Veteran coach Mike McRae (Niagara Falls, Ont.), middle, has left Rutgers University after one season to pursue professional coaching opportunities. Photo: Rutgers University Athletics

January 4, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Morneau gives pep talk to Canadian World Junior hockey team

Hockey Canada invited Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.) to speak to the Canadian hockey team prior to their 9-1 win over Denmark at the World Junior Championship in Minneapolis on Monday. Morneau lives in the region and was happy to oblige.

The Minnesota Twins legend enjoyed an outstanding major league career that earned him induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, but his first love was hockey. And he was good enough to be the third-string goalie for the Memorial Cup-winning Portland Winter Hawks in 1998.

After Morneau spoke, the Canadian squad presented him with a jersey with his No. 33 on the back (See below).

Fun Fact: Most think Morneau wore No. 33 to honour his fellow Canadian slugger Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, B.C.). But while Morneau did admire Walker, he told me in an interview many years ago that he wore No. 33 because legendary NHL goaltender Patrick Roy did.

Encarnacion receiving little support for Hall of Fame

This is former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion‘s first year on the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s writers ballot. I wasn’t expected him to be elected, but I am surprised that he has garnered just one vote so far (with 112 public ballots counted), according to Ryan Thibodaux’s ballot tracker.

Encarnacion’s 424 home runs are the 54th most in MLB history. He was a three-time all-star who had eight 30-home run seasons and six 100-RBI campaigns. I was hoping his name would be checked on at least five percent of the writers’ ballots. This would ensure he stays on the ballot for future consideration. That now seems unlikely.

Ex-Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle has fared better. The durable southpaw, who pitched his final three major league seasons with the Blue Jays, has received 27 votes. And while that will not get him elected, it will likely keep him on the ballot for another year.

Florko promoted to Angels’ MLB staff

The Los Angeles Angels have promoted Derek Florko (Abbotsford, B.C.) to their big league staff as an assistant hitting coach.

The Canadian batting guru has been in the Angels’ organization for seven seasons. He was initially hired to be the hitting coach for the Inland Empire, the Angels’ Class-A affiliate, in 2019.

Florko then coached for the double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas in 2021 prior to being assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Angels from 2022 to 2025.

He’ll become the third hitting instructor on the Angels’ 2026 staff behind head batting coach Brady Anderson and assistant John Mabry.

Before joining the Angels’ organization, Florko spent almost a decade coaching in the Abbotsford Cardinals’ program. He also served as an assistant coach for the Lethbridge Bulls, of the Western Canadian Baseball League, in 2012 and 2013.

Selkirk born on this date in 1908

George Selkirk was born in Huntsville, Ont., on this date in 1908.

Dubbed “Twinkletoes” for his distinct running style, he is best known as the man who replaced Babe Ruth in right field for the New York Yankees. Wearing the Bambino’s famous No. 3, Selkirk excelled during his nine-year big league career with the Bronx Bombers.

His major league resume boasts two all-star selections, five seasons in which he batted .300 or better and two 100-RBI campaigns. Selkirk was equally impressive in the postseason, belting a home run in his first World Series at bat in 1936. In all, he was part of five World Series-winning teams.

After his playing days, Selkirk served as supervisor of player personnel with the Kansas City Athletics in 1957 and as the general manager of the Washington Senators from 1964 to 1969. He passed away in 1987.

Brulotte turns 79

Happy 79th Birthday to legendary Montreal Expos broadcaster Rodger Brulotte!

Brulotte (Montreal, Que.) is best known as the French voice of the Expos. In 1983, he was hired to work broadcasts on the Expos’ French radio network alongside Jacques Doucet. For close to two decades, he teamed with Doucet to call many of the franchise’s most famous moments.

Brulotte’s resume also boasts more than 20 years on TV in which he served as the play-by-play man on Expos broadcasts, all-star games and postseason contests. He was the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award in 2013.

Quantrill, Balazovic still free agents

A number of Canadians have found new teams this off-season, but two Canuck right-handers remain free agents.

Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) is still available after splitting 2025 between three major league organizations.

It was a rough year for the Canuck righty who signed a one-year, $3.5-million contract with the Miami Marlins in February. He proceeded to go 4-10 with a 5.50 ERA in 24 starts before being selected off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on August 21. He’d make two big league starts with the Braves and then sign a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. He finished the season by making two starts for the Rangers’ triple-A Round Rock Express.

Despite his struggles, Quantrill, 30, still made 26 starts and pitched 117 2/3 innings – both of which ranked second among Canadian-born MLB hurlers. He has made at least 19 starts in each of the last five seasons.

Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) spent the bulk of 2025 with the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, posting a 5-1 record and a 3.69 ERA in 34 games (seven starts). He notched 48 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.

In 2024, the 6-foot-5 right-hander completed the season with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) after being released by the Twins.

Balazovic, 26, made his major league debut with the Twins in 2023 and registered a 4.44 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings in 18 big league games.

Chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Twins, the Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum has pitched in nine pro seasons.

Hardy, legendary Blue Jays executive, born on this date

Blue Jays legendary executive Peter Hardy was born on this date in 1917 in Toronto, Ont.

It was largely through Hardy’s efforts, as chairman of the board at Labatt’s, that the city of Toronto was able to land a major league franchise. The vice-chairman of the Blue Jays’ initial board in 1976, Hardy was directly involved in the hiring of Peter Bavasi, Pat Gillick and Paul Beeston. He would later become board chair, and, in 1981, the club’s chief executive officer (CEO).

Hardy fostered a family atmosphere while he was CEO, offering minor league managers time off during the regular season and ensuring that minor leaguer players were afforded nutritional meals. During his reign, he also endorsed decisions to hire Bobby Cox, Jimy Williams and Cito Gaston as field managers. After the Blue Jays captured their first division title in 1985, Sports Illustrated selected Hardy as Major League Baseball’s top executive.

He retired in 1990 but he continued to serve as honorary chair of the Blue Jays board until 1994.

He passed away in 1997.

McRae leaves Rutgers to pursue pro coaching opportunities

On Wednesday, Kendall Rogers, of D1baseball.com, reported that Mike McRae (Niagara Falls, Ont.) is leaving Rutgers University after one season as their associate head coach and pitching coach to pursue pro coaching opportunities.

McRae was hired by Rutgers in July 2024 after he led William and Mary to a 32-26 record and a Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament appearance in his third season as their head coach.

Prior to his tenure at William and Mary, McRae was the pitching coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 2018 to 2021. That followed an impressive 13-year stretch as head coach of the Canisius Golden Griffins where he was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year three times and piloted the Griffs to 11 straight appearances in the MAAC tournament, three regular season titles, two tournament championships and its first two NCAA Tournament appearances.

His first head coaching position came with Niagara University, where he was named MAAC Coach of the Year in 2003. Before his storied collegiate career, McRae coached the Junior National Team at the 1996 and 1997 World Championships.

January 4th Birthdays:

1908 – George Selkirk (Hunstville, Ont.), Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, New York Yankees outfielder (died in 1987)

1917 – Peter Hardy, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, legendary Blue Jays executive (died in 1997)

1947 – Rodger Brulotte, Jack Graney Award winner, legendary Expos broadcaster

1962 – Jay Tibbs, former Expos pitcher

1971 – Chris Michalak, former Blue Jays pitcher

1976 – Ted Lilly, former Expos and Blue Jays pitcher

1989 – Kevin Pillar, former Blue Jays outfielder

BWDIK: Balazovic, Encarnacion, McRae, Morneau, Quantrill, Selkirk