*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on November 10, 2026. You can read it here.

November 11, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

It’s been just over a year since Hudson Nikkel moved to Vauxhall to chase his baseball dreams.

With a goal of refining his game and getting a college scholarship, even he might not have believed all he would accomplish in 12 months.

The Morden, Manitoba native made his mark everywhere he went, including several tournaments with the Jets, including The Road to Okotoks and then with Team New Blue to capture the Canadian Futures Showcase championship in Vancouver.

His continued strong performances prompted a call from Tyler Oakes at North Dakota State University to make Nikkel’s collegiate dream come to life.

Located just 3.5 hours from his hometown, the left-hitting slugger couldn’t be happier to see all of his hard work pay off.

“What excites me the most about NDSU is the opportunity to compete at a very high level and represent my home province,” Nikkel said.

“Being able to do that at a program so close to home makes the opportunity even more special.”

He also heads to a program that is flush with Canadian content this spring – including fellow Vauxhall product Sheamus Ryan, as well as Okotoks alum Adam Beamin and Saskatchewan’s Mitchell Rauckman – as he gets ready for high school graduation.

MANITOBA PROUD

Nikkel’s love of baseball started with watching his dad play softball around Manitoba.

After forays into other sports like hockey, volleyball and track didn’t work out, the young athlete decided to stick with the game he felt he was best at.

“I really had to take a step back and realize which sport I really liked the most,” Nikkel recalled.

“It came down to this one. It’s always been the one I loved the most and I just really wanted to work hard at it from there on out.”

He made some headway in the game when he started representing Baseball Manitoba at national tournaments, eventually catching the eye of Les McTavish at Vauxhall.

Before heading west, Nikkel put up an impressive .333 batting average with five singles, two doubles, three runs batted in and five runs scored for his home province at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

ARRIVING IN ALBERTA

The 6-foot-4, 202-pound product remembers his first day in Vauxhall vividly.

In fact, it’s still one of his favourite baseball memories.

“It was a great, beautiful, sunny day out,” Nikkel said. “After all the tours and we got settled in, right there in my backyard is a baseball stadium.”

He says the Jets went out for batting practice almost immediately and all the jitters about moving a couple of provinces away came to a halt.

Nikkel credits the team’s coaching staff and his teammates for making the transition that much easier as the focus was really on developing as a ball player and as a human being.

“I think living on your own really makes you realize who you are as a person outside of baseball,” he said. “I also think being around all these guys – some of them are role models for me – they really do shape you as a person.”

The 18-year-old proceeded to be a powerhouse for Vauxhall, including hitting a combined .414 with two doubles, four roundtrippers, 10 RBIs and a 1.397 OPS during The Road to Okotoks Prairie Qualifiers and the Morneau Cup.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories June 2026 interview with Hudson Nikkel here.

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ROOM TO GROW

The ball kept jumping off Nikkel’s bat as he headed to Vancouver for the Canadian Futures Showcase.

He went 5-for-9 with four RBIs and a stolen base and also hit the tournament’s first home run in a 3-1 win over Team Grey.

“It feels great,” Nikkel said post-game. “I was just trying to get my first hit, put a good barrel on the ball, and I just got lucky there, I guess, and I’m grateful for that.”

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Hudson Nikkel at the Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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Nikkel also made his presence felt in the championship, driving a two-run single into right field in the third inning of Team New Blue’s 6-1 triumph over Team Royal.

It was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable year, which he still has to pinch himself about as it wasn’t that long ago he had made college baseball his only goal.

And now with his commitment, the outfielder plans to take full advantage of the opportunity by working even harder heading into his freshman season in a few months.

“Just getting stronger, maybe getting heavier, working out in the gym a lot,” Nikkel said of his offseason goals. “I think a lot of stuff will just come naturally with those things and eating right. I plan on coming back stronger in the spring.”

Just in time to put an exclamation mark on his short but storied time in Alberta.

November 10, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans Baseball Club, the defending Frontier League champions, have agreed to terms on a contract extension with left-handed pitcher Kaleb Hill for the upcoming 2027 National Association season.

Hill, 26, returns to Ottawa for his third season following an All-Star campaign in 2026. In 18 games (17 starts), the southpaw went 4-5 with a 5.26 ERA, logging a career-high 87 1/3 innings while walking 48 and striking out 63.

Named the Titans’ Opening Day starter in 2026, Hill led the club with seven quality starts, going six or more innings in eight of his starts. He allowed three runs or fewer in 11 appearances and delivered one of his strongest outings on June 11, tossing 7 2/3 quality innings against Brockton. Five days later, he recorded a season-high seven strikeouts in a victory over New Jersey.

In 2025, Hill posted a 6-3 record with a 3.61 ERA across 29 appearances (10 starts), striking out 60 and walking 40 over 72 1/3 innings. His six wins ranked fourth on the team, while his ERA was the fifth-best among Titans pitchers. Over his final three starts, Hill earned two victories while allowing just four runs (two earned) across 16 2/3 innings. In relief, he was called upon to record more than three outs on five occasions and held opponents scoreless in 12 appearances. He made an immediate impression in his Titans debut in Washington, striking out a career-high eight batters, before combining for 19 strikeouts over his first three starts.

A product of Pine Bluff, Ark., Hill joined the Titans off waivers from the Gateway Grizzlies late in Spring Training in 2025, following his professional debut the previous season. In 12 appearances with Gateway (five starts), Hill went 2-1 with a 6.32 ERA over 37 innings, striking out 27 and walking 28.

Hill played four seasons of collegiate baseball, beginning at the University of Mississippi (Oxford, Miss.) before spending two years at Charleston Southern University (Charleston, S.C.) and finishing his career at Georgia Gwinnett College (Lawrenceville, Ga.), where he played from 2019 to 2024. Across 62 collegiate appearances (32 starts), the 6-foot-4 left-hander compiled a 20-10 record with a 4.36 ERA, striking out 235 and walking 102 over 221 innings.

In other news, the Titans have announced additional roster moves:

Released LHP Max Maarleveld and RHP Christian Scafidi

The Ottawa Titans will open the 2027 National Association season on Friday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m., hosting the Trois-Rivières Aigles at Ottawa Stadium.

Originally published on November 9, 2017

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

He came home from the Second World War a hero, but pitching ace Phil Marchildon certainly didn’t feel like one.

Like so many brave men and women who have served their countries, Marchildon returned anguished by what he had experienced.

Yes, after acting as a tail-gunner in a Halifax bomber for 26 missions, he felt fortunate to have survived his aircraft being shot down, and the subsequent nine months in a German prison camp, but he was equally haunted by the deaths of his five crewmates.

After he returned to Toronto in the spring of 1945, he was jolted awake by nightmares, easily startled by noises and his hands, at times, shook involuntarily. Worst of all, when the Penetanguishene, Ont., native closed his eyes he sometimes saw the faces of his late crewmates.

Brian Kendall, who collaborated with Marchildon on his 1993 biography, Ace: Phil Marchildon, Canada’s Pitching Sensation and Wartime Hero, says the brave Canadian, who was the Philadelphia A’s top starter of the 1940s, almost certainly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“He had a tough war,” said Kendall in a phone interview. “He ended up in a prison camp, then on the Death March in the last days of the war, when the Germans were herding all of the POWs through Germany to prevent them from being retaken by the advancing Allies. So he had a very difficult war. And being a tail-gunner, those guys had very little chance of surviving and he almost didn’t survive and that just came back to haunt him.”

Marchildon would later say he never regretted his military service, but he couldn’t have envisioned the tragedies and hardships that he’d be forced to endure when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force after the 1942 major league season.

But life had never been easy for Marchildon and it rarely went as he expected. Born in Penetanguishene, Ont., on October 25, 1913, Marchildon was one of seven children (four girls and three boys) raised by Oliver and Elizabeth Marchildon. His father was a tinsmith and plumber and his family scraped by financially.

As a kid, Marchildon excelled at several sports, but he didn’t play organized baseball until he was in high school and he eventually pitched for the town’s senior team.

When he was 21, he accepted a job with International Nickel in Creighton Mines, Ont., near Sudbury, and he evolved into a standout pitcher on the company team that competed in the Nickel Belt League. Marchildon had no concept of how good he was, but he was encouraged to attend a tryout for the International League’s Toronto Maple Leafs club in Barrie, Ont., in July 1938. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out the side in both innings he pitched at the tryout and Leafs manager Dan Howley later tracked him down in Creighton Mines to sign him to a contract.

“Even as a young man, he had never imagined playing in the big leagues,” shared Kendall. “Even when he was a starter up in the northern leagues, he thought he was just a regular Joe from Penetang and he didn’t really know what he was going to do with his life . . . So it was all very uncalculating for him. He went to a tryout camp for the Maple Leafs and two years later he’s in the big leagues.”

At 25, Marchildon was old for a pitching prospect when he reported to the Leafs camp in 1939. The naive righty made the team and quickly impressed with his velocity but struggled with his control. He was demoted to the club’s class-C affiliate in Cornwall, where he won all six of his starts before being recalled by Toronto.

He was far more effective in 1940, when he won 10 games and posted a 3.18 ERA in 41 appearances. At the start of that campaign, the Leafs had formed a working agreement with Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s and Marchildon was called up by the A’s for the final two weeks of their season. In his first two major league appearances, Marchildon permitted eight runs and walked eight batters in 10 innings.

Fortunately, A’s pitching coach Earle Brucker worked closely with Marchildon on his delivery the following spring, and armed with more confidence, as well as his mid-90s fastball and potent curveball, the Canadian hurler proceeded to register 10 wins and post a 3.57 ERA, while tossing 14 complete games for the last-place A’s in 1941.

Marchildon continued his improvement in 1942, notching 17 victories for a team that only won 55 games. With Canada now firmly immersed in the Second World War, Marchildon returned to Toronto at the end of the season and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He was given options to remain in Canada during the war, but he declined, saying he didn’t want any special treatment.

“That really says a lot about Phil that he said, ‘No, I’m going to go with the boys,’” noted Kendall. “And he knew that the mortality rates in the Air Force were sky high, but he went and he didn’t have to.”

An eye test indicated that Marchildon had excellent vision and depth perception, so he was made a tail-gunner whose role was to defend against attacks from the rear of the aircraft.

Marchildon was assigned to a seven-man crew that would staff a Halifax bomber. After extensive training, they flew their first mission over France in January 1944.

On the crew’s 26th mission, they were flying over northern Germany in the early morning hours of August 17, 1944 when Marchildon heard a loud clang and saw that one of the aircraft’s engines was on fire. The crew’s captain gave orders to bail out.

Marchildon readied his parachute and leapt into the darkness from 17,000 feet not knowing where he was going to touch down. He was fortunate that his gear also included a life jacket when he landed in the Sea of Denmark, approximately 20 miles from shore. While in the water, he heard the voice of crewmate George Gill in the distance. He knew Gill couldn’t swim so he coached him to stay calm.

After they had been in the water for approximately four hours, they were rescued by two Danish fishermen who brought them to shore where German soldiers were waiting to take them captive. Marchildon was separated from Gill and assigned to the Stalag Luft III prison camp where he was served a steady diet of watered down soup and bread largely comprised of sawdust. In close to nine months in camp, Marchildon would lose 30 pounds.

Finally, on May 2, 1945, British soldiers liberated the prisoners, five days before the war officially ended.

Marchildon’s soon-to-be wife, Irene, was waiting for him at Union Station when he returned to Toronto. But the courageous Canadian’s nerves were frayed. He jumped at the noises of downtown Toronto and at night, he suffered terrible nightmares.

Almost immediately after he returned, Mack began contacting him asking him to return to the A’s. Marchildon ignored Mack at first because he knew he wasn’t in mental or physical condition to pitch, but he eventually relented and on August 29, 1945, Mack held Phil Marchildon Night at Shibe Park. In between the first and second game of a doubleheader, with over 19,000 fans in attendance, Marchildon was honoured for his war service.

“My nerves were so raw I felt almost sick with apprehension. I’d been on edge since my return. Sometimes I felt like picking up a brick and throwing it through a window,” wrote Marchildon in his biography.

As Marchildon was being feted that night, he found himself thinking about lost crewmates.

“There I was receiving the applause of over 19,000 fans when I could have just as easily died that night with them,” wrote Marchildon. “None of it made a lot of sense.”

The Canadian righty managed to pitch five innings and hold the Washington Senators to one run in the second game of the doubleheader.

Marchildon returned to his pre-war form in 1946 when he won 13 games and registered a 3.49 ERA in 36 appearances, which set the stage for his finest big league season in 1947. After hurling a complete-game six hitter against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the club’s home opener, Marchildon would finish the campaign with 19 wins (tied for second in the league) and a 3.22 ERA in 35 starts. He also tossed 21 complete games, which ranked fourth in the league, and was now being recognized as one of the American League’s best pitchers.

Marchildon went 5-2 to begin the 1948 season, but one day in late May while warming up, he suddenly felt numb and dizzy. He recounts in his biography that the next pitch he threw only travelled about 20 feet and he told catcher Buddy Rosar that he was going home. Marchildon felt a little better at home, but he was nervous and irritable and began chain-smoking. With little known about mental health in those days, the team doctor dismissed this as a virus.

Marchildon quickly returned to the A’s rotation and completed the season with a 9-15 record and a 4.53 ERA. When he was still feeling anxious that December, he checked himself into Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital where he underwent a full examination and was told that he was suffering from the after-effects of stress from the war.

“Those days they were still working on the terminology of the disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Kendall. “By that point, they were seeing all kinds of veterans with similar issues, but the guys who really saw the war, like Phil, and the front line soldiers, came back and a lot of them were messed up. But they never talked about it back then. You were supposed to just keep going.”

Marchildon was feeling calmer heading into the 1949 season, but after walking eight batters in his first start he felt a shooting pain in his arm. He tried to pitch through it, but would appear in just seven games and finish with a 11.81 ERA. In his biography, he wrote that he believes that, in hindsight, his rotator cuff was torn.

Prior to the 1950 campaign, the former ace was sold to triple-A Buffalo Bisons where he went winless and posted a 7.43 ERA in five starts prior to being released. Later that season he’d pitch one final big league game with the Boston Red Sox.

In 1951, he was invited to camp by the International League’s Maple Leafs, but he was cut loose before appearing in a contest.

With his professional pitching career over, he returned home to his wife, Irene, depressed. In his biography, he recounts how rather than look for work, he sat and brooded and drank beer. Friends set up job interviews and he didn’t show up for them. Finally, a friend helped him get a job as an expeditor at the aviation company that worked on the Avro Arrow fighter. He later worked for a business that manufactured hospital furniture until his retirement at age 65.

In 1976, he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Seven years later, he was one of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s inaugural inductees.

In his biography, he wrote that he believed the physical and mental toll the war took on him shortened his pitching career, but he never regretted his service.

“On a personal level, the war had forced me into most of the worst experiences of my life and cut three prime years out of my baseball career. Yet I’ve never regretted joining the RCAF or refusing the chance to stay behind in Canada,” he wrote. “Like most vets, I’m proud of having done my duty when called.”

Kendall, who became good friends with Marchildon, said the former ace kept in touch with Gill, his only surviving crewmate, and never forgot his other crewmates that had perished.

“He didn’t hesitate to talk about his crewmates,” said Kendall. “He had fond memories of their times together and he thought they were really great guys. He missed them.”

As a retiree, Marchildon lived with his wife, Irene, in a three-bedroom bungalow in Etobicoke, Ont., and remained a formidable athlete.

“Even in the last couple of years of his life before he got sick, I’d go outside and play catch with him on the streets, I know we did that for a publicity shot, and he was throwing curves and he still had real zip on his ball,” said Kendall. “He was not one of those old guys who you see throw out the ceremonial balls and they barely reach the plate, he would throw it with something on the ball. He still had some zip on it and that was when he was 80 years old.”

Marchildon died of prostate cancer on January 10, 1997 at the age of 83.

“He was proud of his record,” said Kendall. “He knew that winning 17 games for a last-place club (in 1942) and 19 for a fourth-place club (in 1947) was a helluva accomplishment. So I guess he’d like to be remembered as a guy who did his best and had success at the highest level, but he was also a modest fellow. As Phil would’ve said about one of his crewmates in the war, he’d like to be remembered as a ‘regular Canadian guy.’”

*Writer’s Note: I recently read Phil Marchildon’s biography, Ace: Phil Marchildon, Canada’s Pitching Sensation and Wartime Hero, which was co-written by Brian Kendall, for a third time. I consider this to be a must-read for Canadian baseball fans.

Looking to get some innings off the mound against the next level of competition?

Hoping to impress recruiters and scouts?

Well, the Brewers-Langley Blaze are looking for some arms for their March pro tour, March 15-25, 2027, when the BC-based club faces college and pro teams in Arizona.

That would be the defending World Series champion Brewers.

Roughly 27 games are scheduled over an 11-day trip.

So plenty of good arms are needed for the Blaze, coached by Doug Mathieson and Jamie Bodaly.

Apply to email langleyblaze@yahoo.com with a video and info.

* * *

Previous Langley drafts

Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), Cole Dorland (Langley, BC), Connor Caskenette (Duncan, BC), Jonny McGill (Richmond, BC), Will Zeilinski (Victoria, BC). Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.). Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), Josiah Romero (Caledon, Ont.), Adam Maier (Vancouver, BC) and Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.).

Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge BC),, Noah Takacs (Victoria, BC), Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, Alta.), Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), Sam Shaw (Victoria, BC), Reid Clague (Victoria, BC), Kason Siguenza (Abbotsford, BC), Connor Dykstra (Chilliwack, BC), Shane Brinham (Vancouver, BC), Micah Buckham (Abbotsford, BC), Tim Piasentin (Maple Ridge, BC) and Antoine Jean (Montreal, Que.).

Tyrelle Chadwick (Burnaby, BC). Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.), Eli Saul (Vancouver, BC), Jacob Zibin (Langley, BC), Nate Ochia (Burlington, Ont.), Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.), David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.), Calvin Ziegler (Kitchener, Ont.). Jordan Marks (Sarnia, Ont.) and Adam Shoemaker (Cambridge, Ont.).

Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC), Conor Angel (Pointe-Claire, Que.), Dominic Hambley (Victoria, BC). Adam Mckillican (Comox, BC), Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.), Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (Oakville, Ont.), Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, BC), Matt Lloyd (Calgary, Alta.), Indigo Diaz (North Vancouver, BC) and Owen Diodati (Niagata Falls, Ont.).

Jason Willow (North Vancouver, BC), Ryan Leitch (Whitby, Ont.), Jaden Brown (Mississauga, Ont.), Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.), Mitch Robinson (Surrey, BC), Ben Onyshko (Winnipeg, Man.), David Rhodes (Surrey, BC), Ben Abram (Acton, Ont.), Landon Leach (Toronto, Ont.) and Adam Hall (London, Ont.).

Rhys Cratty (Surrey, BC), Clayton Keyes (Calgary, Alta.), JD Osborne (Oshawa, Ont.), Andrew Yerzy (Toronto, Ont.), Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.), Alex Webb (Surrey, BC), Jacob Polancic (Abbotsford, BC), Louis-Phillipe Pelletier (Montreal, Que.), Matt Jones (Whitby, Ont.) and Will Sierra (Montreal. Que.).

