Harden latest B.C. native born in 1981 to be elected to Canadian ball hall
It was a bad year for Major League Baseball, but 1981 was a great year for baseball in British Columbia.
In a year in which a players’ strike wiped out nearly two months of the big league schedule, three future major leaguers were born in Canada’s westernmost province.
First, Colorado Rockies ace Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.) was born on January 8. Just over four months later, Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.) was introduced to the world. And finally, on November 30, dominant Oakland A’s right-hander Rich Harden (Victoria, B.C.) was born.
This trio competed against each other in the B.C. Premier Baseball League. Harden was a member of the Victoria Mariners, while Francis and Morneau starred for the North Delta Blue Jays. They also competed together on a provincial all-star squad that competed in a tournament in Manitoba in 1999.
And with Harden’s election to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday, they will be teammates again.
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BWDIK: Albers, Guerrero Jr., Halladay, Kjeldgaard, Staub, Toro
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Abraham Toro, Andrew Albers, Roy Halladay and Rusty Staub.
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Glew: Don't bet against Loewen's WBC comeback
Junior National Team alum and former big league left-hander Adam Loewen (Surrey, B.C.) will attempt a comeback to play for Canada at the World Baseball Classic. The 38-year-old left-hander hasn’t thrown a pitch or hit in an international competition for Canada since 2019, but given his track record, no one should bet against him, writes Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew.
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Glew: Ralph Buxton: First Saskatchewan-born major leaguer
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew writes about Ralph Buxton, who in 1938 became the first player born in Saskatchewan to compete in the big leagues.
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O'Neill confirms he will play for Canada in WBC
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Tyler O’Neill confirmed on Monday that he plans to play for Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
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Six Canucks re-sign with their MLB teams
Six Canadian major leaguers have re-signed with their respective big league clubs, landing contracts that collectively amount to almost $40 million. Canadian Baseball Network contributor George Farelli shares a summary of the transactions.
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Canada to play Cubs, Mariners in exhibition games prior to WBC
Canada will play the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners in exhibition games prior to the World Baseball Classic.
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Mark Whicker: Whither goest the Red Sox, crowned Team Of The Century in 2018?
Canadian Baseball Network columnist Mark Whicker takes a look at the current state of the Boston Red Sox and how the mighty franchise has fallen since its 2018 World Series victory.
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Edward Yoshie the first Canadian to pitch pro ball in Japan and NPB
Canadian Baseball Network contributor Evan Christie writes about Edward Eishiro Yoshie (Vancouver, BC) the first Canadian to pitch pro ball in Japan in the NPB.
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Remarkable story of Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins to inspire youth across Canada
“Youth across Canada will be provided the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the journey of one of this nation’s most prolific athletes in the sport of baseball, Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins. The project was jointly undertaken by two national sport heritage institutions, as the iconic baseball player celebrates his 80th birthday.”
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Brewers acquire Toro
The Seattle Mariners have dealt infielder Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) to the Milwaukee Brewers, along with outfielder Jesse Winker, in exchange for infielder Kolten Wong.
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Signed, healed and ready to deliver, Soroka hopes for strong return in 2023
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, provides an update on how Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) is progressing from his twice-torn, right Achilles that has keep him out of major league action since August 3, 2020.
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Glew, BWDIK: Brash, Handrahan, Johnson, Morton, Thomson, Ward
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Rob Thomson, the Jack Graney Award, Matt Brash, Mike Johnson, Vern Handrahan and Pete Ward.
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Soroka signs one-year deal with Braves
The Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year, $2.8-million contract with Mike Soroka on Friday, to avoid arbitration with the Canadian right-hander.
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Wick, Cubs agree to 2023 contract
The Chicago Cubs and reliever Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, B.C.) have avoided arbitration and have agreed to a contract for 2023.
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Phils manager Rob Thomson to speak in London later this month
The London Sports Association will have Rob Thomson, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and World Series finalists as its guest speaker on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
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Romano, Quantrill and Guerrero Jr. headline list of candidates for Tip O’Neill Award
Two Toronto Blue Jays stars and a 15-game winner with the Cleveland Guardians are the top candidates for the 2022 Tip O’Neill Award.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame presents this award annually to the player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.
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Late Mike Kilkenny was pals with FBI's J. Edgar Hoover
Before former Canadian big leaguer Mike Kilkenny passed away in 2018, he shared some amazing stories about his experiences in Major League Baseball with writer Mike Arsenault, including one about his friendship with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.
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BWDIK: Adduci, Lund, Norton, Paxton, Soroka, Walker
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses James Paxton, Jim Adduci, Mike Soroka, Larry Walker, Wayne Norton and Pat Hentgen.
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Elliott: Farewell to coach, ump, scorekeeper, third baseman Joe Sawchuk - Updated
A memorial service was held for legendary Toronto coach, umpire, scorekeeper and third baseman Joe Sawchuk on Sunday. Bob Elliott shares some of the stories about Sawchuk that were told among friends at the service.
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