Gallagher: Kent remembers Morgan, Canadian scout who signed him
“Jeff Kent knows what scouts like the late Wayne Morgan go through to find a player, the effort they put in, the miles they travel around the U.S. and Canada.
Kent was speaking to this reporter today upon hearing about the Feb. 12 passing of Morgan, his Blue Jays' signing scout, the first signee of Morgan to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Kent appreciated the fact Morgan (Saskatoon, Sask.) saw something in him and believed in him. With help from fellow scouts John Cole and David Blume, Morgan paved the way for Kent to sign a Jays' contract.
"Wayne was a nice guy, genuine, trustworthy and very knowledgeable. I came from an ignorant background, relying on a lot of people for information. He gave me all of his information about the draft, the process and the Blue Jays. There was no question he was knowledgeable.''
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Gallagher: R.I.P. Wayne Morgan, former MLB scout
Canadian Baseball Network writer Danny Gallagher pays tribute to former MLB scout Wayne Morgan (Saskatoon, Sask.) who died on February 12 at the age of 81.
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BWDIK: Aumont, Martin, Pivetta, Smith, Stephenson, Wick
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Nick Pivetta, Ashley Stephenson, Cade Smith, Phillippe Aumont, Rowan Wick and Russell Martin.
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Elliott: Former Expos ace and Angels boss Stoneman excellent choice for HOF
Tell me this is an example of Hall of Fame class or what?
When general manager Bill Stoneman took over the California Angels after the 1999 season he replaced Bill Bavasi.
When Stoneman and the Angels met the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the 2002 World Series at Edison Field, Stoneman invited Bavasi to the game, providing seats for Bavasi and his family.
Why? Because Bavasi’s prints were all over the 2002 team.
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Gallagher: R.I.P. Elroy Face
Legendary relief pitcher Elroy Face, who had been the oldest living former Montreal Expos player, has died at the age of 97. Canadian Baseball Network writer Danny Gallagher remembers him.
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BWDIK: Ashman, Bédard, Jenkins, McKay, Renick, Votto
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Micah Ashman, Fergie Jenkins, Joey Votto, Buck Martinez, Dave McKay and Érik Bédard.
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Antonacci: Canada “second home” to new ball hall inductee White
“The last time Devon White was in Toronto for the World Series, he was loping gracefully across centre field, pulling fly balls out of the air with a seemingly effortless ease.
The Blue Jays fan favourite known as “Devo” didn’t make it to the outfield this past October, stopping at the pitcher’s mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 6 between his alma mater and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“First and foremost, I was just hoping I didn’t bounce it,” White said with a smile during a press conference on Feb. 5 unveiling the Jamaican-born Gold Glover as a 2026 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. “
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Whicker: Underrated Lolich was Tigers’ workhorse and World Series hero
Canadian Baseball Network columnist Mark Whicker remembers former Detroit Tigers ace left-hander Mickey Lolich who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85.
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Gallagher: Canadian ball hall inductee Stoneman best remembered for no-nos with Expos
When Bill Stoneman was plucked by the Expos in the 1968 expansion draft from the Chicago Cubs, he needed to look at a map at his California home to find Montreal's location in North America.
"I didn't know where Montreal was,'' he said on a conference call today, recognizing his election into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Glew: Runge might be reunited with long-lost relatives at Canadian ball hall induction
There’s a good chance Paul Runge will see relatives he hasn’t seen in decades when he is inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., on June 20. The 85-year-old former National League umpire was born in St. Catharines, Ont., and lived there until he was six or seven.
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Baba, Clapp, Psota, Runge, Stoneman, White elected into Canadian ball hall
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s class of 2026 will consist of six new inductees.
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Mariners promote Boyd, name Carlin field coordinator
The Seattle Mariners have promoted Louis Boyd (North Vancouver, B.C.) to the position of assistant director, baseball operations. Meanwhile, Luke Carlin (Hull, Que.) has been named the team’s field coordinator.
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BWDIK: Barton, Bowsfield, Cruz, Hall, King, Logan, Sanchez
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Adam Hall, Trei Cruz, Fred Freeman, Justin King, Gavin Logan, Vince Barton and Ted Bowsfield.
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King receives invite to Marlins' big league spring training
Former Okotoks Dawgs left-hander Justin King (Lloydminster, Alta.) has received an invite to Miami Marlins’ big league spring training.
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Quantrill signs with Rangers
Ontario Terriers and Junior National Team alum Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
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Julien traded to Rockies
The Minnesota Twins have traded Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.) to the Colorado Rockies.
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Yerzy invited to Cardinals' big league camp
Toronto Mets and Junior National Team alum Andy Yerzy (North York, Ont.) have been invited to St. Louis Cardinals’ big league camp this spring.
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BWDIK: Brown, Clarke, Delgado, Morneau, Freeman, Stairs, Walker
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Larry Walker, Dasan Brown, Denzel Clarke, Justin Morneau, Carlos Delgado and Matt Stairs.
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Whicker: Beltran elected to Hall of Fame but difficult to separate him from Bonds
“You’re forgiven for being surprised when Carlos Beltran was elected to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
He piled up 2,725 hits during his 20 years, and hit 435 home runs, too. Seven times he scored 100 runs, and eight times he drove in 100. He won four Gold Gloves and was a prolific and high-percentage base-stealer.
But he led his league in nothing, except his 162-game perfect attendance year in 2002, and he was a Top-5 MVP vote-getter only twice. He was a compiler, sneaking up on those numbers, and that’s perfectly fine. A more complimentary term would be “grinder.” At the very least he was one of the better centre fielders of the last 30 years. Andruw Jones, a lesser one, also got elected. “
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Shushkewich: Hicks' strong rookie season with Marlins helps him land WBC roster spot
“Heading into the 2024-25 offseason, catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) knew that a change of scenery could be on the horizon.
The former Toronto Mets and Arkansas State University backstop started the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, playing alongside Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) in double-A Frisco, but finished the campaign with the Detroit Tigers. Hicks and right-hander Tyler Owens were dealt at the trade deadline to the AL Central squad, with veteran backstop Carson Kelly heading to Texas in return. “
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