Tyler Duncan (Sooke, BC), Tristan Clarke (Brampton, Ont.), Brayden Bouchey (Vancouver, BC), Carter Loewen (Abbotsford, BC), J.D. Williams (Toronto, Ont.), Darren Shred (Brampton, Ont.), Marc-Andre Berube (Terrebonne, Que.), Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, Ont.), Devon Stewart (Maple Ridge, Ont.), Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.) and Demi Orimoloye (Ottawa, Ont.).

Jeff Degano (Surrey, BC), Miles Gordon (Oakville, Ont.), Robert Byckowski (Toronto, Ont.), Kurtis Horne (Sooke, BC), Austen Swift (Etobicoke, Ont.), Julian Service (Whitby, Ont.), Cody Chartrand (Nanaimo, BC), Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.), Gareth Morgan (North York, Ont.) and Malik Collymore (Misissauga, Ont.).

Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC),. Lachlan Fontaine (North Vancouver, BC), Travis Seabrooke (Peterborough, Ont.), Morgan Lofstrom (Nelson, BC), Kurtis Kostuk (Abbotssford, BC), Dylan Brooks (Dorchester, Ont.), David Otterman)Vancouver, BC), Jeff Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.), Shane Dawson (Drayton Valley, Alta.), Dayton Dawe (London, Ont.) and Johnny Caputo (Etobicoke, Ont.),

Keaton Briscoe (North Vancouver, BC), Eric Wood (Ajax, Ont.), Fernando Fernandez-Beltran (Chateauguay, Que.), Logan Seifrit (Edmonton, Alta.), Damion Smith (Windsor, Ont.), Dustin Houle (Penticton, BC), Vaughn Covington (Burnaby, BC), Chase Larsson (Vancouver, BC) and Nic Cuckovic (Victoria, BC).

Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC), Ethan Elias (Evansburg, Alta.), Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC), Ben Dartnell (East St. Paul, Man.), Skylar Janisse (Cambridge, Ont.), Cory Scammell (Edmonton, Alta.), Les Williams (Toronto, Ont.), Jalen Harris (Toronto, Ont.), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Marcus Knecht (Toronto, Ont.).

Steve McKinnon (Duncan, BC), Jake Eliopoulos (Toronto, Ont.), Joel Pierce (Windsor, Ont.), Brandon Dailey (Brantford, Ont.), Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC), Travis Nevakshonoff (Langley, BC), Ethan Stewart (Campbell Rivers, BC), Kelly Norris-Jones (Victoria, BC), Wes Darvill (Langley, BC) and Chad Stang (Surrey, BC).

David Narodowski (Vancouver, BC), Jon Hesketh (Langley, BC), Terrence Dayleg (Burnaby, BC), Mike Monster (Kelowna, BC), Colin Kleven (Kamloops, BC), David Kington (Coquitlam, BC), Bobby Wagner (Port Coquitlam, BC), Rory Young (Chase, BC), Brooklyn Foster (Langley, BC) and Andrew Ruck (Whitby, Ont.).

Stosh Wawrzasek (Burnaby, BC), Michael Crouse (New Westminster, BC), Mitchell Delaney (LaSalle, Ont.), Michael Gosse (Pitt Meadows, BC), Justin Betts-Robinson (Langley, BC), Kyle Lotzkar (Langley, BC), Mitch Hodge (Vancouver, BC), Evan Hildenbrandt (Surrey, BC), Colin Buckborough (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and Thomas Mabee (Victoria, BC).

Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), . Ryan Jensen (Vancouver, BC), Cody Phipps (Round Hill, Alta.), Kyle Haas (Prince George, BC), Kyle Orr (New Westminster, BC), Jonathan Waltenbury (Whitby, Ont.), Shayne Willson (Surrey, BC), Tyson Gillies (Langley, BC), Jordan Lennerton (Langley, BC) and Denver Wynn (Kamloops, BC).

Paul Wourms (Kamloops, BC), Phillipe-Alexandre Valiquette (Montreal, Que.), Adam Parliament (Penticton, BC), Morgan Brinson (Victoria, BC), Chris Lemay (Langley, BC), Lyall Foran (Ladner, BC), Evan Bailey (Kamloops, BC), Ryan Lennerton (Langley, BC) and Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.).

November 10, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Carson Lumley thought he had his whole career ahead of him.

The hard-throwing right-hander was catching people’s attention with his two-way talent in high school with the London Badgers.

But, after experiencing issues with his elbow during his Grade 11 year, it was discovered he needed to go under the knife for Tommy John surgery. A disappointment and setback, but a procedure that rarely results in limiting a player’s trajectory outside the initial rehab time.

It didn’t take long for Lumley (London, Ont.) to get his career back on track when he returned, either, as he earned an invite to play for the Junior National Team the following spring.

A commitment to Bowling Green State University followed, a logical next step for any high schooler with eyes on professional baseball.

Everything was going to plan, until he got on the field during his freshman year.

“I was dealing with a little bit of shoulder stuff right away,” Lumley said. “I felt decent in the fall. Spring came around, felt good. I started dealing with some shoulder stuff again and I got to a point where they shut me down.”

Then, during the summer while rehabbing and playing in a local league, he dove for a ball in the outfield, landing on his shoulder.

“Right away, I threw the ball home and felt okay” Lumley said. “As the days went on, I couldn’t throw a ball anymore. I got it checked out and the doctor told me I had a torn labrum, rotator cuff, dislocated shoulder and cartilage issues. That took me out for about a full year.”

Just like that, his sophomore season was over before it started.

Fast forward to the following summer, Lumley was on the mound again feeling good ahead of his junior year. Back on campus, he impressed the Falcons coaching staff through the fall and early new year working two to three innings at a time.

Certainly this was the opportunity he was waiting for, a healthy season to finally show his coaches and scouts what he was capable of.

“I started feeling some pain in my back,” he said. “I had to get an MRI for it and I had a stress fracture. Originally I was told it could be six to eight weeks, or it could be the entire season.”

It was the entire season.

Lumley credits the BGSU coaches for sticking with him, recognizing both the heartache and work he was putting in to get back on the field and live up to the potential they all saw.

The positive was his arm had time to heal while he took care of his back. It resulted in him getting up to 95 miles per hour with his fastball.

A clean fall and preseason led to him making an appearance at Georgia Tech last February.

“My second batter I felt a little pop in my shoulder,” Lumley said. “I got an MRI on it and they told me I had a torn labrum. That was my college career.”

Over four years, he threw 2/3 of an inning.

No one would have blamed him if he put the game behind him. All the dedication and hard work for such a cruel result would’ve been too much to handle for many.

Not Lumley, though.

“It was tough for sure, dealing with injury after injury and every single rehab I worked extremely hard,” he said. “Every one was mentally pretty tough. It was tough to deal with but it really showed me a lot about myself and how I dealt with adversity.”

Now, he’s trying to impart that wisdom on the next generation of Canadian high school players as a coach with the Badgers.

Sitting in the dugout or stands isn’t where any college player wants to be, but it too had its benefits as he now embarks on his coaching career.

“I’ve seen a lot,” he said. “The last four years I had a lot of time to observe and see what’s going on. It helped me pick things up, observing plays. The mental side, too, I think I bring a lot to the table.”

Despite all the injuries, Lumley still hasn’t completely closed the door on getting back on the field as a player. Fully healed, he’s been throwing and feeling good, but is okay with letting the future play out as it will.

Regardless of what his career holds, he’s now equipped with a new perspective and story he’s happy to share.

“Everything happens for a reason, everything happens how it’s supposed to,” he said. “Don’t look at the future too much, be where your heads at. Worry about the task at hand. I don’t know yet what my future holds, but I know baseball is going to be a part of it.”

November 10, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced Tuesday the re-signing of Canadian catcher Raphaël Pelletier for the 2027 American Association season.

Pelletier enjoyed a productive first professional season with the Goldeyes in 2026, batting .290 with 12 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 34 runs batted in in 67 games. The left-handed hitter scored 39 runs, drew 34 walks, and posted a .400 on-base percentage and .811 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

The 24-year-old Repentigny, Québec native recorded 62 hits in 214 at-bats and helped Winnipeg finish with a 54-46 record and qualify for the post-season for the second time in three years.

“It’s great news that we’ll have Raph back for 2027,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “It’s rare for a true rookie to come into this league and have immediate success, but Raph not only held his own, he developed into one of the league’s top catchers. He has the potential to be a major contributor for us in 2027, and I’m looking forward to seeing him take another step forward.”

Pelletier was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of École Secondaire Édouard-Montpetit in Montréal, Québec.

He attended Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.) from 2022 to 2024 and the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky) in 2025. In 173 collegiate games, Pelletier batted .224 with 20 doubles, 19 home runs, and 70 runs batted in. He earned All-Big 12 Honourable Mention recognition in both 2023 and 2024 while at Kansas State.

Before joining the Goldeyes, Pelletier appeared in 11 games for the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League in 2025, batting .243 with two home runs and four RBIs.

A former member of the Junior National Team, Pelletier represented his country at the 2018 Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) U-18 Pan-American Championships, earning a bronze medal.

Winnipeg now has two players under contract for the 2027 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 33 players during spring training, which begins April 25.

2027 Winnipeg Goldeyes Player Signings

C Raphaël Pelletier

RHP Ryder Yakel

The Goldeyes will open their 2027 American Association schedule Friday, May 7 against the Kansas City Monarchs. The Home Opener at Blue Cross Park is scheduled for Friday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. against the Sioux City Explorers and will feature the first of nine Fireworks Fridays.

November 9, 2026

Baseball Canada

CHARLOTTETOWN - Baseball Canada is thrilled to honour its 2026 national award winners who were honoured at the Baseball Canada Fall Convention hosted by Baseball PEI.

Baseball Canada Volunteer of the Year Award - BOB DOYLE (Sherwood, Prince Edward Island)

For more than a decade, Bob Doyle has been a driving force behind minor baseball on Prince Edward Island.

As President of Sherwood-Parkdale Minor Baseball, Bob has helped build a thriving association, creating opportunities for young players while supporting the coaches, umpires and volunteers who make the game possible.

His contributions extend well beyond his home association. As a Director with Baseball PEI and Commissioner of the province's 46-team 9U league, Bob dedicates countless hours to scheduling, league operations and supporting baseball across the Island. He also contributes to provincial rules and discipline committees and has coached at both the community and high-performance levels.

Those who know Bob describe him as the lifeblood of Sherwood-Parkdale Minor Baseball. Whether welcoming new volunteers, mentoring coaches, solving problems or simply doing whatever needs to be done, Bob leads with integrity, fairness and an unwavering commitment to the game.

His impact is measured not only in championships and successful programs, but in the people he's supported and the stronger baseball community he's helped build.

Lionel Ruhr Elite Coach of the Year Award - BLAINE FORTIN (Lundar, Manitoba)

In 2026, Blaine guided Team Manitoba's 16U girls through a challenging season marked by significant injuries, ultimately leading the team to a bronze medal at the National Championships in Moncton - Manitoba's first medal at the event since 2017.

Known for his compassion and genuine care for his athletes, he places equal importance on their well-being, confidence and personal development.

Whether supporting an injured player through a difficult recovery, introducing mental performance training or mentoring the next generation of women coaches, Blaine consistently goes above and beyond.

His positivity, patience and commitment have made a lasting impact on athletes, families and coaches throughout the Team Manitoba community.

2026 Baseball Canada Lifelong Coaching Award - ORV FRANCHUK (St. Albert, Alberta)

With a coaching career spanning decades, Orv has worked with several Major League organizations, including the Boston Red Sox, where he earned a World Series ring as part of their historic 2004 championship season.

He has represented Canada internationally on multiple occasions and guided the Edmonton Capitals to a professional championship in 2011.

But perhaps Orv's greatest contribution to baseball is what he continues to give back.

Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Orv can still be found on local baseball diamonds in Alberta, sharing his knowledge with young athletes and mentoring developing coaches.

In St. Albert, he remains an invaluable resource for players and coaches alike, generously sharing decades of professional experience.

And in 2026, Orv served as an assistant coach with Team Alberta at the Baseball Canada Cup, helping the province capture a bronze medal.

What makes Orv special is that, after achieving success at the highest levels of baseball, he has never stopped teaching, mentoring or learning.

His legacy isn't simply the championships he's won. It's the knowledge he's passed along and the countless people he's helped become better at the game.

Dick Willis Memorial Award for Umpire of the Year - ADAM DE CAIRE (Mississauga, ON)

In 2026, Adam De Caire demonstrated excellence at every level of the game.

As Umpire-in-Chief of the Central Ontario Baseball Association, Adam provided leadership across 10 associations while overseeing Level 3 umpire education for approximately 900 Ontario officials.

His commitment to mentorship helped five officials earn invitations to Baseball Canada's National Umpire Program, while his #NoUmpireNoGame campaign promoted greater respect for officials.

In April 2026, he represented Canada internationally in Puerto Rico for a WBSC Americas women’s baseball qualifying series, and in August earned the home plate assignment for the gold medal game at Baseball Canada's Men's Championship.

Through his dedication to education, mentorship and officiating excellence, Adam continues to strengthen umpiring across Canada.

2026 Baseball Canada Lifelong Umpiring Award - RON SHEWCHUCK (Minnedosa, Manitoba) & ED QUINLAN (Brighton, Ontario)

For more than four decades, Ron Shewchuk has dedicated himself to the game of baseball, building an extraordinary career as an umpire, instructor, supervisor and mentor.

From professional baseball to the international stage, Ron has officiated more than 900 professional games, worked the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the 2015 Pan American Games and numerous World Championships.

Closer to home, he's attended more than 50 Baseball Canada National Championships as an umpire or supervisor, working 13 gold medal games along the way.

And in 2026, Ron showed no signs of slowing down.

He served as crew chief at both the inaugural Road to Okotoks tournament and the Men's National Championship in Miramichi, earning championship game assignments at both events. He also continued officiating in the Western Canadian Baseball League, while mentoring and developing the next generation of Canadian umpires.

Beyond the field, Ron has played a leading role in Baseball Canada's national umpire development programs, sharing his knowledge and experience with officials across the country.

A member of the Baseball Manitoba Hall of Fame, Ron is respected not only for his accomplishments, but for the countless relationships he's built along the way.

For more than 30 years, Ed Quinlan has been a driving force in the development of umpiring across Canada.

Beginning his umpiring career in Scarborough in the early 1990s, Ed quickly established himself as an outstanding official, working four National Championships, including two Canada Games, before earning an international assignment at the 2003 World Youth Championship.

But Ed's greatest legacy would come through his dedication to developing others.

As Ontario's Supervisor of Umpires from 2001 to 2015, Ed made the selfless decision to step away from national and international assignments to focus on mentorship and creating opportunities for the next generation.

He served on Baseball Canada's Umpires Committee for more than two decades, helping transform the national supervision and evaluation program into a competency-based system that continues to guide umpire development today.

His leadership extended well beyond Ontario, building partnerships and sharing training resources with provinces across the country.

Ed also served as President of the Ontario Baseball Association from 2019 to 2026, while remaining a passionate advocate for Canadian umpiring.

Respected for his knowledge, dedication and willingness to challenge others to improve, Ed has helped shape the standard of umpire education and evaluation in Canada.

Province of the Year Award - NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR and SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan is now an 11-time winner of the Province of the Year award while Newfoundland and Labrador are first-time recipients! Both provinces achieved high marks in the membership category while Saskatchewan led all provinces in program delivery with Newfoundland and Labrador leading in coach development. Additional highlights included both provinces placing players on Baseball Canada national teams.

October 29, 2026

The Blue Jays Baseball Academy has released their lists of leaders in several statistical categories from Scout Day at the Canadian Futures Showcase held at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver on September 17.

Here’s a summary:

*All images courtesy of Blue Jays Academy

November 9, 2026

By Patrick Kennedy

Canadian Baseball Network

Like all long-in-the-tooth pitchers, Kazimierz “Kaz” Gora, an aging righthander, still believes in his 'stuff,' an arsenal spotlighted by his ability to throw strikes with maddening consistency, complete with spin rates, changing speeds, locations and, yes, altitudes.

Kaz's game is slo-pitch, and he's more than a tad passionate about it. Up until last year he played year-round. He may do so yet again, if the stars line up and his health holds up.

“Playing slo-pitch keeps me young,” explains Kaz, who's as comfortable on a ball diamond as Chuvalo in a ring, Astaire in tap shoes.

He plays his sport with a competitive spirit and boyish-like enthusiasm that belie his age – which is around that time in life when most men start checking out – or into– a suitable rest home.

“I've never seen Kaz walk anyone,” says Bill Grimmett, a retired lawyer and local slo-pitch teammate. “He's incredibly dedicated, especially considering all his medical issues. Sometimes he'll come to a game straight from the hospital.”

Before I can even ask anything, Kaz commences the interview by delivering a detailed breakdown of his pitches, complete with the inside scoop on the different grips he uses. I'm skeptical. Although unfamiliar with the sport, I always assumed it featured only one kind of pitch – the lob. Stupid me.

Not so, Kaz points out.

“I got my four-seamer, my two-seamer, my slider, and of course my curveball, which is a good one,” he says. “Down in Florida, that curveball earned me the name Dr. Hook.”

'Dr. Hook' turned 80 this past summer. More than a hundred people turned out for the new octogenarian's birthday bash at Legion 560, among them a crew from the local senior slo-pitch loop that Kaz and Mike Grosney formed more than a decade ago and which today features an over-60 travel team. (Guess who's the 'ace' of the staff?)

“Kaz loves the game and lives to play it,” says teammate Eric McLean, who runs the senior travel team. “He's also a great organizer for tournaments and other things. Kaz once organized a slo-pitch tournament years ago that had about 100 teams and used almost every ball diamond in the city.”

That was an unlikely feat for someone who was born in 1946 in German labour camp that had not yet been liberated by the Allies following World War II. His parents, Edward and Dominica, were captured during the war in their native Poland and placed in the camp. Kaz was the first of the couple's seven children.

“The work camp was located close to a munitions factory,” Kaz says. “I remember my parents saying that towards the end of the war, the Americans bombed the factory during the day and the British bombed it at night.”

Three days after Christmas in 1948, the toddler and his mother arrived at Halifax's Pier 21 after a seven-day transatlantic voyage aboard the converted troop ship SS Marine Jumper.

Kaz learned and honed his organizational skills during his 25-career at the busy old Alcan plant here in Kingston.

“When I started in 1965, Alcan had about 3,500 employees,” says Kaz, whose duties also included setting up sports teams and leagues.

“Our in-plant softball league, alone, had 16 teams,” he recalls.

After retiring from Alcan, he started Kingston Fishing Guide Charters Inc., taking anglers on half- and full-day outings as well as evening charters on the lake. The winner of the 1996 Loyalist Fishing Derby landed his prize catch while fishing from Kaz's boat.

Kaz's forte is collection – namely: prizes and gifts to be handed out after tournaments. He's pleasant, polite, persistent, and charmingly persuasive when making the rounds of local businesses and sponsors to solicit goods for post-tournament prizes.

“When Kaz walks into a grocery store or a car dealership, managers hide in their office and lock the door,” quips McLean.

Kaz's secret? “I don't give up,” he says with an impish grin.

