Whicker: NL batting leader Lopez proving line drives still worth something
“Who is Otto Lopez and why hasn’t anyone told him that you can’t hit .300 anymore?
Researchers for the All-Star Game telecast should be scrambling for those answers.
Lopez is the Miami Marlins’ shortstop. Through June 26, he had 107 hits, 10 more than any other hitter in MLB. His average of .337 was the best in baseball by .001 over Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz. Only two players have more doubles than his 21, and he has 16 steals and has struck out only 48 times. Those who watch the Marlins – yes, we’ve contacted all six of them – say that Lopez and second baseman Xavier Edwards, who used to be the shortstop, form the best keystone combination in the game right now. “
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Antonacci: Devo and me, then and now
“I knew the answers. All of them.
I just needed Devo to pick me.
Devon White and Dave Stewart were at my elementary school in Etobicoke about a month after winning the World Series in 1993, and my baseball-mad nine-year-old self could barely believe he was in the same room as two real-life Blue Jays.
Most of what they said has been lost to time, though I recall Stewart giving us tips on how to sneak a peek at our Christmas gifts by carefully peeling off the corners of the wrapping paper.”
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Arizona Diamondbacks to call up Bratt
Toronto Mets and Junior National Team grad Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) will make his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Elliott: It's Whyte riding the mustangs, Green stood proudly
“Now, what would you expect the daughter of a seven-time Gold Glove winner to do as a grown up?
Maybe running a basketball camp after two years in the WNBA?
Repairing the leather on the latest Rawlings model?
Or working in an office with a 9-to-5 job?
Not quite.
Davellyn Whyte, daughter of new Canadian Hall of Fame member Devon, breaks wild mustangs. “
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Glew - BWDIK - Father's Day/Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame edition
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew recaps some pretty special Father’s Day moments from yesterday’s Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
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Glew: New Canadian Baseball HOFer Stoneman comes “home” for honour
“Bill Stoneman feels right at home in Canada.
And understandably so, given that the former Montreal Expos ace lived in the country for 30 years.
But his trip to St. Marys, for his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday, was his first to the quaint Southwestern Ontario town. And after driving around St. Marys on Thursday, Stoneman quickly became an admirer of Stonetown. “
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Hazel Mae to receive Jack Graney award at Canadian ball hall ceremony on Saturday
As part of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony in St. Marys, Ont., on Saturday, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae will be presented with the 2025 Jack Graney Award.
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White, Clapp, Psota, Stoneman, Runge, Baba to be inducted into Canadian ball hall on Saturday
Six new members will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday.
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BWDIK: Brash, Hiller, Lopez, Macko, Naylor, Ryan, Smith, Soroka
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Otto Lopez, Michael Soroka, Cade Smith, Josh Naylor, Adam Macko and Matt Brash.
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Whicker: Strong return in Soto trade leading Nats back into contention
If the Detroit Tigers are considering trading reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, they should look to the haul the Washington Nationals received for Juan Soto in 2022 for inspiration, suggests Canadian Baseball Network columnist Mark Whicker.
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Gallagher: R.I.P. Eddie Haas, former Expos scout
Canadian Baseball Network writer Danny Gallagher pays tribute to former Montreal Expos scout Eddie Haas who died on June 4 at the age of 91.
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Book Review: The Tragic Story of Willie Davis and Other Expos Vignettes, by Danny Gallagher
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew recently read Danny Gallagher’s excellent new book, “The Tragic Story of Willie Davis and other Expos Vignettes.” Here’s his review.
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BWDIK: Buxton, Guzman, Hicks, Lopez, O'Neill, Peters, Pop, Quantrill
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Otto Lopez, Liam Hicks, Cal Quantrill, Phillippe Aumont, Tristan Peters, Juan Guzman and Zach Pop.
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Rappleye: Ken Dryden, HOF goalie, went deep at Cornell as a power-hitting shortstop
We know Ken Dryden as a Hall of Fame goaltender who helped the Montreal Canadiens to six Stanley Cup titles, but he was also a college baseball star at Cornell. Tim Rappleye has the story.
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Smith named American League Reliever of the Month
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) has been named American League Reliever of the Month for the month of May.
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Glew: Blue Jays drafted inspirational Abbott 41 years ago today
When Jim Abbott was drafted in the 36th round by the Toronto Blue Jays 41 years ago today, the then 17-year-old left-hander called it “the thrill of a lifetime.”
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Glew - BWDIK: Caissie, Halladay, Lopez, Macko, Smith, Soroka, Tong
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Otto Lopez, Owen Caissie, Michael Soroka, Cade Smith, Roy Halladay, Adam Macko, Jared Young and Jonah Tong.
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Kennedy: Jenkins’ tenure with Globetrotters included stop in Kingston
For a stretch during his major league career, Canadian baseball legend Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) played for the Harlem Globetrotters in the off-season. Canadian Baseball Network writer Patrick Kennedy points out that Jenkins made one stop in Kingston, Ont., with the Globetrotters.
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Whicker: Negotiating new MLB CBA sure to pit owners against owners
“By now you’ve heard about the first rules of engagement in baseball’s proposed Money War. The collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the season, and the curtain goes up on the biggest off-field rivalry in the game: Owners vs. Owners.
The players are the scenery, although the Players Association is never easy to persuade. For its part, the hired help has proposed a $1.5 million minimum salary, free agency for five-year players who are 30 or over, and something called a Pre-Arbitration Performance Bonus Program that will enrich over-achieving kids who have played fewer than three years. “
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Bourassa strong for Goldeyes in tough loss to RailCats
PBA Academy alum Landen Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.) started and allowed just two unearned runs in eight innings for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in their 2-1 loss to the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Wednesday.
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