite. The 32-year-old lefty returned to his hometown of North Battleford, Sask., to not only face the bitterly cold Canadian winter, but also teach a class of Grade 8 students at his old high school.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" shines the spotlight on some of the Baseball Canada alumni that were present at the National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser on Saturday.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Wayne Norton, Larry Walker, Scott Mathieson, Paul Quantrill and Eric Gagne.
Read MoreVeteran baseball writer Tracy Ringolsby shares his 2017 National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker was one of the first names he checked off. Ringolsby believes there is hope that Walker will be elected in the future.
Read MoreMaple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the eighth time. He has never received even 25 percent of the vote, much less than the 75 percent required for induction. His challenge? Voters not getting hung up on the Coors Field factor, and evaluating what he accomplished in his career.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Larry Walker, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bower, Tip O'Neill and Chris Reitsma.
Read MoreSo much is made about the time Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker spent with the Rockies, and the impact it had on his offensive production. Two things: players adapt to take advantage of the home field because it is where they play half their games, and even with the Coors Field factor, Walker compares favorably with Hall of Famers in terms of his road efforts.
Read MoreMaple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker won the battle on the field, but not at the Hall of Fame ballot box. Walker’s career WAR of 72.6 is the 51st highest among position players. There is only one of the 50 players with a higher WAR than Walker who has been eliminated from consideration by Hall of Fame voters.
Read MoreMaple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker, looking for a major boost in votes in what is his eighth time on the Hall of Fame ballot, has the 14th best OPS among players who have either been enshrined in Cooperstown or are on this year’s ballot.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Larry Walker, Tony Fernandez, James Paxton, Fergie Jenkins, Tim Raines, Tim Wallach and Joey Votto.
Read MoreWhat sets Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker apart from others is the completeness of his game. He could hit for average, hit for power, run the bases, and field. If you look for players who hit .300, had an on-base percentage of .400 and a slugging percentage of .500 along with 450 doubles, 60 triples, 350 home runs and 1,250 RBI, Walker is one of seven players who would surface. Add 150 stolen bases and he is in a class all his own. Oh, and don’t forget he won seven Gold Gloves.
Read MoreLarry Walker, who has failed to get even 25 percent support in his seven previous times on the Hall of Fame ballot, had a a career .306 average against left-handed pitching. Walker ranks 13th all-time among left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers, based on a minimum of 500 plate appearances, according to Baseball-reference.com.
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