Maybe not, but he may have to give up year-round slo-pitch, something he did for 26 years before sitting out last season due to concerns over venturing south of the 49th while the current U.S. administration is running the show.

“The way those ICE guys are rounding up people, who knows? I could end up in Venezuela,” says Kaz.

During his winters in Florida, Kaz played in two and sometimes three different leagues, pitching on average 10 seven-inning games a week.

“If you play in two leagues, that ties up five days a week right there. Slo-pitch keeps you busy,” he says, quoting a golden rule of retirement.

While wintering in the Florida panhandle, he spent some memorable years as a member of the legendary Kids & Kubs Senior Softball Club in St. Petersburg. Kaz took home the MVP President's Cup following his most recent season, the 2025 campaign that also celebrated the 95th anniversary of the renowned ballclub that began in 1930 as the Three Quarter Century Softball Club, so named for the mandatory minimum age of the players. An estimated half-million fans have watched the team play over the decades. In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, big leaguers such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Phil Rizzuto, Lefty Gomez and several other Yankees – St. Petersburg was New York's spring training home – occasionally took in games in support of a charity. Kaz's mustachioed mug is pictured inside the team's 95th season pamphlet while the cover features a 1933 photo of the Bambino in his Yankees uniform holding court with the old ballplayers.

As for whether he'll rejoin the K&K club's this winter, Kaz is undecided. First and foremost he needs his health to cooperate, “then we'll see,” he says.

“They think I might have colon cancer now, so I'll have to get that fixed before I do anything,” says Kaz, who in the past has gone toe-to-toe with prostate cancer and undergone triple-bypass surgery.

Eighty years after drawing his first breath in a German labour camp, Kaz continues to loft his array of arching, spinning spheres, although these days it's from behind a protective screen. He remembers all too well the days when a screen wasn't always available and his only protection against screaming line drives from a few dozen feet away was a glove and his own quick reflexes, which sometimes weren't quick enough.

“I've been nailed plenty of times,” Kaz says, recalling one painful clothesline drive in 2002. “I took a liner right in the chest, that one stung a bit.”

There may be one other factor driving Dr. Hook's longevity and success.

“I pitch nasty,” he admits with a game face, channelling his inner Don Drysdale. “I'm a very competitive person who likes to win, and sometimes you just have to pitch mean.”

“Pitch mean” in slo-pitch? Maybe the ageless lobballer is on to something. Drysdale would certainly approve. It was ol' Double-D who once stated that he'd knock down his own grandmother "only if she was crowding the plate."

Patrick Kennedy is a retired Whig-Standard reporter. He can be reached at pjckennedy35@gmail.com

November 8, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Smith named AL Reliever of the Year finalist

On Monday, Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) was named a finalist for the American League Reliever of the Year award.

The 27-year-old right-hander is up against Toronto Blue Jays closer Louis Varland and Tampa Bay Rays stopper Bryan Baker.

In his first full season as the Guardians’ closer, Smith registered 41 saves, which tied him with Baker for the most in the majors. That also made him just the third Canadian to register 40 saves in an MLB season (Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) and John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) are the other two).

In his dominant 2026 season, Smith went 6-1 with a 1.95 ERA and fanned 107 batters in 74 innings and finished with a 2.9 bWAR (Baseball Reference WAR). He also topped the American League in games finished (60) and was named the American League Reliever of the Month for September.

He continued to be overpowering in the postseason, posting a 2.38 ERA and fanning 14 in 11-1/3 innings in nine appearances. For his efforts, he was selected to pitch in his first MLB All-Star Game and was named to the MLB All-Postseason Team.

Peters named AL Silver Slugger Award finalist

On Thursday, Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) was named an American League Silver Slugger Award finalist.

In his first full big league season, Peters batted .265 with 12 home runs, 31 doubles and a .437 slugging percentage in 156 games. He also finished with 116 hits, 56 RBIs, eight stolen bases and a 3.6 bWAR.

On July 10, he became just the second Canadian major leaguer since 1900 to hit for the cycle (George Kottaras (Scarborough, Ont.) did it for the Milwaukee Brewers on September 3, 2011). On August 22, Peters began a streak in which he homered in five straight games.

Peters continued his solid hitting in the postseason, batting .286 with a .348 on-base percentage in seven contests. For his performance this season, he was named to Baseball America’s MLB All-Rookie Team and MLB Pipeline’s All-Rookie First Team.

Lopez named NL Silver Slugger Award finalist

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez has been named a National League Silver Slugger Award finalist.

Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal, topped all major leaguers with 191 hits in 2026. He also finished third in the National League with a .305 batting average and tied for third with nine triples. His 6.1 bWAR was fourth among NL position players.

Lopez, who suited up for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, was also selected to his first MLB All-Star Game.

Soroka declines 2027 option with D-Backs

Right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) declined his mutual $10-million option with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2027 season.

The veteran righty is now a free agent.

In 2026, Soroka went 9-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) for the Diamondbacks. He struck out 114 batters in 116 innings and completed the campaign with a 2.2 bWAR.

On March 31, in his first regular season start with the D-Backs, he threw an immaculate inning against the Detroit Tigers, striking out Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres on nine pitches in the fifth inning. This made him just the third Canadian to throw an immaculate inning in the big leagues, joining Rich Harden (Victoria, B.C.) who did it with the A’s on June 8, 2008 and Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) who completed the feat with the Marlins on May 18, 2025.

Soroka also made two starts for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, posting a 4.76 ERA in 5-2/3 innings.

Bay won NL Rookie of Year Award 22 years ago today

It was 22 years ago today that Jason Bay (Trail, B.C.) became the first – and still only – Canadian to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

After making his big league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2003, Bay was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He assumed starting left field duties for the club on May 7, 2004 and never looked back, hitting .282 and belting 26 home runs in 120 games in that rookie season.

The closest another Canuck has come to winning the National League’s top rookie award was in 2019 when Soroka, then with the Braves, finished second to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso in the voting.

Giants decline Wick’s option

The San Francisco Giants have declined right-hander Rowan Wick‘s $800,000 option for the 2027 season. He’ll receive a $100,000 buyout from the club.

The Giants signed Wick (North Vancouver, B.C.) prior to the 2026 season, knowing he was going to miss the campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

In 2025, Wick enjoyed a dominant season with the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japan Central League in which he went 4-1 with a 0.84 ERA in 40 appearances. He fanned 49 batters in 42-2/3 innings. It was his second straight excellent season with the Bay Stars.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander, who will turn 34 tomorrow, last pitched in the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 2022 when he registered a 4.22 ERA in 64 relief appearances.

In total, the Junior National Team grad has toed the rubber in parts of five big league seasons with the San Diego Padres and Cubs.

Remembering Roy Halladay

It still hurts to type this, but it was nine years ago yesterday that Roy Halladay died at the age of 40.

Just five months prior to his death, he delivered a hilarious and self-deprecating speech at his Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in St. Marys, Ont. It was a side of the ultra-intense Halladay that I had never seen. And sadly, it was one of – if not his last – public appearance before his death. You can watch the speech by clicking on the link below.

Flewelling named Arizona Fall League All-Star

Tampa Bay Rays catching prospect Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) has been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game that will take place today in Scottsdale, Ariz.

In 21 games with the Scottsdale Scorpions over the past month, Flewelling is batting .295 with a .409 on-base percentage. He has 23 hits, eight runs and four stolen bases.

This strong performance comes on the heels of an excellent regular season that saw him named the MVP of the Rays’ High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods. Flewelling played the entire season with the Hot Rods, putting together a .243/.364/.452 slash line in 106 games. He topped the team with 71 walks and his 21 home runs were the second-most on the club.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound slugger has suited up for two seasons in the Rays’ organization after being chosen in the third round of the 2024 MLB draft by them.

Romano moved up all-time Canadian MLB saves list

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame recently sent out a list of notable accomplishments by Canadians in the majors in 2026. One thing I forgot to note in this column that was on the Hall’s list is that with 15 saves this season, Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) moved into third place on the all-time Canadian MLB saves list.

Romano now has 128 career MLB saves, which catapulted him past longtime Detroit Tigers reliever John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.) into third place. He trails only Gagne (187 saves) and Axford (144 saves).

After a rough start to the season as the closer of the Los Angeles Angels, Romano landed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies and worked his way back to the majors. In 27 appearances for the Rockies, the 33-year-old righty posted a 4.21 ERA and registered 11 saves and fanned 27 batters in 25-2/3 innings. He also had four saves with the Angels earlier in the season.

Remembering Joe Nossek

One of my favourite interviews was with longtime Chicago White Sox coach Joe Nossek back in 2013.

He would’ve turned 86 today. He passed away in February.

Nossek had a six-year big league career, and also suited up for the triple-A Vancouver Mounties in 1968. The affable Ohio native ranked his performance in a game with the Mounties on September 7, 1968 at Capilano Stadium as one of the most memorable of his career.

“Mickey Vernon was our manager in Vancouver and I talked him into letting me pitch the second-last game of the season,” recalled Nossek, then a fleet-footed, 27-year-old centre fielder who hadn’t pitched since high school. “It was a doubleheader that day, so it was only seven innings, but I ended up pitching a complete game and we won 5-1. I remember I struck out two guys in the first inning and then I couldn’t lift my arm when I went out for the second inning. But I did make it through the game, but I got a whole new appreciation for pitchers and what it takes for them to get in shape.”

It should be noted that the Hawaii Islanders, Nossek’s opponent that day, were in second place in the Pacific Coast League’s West Division. The Mounties, on the other hand, were destined for a last-place finish. That contest was one of the few bright spots for Nossek and his Mounties teammates on the field that season. Despite having six players – Tony La Russa, Steve Boros, Dave Duncan, Marcel Lachemann, Rene Lachemann and Nossek himself – that would go on to enjoy successful big league managerial and coaching careers, the team limped to a 58-88 record.

“We had a smart team, but we sure didn’t play very well,” said Nossek. “I guess it’s like they say, ‘If you can’t play it, coach it.”

In all, Nossek spent 43 seasons in professional baseball as a player, manager and coach.

November 6, 2026

Official Niagara Ironbacks News Release

The Niagara Ironbacks are excited to announce Eric Marriott as our assistant general manager.

Marriott (Niagara Falls, Ont.) brings a wealth of baseball experience, both on and off the field. His playing career includes stops at Erie Community College, Mitchell College and with the Welland Jackfish.

His experience in the game extends well beyond his playing days. He previously served as manager of the Moose Jaw Miller Express and currently holds the roles of director of scouting with the Welland Jackfish and hitting coach of the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League.

From the collegiate level to summer collegiate baseball and professional baseball, he brings a valuable combination of experience, knowledge and perspective to our front office.

November 6, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced Friday the signing of right-handed relief pitcher Ryder Yakel, who returns to the club after spending the 2026 season with the Cleburne Railroaders and the Mexican League’s Piratas de Campeche.

Yakel appeared in 34 games for Cleburne in 2026, compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.67 earned run average and 10 saves. The 29-year-old struck out 39 batters while walking just 10 in 34 1/3 innings of work. He also made 11 appearances for Campeche, recording one save and 10 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.

The Garden City, Kansas native previously spent two seasons with Winnipeg, establishing himself as a dependable member of the Goldeyes' pitching staff. In 2025, Yakel posted a 2-5 record with a 2.70 ERA and eight saves in 43 appearances, striking out 82 batters while issuing just 11 walks in 66 2/3 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was an impressive 7.45, and he was selected to represent Winnipeg at the 2025 American Association All-Star Game.

Originally acquired from the Frontier League's New York Boulders in March 2024, Yakel went 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA and two saves in his first season with the Goldeyes. He appeared in 31 games, including six spot starts, and struck out 82 batters in 65 2/3 innings.

Following the 2025 campaign, Yakel signed with Campeche in December. Winnipeg subsequently traded his American Association reversionary rights to Cleburne on May 17 in exchange for a player to be named later. He became a free agent following the Railroaders' departure from the American Association to join the National Association of Professional Baseball for the 2027 season.

Yakel has recorded 164 strikeouts in 132 1/3 innings over his two seasons with Winnipeg, compiling a 4-8 record with a 3.13 ERA and 10 saves in 74 appearances.

“It's great news for us that Ryder has decided to return to Winnipeg,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “He was an integral part of our pitching staff in 2024 and 2025, and we expect him to be one of our go-to relievers in high-leverage situations this coming season. We're excited to have him back.”

A product of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, Yakel was named the Great American Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2021. He began his professional career with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League later that year and subsequently pitched for the Joliet Slammers and New York Boulders before joining Winnipeg.

In a second transaction, the Goldeyes have acquired Canadian outfielder Taylor Wright from the Ottawa Titans of the National Association in exchange for a player to be named later.

Wright, 29, spent five seasons with Ottawa, batting .256 with 65 doubles, 42 home runs, 206 runs batted in, and 94 stolen bases in 361 games. The left-handed hitter enjoyed a career year in 2026, establishing personal bests with 18 home runs and 71 RBIs while helping the Titans capture their first Frontier League championship. A versatile player who has seen action in both the outfield and infield, Wright also made 27 pitching appearances for Ottawa, including seven starts.

A native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Wright played two seasons at the University of Maryland, where he batted .290 and established a school single-season record with 20 doubles in 2019. He began his professional career with Ottawa in 2022 and also played for the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League that season, helping the club win its second consecutive championship. Wright was named the Frontier League's Player of the Week in July 2023.

The Goldeyes will open their 2027 American Association home schedule at Blue Cross Park on Friday, May 14 against the Sioux City Explorers.

November 5, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans are thrilled to announce that hitting coach Rodrigo Orozco has accepted a MiLB hitting coach position in the Dominican Republic with the Atlanta Braves organization.

Under Orozco’s guidance, the Titans enjoyed one of the most productive offensive seasons in franchise history, recording 99 home runs, 647 runs scored, 523 walks, 155 stolen bases and a .382 on-base percentage. For the first time in franchise history, four players hit at least 10 home runs, while five stole 15 or more bases. Several veterans and former teammates emerged as major offensive threats, led by AJ Wright, who drove in a career-high 80 runs while setting a personal best with 25 doubles and matching his career high with 14 home runs. Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) also enjoyed a career year, belting a personal-best 18 home runs, driving in 71 runs and setting a new franchise single-season record with 38 stolen bases. Jackie Urbaez added another career-high with 12 home runs while swiping 19 bases.

The former Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres farmhand transitioned into coaching with a wealth of experience, having competed across multiple levels of professional baseball. Over 718 career games, Orozco posted a .279 batting average, establishing himself as a consistent offensive performer throughout his decade-long playing career.

A native of Panama, Orozco signed with the Blue Jays in 2012 and advanced to the organization's High-A affiliate, Dunedin, between 2013 and 2018.

During his time with the Blue Jays organization, he spent parts of two seasons with the Vancouver Canadians. Orozco earned a spot on the Blue Jays' Organizational All-Star Team in 2018 after hitting a career-best .304 that year. Following that season, he was traded to the San Diego Padres and went on to reach the triple-A level.

Orozco's playing career concluded in the Frontier League (now National Association of Professional Baseball), where he became a familiar face to Ottawa baseball fans. In 2022, he brought veteran leadership and steady production to the Titans' lineup, batting .288 with a career-high 14 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs over 87 games. He also made history as the first player signed by manager Bobby Brown ahead of the franchise's inaugural season and hit the first playoff home run in team history.

He spent the final two seasons of his playing career with the Trois-Rivières Aigles, earning a Frontier League All-Star selection in 2023.

The Ottawa Titans will open the 2027 National Association season on Friday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m., hosting the Trois-Rivières Aigles at Ottawa Stadium.

November 5, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced on Thursday that field manager Logan Watkins, pitching coach Mark Brewer, and hitting coach Adam Donachie have agreed to contract extensions with the club.

Watkins has guided the Goldeyes to post-season appearances in two of his three seasons at the helm, including a trip to the Miles Wolff Cup Finals in 2024. The 37-year-old has compiled a 151-147 (.507) regular-season record since being named the fifth field manager in franchise history November 1, 2023.

“Logan has demonstrated the leadership, determination, and baseball knowledge we were looking for when we brought him to Winnipeg,” said Goldeyes President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Katz. “He has earned the respect of his players and our organization, and we have tremendous confidence in his ability to keep the Goldeyes competitive. We're pleased that Logan, along with Mark and Adam, will continue to lead our club.”

In his first season with Winnipeg, Watkins led the Goldeyes to a 56-43 record and first place in the American Association's West Division, a remarkable turnaround for a club that had finished last the previous year. He was subsequently named the league's Manager of the Year.

The Goldeyes defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the 2024 playoffs before falling to the Kane County Cougars in the Miles Wolff Cup Finals.

After missing the post-season in 2025, Winnipeg rebounded in 2026, finishing 54-46 and returning to the playoffs for the 22nd time in franchise history. The Goldeyes also tied a club record with 34 home victories and established a new franchise mark with 13 consecutive wins from July 25 through August 7.

“Logan's commitment to this organization extends well beyond what fans see during the season,” said Goldeyes General Manager Andrew Collier. “He puts an enormous amount of time and effort into recruiting players, building relationships, and preparing our club to compete. Mark and Adam are equally dedicated to helping our players succeed, and the three of them work extremely well together. Maintaining that continuity is important as we look ahead to 2027.”

“I'm excited to be returning to Winnipeg for 2027. It's become a second home to me,” said Watkins. “I love the city, the fans, and all the people involved in making the Goldeyes organization as special as it is. I'm very pleased Mark and Adam will be back as well. We've coached a lot of great players and had some fantastic moments together in the last three years. This year, we will work relentlessly to build a strong roster that will bring a championship back to Winnipeg.”

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Watkins previously managed the Cleburne Railroaders for parts of three seasons, qualifying for the post-season each year. He began his coaching career as Cleburne's hitting coach in 2021 before being promoted to interim manager that June.

A former infielder with the Chicago Cubs, Watkins appeared in 58 major league games during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He played professionally for 11 seasons, compiling 1,034 hits and a .276 batting average. He was also named an American Association Post-Season All-Star with the Wichita Wingnuts in 2018.

Brewer and Donachie joined Watkins' coaching staff prior to the 2024 season and have remained in their respective roles throughout his tenure in Winnipeg.

Brewer brings extensive professional coaching experience, including 10 seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization. He has also served as a minor league pitching coach or coordinator for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Donachie previously served as hitting coach of the Lincoln Saltdogs for two seasons and has coached at the collegiate and professional levels, including an assignment as catching coordinator with the Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization. A former catcher and first baseman, he played 1,099 professional games in the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles organizations.

The Goldeyes will open their 2027 home schedule Friday, May 14 against the Sioux City Explorers at Blue Cross Park.

November 3, 2026

Official Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame News Release

On the evening of June 12, 2027, the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame will host its 29th annual induction banquet.

The location for the event will be the Access Events Centre in Morden.

Tickets for the banquet can be purchased through the Hall of Fame’s website, www.mbhof.ca.

Today the Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the names of individuals and teams to be honoured at the June 12 banquet.

