Worden: Volchko happy to be drafted by White Sox, happier to closer to Ottawa roots
Worden: Volchko happy to be drafted by White Sox, happier to closer to Ottawa roots

“When Joey Volchko got the call that the Chicago White Sox had selected him in the July draft, the excitement reached well beyond the apartment he was renting in West Palm Beach, Fla.

In fact, it extended about 2,500 kilometres north to Ottawa.

That’s where a number of Volchko’s relatives live, the Canadian side of his dual citizenship coming through his mom, Sandy, who was born in North Bay, Ont. Sandy and her family eventually moved to the nation’s capital before her nursing career took her south of the border, where she ultimately settled in California.”

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Canadians in College, BMOCBob ElliottComment
McFarland: Baseball Sask's Kilshaw reflects on dream year
McFarland: Baseball Sask's Kilshaw reflects on dream year

“It sure didn’t take Aiden Kilshaw long to knock a few items off his bucket list in 2026.

Suit up for the Junior National Team? Check.

Play for Baseball Sask at The Road to Okotoks and Morneau Cup? Check.

Help the Saskatoon Berries clinch their first Western Canadian Baseball League championship? Check.

Start college? Also check.

The Swift Current native was actually in the midst of another day as a freshman at Blinn Community College when his parents called to tell him that all of those major accomplishments had culminated with one more major recognition: Baseball Sask Male Player of the Year.”

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Alberta Dugout Stories, Baseball Canada, SandlotsJoe McFarlandComment
Glew: Brewers' WS-winning manager Murphy key reason Robinson made it to big leagues
Glew: Brewers' WS-winning manager Murphy key reason Robinson made it to big leagues

“It would've been difficult to find someone in Southwestern Ontario who was cheering harder for Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy to win the World Series than Chris Robinson.

The former big league catcher, and now director of baseball operations for the Great Lake Canadians in Dorchester, Ont., played for Murphy on the San Diego Padres' triple-A affiliate in Tucson in 2013.”

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Canadians in MLB, Major Leagues (MLB)Kevin GlewComment
Whicker: Brewers poised to win World Series with ensemble cast
Whicker: Brewers poised to win World Series with ensemble cast

“With one out in the 8th inning, Sal Frelick rushed toward Ben Williamson’s dying fly ball.

He skidded, caught it and rolled over on his right shoulder, which was hurt anyway. Frelick’s teeth reflected the pain, but then he started laughing. The exhilaration of making a late-inning catch in the World Series is better than ibuprofen. Note: Frelick’s Milwaukee Brewers were leading Tampa Bay, 10-0.

It ended at 10-1, and the Brewers lead the World Series, 3-0.”

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Major Leagues (MLB)Mark WhickerComment
McFarland: Baseball Saskatchewan hands out annual awards
McFarland: Baseball Saskatchewan hands out annual awards

“Looking back on 2026, Greg Brons beams like a proud papa.

As Baseball Sask hosted its annual general meeting and awards in Regina, the Baseball Sask High Performance Director can’t help but smile as he thinks about all the accomplishments of the past year.

From topnotch individual efforts to outstanding team performances, Brons says it was another great year for baseball in the province.”

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Alberta Dugout Stories, SandlotsJoe McFarlandComment
Glew: More than 60 years later, Raymond still savours time in Milwaukee
Glew: More than 60 years later, Raymond still savours time in Milwaukee

“In the city of Milwaukee, before the Brewers, there were the Braves.

And Claude Raymond can share some incredible stories about his time with them.

The 89-year-old St. Jean, Que., native pitched three seasons with the Braves from 1961 to 1963 and was the first in a line of Canadian closers to star in Milwaukee. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.), John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) and Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) would follow with the Brewers.

But Raymond is the only one in that group who can share stories about going to the movies with Hank Aaron, having dinner with Eddie Mathews or coming up through the minors with Bob Uecker.”

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Canadians in the Majors, Major Leagues (MLB)Kevin GlewComment
Wilson: Brewers' Henderson credits much of his success to time with Dawgs
Wilson: Brewers' Henderson credits much of his success to time with Dawgs

“When it comes to baseball, Jim Henderson has always had something brewing.

“I got started real early, like five years old right into tee ball,” recalled the pitching coordinator with Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers.

“My grandfather passed away when I was young, and passed on a softball and a bat to me, and it just kind of seemed like it was a sentimental sport for my mom’s side of the family, so that’s kind of how I got into it.”

By the time he was competing in Little League baseball with Calgary West, Henderson became a part of a special group of players and coaches that formed the bedrock of what would become Okotoks Dawgs Academy.”

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Canadians in the Majors, Major Leagues (MLB), Alberta Dugout StoriesIan WilsonComment