John McDonald, Rob Thomson headline Best Ever

Looking for insight into new Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins?

When new president Mark Shapiro introduced Atkins he compared him to three men he had met: John McDonald, Marco Scutaro and John Farrell.

McDonald, no relation to Sir John A Macdonald although he was almost as popular as Canada’s first Prime Minister during his time with the Blue Jays, will be at the 29th annual Best Ever Coaches Clinic this weekend at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel Hotel.

Coaches can get the inside scoop on Atkins, former Cleveland Indians pitcher, as well as teaching the game. from an all-star cast of instructors.

Besides McDonald, a minor-league infield instructor with the Indians, the other instructors at the sold-out event include ...

_ Rob Thomson, who lives in Stratford, bench coach of the New York Yankees and owner of five World Series rings.

_ Brent Stromm, pitching coach, Houston Astros, American League wild-card winners. 
 
_ Erik Bakich, coach, University of Michigan Wolverines. 
 
_ Randy Mazey, coach, West Virginia University Mountaineers.
 
_ Glenn Cecchini, coach, Team USA 18U, 2015 18U World Champions. 
 
_ Marc Rardin, coach, Iowa Western Community College Reivers.
 
_  Todd Guilliams, assistant Coach, Western Carolina Univeristy Catamounts.