INDIVIDUAL INDUCTEES:

DAVID BLATZ (1973 ), STEINBACH

David Blatz was a very good baseball player in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was an all-star second baseman in the Manitoba Junior league and the Winnipeg Senior League. He was with two teams inducted into our Hall of Fame, the Carillon Sultans 1996-2003 and also the Stonewall Blue Jays 2003-08. However, he is being inducted this year mostly because of his superior work as an athletic trainer and therapist. Primarily, he has worked with baseball players and teams, but he has also worked with athletes in volleyball, soccer, rowing, and hockey. He has served with Canada’s Pan-Am baseball teams in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. He has also served with the teams in the World Baseball Classic in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2023. He has worked with Canadian athletes in various sports at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018, at the Summer Olympics in 2008, 2016, and 2020, and at the Winter Olympics in 2010. From 2022 to the present, he has been the Head Athletic Therapist for Team Canada’s Men’s Baseball Team. He has worked as an athletic therapist with the Minnesota Twins, the Seattle Mariners, and the Milwaukee Brewers. He is an expert on the mechanics of throwing and hitting a baseball and on the prevention of injuries when doing these activities.

JOE CARRIERE, (1954- ), WINNIPEG

Joe Carriere was from St. Laurent and started pitching there with tournament teams. He might pitch three or four games of four to six innings each, and he was throwing just as hard at the end of the day as at the beginning. At age 17, he pitched a perfect game against the South End Chiefs. In the same year, in a game against the Kinosota Cougars, he struck out 20 batters. After this game he was known as “Smokin’ Joe.” He soon moved to Winnipeg and played four seasons of Junior ball with the St. Boniface Legionnaires. He was an all-star three times. Later he played Senior ball, mainly with Teulon and Elmwood. He was a key pitcher on Manitoba’s 1973 Canada Summer Games team, winning a silver medal. He played in four Provincial championships, two Western Canadian championships, and two Canadian championships. He was a pitcher from the same era and of the same quality as Doug Freeth and Gerry Falk, both of them Hall of Famers. After retiring as a player, he coached minor ball for a decade, mostly in Lord Selkirk and West Kildonan Community Clubs.

DERRICK DUBELL (1967- ), WINNIPEG

As a youngster, Derrick Dubell was a baseball player. One day he was hitting when legendary umpire Sam Tascona made a call that Dubell did not like. Dubell complained. Tascona replied, in effect, that if you can do better, then you should start umping. Dubell did. He found that when he umpired, he enjoyed the game even more than when he was a player. He went on to become an extraordinary umpire. He has worked at 11 Baseball Canada national championships, and in all but one national tournament he was selected to work a medal game. He has worked in two international tournaments, and in one of them he was behind the plate for the gold medal game. He has been named Umpire of the Year in the Manitoba Junior League, and in 2008 he was named Umpire of the Year by Baseball Canada. He umpired for seventeen seasons in the professional Northern League, and was trusted with All-Star games and championship playoff games. He was Umpire-in-Chief for the Winnipeg Amateur Baseball Association, the Manitoba Junior League, and Senior baseball leagues. He is a Master Course Conductor and has mentored and evaluated hundreds of young umpires. Baseball Manitoba has named its Grassroots Umpire of the Year Award after him.

CURTIS GRIEVE (1972- ), WINNIPEG

Curtis Grieve was an outstanding left-handed pitcher, a good outfielder and a dangerous hitter. He grew up in Lauder, Manitoba and as a youngster was a star with teams from Hartney and the Oil Dome region. In 1987, he was the winning pitcher when Oil Dome won the Western Canadian Bantam (15U) championship. In 1990, he was selected to the Manitoba Youth Team that took the bronze medal in B.C. From 1989 to 2007, he played Senior ball with teams from Deloraine, Virden, Teulon, Winnipeg, Baldur, and Stonewall. In 1991, he was with the Virden Oilers and was not only their top rookie but also their top hitter and team MVP. The next season he was a pickup for the St. Boniface team that went to the Western Canadian Junior Championships. In 1993, he was Manitoba’s Senior Player of the Year for his play with the St. Boniface Junior and Teulon Senior teams. In that same year, he was on Manitoba’s Canada Summer Games Team. In 2002, 2005, and 2006, he was a key member of the Stonewall Blue Jays that won Winnipeg Senior League championships. In one of those years, he was the League’s top pitcher and in another, the League’s batting champion. In 2006 and 2008, he was with Stonewall when they won silver medals at Western Canadian championships. He played university baseball at Mayville State from 1993-1996. Since the early 2000s, he has coached minor ball, high school ball, and provincial teams. He is an instructor at Home Run Sports Training Centre.

NICOLE MADSEN (1970- ), HAMIOTA

For more than twenty years, Nicole Madsen has been a vital part of baseball in Hamiota, in the Midwest region of the province, and in Manitoba in general. She has been a parent, coach, administrator and board member. Early in the 2000s, she became involved with Hamiota Minor Baseball and quickly became the local contact for tournaments, jamborees, regional championships, and provincial championships. She was instrumental in improving the ball park in Hamiota, and she became a fixture on the Midwest Minor Baseball Board of Directors. She served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Baseball Manitoba Committee member. In 2017, she was elected as the Vice President of Sport Development for Baseball Manitoba, and she remained in that position until 2023. She was Baseball Manitoba’s Volunteer of the Year in 2012, and was inducted into the Honour Society of Baseball Manitoba in 2024.

PETER PERREAULT (1962- ), RUSSELL

Pete has been an umpire for more than thirty years. His first game came when he was a parent recruited out of the stands. Since then, he has umpired countless games in the local minor baseball association, in the Santa Clara League, in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League, and in the Western Canadian Baseball League. He is famous for stepping in to umpire games at a moment’s notice. He constantly mentors and encourages young umpires. For many years, he was Umpire-in-Chief for both Russell and Midwest Minor Baseball. Baseball Manitoba has recognized his great work by selecting him for the Larry Nichols Umpire Award of Merit in 2015, and by inducting him into the Honour Society in 2024. He has been an umpire at nine Canadian championships. He is an active member of the Baseball Manitoba Umpire Committee and a course conductor. He has a heavy workload for sure. In 2024 alone, he was the Umpire Supervisor at AA, AAA, and Senior Men’s provincial championships, and at the Manitoba Summer Games in Dauphin.

TEAM INDUCTEES:

McAULEY BLAZERS, 1987

In 1987, the McAuley Blazers were as successful as a Manitoba AAA Senior team could be. They finished the year with 29 wins, 12 losses, and one tie. They won the Manitoba Senior Baseball League crown. Then they defeated the Carman Goldeyes of the Redboine League to win the Provincial AAA title. They also won the prestigious July 1st tournament in Birtle. They were led by import pitchers Mark Cisneros and Mark Valesquez, who had a combined record of 15 wins and six losses on the mound, and local pitcher Rob Kollesavich, who went nine and four. Six players batted over .300 for the season. Three people from the team are inducted members of the Hall of Fame.

CRYSTAL CITY BANTAMS/MIDGETS, 1956-57

Crystal City is a small community near the USA border, with a population of about 200. Seventy years ago it had twice as many people, and by adding a player or two from nearby communities such as Clearwater, Pilot Mound, Cartwright, Mather, and Baldur, you could form a very good baseball team that might draw 600 or 700 people to a big game. This is what happened with the Crystal City Bantams (15U) and Midgets (18U) of 1956 and 1957. Crystal City won provincial championships in both years, and with the same group of core players. In 1956, they won the southern Manitoba championship and then beat Virden, the northern champs, two games to one. In 1957, they won their region, then beat out Brandon to take the provincial title. Several players went on to play baseball or fastball for years at high levels.

ST. BONIFACE KNIGHTS MIDGETS, 1977

The St. Boniface Knights Midget team (18U) was formed in 1977 and its most successful season was its first. The team won 32 games and lost 2 over the course of the year. They beat out Charleswood for the City championship. Then, with three pickups from the city, they won won the six-team Provincial championship in an “extra” final game against Souris (the first final game was called for darkness when the score was tied). Then, with two more pickups, they went to an invitational National championship in Provost, Alberta. There were six teams there. The Knights went 4-1 in the round robin and then won 8-7 over Kelowna in the final. Five of the Knights players were named to the tournament all-star team. Later that year, each player and coach was presented with a “City of Winnipeg Outstanding Achievement Medal” by Mayor Robert Steen and City Council. Seven players from this team have been inducted into our Hall of Fame either as individuals or as members of other teams.

HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERS:

JIM MUTCHESON SR., (1925-2017)

Jim Mutcheson Sr. was one of the original Directors of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. He remained a Director until 2016. He was also a Member of the local Morden Committee from 1998 to 2016. He was very instrumental in arranging for the Hall of Fame’s museum to be located in Morden. One day he sat down with the Mayor and worked out a lease agreement that has been altered over the years but not changed in its essentials. He was well known in baseball circles as a builder of the sport, especially Little League baseball and, because of his dedication to youth sports, in 1964 he was selected Morden’s Citizen of the Year and was given the Royal Canadian Legion Award for Sport Development. For his efforts, he was inducted into Baseball Manitoba’s Honour Society in 1987, into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, and into our Baseball Hall of Fame both as an individual in 1999 and with his family in 2012.

DAVID OLSEN (1951- ), WINNIPEG

Before the COVID-19 pandemic of the early 2020s, four individuals in succession were Secretary-Treasurers of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. One of them was David Olsen. He was a Director for nine years and Secretary-Treasurer for six. As Secretary-Treasurer, he devoted to our organization a lot of his time, as well as his impressive accounting and record-keeping skills. He was reliable and competent, the two attributes necessary to successfully carry out his responsibilities. He remembers driving home to Winnipeg from banquets in Morden, his car full of cash from liquor sales, last-minute ticket purchases, the 50/50 draw, the raffles, and the silent auctions. He knew that if the police ever stopped him, he would have explaining to do. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2003 for many years of service to different baseball organizations, and now he becomes an Honourary Life Member of this one.

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on November 4, 2026. You can read it here.

November 5, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

Any athlete will tell you about what an honour it is to represent your home province at a major national championship.

Not many can tell you about what it’s like to do it at three tournaments in a summer.

Such was the case for Criseyde Borthwick as she suited up for Team Saskatchewan at the Baseball Canada 16U, 19U and Women’s Championships in 2026.

The 17-year-old didn’t do it, especially in the older age brackets, just for the experience: she came to play.

Borthwick’s respective performances not only helped her teams win – including the bronze at the 19U event in Saskatoon – but garnered the recognition of Baseball Sask’s Female Player of the Year.

“It felt amazing to have all the hard work, dedication, and time I put into baseball recognized,” she said proudly after the Baseball Sask Awards banquet on Oct. 24.

“It reminded me that all the challenges and sacrifices along the way are definitely worth it.”

Borthwick continues to build an impressive baseball resume, although she has some other things on her mind before the 2027 season hits the diamond.

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Listen to Saskatchewan Dugout Stories interview Criseyde Borthwick here.

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INSPIRED BY DAD

Borthwick heaps a lot of praise on her dad, Corey, for getting her into sports and keeping her busy throughout her athletic career.

Having been involved in the game for a couple of decades, he’s been coaching his daughter since she was four.

With a passion for the game himself, he wasn’t content on having her play just softball.

“Her confidence has grown a lot, that has given her a more relaxed feeling out at the ball field,” Corey told the Prince Albert Daily Herald. “She’s very smart, she’s very aware of the game and all the different aspects of the game.”

Playing mostly catcher and first base, Borthwick’s game evolved to eventually include pitching as well, opening some doors to play for provincial teams.

It fueled her passion for baseball further as she was finally able to surround herself with athletes who have similar stories.

“I love being with my teammates and being with other girls who also enjoy doing the same thing as me because I never grew up playing on girls’ teams,” she said. “It was definitely something that made me want to go further in baseball.”

SENSATIONAL SUMMER GAMES

Borthwick really burst onto the scene with Baseball Sask during the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

She went 9-for-21 with seven singles, two doubles, three runs batted in and six stolen bases in six games as Saskatchewan claimed fifth place.

The utility player wishes others could play in the Summer Games as it allows you to meet athletes from other provinces and other sports, giving you an appreciation for the work they put in as well.

“It was just such a cool experience and it made me realize that I love the sport,” Borthwick said. “It was something that I never thought I could do because girls in baseball wasn’t super-big, but I definitely thought (after the tournament) that maybe I have a future with this.”

Not only did it open her eyes to what is possible, but it also made sure that she was going to get an invite to represent Baseball Sask again in 2026.

JET-SETTING JULY

When Baseball Sask unveiled its female rosters for national championships in early-July, Borthwick was among a handful – including Paisley McHarg, Makenna Dowrowolsky and Beth Sarauer – to be on three teams.

“I love being able to compete at such a high level and learn from every game,” she said.

The first event was the Women’s Open Nationals in Winnipeg, where she went 3-for-15 at the plate with four runs batted in over four games, while striking out three in five innings pitched against Quebec Powder Blue.

Her performances continued to improve as the summer went on, including the 19U nationals in Saskatoon, where she went 2-for-13 with two RBIs and four runs scored while striking out five in a win over Alberta.

More importantly, Borthwick helped Team Sask claim the bronze medal.

“It was definitely a good experience, especially having family and friends there supporting and watching,” she said.

Borthwick saved her best performance for last though, as she picked up three hits in four games at the 16U Nationals in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The highlight of her tournament was hitting a home run and driving in six runs in an 18-17 loss to Quebec to round out the round-robin.

She also struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings of work on the mound in a matchup against B.C.

HOLDING COURT

After a busier-than-usual summer at the ballpark, Borthwick was excited to slow things down a little bit heading into the offseason.

Although her definition of “slowing down” is simply focusing on another sport of interest: basketball.

A shooting guard at Carlton Comprehensive High School in Prince Albert, she’s getting some attention from post-secondary institutes as she heads towards graduation in a few months.

Borthwick admits basketball is her main sport, but isn’t looking to hang up her cleats and glove any time soon.

She would love to return to Baseball Sask for the 19U Women’s Nationals, which are once again being held in Saskatoon, and will take advantage of any other opportunities that come her way in the months ahead.

A big goal of hers would be to get a call from Baseball Canada’s Women’s National Team.

“That would be very cool,” Borthwick said. “That would make a lot of people around me proud and it’s definitely something I’ve dreamed about since I was younger.”

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on November 3, 2026. You can read it here.

November 5, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

It couldn’t have been a more picture-perfect morning for baseball in Vancouver.

With the sun shining and a slight fall breeze, Hudson Harding had to soak it all in one more time before the conclusion of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

From the disbelief of being invited to starting in left field for Team New Blue in the championship game, it had been a part of the baseball journey the Calgary-area product wasn’t soon going to forget.

He was in for one more major highlight as he scored an insurance marker in a 6-1 win over Team Royal, raising the trophy over his head post-game.

“I’ll never forget it,” Harding told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “It was just really cool to see it all unfold. Just a lot of great things came from the tournament and all the memories … it was really nice.”

The uncommitted outfielder is hoping his new level of confidence and the experiences of the showcase help open some college doors after high school graduation.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Hudson Harding here.

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RIDING WITH THE WILDCATS

Born and raised in northwest Calgary, Harding’s first taste of baseball came with Foothills Little League.

Having friends in nearby Cochrane, he made the move to their programs for his early teenage years before finding a spot at Webber Academy.

That’s where Harding’s game took off, including being named to the All-Baseball Alberta Elite League team in 2025.

“I’m thankful for the experience that it’s been and for the opportunity to play there,” he said. “I have nothing but thanks and respect for the coaching staff and everything they have done for me and for all the guys. I’ve loved my time there.”

Harding entered 2026 looking to get bigger, stronger and faster, although he hit a bit of a snag out of the gate with his first brush with injuries.

He came back with a vengeance though, hitting a solo home run for the Wildcats against the Parkland Twins in The Road to Okotoks Prairie Qualifier.

Overall, Harding picked up three hits and three runs scored in four games during the tournament, where Webber fell just short of qualifying for the Morneau Cup playdowns in July.

SOAK IT ALL IN

While Harding didn’t get to play in the first national 19U championship, he was among seven Wildcats named to the Canadian Futures Showcase.

The 6-foot, 185-pound outfielder was actually among the first 50 names unveiled by Blue Jays Academy, speaking to how highly the scouts thought of his play over the last year.

Grateful to see his name included, Harding was intent on soaking in as many moments as he could in Vancouver.

“Even just in warm-up, running to the outfield, turning around, and looking at everything in front of you, it’s kind of like, ‘Wow, this is really happening,” said the 18-year-old. “It’s a moment of reflection where you can kind of fade away from all the game-time stuff and it just slows down. It’s a crazy feeling, for sure.”

Looking back on the experience, Harding says he was happy with how he performed, picking up two hits and four walks in his nine at-bats, scoring two runs, driving in one and stealing a base.

“I thought I had a great approach at the plate and was feeling really good,” he continued. “I think I could have had a little more to show for it, but honestly, I felt really good about all my at-bats and felt like I was on the barrel, and the confidence was there.”

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Hudson Harding at the Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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The strong performances continued as Harding has been showing off some of his power swings from fall ball games and showcases.

LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT

Harding is hoping to ride the wave of positive momentum into the offseason.

He’s not tipping his cap, but says the college recruitment process is going well and he’s having some good conversations about what might be next

In the meantime, he plans to “work on everything,” especially on one of his strengths: discipline at the plate.

“You can really see a difference when you face that elite pitching consistently,” Harding said. “You have to dial in because guys are smarter and can locate with their offspeed so it’s a different kind of beast.”

Another key to future success, in his eyes, will be playing catch regularly and “properly,” as he believes he can’t let any bad habits slip into his game.

He’s grateful for the opportunities that have come his way this season and is using it as fuel to get himself to the next level.

“Just love what you’re doing and enjoy every moment,” Harding said. “I love this game … I truly do.”

November 4, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans Baseball Club, the defending Frontier League champions, have announced that long-time utility player Taylor Wright will be leaving the Club after five seasons and joining the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.

The Titans traded Wright in exchange for a player to be named later.

The North Vancouver, B.C. product has been part of the organization since its inaugural 2022 season, helping establish the foundation of a franchise that has continued to grow both on and off the field. From the early days of an expansion team to becoming a championship organization, he has been a constant presence and one of the most recognizable and beloved members of the Titans.

Over 361 games in a Titans uniform, Wright cemented his place among the most accomplished Canadians in franchise history, compiling a .256 average, 316 hits, 225 runs scored, 65 doubles, 42 home runs, 206 RBIs and 94 stolen bases. A valuable asset on both sides of the ball, Wright pitched 27 times for the Titans, including seven starts, totalling 34 1/3 innings on the mound. His combination of power, speed, and consistency made him one of the most productive Canadian players to ever wear a Titans uniform, leaving behind a statistical legacy that will be difficult to match.

“It has been an honour to represent Ottawa and to be a part of bringing professional baseball back to this community over the past five years,” said Wright. “In that time, I have made lifelong friendships, been a part of a championship run, and seen the city embrace us in a way I will never forget. The fan support we received throughout the playoffs this past year was truly something special, and I hope to see that support continue well into the future. To the fans, staff, coaches, my teammates, and everyone else who has played a part in the growth of this organization over the past five seasons, all I can say is thank you. It is time for me to move on to a new challenge in my career, but Ottawa will always have a special place in my heart.”

