Glew: Expos “big part” of new Canadian ball hall inductee Martin’s childhood
“When Russell Martin was growing up in Montreal, his father used to take him to a handful of Expos games at Olympic Stadium each year.
The price for a hot dog at the Big O was a little steep, so his dad, who made a living as a busker playing his saxophone in Montreal subway stations, often packed sandwiches.
“My dad was a great storyteller, and he would make up these stories like, ‘Here comes Russell Martin at the plate. There’s a shot deep to right field.’ He would make up stories about me hitting homers in the games,” recalled Martin. “He kind of helped me create this visual that I could get there someday.”
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Shushkewich: Martin savors Canadian ball hall honour
“Sitting in a golf cart fielding questions from numerous journalists via a conference call, newly elected Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Russell Martin was in good spirits as he reflected on his career.
He answered questions about all aspects of his playing career, from competing in youth baseball in Montreal to catching Greg Maddux in his early days with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The four-time major league All-Star even discussed his post-career coaching aspirations.
“I have loved my experiences with the coaching at the recent World Baseball Classic and with the Blue Jays, although I haven’t coached too much since my playing days,” reflected Martin from his cart. “I have three little girls at home that need their dad but once they get older, I definitely can see myself getting into coaching more.”
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Vancouver native Karunaratne hired as Cardinals' senior VP for business operations
The St. Louis Cardinals have hired Anuk Karunaratne (Vancouver, B.C.) as the club’s new senior vice president for business operations.
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Brigden, Peters invited to Rays' MLB camp
Canadians Trevor Brigden (North York, Ont.) and Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) have been invited to the Tampa Bay Rays major league camp this spring.
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BWDIK: Alou, Beltre, Teahen, Votto, Walker, Jenkins
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Larry Walker, Tood Helton, Fergie Jenkins, Felipe Alou, Adrian Beltre and Mark Teahen.
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Paxton signs with Dodgers
Left-hander James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) has signed a one-year, $11-million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press. The deal is pending a physical.
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Elliott: Our Peter Berryman joins KC Royals
Peter Berryman, who has run CBN’s weekly Canadians in College master list and our weekly Canadians in College stats update for years, has been hired by the Kansas City Royals.
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Elliott: Remembering the late Ron Law
Bob Elliott remembers ex-big league right-hander Ron Law (Hamilton, Ont.) who it was only recently discovered died back in 1994.
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Glew: Saunders humbled by Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence honour
On Saturday night, national team alum and former big league slugger Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) became the 12th member of Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence. Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew caught up with Saunders earlier on Saturday.
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Fitzpatrick: Axford couldn’t woo Ohtani to Jays, but deserves credit for impacting Canucks
National Team alum and former big league closer John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) jokingly took credit for the success of the young Canadian players on the national team at the Baseball Canada Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday night. It was all for fun then, but with all that he has done for Canadian baseball, his statement wasn’t too far off the mark. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Axford to talk about the ex-closer’s career and his Shohei Ohtani tweet that went viral.
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Shushkewich: From WBC to (both) Twin Cities, Julien barrelled up
After an outstanding performance batting leadoff for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, followed by a standout rookie big league campaign with the Minnesota Twins, Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.) received a Special Recognition Award from Baseball Canada at their annual Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday night. Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich caught up with Julien on Saturday.
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Shushkewich: Quantrill and healthy shoulder head to Colorado Rockies
National team alum Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) was honoured with the Larry J. Pearson Alumni Award at Baseball Canada’s National Teams Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday. Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich caught up with Quantrill prior to the banquet to talk about his career and his new role as a starter with the Colorado Rockies.
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Braves sign Anthopoulos to multi-year extension
The Atlanta Braves have signed general manager Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.) to a multi-year contract extension.
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O'Neill, Pivetta agree to one-year deals with Red Sox
Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) have agreed to one-year contracts with the Boston Red Sox.
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Glew - BWDIK: Adduci, Encarnacion, Gagne, Myette, O'Neill, Paxton
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses James Paxton, Tyler O’Neill, Eric Gagne, Aaron Myette and Edwin Encarnacion.
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Verge: Big league dream fulfilled, Lien shows his strength returning to Canadian roots
Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently caught up with Dong Lien, who after working as a strength and conditioning coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, has returned to his Canadian roots and is helping young players with the Langley Blaze and North Shore Twins.
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Shushkewich, Canucks chasing milestones: Guerrero, Pivetta, Quantrill, Romano
Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich highlights some milestones that Canadian major leaguers could reach in 2024.
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Elliott: Remembering Derek Aucoin, the Gentle Giant
Bob Elliott remembers former Montreal Expos pitcher and Montreal native Derek Aucoin on the third anniversary of his death.
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Elliott: Jays ‘Hot Rod’ Hiemstra succeeds Mike Shaw as travel sec, toughest job in org some nights
Rodney Hiemstra is taking over for Mike Shaw as the Blue Jays’ travelling secretary, which some nights, Bob Elliott writes, can be the toughest job in the organization.
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Why not an IPO to help fund new Montreal franchise?
“A certified public accountant and Montreal Expos fan from Calgary has an interesting concept to help raise funds to bring a team back to Montreal which lost the Expos to Washington following the 2004 season.
Wayne Kennedy said prospective Montreal franchise owner Stephen Bronfman or someone else should look at his idea of an IPO as baseball contemplates the possibility of securing expansion bids from cities soon, possibly in 2024.”
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