CANADIANS ALSO LOVE BASEBALL

by Barry Swanton

The first documented Canadian baseball games were played in eastern Canada back in 1860. That is, baseball as it is played today. In 1879 Bill Phillips of St. John, New Brunswick was the first Canadian in the big leagues. He was the first Canadian to record 1000 hits and in 1885 hit .302 for Brooklyn. In 1910 Russell Ford from Brandon, Manitoba won 26 games for the New York Highlanders. Both players are in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is located in St. Marys, Ontario. Since 1983 it is dedicated to preserving Canada's baseball heritage. To date it has inducted 44 players and builders. Some of the inductees are, relief pitcher John Hiller (87-76, 2.83 ERA) who had a 15 year career with the Tigers. Dick Fowler who hurled a no-hitter in 1945, beating the Browns 1-0. He won 15 games for the Philadelphia A's in 1947 and 1948. Reggie Cleveland won 105 games over a 13 year career with the Cardinals, Red Sox, Rangers and Brewers. Claude Raymond had a 12 year major league career. He appeared in 446 games and had a 3.66 ERA.

Our best pitcher was Ferguson Jenkins (284-226, 3.34 ERA). The former Cy Young winner, was also voted into Cooperstown. Inducted was George "Twinkle Toes" Selkirk, who replaced Babe Ruth in 1934. Over his 9 year career with the Yankees he batted .290 with 108 home runs. Terry Puhl put up some impressive numbers with the Astros and holds the major league record for career fielding (.993) by an outfielder. Jeff Heath had a 14 year career with the Indians. Seven times he batted over .300 and recorded 194 home runs. Glen Gorbous made the Guiness Book Of Records for the longest measured baseball throw on record. He had a 3 year career with the Phillies.

There were 64 Canadian born players who played in the All American Girls Professional league. All were inducted as honorary members to the Canadian Hall Of Fame. One of the league's stars was Audrey Haine. She started her career as a 17 year old and over a 6 year period won 72 games.

At the start of this season there were 15 players fisted on the big league rosters. The best of the present day players is Larry Walker. I'm sure Walker will be inducted into the Canadian Hall Of Fame when he completes his brilliant career.

Over the years many U.S. and Canadian cities have played together in professional and amateur leagues or competed in tournaments. It still continues to this day. Our border is a peaceful one, but things heat up when teams hit the baseball fields. In 1948 Indian Head Saskatchewan hosted a big tournament. Indian Head is just a dot on the map. The Brandon Sun newspaper reported that Brandon (Manitoba) Greys defeated the Minot (North Dakota) Mallards to win the $1000 first prize tournament. A record crowd of 16,000 sat, stood or craned their necks around 3 diamonds over the 2 day event.

Tournaments like that were regular features in both Canada and the United States. In the early 1950's the Negro Leagues were in decline and the Manitoba-Dakota (ManDak) baseball league was formed. Stars like Willie Wells, Leon Day, Pee Wee Butts, Frazier Robinson, Lymon Bostock Sr, and Alonzo Perry journeyed to Canada to continue their careers.

The Quebec Provincial League was another league. It was home for players like Sal Maglie, Max Lanier and Danny Gardella who had jumped to the Mexican League. Banned from organized baseball they were able to continue their careers in Canada until reinstated. The league also had future major leaguers like Vic Power, Gary Bell, Dan Bankhead and one-anned Pete Gray.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Royals thrilled Canadian fans at the Triple A level. Jackie Robinson started his career with the Royals as did many of the best Dodger farm hands.

In 1969 the Montreal Expos were granted a franchise, Rusty Staub was their first big star. He has been followed by many great players from Gary Carter to Vladimir Guerrero. They have always been a "next year" team. Since the beginning they have had financial and stadium problems.

The Toronto Blue Jays were born in 1977. Under G.M. Pat Gillick they were a model of success. They thrilled Canadian fans by winning the World Series in 1992 and 1993. Toronto has a Blue Jay Caravan that in the off-season goes across Canada putting on baseball clinics. At one clinic I attended, Pat Gillick stated he was going to make the Jays Canada's favorite team and he did.

Canada has a rich baseball history and has produced many a good player. Fans are as vocal and interested in their favorite teams as are fans wherever baseball is played. Heck, for 50 years I've been a Cleveland Indian fan through many a bad season and up to the present when they challenge for the World Series. That has to tell you something!




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