While the departure of a franchise icon is never easy, the organization is proud to have played a part in his journey and is excited to see him pursue this next opportunity in his professional career. His contributions, relationships, and memories created along the way will not soon be forgotten.

“It's difficult to put into words what Taylor has meant to this organization,” said Bobby Brown, manager of the Ottawa Titans. “He's been here since the first year, and over the last five seasons, he's become so much more than a player to this team. He's been a tremendous teammate, a leader for our younger players, a competitor, and someone who has always represented this organization with pride. Players like him are a big part of building a winning culture, and we're incredibly grateful for everything he's given to the Titans. We're going to miss having him in the clubhouse, but we're excited for him and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

The Ottawa Titans will open the 2027 National Association season on Friday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m., hosting the Trois-Rivières Aigles at Ottawa Stadium.

November 4, 2026

By Neil Munro

Canadian Baseball Network

I am not surprised that for many their annual analytical evaluation of starting pitchers (using a minimum of 20 decisions) is running out of candidates.

What will they do when there are only three or four such pitchers a decade from now?

This is happening because the prevailing “wisdom” in MLB is that you must severely limit the number of pitches and the number of days pitching for starting pitchers. Imagine if a manager had gone to the mound to remove Bob Gibson from a game in which he had pitched six scoreless innings. The game would have to be stopped while the police investigated the resulting homicide. 

I am sure everyone noticed it, but Max Scherzer pitched the last game of the season for the Blue Jays on just three days’ rest. His last few outings before this appearance were at least five innings, so he was not just coming off a very short outing. He pitched seven-plus innings, while giving up six hits, one run and one walk while striking out four batters. His 114 pitches was his highest total in four years. He is also 42 years old. 

I have regularly questioned the prevailing wisdom in restricting pitchers to 100 pitches and using a five-man rotation. I see no evidence that this tactic reduces the number of injuries sustained by starting pitchers.

On another note, the restrictions in the use of relief pitchers also merits a comment. I assume most ball clubs are using the same “rule of thumb” as the Blue Jays do. They simply will not use a relief pitcher in three consecutive games unless a win is necessary for post-season qualification. As the starting pitcher is pulled from the game, the Jays announcer lists the relief pitchers that are available because they have not pitched in the two previous games. 

I checked the final stats for 2026 to see how many ball clubs could not even produce one pitcher on their roster who made at least 30 starts. There were eight such teams, including last year’s World Series combatants – the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Another 11 ball clubs could produce just one starting pitcher who made at least 30 starts. On the other hand, Cleveland managed to have four pitchers with 30 or more starts each. I was glad to see them make the playoffs! 

Since MLB managers are determined to continue the practice of five-man rotations (at least) and 100 or fewer pitchers in a start, I have a suggestion for a rule change in determining the pitcher to be awarded a victory in his team’s win. You are certain to be familiar with the rule, but I have appended it here for you. I think the requirement that a starting pitcher must have completed at least five innings to be credited with the victory should be eliminated. This can easily be accomplished by simply eliminating section 9.17 (b). Thus, the winning pitcher is the one whose team takes the lead and never relinquishes it regardless of whether he pitches as a starter or in relief. 

This method is the case in other major sports. In hockey, the winning goalie is the player in net when his team gets the game-winning goal – even if he played just one minute in the entire game. Similarly for determining the winning quarterback in the NFL. 

Furthermore, so many ball clubs are now having to increasingly rely on using a collection of relief pitchers when no healthy starting pitcher is available. I checked the Blue Jays in this respect and found approximately 25 such “bullpen games.” It is a little bit imprecise because many of these pitchers were regularly used as starters or in relief all season. In one instance, they had planned to allow Jameson Taillon (a regular starter for sure) to go only two or three innings in his start after coming off an injury to ease him back in the rotation. Clearly there must have been more than 50 such instances in all of MLB in which the pitcher of record when the game-winning run is scored cannot be awarded the victory.   

In the most extreme case, if a starting pitcher throws four perfect innings (12 up and 12 down) and leaves the game with a 10-0 score, he cannot be credited with the victory. Assuming that five relief pitchers wrapped up the contest, each giving up one run in one inning of the 10-5 victory, the official scorer has to decide which mediocre performance gets the win for the reliever! 

I check the scores and stats of the Canadian pitchers pretty closely (almost on a game-by-game basis). This year there were four Canadian starting pitchers with fewer than five innings worked in their team’s victory. There must be 50 or more such instances in all of MLB. Several of these starting pitchers are rightfully entitled to another win in their record (in my opinion). Indeed, it didn’t take long for a ball club to use a relief pitcher game in the playoffs. The White Sox used four relief hurlers in their opening game against the Astros, with Hagen Smith tossing the first three innings. He could not be credited with the victory even though his team was ahead and never relinquished the lead after his three scoreless innings of work. 

 Rule 9.17 Winning and Losing Pitcher 

(a) The Official Scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, unless (1) such pitcher is a starting pitcher and Rule 9.17(b) applies; or (2) Rule 9.17(c) applies. 

Rule 9.17(a) Comment: 

Whenever the score is tied, the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning pitcher is concerned. Once the opposing team assumes the lead, all pitchers who have pitched up to that point and have been replaced are excluded from being credited with the victory. If the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher. 

(b) If the pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, is a starting pitcher who has not completed 

(1) five innings of a game that lasts six or more innings on defense, or 

(2) four innings of a game that lasts five innings on defense, then the Official Scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the relief pitcher who, in the Official Scorer’s judgment was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher. 

Rule 9.17(b) Comment: 

It is the intent of Rule 9.17(b) that a relief pitcher pitch at least one complete inning or pitch when a crucial out is made, within the context of the game (including the score), in order to be credited as the winning pitcher. If the first relief pitcher pitches effectively, the Official Scorer should not presumptively credit that pitcher with the win, because the rule requires that the win be credited to the pitcher who was the most effective, and a subsequent relief pitcher may have been most effective. The Official Scorer, in determining which relief pitcher was the most effective, should consider the number of runs, earned runs and base runners given up by each relief pitcher and the context of the game at the time of each relief pitcher’s appearance. If two or more relief pitchers were similarly effective, the Official Scorer should give the presumption to the earlier pitcher as the winning pitcher. 

(c) The Official Scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead. In such a case, the Official Scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the judgment of the Official Scorer. 

Rule 9.17(c) Comment: The Official Scorer generally should, but is not required to, consider the appearance of a relief pitcher to be ineffective and brief if such relief pitcher pitches less than one inning and allows two or more earned runs to score (even if such runs are charged to a previous pitcher). 

Rule 9.17(b) Comment provides guidance on choosing the winning pitcher from among several succeeding relief pitchers. 

(d) A losing pitcher is a pitcher who is responsible for the run that gives the winning team a lead that the winning team does not relinquish. 

Rule 9.17(c) Comment: The Official Scorer generally should, but is not required to, consider the appearance of a relief pitcher to be ineffective and brief if such relief pitcher pitches less than one inning and allows two or more earned runs to score (even if such runs are charged to a previous pitcher). 

Rule 9.17(b) Comment provides guidance on choosing the winning pitcher from among several succeeding relief pitchers.

November 3, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

It took him until his fifth consecutive 20-win season, but on this date in 1971, Fergie Jenkins finally received the National League Cy Young Award.

With the announcement, the 6-foot-5 Chatham, Ont., native, became the first Canadian to capture the honour.

“Yes, winning the Cy Young means very much to me,” Jenkins told The Windsor Star on the day he was announced as the recipient. “It is the supreme award for a pitcher and it gives you a great deal of satisfaction when you realize the amount of work it took to win it.”

Jenkins had finished runner-up to San Francisco Giants lefty Mike McCormick for top pitcher honours in 1967 and in third place in 1970 when St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson took home the hardware.

But his 1971 numbers made it impossible for baseball writers to overlook him.

While toeing the rubber for the third-place Chicago Cubs, Jenkins topped the National League in wins (24), innings pitched (325), starts (39) and complete games (30). He also finished second to Tom Seaver in strikeouts with 263.

“It was my best season for wins, productive wins, innings pitched and control,” Jenkins told The Canadian Press. “The biggest things for a pitcher are control and concentration and I had both this year.”

Jenkins was the first-place selection on 17 of the 24 writers’ ballots cast, while Seaver received six first-place votes.

The Canuck right-hander gave much of the credit for his success to former Cubs pitching coach Joe Becker.

“Joe told me he was going to make me a million dollars in the big leagues,” Jenkins told The Canadian Press. “He said the only way a winning pitcher could make any money was to work every fourth day, go out there and throw hard, throw strikes and concentrate all the time. I tried to cut down on walks, get strikeouts when I needed them and tried to pitch a shutout every time I went out there.”

Jenkins also told reporters that he was confident the award would help him secure a $100,000 salary for 1972. He made $92,500 in 1971.

“It’s like a big star up there beside my name,” Jenkins said of winning the Cy Young Award. “It gives me all the more bargaining power.”

For the record, Jenkins did secure the $100,000 salary he was seeking. According to his 2009 biography, Fergie: My Life from the Cubs to Cooperstown, he signed a two-year, $250,000 deal with the Cubs prior the 1972 campaign.

Jenkins was back home in Chatham, Ont., when he was informed he had won the award. He told The Windsor Star that he planned to spend the off-season with his father and his wife, Kathy, and two young daughters, Kelly and Delores. One of his plans was to rent a cottage on Lake St. Clair and do plenty of hunting and fishing.

When he returned to the mound in 1972, Jenkins recorded his sixth straight 20-win season and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting behind Cardinals southpaw Steve Carlton, the winner, and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Steve Blass.

After a 14-win season with the Cubs in 1973, Jenkins was dealt to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Bill Madlock and utility player Vic Harris. In his first year with the Rangers, Jenkins set career-highs with 25 wins and 328-1/3 innings pitched. He also topped the American League with 29 complete games and finished second to Catfish Hunter in the Cy Young Award voting.

He added 17 wins in his second season with the Rangers before he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox prior to the 1976 campaign. After two seasons in Beantown, he returned to the Rangers and was a key starter for them from 1978 to 1981. He completed his big league career with the Cubs in 1982 and 1983.

Jenkins retired with 284 major league wins – more than double the number any other Canadian has accumulated – and as the only pitcher in history to register more than 3,000 strikeouts (3,192), while allowing fewer than 1,000 walks (997). Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling have since joined that elite group.

For his efforts, he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1991, becoming the first Canuck to be so honoured.

For a close-up look at Jenkins’ 1971 Cy Young Award, you can view it at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont.

November 2, 2026

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays have made the following roster moves:

-RHP José Berríos has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-RHP Jake Bloss has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-RHP Bowden Francis has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-RHP Cody Ponce has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-INF/OF Addison Barger has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-OF Jonatan Clase has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-OF Anthony Santander has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list

-RHP CJ Van Eyk has cleared waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Buffalo

-OF Rudy Martin Jr. has elected free agency

Additionally, OF Myles Straw’s club option for the 2027 season has been declined

LIFE AT CTV SPORTS

After I got to CTV, I was on the fast track, going from sport to sport. I soon found out that life at CTV Sports in the 1990s was a source of many stories you just couldn’t make up.

It was crazy the lengths that they would go to so we could shoot openings to taped events. Events that we would voice back in the Toronto studio.

I flew to the Austrian Alps to shoot a 20-second on-camera report for a ski-jumping event. I flew to Aspen, Col., for a downhill on camera. I flew to Moscow to interview a coach.

The most mind-boggling trip of all was when an international broadcaster sent me to Egypt for 24 hours to shoot an opening for a squash exhibition in front of the Pyramids.

Tracy Wilson and I would go to figure skating events to do the on-camera so that we had the background, then we would fly back to Toronto and announce the event from the studio. They spent so much money on us to do all of these things — it was unreal. Some of the events, like the squash tournament in Cairo, were not that big.

I did what I was told, no questions asked, and I went wherever they asked me to go. Even though they were not big events, they were backed by generous sponsors.

The new CTV Sports era was exciting. But also very challenging. Johnny Esaw had bought the Canadian rights to Wide World of Sports from ABC. In the early 1990s the network decided to rename it CTV Sports Presents.

They tried to make it like CBC Sportsweekend, but we didn’t have many live properties. I would cover tennis, golf, and the Blue Jays, but these live events didn’t take place every week, whereas every Saturday we had a show. So, I would throw to everything from ringette to Formula Atlantic motorsports.

I once threw to a lawn bowling event that was two years old! We had to pretend it was live and we would give updated scores — during an event that took place two years earlier. During breaks, we would update live events that were taking place at the time. Then it was back to the Canadian national lawn bowling championship, or cricket, or whatever we had.

It was all pre-recorded, and it was all on two-inch tape. It was a crazy time. I once hosted a golf event, the Du Maurier Classic in Edmonton.

If it rained, we would have to find some way to fill the two-hour block of time. What we did that year was what everyone in that era who covered golf would do during a rain delay — we decided to replay the tournament from the year before. Lo and behold, I threw to the fourth-round coverage of the previous year’s event.

As I watched the tape roll, I noticed that it also started to rain the year before! The whole thing was like a circus. One of the TV sports columnists called us out for throwing to a rain delay during a rain delay. We deserved to take heat for that one.

ROD BALL

It’s a question that I get asked often: What is your favorite sport? Good question, and not an easy one to answer, especially considering I’ve called almost every sport known to man, with the exception of dodge ball and darts. (Then again, if CTV had secured sponsorship, I’m sure we would have broadcast anything, including rock paper scissors.)

But seriously, my answer to that question is usually that my favorite sport is whatever the next day brings. That response always elicits a laugh or a raised eyebrow, but trust me, it’s not a cop-out. The truth is that I honestly love covering any sport, any game, any event on any given day.

So, I guess that means that of all of the sports I cover—they are all tied for first. Now, if someone were to ask me what sport I’m most passionate about? Then my answer would unequivocally be baseball. It’s a game I’ve had a love affair with since my boyhood days in Winnipeg, watching my heroes like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, and Rod Carew (who earned my affection through our shared first name).

I also grew up watching and loving Canada’s team at the time, the Montreal Expos, whose minor-league franchise actually played in Winnipeg, as the triple-A Whips, in the early 1970s. I went to many of those games and like most kids, I was more interested in chasing down foul balls than watching any of the action.

Still, getting a chance to see the Whips up close further deepened my budding romance with baseball. The Expos weren’t contenders at the time, but they were fun to watch despite the fact that you could watch them only once a week, every Saturday on CBC. That’s when players like Rusty Staub, Steve Rogers, Andre Dawson, and “The Kid,” Gary Carter, were making names for themselves and becoming all-stars.

Little did the Expos know the impact they were having on impressionable kids across Canada who had big-league dreams. I was one of those kids.

During the summers, I played from sun-up until sundown, competing on the local community teams, the city all-star teams, and even a senior semi-pro league while working at CKY. If there was a game scheduled on a night I was working, I would prepare my scripts and highlights in short order, quickly hustle to the local diamond, play as many innings as I could, and then race back to the studio to deliver the late-night sports.

It was often quite comical, especially if I was running late. I pushed into scramble mode, forcing me to throw my jacket, dress shirt, and tie over my dirty, muddy baseball uniform. Even funnier, I sometimes kept my metal cleats on, which would make a lot of noise on my way into the studio.

It was never a problem until one memorable night when I scurried onto the set, hit a wet patch, and took a flying tumble only seconds before going live to air. I jumped back up as though nothing had happened, delivered my segment without a flaw, and then sheepishly returned to my desk with a huge bruise on my ass.

That was the second-worst baseball injury I ever had. Number one on the hit list was the time I got too close to a centre-field wall in Grosse Isle, Man., which is about 30 minutes north of Winnipeg. I was playing for my senior team, the Blue Jays, when I experienced my worst sports moment.

We were playing in the opener of a tournament early on a Saturday morning in July. I had the weekend off from my TV duties, which meant I could devote my entire time to playing a bunch of games without having to worry about sprinting back to the studio. I was so excited for a full two days of high-level tournament ball with my buddies, many of whom were former pro hockey players.

I remember jogging out to my position, thinking how perfect the day was — a spectacular summer morning on this Field of Dreams carved immaculately into some Manitoba farmland. I got a quick stretch in, adjusted my glove and cap, and focused in as the opening pitch was delivered and immediately smashed towards me in centre field.

The ball was scorched, sailing over my head as I sprinted back towards the chain-link fence. “You got room! You got room!” shouted my left fielder, a newbie to the team. I shouldn’t have listened to that moron. In full stride, I lunged into the air as the ball hit my glove — and I crashed through the fence!

I don’t remember much after that, except the hole in the chain-link and the look of concern on the face of my right fielder, former NHL tough guy Daryl Stanley, who hovered over my prone body.

“Oh boy, Rod,” Daryl said, his voice shaking. “You better stay down.” I loved Daryl — great guy who, after hockey season, always came home to play ball with the local team. He was as cool a dude as they come, but at that moment, Daryl wasn’t exactly the epitome of comforting. He was right, though. I needed to stay down.

My face was all cut up, blood gushing all over the place, my jaw felt like it was broken, and I wasn’t quite sure what day it was. Worst of all, I looked down at my glove and the ball wasn’t there. Shit. I didn’t make the catch.

So, just one pitch into my much-anticipated all-baseball weekend, I was headed for the hospital. I spent the day there, getting stitched up, licking my wounds, and most of all, being jolted by a serious reality check.

The biggest thing that popped in my head — besides metal chain-link — was the undeniable fact that I was making a living, working on television, where people actually see your face: a face that shouldn’t look like it was to appear in the next Halloween movie.

The only thing hurting me worse than my jaw was the inescap-able truth that my competitive days of semi-elite ball were, unfortunately, over. But that didn’t mean I was done with a team called the Blue Jays.

When I left Winnipeg for Toronto, one of the big assignments that CTV threw at me was an opportunity to host the national broadcasts of Toronto Blue Jays games. Wow, another dream job. I was so excited, I would have run through a wall — oh, wait, never mind.

The Blue Jays, sharing the national stage with the Expos, had quickly become a contending team and had developed a huge nationwide audience. Their games were broadcast across the country on the CTV net-work twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I was responsible for opening the show, setting the stage, and then appearing in the middle of the fifth and seventh innings with a sports update sponsored by Coca-Cola, showing highlights and scores of other games. It was a great gig with huge visibility, and while I was on air for only a few minutes every game, it was not an assignment I took lightly.

What was even better, the Blue Jays weren’t just a good team — they were becoming a great team, especially after making the biggest trade in franchise history on Dec. 5, 1990. I had just started my new job in Toronto when I reported the news that the Jays had traded perennial all-star Tony Fernández and future Hall of Famer Fred McGriff to San Diego in exchange for young, slick second baseman Roberto Alomar and slugging outfielder Joe Carter.

It was a blockbuster trade that would reshape the Blue Jays’ fortunes for years to come. I got a chance to meet the newest Jays when I went to my first spring training camp a few months later in Dunedin, Fla, which was another eye-opening experience. Just when I thought this job couldn’t get any better, covering spring training was like nothing I could imagine.

The days were grueling: Wake up in a beach side hotel, head to the stadium to do some interviews, take in the afternoon game, do a couple of post-game interviews, and then, in mid-afternoon, hit the golf course for a quick nine before wrapping up a hard-working day with happy hour and a nice dinner. The most difficult decision I had all day was whether to use a 25 or 50 SPF for my sunscreen.

