In honour of Fred McGriff’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame today, we thought we would re-run this column about the former Blue Jays slugger that Bob Elliott wrote back in December.
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In honour of Scott Rolen’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame today, we thought we would re-run this column about the sure-handed third baseman and ex-Jay that Bob Elliott wrote back in 2010.
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“In 1981, his first professional season in the New York Yankees’ organization, a 17-year-old Fred McGriff batted .148 and failed to homer in 29 games for their Rookie Ball Gulf Coast League (GCL) affiliate.
His manager in that campaign was Carlos Tosca, who wasn’t particularly worried about his teenage first baseman’s numbers.”
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Rob Ducey (Cambridge, Ont.) is headed to Cooperstown this weekend to celebrate the induction of two friends and ex-teammates.
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“Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt and his wife, Jessica, are proud to announce the Bassitts Pitch In program in support of Jays Care Foundation.
The Bassitt family has pledged to donate $10,000 (USD) each game the Blue Jays win when Chris pitches this season, retroactive to Opening Day. To date, the Bassitts have already generously committed $120,000.”
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The Toronto Blue Jays unveiled their 2024 schedule on Thursday.
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The best two-way player in college baseball is honoured with the John Olerud award each year. Canadian Baseball Network columnist Mark Whicker suggests there might soon be a similar Shohei Ohtani award in Major League Baseball.
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Toronto Blue Jays players Bo Bichette, Kevin Gausman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Whit Merrified have been named American League All-Star reserves.
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Happy Canada Day to you!
Let’s celebrate with a hodge podge of Canada Day baseball facts that Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew has gathered over the years.
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Seventeen veteran scouts have filed a lawsuit alleging they were let go in a “pretext systemic discrimination based on age,” according to Bill Shaikin and Mike DiGiovanna in their recent Los Angeles Times story. Filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, the suit names big-league baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, the league office and all 30 clubs as defendants. Bob Elliott spoke with three of the scouts participating in the lawsuit.
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“It’s always a special occasion when a Canadian suits up for the Toronto Blue Jays, both for the fan and the player, an idea that is not lost on closer Jordan Romano.
Raised in Markham, Ont., and a product of the Junior National Team and the Ontario Blue Jays, Romano recently spoke to the Canadian Baseball Network about representing Canada on the big league stage.
“Being Canadian and growing up and watching players like John Axford and Ryan Dempster all the time, to be in mentioned in the same categories as those guys as a big leaguer now is something really special to me,” said Romano.”
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“In his personal life, Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Hayden Juenger is quiet, reserved. He keeps to himself.
A lot of time spent with family. A little bit of hunting, a little bit of fishing.
That’s who he is.
Only baseball changes that. When the 6-foot right-hander steps on the mound at Sahlen Field in New York for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, his disposition shifts.”
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Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich spent Father’s Day with this dad watching the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington. He provides a review of the ballpark.
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Bob Elliott shares his memories of covering newly inducted Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer John Olerud, including one embarrassing story in which he called Olerud’s father very early in the morning.
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John Olerud’s father, also named John, was a minor league catcher for seven seasons, rising as high as triple-A before becoming a doctor. His coaching helped his son evolve into an American League batting champion, but so, too, did his mother Lynda’s cooking. Canadian Baseball Network writer J.P. Antonacci spoke with Olerud and his parents prior to the former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman’s induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
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“Denis Boucher somehow managed to keep his emotions in check to pitch six strong innings against the Colorado Rockies in his first start with his hometown Montreal Expos in front of more than 40,000 boisterous fans at Olympic Stadium on September 6, 1993.
But almost 30 years later at his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., with a large group of friends and family sitting close by, he found it more difficult to hold back the tears.
“I got allergies, bad allergies today,” Boucher joked as he choked up on stage on Saturday afternoon.”
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Canadian baseball fans still love Jesse Barfield. That was resoundingly clear on Saturday afternoon in St. Marys, Ont., when he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew was there.
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Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew shines the spotlight on Jesse Barfield ahead of the legendary Toronto Blue Jays outfielder’s induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
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Elliott: Clubhouse confidential -- Don Welke’s scouting report on John Olerud from summer of 1989
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Former Blue Jays coach John Sullivan has passed away at the age of 82. Bob Elliott remembers the much beloved coach.
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