If any reporter complained to me about the grind of reporting from spring training, I immediately wanted to kick them in the shins. How could you not love this job? How could you not love this game? And how could you not love covering this team?

The Jays were loaded. A team full of studs. Both new acquisitions were great to deal with. Alomar was more soft-spoken but always available, while Carter was friendly, loud, and ultra confident. Even in spring training, you got a sense that these two guys were going to make a big difference — and they did. Joe and Robbie made an immediate impact, and both represented the Jays at the 1991 all-star Game, which was coincidentally played in Toronto, giving the city a chance to show off its spectacular SkyDome, the world’s first stadium with a fully retractable roof.

I hosted the Canadian broadcast of the all-star game, which was carried on the CTV network, and I was as stoked as a kid making his first visit to Disney World or, maybe even better, Cooperstown. I thought I had died and gone to baseball heaven.

All of the stars of the game, present and past, seemed to be in Toronto, including legends Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, whom I had chance to chat with before they took to the field to be honored for the 50th anniversary of their magical 1941 seasons. I had goosebumps as I shook their hands, knowing what those hands had accomplished five decades earlier — the Yankee Clipper with an incredible 56-game hit streak and the Splendid Splinter being the last player to hit over .400 in a season.

To me, these weren’t ball players, they were gods. As thrilled as I was, I was even more excited for my parents, who had come into town for the festivities and were having a blast. I was already on the air, but I glanced down from my host location and smiled as I saw something I had never seen before from my mom and dad. For all of the games that they had taken me to, for all the times they let me and my brothers enjoy special sports moments, this was the first time I saw them cheer for someone they had worshiped.

And so, there they were, Bonnie and Jack, on their feet, wildly applauding two stars from their generation. It was beautiful. My parents looked like kids again. The ovation for DiMaggio and Williams was thunderous, but it wasn’t as loud or as long as it was for the hometown contingent, those Blue Jays who were selected as all-stars.

Cito Gaston was named as one of the coaches and waved his cap to the adoring crowd. Alomar, the starting second basemen, received a deafening introduction as he ran out of the dugout, but the comedic moment came when Carter was announced while the camera was on Jays pitcher Jimmy Key, who was in the wrong spot on the third-base line.

The crowd roared anyway while Carter stood bemused with his arms crossed. It was a little uncomfortable, but it was funny, and both Jimmy and Joe eventually broke into big smiles, soaking in the slightly embarrassing spotlight. The craziest thing was that, had any of us been able to peek into the

future, no one — and I mean no one—would have upstaged or forgotten about Joe Carter.

Despite that botched introduction, Toronto’s all-star game was spectacular, emotional, and historic. It was a broadcaster’s delight. The mid-season classic played out like a midsummer night’s dream, and all the stars and stories were colliding.

Baseball’s all-time home-run leader, Hank Aaron, was introduced as an honorary captain alongside Rod Carew, who was only few weeks away from being inducted into the Hall of Fame with Chatham, Ont.’s Ferguson Jenkins, who was about to become Canada’s first inductee into Cooperstown. Fergie, a former Cy Young Award winner, got a hero’s welcome when, appropriately, he threw out the first pitch.

Watching with pride, Williams and DiMaggio also became part of the game’s plot line, linking past and present as baseball always seems to do masterfully. Robbie and Sandy Alomar Jr. became the first brothers to play in an all-star game together since Joe and his brother Dom DiMaggio in 1949. The Alomars also became the first brothers ever to be voted into an all-star game by the fans.

Meanwhile, Carlton Fisk, 43, became the oldest player to record a hit in the game, taking the torch from — you guessed it — Ted Williams, who was forty-one when he got an all-star game hit in 1960.

From first pitch to last out, the night was electric, and taking in all the action were Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and US President George H. W. Bush, who we interviewed during the broadcast. President Bush, a former baseball star at Yale and a huge fan, wasn’t the only Bush in attendance. So was his son, George W. — the owner of the Texas Rangers — who I had a chance to interview during the All-Star Game workouts.

Maybe I caught him at the wrong moment, but W, who was on the path to follow in his dad’s presidential footsteps, didn’t seem that well versed on the city of Toronto or the country of Canada. He mangled some names and almost forgot where he was.

Fortunately, the interview was on tape, and we decided not to use it, which was a good thing for everyone. I thanked the Rangers’ owner for his time, and as I walked away, I remember telling my cameraman, “That guy might own a ball team, but he’s as dumb as a bag of hammers.”

That opinion changed the next day, when I bumped into him in the bowels of SkyDome and he apologized for his poor responses, saying he was distracted and had a difficult time hearing all of my questions through the noise of the crowd. I told him no worries and added that we didn’t use the interview

anyway.

“That’s why we love you Canadians, son,” the future president said with a wry smile and walked away. The game didn’t disappoint. Blue Jay Jimmy Key got the win; Joe Carter got a hit and scored a run as the American League defeated the National League, 4–2. The biggest story, beyond Toronto’s celebration, however, was Baltimore Orioles superstar Cal Ripken Jr. Cal had won the home-run derby the day before and followed it up by hitting another homer in the actual game to earn MVP honors.

I hustled down to interview Cal post-game and was struck by his calmness and humility. Most players would have been emotional in the spotlight, but not Ripken. This seemed like another day in his life, another game, another highlight in the terrific season he was having. He was a true gentleman and, as it would play out, a future Hall of Famer. I didn’t know it at the time, but here I was, standing in the locker room with a guy who, five years later, would break a record no one thought would be touched: Lou Gehrig’s “iron man” streak for most consecutive games played.

For a young TV guy from Winnipeg who had dreamed about being in the big leagues, that whole night could not have been any cooler. How lucky was I to be hanging around with all of my baseball heroes? From Mr. 56 to Mr. .400 to this ordinary dude who someday would become Mr. 2,632, I really needed to pinch myself.

But I was able to keep it together. I didn’t freeze, didn’t ask for any autographs, and didn’t drool on anyone. That ’91 all-star game was the best icebreaker a rookie baseball broadcaster could ever experience. It was an intimidating eye-opener, but I knew that this was a place I belonged, and if I wanted to have success in the boys-of-summer club, I would need to take a page out of Cal Ripken’s book: Don’t get too high, don’t get too low, and show up every day ready to play.

And so, that became my approach, and for the most part it worked — except for one game that season that I almost didn’t make. It was in late July, and the Jays had an afternoon game in Chicago. We had a telecast scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m., which was not an issue except that I had to make a network appearance early in the morning at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton for an upcoming televised skins game that would feature Canadian Dave Barr, Fuzzy Zoeller, Peter Jacobson, and the “King,” Arnold Palmer.

I knew it was going to be a busy day with a lot of moving parts, but I was more than confident that our golf crew could get all of our feature and preparatory work done before I had to leave the course, which was around a 45-minute drive to the downtown CTV studio. Things were going as smooth as Arnie’s swing until we lost complete track of time. That’s when my colleague, Canadian women’s golf legend Sandra Post, looked at her watch and remarked that I should really think about hitting the road, since it was already 11:30 a.m.

She was right. But no problem, I thought, as I hurried to my car, realizing that I still had plenty of time and conservatively should get into the studio by 12:30, an hour before the first pitch. Another built-in bonus was that I was not part of the opening of the broadcast that day, so I really wasn’t required until the middle of the fifth inning. Lots of time. Except traffic, as it normally is in Toronto, was brutal.

I was cruising along nicely until I hit Lake Shore Boulevard, which was at a complete standstill. I looked at my watch. It was slightly before noon, but no worries, I thought. I was only another 20 minutes or so from the studio and still really wasn’t needed for a couple of hours.

About 30 minutes later, after moving approximately five feet, my mindset was changing considerably. Making matters worse was that mobile phones weren’t quite what they are now. I had one of those big, clunky in-car cell boxes, and after my calls to our control room had dropped a number of times, I was finally able to touch base with my producer and explain the situation.

“I’m stuck in traffic,” I yelled into the phone. “But don’t worry — I will be there. Looks like it’s clearing up.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. Glaciers moved faster. I was pounding my steering wheel as I turned on the radio to listen to the Jays pre-game show with the voices of the dynamic duo, Tom Cheek and Jerry Howarth. Not only was I not moving, but I was running out of gas.

The radio broadcast started with Jerry’s familiar “Hello, friends,” and my bulky phone rang. “Are you close?” pleaded my producer. “Yep, getting through. I’m real close,” I lied through gritted teeth.

Now I was really starting to panic.

The only thing fading faster than my fuel gauge was my confidence. Even more troubling, the game was clipping along at a bullet pace, with both pitchers wasting no time as they threw clean innings. It was the top of the second inning when I decided I had to make a move. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road, got out of the car still wearing my golf clothes, grabbed my suit, which was on a hanger, and then dashed through the maze of cars.

People were probably wondering where this nut bar had come from and where he was going. I clumsily hurdled the concrete barrier and then, like a scene out of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible, I had to dodge the traffic going full speed the other way to make it across the road. I vaulted over another cement wall, continuing my sprint uphill for another kilometre until I hit a major intersection, where I was fortunate enough to be able to hail a taxi.

Breathlessly, I asked the cab driver to get me to CTV at 42 Charles Street East as fast as he could, and could he also please turn on the radio. Unfortunately, in my haste to escape, I’d left my phone in the car, so I had no chance to communicate with the control room — which, I was certain at this point, was sending out an APB.

The driver tuned in the radio and turned up the volume, and my mood worsened. It was now the bottom of the third inning. I’m toast, I thought. I’m not going to make it. But my cabbie, realizing my urgency — not to mention the sweat pouring onto his back seat — set a land speed record and got me to the front of the building just as the radio broadcast was breaking away before the start of the bottom of the fourth. I wanted to hug the guy, but he was probably happier with the hundred-dollar bill I gave him, since I had no time to get change.

I flew into the building, ripped past the security guard, took the elevator up to the fifth floor, toweled myself off, hurriedly threw on my shirt, tie, and jacket, got a quick powder from the makeup artist, and then brashly walked into the studio in the top of the fifth inning — still wearing my shorts and golf spikes. I sat down, put my earpiece in, and heard exactly what I expected to hear.

“Holy crap, man,” my bellicose producer bellowed. “You know how to give a guy a heart attack.” I don’t think he realized I was closer to a cardiac arrest than he was, but I nonchalantly put my hands in the air, looked into the camera, smiled, and mouthed one word: “What?”

When we finished our updates and post-game show, which surprisingly went off without a hitch, I knew I had some explaining to do. I apologized to the producer and crew for putting everyone in a precarious position, but after I’d relayed the details of the entire escapade, they all understood it was an extraordinary situation, and they couldn’t believe I’d actually pulled it off.

Craziest thing of all is that around 6 p.m., when I returned to the Lake Shore, fully expecting my car to have been towed away, there she was, still on the shoulder, middle of rush hour — no tickets, no damage, just waiting for me to take her home. Thankfully, I didn’t have any more traffic jams or panic attacks that season. The broadcasts went well, and the Blue Jays were humming along like a major championship contender, finishing with 91 wins in the ’91 season.

They made it to the playoffs — which, unlike today’s era, didn’t feature wild card or divisional series. The math was pretty simple: You had to finish first in your division to make it to the post-season. Two winners in each league. The best in the East vs. the best of the West. Winners meet in the World Series.

I hosted the playoff games on CTV and, just as I did with the all-star Game spectacle, felt so lucky to be part of something so meaningful, not only to Toronto but to an entire country. Carrying the weight of huge expectations, the Jays split the first two games of the AL Championship Series with the West Division winners, the Minnesota Twins, and returned home to SkyDome, where they had set an all-time attendance record, becoming the first team ever to draw four million fans in a season.

Game 3 was the turning point in the series, but it also became another turning point in my career. The Jays and Twins were tied, 2–2, late in the game when CTV somehow lost the audio of the CBS feed, which the network was simulcasting. I was in our host position in the press box when our producer jumped on the intercom, telling me I would need to apologize for the technical difficulty and then would have to call the game until the CBS audio was restored.

I didn’t know what to think, and I had no time to ask questions. The only other time I had done play-by-play for baseball was when I was a kid calling my pretend backyard games, but now there was no pretending. This was suddenly and unexpectedly very real. I was thrown right into the fire — and as it turned out, I loved the heat. We were live for only half an inning or so, and I called it like I saw it. The game stayed tied.

The Twins’ Dan Gladden got a hit, and fortunately, nothing consequential or controversial happened before CBS restored its feed. Whew. Another speed bump overcome. Huge sigh of relief. I got some love from our executives and the TV critics for being able to seamlessly leap into action, but to me it was just another step on the learning curve. Like everything else in this business I was consuming,

I was loving the taste and craving more. I knew right then and there that someday I wanted to call baseball. Unfortunately for the Jays, they not only lost that game in extra innings but also dropped the next two to the Twins, who would go on to win their second World Series in four years.

That loss, for the Jays, was bitter. It stung just like it had in 1985 and 1989, when they also had their hearts broken in the ALCS. But in the grand plan, the 1991 loss might have been the best thing that could have happened in Toronto. The team realized it still had work to do, that it wasn’t quite there yet but was getting closer, and needed to load up even more in the off-season in order to climb to the top of the mountain the following season.

The Jays’ management, led by team president Paul Beeston and general manager Pat Gillick, had the mentality that if you can’t beat them, go get the guys who beat you. And so, they didn’t just add players, they added superstars, signing two future Hall of Fame free agents in Jack Morris, who had just pitched the Twins to the World Series championship, and veteran megastar Dave Winfield, a long-time enemy of Blue Jay fans.

Most of the hate for Winfield came naturally, since he had played for the evil empire, the New York Yankees, but some of the vitriol also stemmed from a bizarre incident that had occurred at the Jays’ old park, Exhibition Stadium. The Ex was an eyesore on the best of days. A sprawling football field that was converted to a bad facsimile of a baseball stadium.

The old Cleveland Municipal Stadium was often called the “mistake on the lake.” Well, Exhibition Stadium in Toronto did the job, but just barely, and many despairingly referred to it as the mistake on the lake. Beeston once told me in an interview that “it was not only the worst stadium in baseball — it was the worst stadium in sports.”

Beyond the shoddy facilities, the rock-hard artificial turf, and the fierce winds that whipped off Lake Ontario, it was also a breeding ground for hungry and intuitive seagulls that liked to swarm the stadium on game days.

It was during a game against the Yankees in 1983 that Winfield, while warming up between innings, threw a ball and struck one of those pesky gulls, killing it dead on the spot. Whether the fowl ball was premeditated or an accident (which Winfield later claimed it was), the story took a crazier turn when Winfield was actually arrested and charged by Toronto police for causing the bird “insufferable harm.”

Either the police officer was a Yankee fan or this was a Monty Python skit, but the whole seagull saga was blown completely out of proportion and charges were quickly dropped. Still, every time Winfield came to Toronto, the fans were merciless. The boo-birds never let him forget about the dead white bird.

But now, all was forgiven because Dave Winfield was a blue bird. The Jays weren’t done. GM Gillick, who in the past had been called Stand Pat by some media members, was suddenly known as Trader Pat as he continued to wheel and deal, including trading for Mets ace David Cone in late August, adding a final piece to the puzzle.

The team responded to management’s moves, winning 96 games, finishing first again, and setting another attendance record. We were off to another American League Championship Series, broadcast again on CTV, and this time the opponents were the West Division champion Oakland Athletics.

The pre-Moneyball A’s were a powerful team with great pitching, but the Jays took two of the first three games, and then in Game 4 in Oakland produced a series-changing defining moment. Trailing by two runs in the ninth inning, with lights-out closer Dennis Eckersley on the mound for the A’s, Roberto Alomar shocked the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum crowd with a game-tying home run to right field.

Even Alomar looked stunned, his mouth wide open and his outstretched arms reaching for the sky. The Jays would miss a chance to clinch in Game 5 in Oakland, but they were still in the driver’s seat, up 3–2 in the series. History, however, was still not on their side as they returned home to see if they could shake King Kong off their backs and finally advance to the biggest show in baseball.

If they were nervous, they didn’t show it in batting practice. Joe Carter gave me a smile and a wink as he launched bomb after bomb into the empty SkyDome seats. “We got this, Rodney,” Joe boldly told me in a pre-game interview. He was more confident than I was, but when he stepped to the plate in the bottom of the first and belted a two-run home run off A’s starter Mike Moore, I was becoming more convinced.

I became a complete believer in the bottom of the third inning, when Candy Maldonado hit a three-run bomb, and right then, every-one in the stadium had a feeling that something special was in the air besides the smoke from all the fireworks going off. The A’s would never threaten, and the Jays wouldn’t stop hitting and scoring, building an insurmountable 9–2 lead heading into the ninth inning.

I was getting wired up for the post-game show from our hosting perch high above the field, and I remember looking down to see every person in the building standing on their feet, hands clapping, watching with intoxicating anticipation, like a countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve.

This was something I had previously seen only on television, and I had always wondered what it would be like in real life. In one word: indescribable. Fifty thousand times better than TV. When the “Candy Man,” Maldonado, made the catch in left field for the final out, I honestly thought the SkyDome roof was going to blow off.

No New Year’s Eve bash could ever top this, I thought. It was pure pandemonium in the stands and absolute bedlam on the field. The players dove into a dog pile at home plate and our cameras caught all of the emotion.

I’ll never forget the mile-wide smile of Cito Gaston running out to join the celebration, the experienced respect from Dave Winfield exchanging hugs with Jack Morris, who was now partying with the team he’d beaten a year earlier, and the innocence of Carter and Maldonado, who were dancing around like little boys.

Budding superstar John Olerud looked overjoyed but also over-whelmed. Series MVP Robbie Alomar was being embraced, and I’m sure thanked, by nearly everyone on the field. If it weren’t for Alomar’s lightning bolt in Oakland, there was a chance the Blue Jays might have been watching the A’s celebrating a championship.

Fireworks and smoke filled the dome as the players bolted into the dressing room to uncork the champagne. At long last, the wait was over. The ghosts of ’85, ’89, and ’91 had left the building. The Toronto Blue Jays were finally American League champions and were partying like they had just won the World Series.

But oh, wait, that was still to come. Where were you in ’92? Now, I realize that some of you may not have been born yet in 1992, to which I say too bad for you because 1992 was a historic year in Canadian sport.

If you weren’t living on the planet at that time, were part of a witness protection program, or were perhaps living under a rock in the Canadian Shield, I would encourage you to tap into YouTube, or even better, jump into my “Rod Black to the Future time machine,” where we can set the flux capacitor to overdrive and take you back to a year that saw stuff happen that had never happened before, at least in most of our lifetimes.

Every time Canada competed at the Summer or the Winter Olympics, it was a dream come true for sports fans. The summer games in Barcelona was a good Olympics for Canada. That year Canada won 18 medals, including seven gold, the country’s second-best showing at the time. It wasn’t just the Olympics in 1992 that was special. It was everything, every sport,in every way possible. It was a smorgasbord, or should I say, smorga-sport. And it was mind-boggling.

My broadcast world was spinning like a figure skater after a triple espresso, and while I got very little sleep trying to cover it all, I felt so lucky to be wide awake and right in the eye of that ’92 sports hurricane. So many athletes and teams to cover. So many amazing stories to tell. So many magical moments to witness, and I was privileged to have a front-row seat for most of them—and best of all, once again, I was getting paid to be there.

The highlight of the year came in October, when I had the opportunity to go to a place I had only ever dreamed of: the annual Fall Classic, the World Series. With the Toronto Blue Jays becoming the first Canadian-based team to ever advance, a nation known for hockey was suddenly bursting with baseball pride, especially with the possibility of becoming the champions of America’s pastime.

It didn’t matter to the average Canadian that the Blue Jays were made up of players born and bred in the US and Latin America, or that the Series only pitted one city against another — Toronto against the National League champions from Atlanta.

No, to most Canadians, this was more. Much more. This was country against country — this was us versus them, Canada and the United States — a baseball battle of the border. The War of 1812 on the base paths.

Frankly, the hype was a little contrived, but we all bought in, and why not? This was uncharted territory for so many of us, especially most of the players. The Jays were a confident bunch and deserved to be exactly where they were. They had been built for success. They had the highest payroll in baseball, and they made believers of everyone who doubted them from their previous playoff failures by capturing the AL title.

Despite all of the positive Blue Jay mojo, though, there was still some trepidation around the team heading into Game 1 in Atlanta, and for good reason. While Toronto shared the best record with Oakland in the AL during the regular season, 96–66, the Braves owned the best mark in all of baseball at 98–64 and were coming off a Game 7 thriller over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLCS. Like their visitors from the north, the hometown team also had a bounce in its step.

Managed by former Blue Jays skipper Bobby Cox, the Braves were a determined but bitter bunch, carrying a huge Georgian pine on their shoulders, having gone from worst to first in 1991, only to lose to Minnesota in Game 7 of the World Series. They not only had unfinished business on their minds, but also had one of the deadliest pitching staffs, led by John Smoltz, Steve Avery, and lefty ace Tom Glavine, who would get the start in the opener. If future Hall of Famers Glavine and Smoltz got hot, there was little chance to extinguish the fire. They were that good. Atlanta’s biggest advantage, however, was its home field, Fulton County Stadium.

It was my first trip to the home of the Braves, and while it didn’t seem to be anything extraordinary, a number of Jays players had mentioned to me during batting practice that what made the place special was not what you saw but what you heard. I remember a number of the veteran players, like Dave Winfield, taking some of the newbies who had never played in this NL park aside and warning them to be ready for the sound, or as Winfield put it, “the chop shop.”

Honestly, I was confused as shit by all the chatter. I mean, any arena or stadium can get loud, and I had already been to a number of eardrum-splitting venues. It’s the World Series, for chrissake; of course it was going to be loud. All that noise about the noise still wasn’t resonating with me as we prepared to go live to air across the CTV network.

As with the previous playoff series, we were forced to simulcast the games with CBS, taking their American broadcast and supplementing their coverage throughout the game by inserting our Canadian stories during the odd commercial breaks, which in my mind seemed so cheap and so wrong.

Dammit, I constantly lamented, we should be doing our own broadcast for our own country. How can we give proper perspective if we aren’t actually doing the game for our viewers? How could Major League Baseball be so tone-deaf to their fans north of the border? How could CTV just roll over and let the American TV army march in? Who the hell made any of these decisions?

Many questions, very few good answers. CBS, with its years of experience and financial girth, still put on a good show, for the most part playing it straight and showing very little favoritism to either side. As you would expect, they showed why they are a network superpower. Even though we were lean, our CTV crew went above and beyond to bring the best possible coverage to a dramatic World Series that had a little bit of everything and a whole lot of something I did not expect.

That whole lot of something was exactly what Winfield was talking about in warm-ups—the noise, which wasn’t the stereotypical roar from the stadium crowd but a chant called the “Tomahawk Chop,” which Atlanta fans had started doing a year earlier at the ’91 World Series.

I remembered watching and listening to the series on TV, as Braves fans stood in unison, chanting the war cry at the top of their lungs while simultaneously waving one arm in a tomahawk-throwing motion. It was loud, it was intimidating, and of course it was controversial, especially with its racially insensitive overtones. Over the years, the tradition would become widely criticized by many Native American groups, but back in 1992, despite the backlash, it was part of the emotional soundtrack to the Series.

To me, it was haunting. The game hadn’t even started yet, and the chant was already echoing throughout the stadium, cascading in a crescendo as the players were introduced one by one. I could feel the sound pounding through my entire body as I looked down from our broadcast perch, barely able to hear myself think. The only time it stopped was when the color guard marched onto the field and national anthems were played.

Canadian tenor and Les Misérables actor Michael Burgess was selected to sing “O Canada” for the first time at a World Series and sang it beautifully, in both English and French, and was greeted with warm polite applause. Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus then performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” wearing blue jeans and a cut-off T-shirt and though he looked like he wanted to break into a chorus of “Achy Breaky Heart,” he pulled it off nicely, hitting the last line — And the home of the brave — perfectly, bringing a roar from the Fulton County crowd and setting the tone for an epic six-game tug-of-war.

The atmosphere was electric, and Game 1 lived up to the hype, especially the match up of two superstar pitchers in Atlanta’s Glavine and Toronto’s “Black Jack” Morris, who had dashed the Braves’ World Series hopes in a brilliant Game 7 performance with Minnesota a year earlier.

Each team got only four hits off the future Hall of Famers, but two of those hits were home runs. Joe Carter silenced the “chop house” when he opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the fourth inning. But unsung hero Damon Berryhill answered in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run home run that proved to be the difference in

the Braves’ 3–1 series-opening victory.

Yes, it was only one game, but I have to admit I was a little less optimistic about the Blue Jays’ chances when heading back to the hotel after wrapping up the post-game show and doing some locker room interviews. The players said all the right things, but I could smell the disappointment and frustration from top to bottom. They knew they had played a terrific game, but they also recognized that all of that momentum they had flown into Atlanta might have disappeared into the Georgian night. The pressure was back on. The team needed a turnaround in Game 2.

And things did turn around — or should I say, they turned upside down. Unbelievably, prior to the start of Game 2, the US Marine color guard marched into the stadium—and the Canadian flag was flying upside down.

Conspiracy theorists still think it wasn’t an accident, but American officials were deeply embarrassed by the gaffe. The flag mishap wasn’t bad luck for the Blue Jays, though. In the ninth inning, Toronto was trailing 4–3 when pinch hitter Ed Sprague stepped to the plate. Only a few months earlier, Sprague’s wife, Kristen Babb, won a gold medal for the US at the Summer Olympics after a controversial judging error cost Canada’s Sylvie Fréchette a victory.

This time, it was Babb’s husband striking gold for Canada, hitting a two-run home run that helped send the Jays to Toronto with the series tied at 1. Flag-gate was far from over. Scores of Blue Jays fans showed up wearing shirts with the American flag upside down, and several signs displayed the maple leaf with the words “This Side Up.” It was all in jest, though Canadian baseball fans were still pissed.

They were much happier after Joe Carter and Kelly Gruber homered to give the Jays a 2–1 series lead.

Jimmy Key was brilliant as the Blue Jays won Game 4 by a score of 2–1. In Game 5, the Braves beat the Blues Jays in Toronto 7–2 to send the series to Atlanta with the Jays on the edge of history.

And then ... On Oct. 24, 1992, the Blue Jays finished off the Braves in six games to become the first Canadian team to win the World Series. The winning pitcher, again, was Jimmy Key, and Joe Carter caught the final out in the bottom of the 11th inning.

I’ll never forget that night of Oct. 24 for many reasons — both good and bad. I was moments away from hosting the Game 6 pregame show from the right-field bleachers, sitting alongside the beautiful World Series trophy, when suddenly, a baseball bounced off the trophy with a thud.

Horrified, I looked down to the field, and there was reliever David Wells grinning from ear to ear after using the trophy as target practice. Thankfully, he didn’t break anything, but I could only imagine if he had, and I came on live with a damaged trophy. It might have been a worse situation than the upside-down flag.

The game itself was an October classic. With the Jays holding a 2–1 lead to the ninth, I was sent down to the locker room for the potential celebration interviews. When I walked into the Jays’ clubhouse, people were busy taping plastic around the lockers and gearing up for the champagne showers. We watched the ninth inning on the television monitor.

Team president Paul Beeston was nervously chomping on his unlit cigar, and starting pitcher David Cone was taking a drag on a cigarette. That’s when the Braves tied the score to send it to extra innings. Beeston almost choked on his cigar. He motioned for all of us to “Get the heck out.”

Two innings later, we were shuffled back in when Dave Winfield hit a double down the line to give the Jays the lead. I had one foot out the door in the bottom of the 11th when the Braves pulled within one run, but then with two outs, Otis Nixon inexplicably laid down a bunt that reliever Mike Timlin fielded and shoveled over to Joe Carter for the final out. Joe started jumping and was joined by his ecstatic teammates in a dogpile for the ages.

The Blue Jays were bringing the World Series trophy north of the border for the first time, and the celebration on the field and in the locker room could be felt all the way back to the SkyDome in Toronto, where 40,000 were watching on the Jumbotron. Our post game interviews in the locker room were priceless. Half-naked players hugging it out like they were little boys. Champagne spraying everywhere, stinging my eyes, but we kept broadcasting live to Canada until we heard from all of the new champions.

It was a weird feeling walking back to the hotel after the Blue Jays won the World Series. The streets of Atlanta were so quiet. We got to our hotel, and there was a party taking place to celebrate the World Series win. But everyone was so exhausted that the party wasn’t too crazy. I flew back home the next day, wondering what the reaction had been like in Canada.

It was a little underwhelming to experience winning the championship on the road. Our flight landed, and we went straight to SkyDome for the parade. When I got to the stadium, it hit me how big of a deal it was. I had heard about the people celebrating the night before, but now we were able to experience it first-hand.

The players realized that they hadn’t won a World Series for the city of Toronto, they’d won it for all of Canada. For the next year, I hosted a lot of events with the players, and I would interview them everywhere from Sears to a charity golf tournament.

During the 1992 World Series, I came up with an idea for a story to show people why it was so important that Toronto had a domed stadium. In the third inning of the third game, back in Toronto, I did my live hit from home plate at the old Exhibition Stadium. I was a few kilometers from the Dome, and it was a miserable day of cold rain and wet snow. I was frozen stiff. I realized at that point that the Blue Jays would have never been in a World Series if it weren’t for SkyDome.

One year later, on Oct. 23, 1993, Joe Carter hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball post-season history as the Blue Jays repeated as World Series champions. Throughout the entire 1993 season, the Blue Jays were incredible.

The season didn’t feel like a celebration tour; the team had a back-to-business mindset. Coming off the win in 1992, Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick did a great job of reloading, acquiring veterans like Paul Molitor and Rickey Henderson. Both players were key components that year and were on base when Joe Carter hit the series-winning home run. The 1992 team was good, but the 1993 team was a powerhouse, with the famous WAMCO group—Devon White, Robbie Alomar, Paul Molitor, Joe Carter, and John Olerud — at the top of the batting order. Olerud really stepped up in 1993; he flirted with hitting .400.

There was a perfect balance in the clubhouse of fiery and emotional players and cool, calm, and collected players. If you ever had to design a team, the 1993 Jays were the team you would want to put together. Rickey Henderson was 34 when he played for the Blue Jays, and he was like a little kid every time you spoke to him. He loved baseball so much.

When the Jays got back to the post-season, they were on a mission. I know people talk about Joe Carter’s home run, but an equally important home run for the Jays was Robbie Alomar’s in the 1992 ALCS against the Oakland A’s. Ed Sprague’s homer in the 1992 Series was also very important. In 1993, they defeated the Chicago White Sox in six games in the ALCS and faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

In 1992, CTV Sports had simulcast the American feed of the World Series. In 1993, the network had a bigger role. We were doing live reports and fan interviews throughout the series from Barrie, Ont., to Calgary. Every CTV affiliate and the network led with the Blue Jays every day, all day.

That was the year that Rob Butler, from East York, was a member of the Blue Jays, and we did many stories about his Canadian connection. Years later, I developed a deep friendship with Rob. I don’t know if my sons would have ever been pro ball players if it weren’t for Rob Butler. When they were young, I took them to the camps put on by Rob and his brother Rich.

In Game 4, the Jays were trailing and Rob came into the game and helped spark a comeback. In the end, the Jays won the game, 15–14.

In Game 6, I did the pre-game and the post-game. Before the game, I did a hit from the bowels of SkyDome. Near the entrance to the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, there was this big cement wall covered with pictures and posters and letters from Canadians from coast to coast. Live on the air, I started reading one of the notes from an 11-year-old girl from Pembroke, Ont. It read, “Robbie Alomar, will you marry me?”

The entire country was in love with the Blue Jays in 1993. I spoke to Joe Carter at the batting cage before the start of Game 6. He looked at me, winked, and said, “Rodney, we got this.” The game went on and I was upstairs, doing the opening of the broadcast.

I was going to be reporting from the clubhouse at the end of the game. In the seventh inning, I headed down to the lower level, in the tunnel before the entrance to dugout. I was standing with Buck Martinez, who was reporting for TSN that night.

Jays pitcher Dave Stewart came out of the game after giving up a three-run home run to Lenny Dykstra, and he almost hit Buck and me as he threw his glove. Stewart had a high-pitched voice, but he had a menacing stare. I looked into the dugout and I could see Rob Butler sitting there with his head in his hands, like he was in a trance.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the Jays trailing 6–5, Rickey Henderson got on base; two batters later, Paul Molitor singled. Now, Phillies reliever Mitch Williams had never used the slide step before in his career. But he was so worried about Henderson and what he would do at second base.

Williams kept slipping off the mound as he made his slide step. Then he threw that fateful pitch to Joe Carter, who was always a good bad-ball hitter, didn’t miss, and the rest was history. Because Buck and I were not totally in the dugout; we were watching the video feed of the game on a monitor.

What people don’t realize is that TV broadcasts are on a slight delay. And all of a sudden, I heard a thunderous boom from the crowd; it felt like an earthquake had hit the stadium. I hustled into the dugout, and everyone was running everywhere, and it was pandemonium on the field.

To win the World Series at home was unreal.

It was so joyous in the clubhouse afterwards. I was able to interview Henderson and others after the game.

One of my all-time favorite interviews was with Rob Butler. He was giddy. And he wasn’t just a token Canadian on the team; he had contributed to the team’s success and had a couple of hits. “I’m so happy!” he said. “I love everyone in East York and I love everyone in Canada!” He had tears in his eyes. “My brother Rich, this is for you. I love you, man!”

Then he took a can of beer and poured it all over my head and ruined my brand-new suit. But it was all worth it. The 1992 and 1993 World Series wins were two of the greatest things I have ever witnessed.

I have been at the Olympics and called gold medal wins. I have called the hockey World Championships, and I have been to the Stanley Cup Final. I was at the Masters when Mike Weir won, for goodness’ sake. But to be a part of the back-to-back World Series, to me it is at the top of my list of things that I have covered. It was unbelievable to cover, and it was unbelievable the way the city of Toronto and all of Canada reacted.

It was great to see a Canadian team defeat an American team. It was the first major championship that I had been around. The Blue Jays in 1992 were good, but they were not favored to win the World Series. In 1993, the Jays were the definite favorite.

Fast-forward to 1998, and Joe Carter had retired from baseball. Sportsnet had a press conference to announce that they had purchased the rights to broadcast 40 Blue Jays games. Baseball holds a special place in my life. I played baseball as a kid and I loved it. I followed the stories; I loved the fact that it was great theatre. I loved that baseball had no score clock.

I loved the stories about the players: where they came from, how they got to the big leagues. I loved the poetry of baseball and all of the stats that came with the game. I followed all of the announcers.

I loved Dave Van Horne, the voice of the Expos, and the long-time voice of the Dodgers, Vin Scully. I used to mimic all of the great announcers while I was playing baseball. But I didn’t think I would ever call play-by-play of a ball game.

Up until the late 1990s, I had hosted baseball broadcasts, but I had not done any play-by-play. I was at Sportsnet in the late ’90s when network president Scott Moore called me and said, “How would you like to do baseball? And I have a partner for you, too. His name is Joe Carter.”

That was an easy thing to say yes to. I called 20-to-30 to games a year, and then Sportsnet lost the rights. I moved to TSN and started calling 20-to-30 games a year there. One year, we did close to 50 Blue Jays games, which was great. I loved being on the field before the game; I loved that every night you went to the ballpark, you could see something that you’d never seen before.

This is the beauty of baseball. That is a broadcaster’s dream. I was doing these Jays games after their glory days of winning back-to-back World Series titles. I was also hosting Montreal Expos games, and I knew about the importance of baseball to Canadians. I closely followed all of the Canadian-born players when they came into Toronto or Montreal. Guys like Éric Gagné, Jason Bay, Kirk McCaskill, and others.

When I was a kid, Fergie Jenkins and Terry Puhl were the only prominent Canadians in the big leagues. But suddenly, the list was growing. And I could only imagine how many more would be on their way to the show after being inspired by the Blue Jays’ World Series wins.

I got to work with Joe Carter. Joe and I became great friends over time. Because we not only loved baseball, but we also shared the same passion for another sport. Joe and I both loved to golf. The thing with Joe Carter is it didn’t matter what city we were in, he could get on any golf course.

On an off day Joe would call the clubhouse: “Hi, I’m Joe Carter.” And these were elite golf courses I am talking about. It didn’t matter what course, we would get a tee time, and usually it was for a great price: free.

Joe was a very generous guy with all of the crew. Whenever he was in Toronto, he never had to buy a drink or food because of that World Series–winning home run. He would talk to the catering staff and make sure there was a food cart with enough treats for everyone.

Our last year working together was 2000. But it was my most memorable. On July 26, I was scheduled to call a noon Blue Jays game. The night before, my wife, Nancy, went into labour. I tried to call for a replacement and couldn’t find anyone, so I was going to have to call the game no matter what happened. I’d told Joe that I didn’t know what was going to happen, and he replied, “Rodney, don’t worry about it. I am at the SkyDome hotel, and I have an extra bed. Don’t worry.”

Nancy was induced, and Tyler Alexander arrived at 3:21 a.m. We were all excited. I tried to sleep in the corner of Nancy’s room at the hospital before saying goodbye to her and Tyler to get some rest before the Jays game. I went to the hotel and arrived at Joe’s room around six in the morning. I knocked on his door, and he gave me a big hug and congratulated me. I walked into his room, and there weren’t two beds — there was only one.

So, Joe Carter and I recreated the famous scene in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Two guys, one bed, and a pillow in between us. The upside is that I got to sleep with Joe Carter, a World Series hero. After a few hours’ rest, we went to the ballpark and called the game.

In the middle of it, the Blue Jays put a notice on the Jumbotron that Tyler had been born, and they congratulated us. I was sky high, and the Blue Jays won. Afterwards, I had the scorecard signed as a memento for Tyler. On that scorecard were a number of players who would later help Tyler on his path to the major leagues — guys like Robbie Alomar, Rob Butler, and Paul Spoljaric.

Eighteen years to the day that he was born, Tyler got a chance to play in the East Coast Pro Classic, held at what had been SkyDome but was now called Rogers Centre. It was almost as if Tyler was born to play baseball. I had grown so close to Joe that we had considered calling him Carter. Then I thought it would be too much pressure on him. As it turned out, Tyler was the perfect name.

One year, Joe and I were at the Masters. I was there working with TSN, and Joe and a friend of his were going to join us at the house we were renting. I’d told Joe we had lots of room. He was arriving late at night, around two in the morning. It turned out the couch didn’t turn into a bed, so we found a mattress, and Joe and his friend slept on it in the dining room. The thing is, I hadn’t told any of the crew that Joe was arriving.

So, around six in the morning, a crew member nudged me awake because we had to head over to Augusta National. Then he said, “Hey, there is a Black guy and white guy sleeping in the dining room, and the Black guy looks like Joe Carter. What is going on here, man?”

Now, if you ask Joe about his memories of what happened, he has a slightly different version of the events:

“Rod is not always the best with instructions. Rod and I were talking about going to the Masters. Not only had I never been there, but I also didn’t have a place to stay. Rod tells me, ‘Oh, you guys can stay with me at our rental house.’ This is in February, two months before the Masters. I took Rod at his word, and when the Masters rolled around, I called him up and said, ‘Rod, where is the house located?’ He had no clue what I was talking about. I said, ‘You know, Rod, you said we could stay at the house with the production crew.’ Rod had forgotten about it.

“My buddy Terry Jarvis and I arrived at the house at night, and I ended up sleeping on the couch. When the guys woke up to leave for the golf course to interview Mike Weir, they found me sleeping on the couch. My buddy Terry was in the other room. The next night, we got our hands on a blow-up mattress that we set up in the dining room. It was a queen-size inflatable mattress, and Terry and I slept on that. I came from humble beginnings and I was never too proud where I couldn’t sleep on a couch or an inflatable mattress. The crew loved having me there because I made them my pecan pie. Every day, they couldn’t wait to eat my pecan pie. They said it was the best they ever had.”

Yes, the pie was great, and unfortunately, I did forget about telling Joe that he could stay with us in Augusta. Hey, it happens. In my defense, I thought we had plenty of room for Joe. Despite the fact that he had to sleep on the floor, he doesn’t hold grudges and we are still buddies. To this day, I host the Joe Carter Classic celebrity golf event in the Toronto area, which has raised millions of dollars for charity over the years.

Joe Carter touched them all, but he has touched a lot of people’s lives as well. It’s a friendship that has lasted beyond baseball.

I also covered the Montreal Expos during my time at CTV. As with the Blue Jays, I hosted the Expos broadcasts. I did the same job that Fergie Olver did for the Blue Jays: I would sit in the dugout with the players, working as a host and a reporter. As I discovered, crazy things would happen in the dugout, from pranks to sudden breaking news.

During a game in August 1993, veteran Expos pitcher Dennis Martinez came over to me and shook my hand, and said, “I’m out of here.” He had been claimed on waivers by the Atlanta Braves. This all took place in the middle of the game. I reported the news of the deal from the dugout during the broadcast.

One day later, Martinez used his 10-and-5 veteran player rights as per the collective bargaining agreement and vetoed the move, and he ended up staying in Montreal. The next time I saw him in a dugout, I shook his hand and said, “Welcome back.” Dennis laughed at that.

Another time, we came close to losing our broadcast license. Dave Van Horne was doing play-by-play, and Ken Singleton was the color analyst, and during a pre-game hit for local news, they threw down to me in the dugout with Ivan Calderón.

Calderón was from Venezuela, and I asked him about his off-season trade from the White Sox. “What did you think about when you got traded to Montreal?” He answered, “Oh, it shocked me. I was in the backyard, playing with my cock.” He said this live on the air!

I jumped in: “You mean your roosters?” Calderón was emphatic: “Yes, I play with my cock.” I kept trying to say “rooster.” As I turned red, I threw back to the studio, knowing full well that Dave and Kenny were laughing upstairs in the booth. I was so relieved that social media had not been invented yet.

This was the kind of moment as a broadcaster that I loved. It was totally unplanned, and without knowing it, Calderón had given me one of the funniest moments of my career.

* * *

Editor’s Note: First off Hot Rod Black is a friend. I interviewed his son Tyler at a high school showcase (“So, who is the best broadcaster you have ever heard? Joe Bowen or your father?”). He graduated from the Toronto Mets and joined the Wright State Raiders. When I would see Hot Rod at an event (ball game, banquet) I’d ask “so how is his nibs doing?”

My father used to use that term -- I think because he could not remember the name of all the players he coached. One day Hot Rog asked me if I knew his wife Nancy last name. It was “Knibbs ... he played in the NHL. I thought for a second “Not Billy Knibbs?” Yep. “I saw him play for the Kingston Frontenacs in 1962-63 with Harry Sinden, Dick Cherry, Bobby Leiter, Pat Stapelton, Jean-Paul Parise, Wayne Connelly and Ed Westfall.” Nibs. Knibbs Tomato. Toe-mat-toe.

Now we come to draft year and his nibs was the sixth highest college hitter selected in the draft. Each year we name the Canadian Baseball Network all-Canadian college and Player of the Year. Tyler won the award his junior year and we asked Hot Rod to write the piece, which was about college ball, sandlot ball, etc. The final line was “could I have the envelope please-- and the winner is my son.”

In 2024 he was promoted to the Milwaukee Brewers and on April 30 he was promoted to the majors. He didn’t start, but he pinch ran when Gary Sánchez was hit by a pitch and left the game. Both Nancy and Hot Rod make the first pitch. Tyler doubled in his first major-league at-bat. And singled next time up -- while the Brewers reporter was interviewing Hot Rod who said something like “hey, there’s another hit for my son.” after Tyler had singled.

This season Tyler played nine games the Brewers and will get a World Series ring next spring..

* * *

Legendary broadcaster Rod Black (TSN, CTV, Sportsnet) has written a wonderful 304-page book on stories from his days covering the wide world of sports. And especially his love of baseball. The book sells for $36.99 and is available at bookstores such as Indigo or by mail order through indigo, Amazon, or your local bookstore.

November 2, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays finished in a disappointing fifth place in the AL East in 2026, a significant fall from grace considering the club was just a few outs away from winning the World Series in 2025.

Heading into the offseason, the Blue Jays roster that fans have come to know and love is beginning to take on a different shape. George Springer, Daulton Varsho, and Kevin Gausman are no longer with the club, while Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, Jameson Taillon and several others are also departing through free agency.

From a financial standpoint, that's a significant amount of money coming off the books. If history repeats itself and ownership gives the front office the green light to spend, the Blue Jays could be in the market for some major names during the upcoming free-agent period.

With several needs to address across the roster, here are five players who make sense for Toronto this offseason.

1. Adrian Morejon – LHP

If the Blue Jays are looking for left-handed relief help, Adrian Morejon could be the right man for the job.

After eight years in the big leagues with the San Diego Padres organization, the Cuban-born left-hander is hitting free agency for the first time in his career. It took a few years for Morejon to find his niche and overcome some injury troubles, but since 2024, he has developed into an absolute weapon out of the Padres' bullpen.

Last season, Morejon posted a 2.83 ERA and a 2.37 FIP across 86 innings with San Diego, both impressive marks considering the 86 innings represented a career high. He also struck out 107 batters while walking just 28, good for an 11.2 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9, respectively.

His Statcast profile is filled with percentiles above the 90th mark, and he primarily works with a sinker that sits in the upper 90s and can reach triple digits.

The Blue Jays relied primarily on Mason Fluharty as their go-to left-handed reliever last season, while Joe Mantiply landed on the injured list and Brendon Little had to return to Buffalo to work through his struggles.

Morejon will be highly sought after this offseason, but if Toronto is looking to add one or two impactful arms to help reshape its bullpen, committing some money and term to a reliever like Morejon seems like a worthwhile investment.

2. Nick Pivetta – RHP

A Canadian connection could make this one particularly interesting.

Victoria, B.C., native Nick Pivetta is heading to the open market after the San Diego Padres declined their side of a club option for 2027. Pivetta was originally set to earn $14 million before being cut loose.

Elbow inflammation limited him to just eight games this past season. Because of the injury, the Padres gained control of the team option after Pivetta spent more than 130 days on the injured list. Had he remained healthy, the option would have been a player option.

Across those eight starts, Pivetta pitched to a 2.86 ERA, allowing just 11 earned runs over 34 2/3 innings. He followed that up with two postseason starts, allowing three earned runs across 7 2/3 innings.

In 2025, the right-hander pitched a career-high 181 2/3 innings while posting a 2.87 ERA, a 3.49 FIP, and a 0.985 WHIP. His performance earned him a sixth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting.

With Pivetta, there is more injury risk compared to signing a pitcher like Sonny Gray or Freddy Peralta. However, the upside might be worth taking a chance on in free agency if he can stay healthy.

A short-term, option-laden contract makes sense for both sides. Pivetta would get an opportunity to prove he can remain healthy for a season or two and potentially increase his market value, while the Blue Jays would benefit from avoiding a lengthy financial commitment if the injury issues resurface.

3. Seiya Suzuki – RF

If the Blue Jays miss out on Teruaki Sato, there is another viable outfield option in Seiya Suzuki.

The right-handed-hitting right fielder is heading to free agency for the first time in his career after signing with the Chicago Cubs following his posting during the 2021-22 offseason.

Suzuki put himself in an excellent position heading into free agency, posting a 5.1 bWAR season with a .270/.368/.473 slash line, an .841 OPS, and 26 home runs.

The 31-year-old also recorded a 131 OPS+ and proved to be a valuable defensive presence in right field, posting +14 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), recording eight outfield assists, and committing just two errors last season.

There is plenty to like about Suzuki's overall game, and his ability to consistently hit 20-plus home runs would provide a significant boost to a Blue Jays lineup that finished near the bottom of several offensive statistical categories.

Toronto needs another reliable power bat, and Suzuki could provide exactly that. His combination of offensive production, defensive ability, and experience makes him an intriguing option if the club decides to pursue an established major league outfielder.

4. Sonny Gray – RHP

Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray is heading to free agency after the Boston Red Sox declined their side of a mutual option, with Gray receiving a $10 million buyout in the process.

Gray is an established starting pitcher, having made at least 20 starts in every season since 2018, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign.

Last season with Boston, he posted a 2.72 ERA and a 3.47 FIP while striking out 149 batters across 169 innings.

Turning 37 later this month, Gray is entering the final years of his career and likely shouldn't be looking for a lengthy contract. That could make him a perfect fit for the Blue Jays.

Toronto needs another arm or two in the rotation to provide some stability and a short-term deal with Gray would give the club the type of veteran presence it could use. He can still pitch at a high level while potentially helping mentor younger arms such as Ricky Tiedemann, Nolan Perry and other prospects who could begin making an impact in 2027 and beyond.

Gray will likely command a pretty penny compared to pitchers such as Bieber or Gausman, but his track record speaks for itself. His experience pitching in the American League East is another factor that should make him attractive to Toronto.

If the Blue Jays are looking for a veteran starter who can still deliver quality innings without requiring a long-term commitment, Gray makes plenty of sense.

5. Teruaki Sato – 3B/OF

Turning to Japan, one of the hottest names potentially available in 2026 is being posted for Major League Baseball this offseason.

Teruaki Sato, a third baseman and outfielder with the Hanshin Tigers, was made available through the posting process, giving major-league clubs 45 days to negotiate with him.

Sato is expected to be one of the top players available this winter. The 27-year-old won the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Triple Crown last season after posting a .306 batting average, a .991 OPS, and 39 home runs. He also finished the campaign with 106 RBIs, a .383 on-base percentage, and a .609 slugging percentage.

For his career, Sato has accumulated a .271/.337/.514 slash line, along with 163 home runs and an .851 OPS.

Defensively, he has spent most of the past few seasons at third base but also has experience playing in the outfield, albeit with more limited results. He also suited up in right field for Japan at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he held his own.

For the Blue Jays, Sato seems like an excellent potential fit. Toronto had success with Kazuma Okamoto last winter, and Okamoto could become one of the club's biggest assets when it comes to recruiting his fellow countryman.

Sato would give the Blue Jays another option in the corner outfield spots, particularly if Addison Barger struggles to regain his form after missing most of last season due to injury.

Toronto could also use another power bat in the lineup, and adding Sato's left-handed power would provide an intriguing option for the middle of the order.

There will always be some uncertainty surrounding how a player's production in Japan translates to Major League Baseball. However, considering how many boxes Sato checks for the Blue Jays in terms of power, positional versatility, and age, there is plenty to like about a potential deal.

November 2, 2026

By Zach Worden

Canadian Baseball Network

When Joey Volchko got the call that the Chicago White Sox had selected him in the July draft, the excitement reached well beyond the apartment he was renting in West Palm Beach, Fla.

In fact, it extended about 2,500 kilometres north to Ottawa.

That’s where a number of Volchko’s relatives live, the Canadian side of his dual citizenship coming through his mom, Sandy, who was born in North Bay, Ont. Sandy and her family eventually moved to the nation’s capital before her nursing career took her south of the border, where she ultimately settled in California.

Although they landed in Visalia, the Volchkos frequently returned to Ottawa for summer and winter vacations when Joey was younger to visit their family and get some true Canadian experiences.

“We did a lot of stuff up there; as many outdoor activities as you could find for little kids,” Joey told The Canadian Baseball Network in a recent phone interview. “Going for hikes or fishing, there’s so many things that we did. In the winter months, it was obviously stuff that I never would have done in California otherwise, like skiing or snowshoeing.

“Going back, it means a lot because there’s family there, of course. But those are some of my best memories growing up.”

As is the case for many young, burgeoning athletes, Volchko’s year-round commitments on the basketball court and on the ball field cut into those yearly visits to his Canadian family.

But all those hours dedicated to refining his craft turned out to be time well spent for the 6-foot-4 right-hander.

Volchko entered this summer’s draft as the No. 36-ranked prospect in the class by Baseball America and was ultimately selected by Chicago in the third round, with the 77th overall pick.

Landing with the White Sox not only helped Volchko realize his dream of joining a Major League organization, but it also could eventually bring him a little bit closer geographically to his mom’s family north of the border.

So naturally, one of the first people he heard from once the news dropped?

His uncle in Ottawa.

“[Chicago] was a great spot for me to end up,” Volchko said. “My uncle texted me as soon as I got drafted and said, ‘We’ll be sure to come watch you pitch when you get there.’ And that was awesome because we haven’t been able to take many trips up since sports go year-round. So, I really hope that I can see them soon, and I obviously want to go back to Canada because I did love it there.”

Volchko didn’t end up making his official pro debut after the draft, but did join his fellow draftees at the White Sox facility in Glendale for training camp and some bridge-league games against other organizations that have their complexes in Arizona.

The 21-year-old’s arrival in the pro ranks comes after a journey through high school and college that wasn’t quite your typical path to affiliated ball, but one that has Volchko ready to embrace everything about being a South Sider.

“I had talked to [the White Sox] in high school, as well. So, I’ve had a lot of great conversations with their personnel,” he said. “It was definitely a place that I was comfortable with the idea of going. I wanted to be a part of the White Sox, and I’m glad that they called me when they did.”

Volchko initially broke out as one of the top prep arms in the 2023 draft class while pitching for Redwood High in Visalia. But instead of turning pro out of school, Volchko opted to honour his commitment to Stanford and spent 2024 and 2025 on campus.

After a pair of uneven seasons with the Cardinals, Volchko entered the transfer portal and took his talents to Georgia — a decision that helped him shoot up draft boards after a dominant 2026 campaign for the Bulldogs.

Armed with a mid-90s fastball that touched 99 mph, a sweeping slider, curveball and cutter, Volchko earned Georgia’s Opening Day start and proceeded to strike out 119 batters over 95 1/3 innings and 18 starts. He also posted a team-best 11-2 record and a 3.68 ERA, helping the Bulldogs clinch a spot in the College World Series along the way.

His magnum opus with Georgia, though, came in the team’s Omaha-opener. He struck out 15 in a complete-game, four-hit, one-run masterpiece against Texas, leading the Bulldogs to a 7-1 triumph.

Now, he and the White Sox are working to build on the strengths that fuelled his success at Georgia.

“I think my strengths are absolutely spinning the ball,” Volchko said. “They made it clear that they believed in that part of me, and that’s why they drafted me; just because I spin the ball really well and have outlier traits … I want to make sure that I keep my strengths as my strengths, and we’re going to work through things that could potentially highlight them more, which is something I’m really excited about.”

As for what’s next, Volchko is focused on arriving at spring training healthy and ready to go. But he and Chicago have explored potential tweaks to his arsenal that could include adding a fastball with a truer shape, a sinker, or a changeup variation.

If it all clicks, he hopes that 2027 will mark the first step toward reaching the Majors with the White Sox — while bringing him closer to his Canadian family.

But his relatives could have another reason to cheer him on, too. As a dual citizen, Volchko is eligible to represent Canada internationally, something he hasn’t given much thought to, but would certainly consider if the opportunity arose.

“Absolutely, I’d be open to it,” he said. “I think it’d be a lot of fun to play for Canada. It’d be awesome (for his mom) … and it would mean a lot to all of us if we could end up playing for Canada at some point in my career.”

October 29, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans Baseball Club, the defending Frontier League champions, have agreed to terms on a contract with right-handed pitcher Kyle Demi for the upcoming 2027 National Association season.

Demi, 24, returns to Ottawa after missing last year due to injury and originally joined the Titans midway through the 2025 season. The 6-foot-2 right-hander made six appearances in his professional debut with the club, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings. Demi finished his brief stint with Ottawa with a 1.59 ERA.

A native of Wexford, Pa., Demi signed with the Titans in July 2025 after completing his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). During his senior season with the Panthers, Demi appeared in 19 games, including five starts, recording 42 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings. His strikeout total marked a career high and doubled his previous single-season best.

Demi spent four seasons with the Panthers, appearing in 41 games throughout his collegiate career. He also gained summer baseball experience with the Strasburg Express of the Valley Baseball League, where he posted a 0.82 ERA and struck out 27 batters over 22 innings in 14 appearances during the 2022 season.

Off the field, Demi excelled academically at Pittsburgh, as he was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Baseball Team in consecutive seasons.

The Ottawa Titans will open the 2027 National Association season on Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m., hosting the Trois-Rivières Aigles at Ottawa Stadium.

November 1, 2026

Official Rawlings News Release

ST. LOUIS -- Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., announced the winners for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award®, honouring the best individual fielding performances at each position in the American League® and National League®.

The winners were unveiled during a one-hour, special-edition Baseball Tonight broadcast that aired on ESPN on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. E.T.

This year's Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners represent the best defenders in the game, including 11 previous recipients and nine first-time honorees. Christian Walker and Matt Olson each earned their fourth career Gold Gloves, the highest total among this year's winners, while the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks led all teams with three winners each.

The Toronto Blue Jays had five finalists - Vladimir Guerrero Jr., first base; Andres Gimenez, shortstop; Brandon Valenzuela, catcher; Jose Soriano, pitcher and Nathan Lukes, right field - but were shut out of the awards.

"Throughout a season filled with unforgettable defensive highlights, this year's Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners consistently separated themselves from the competition, combining elite skill, instincts, and reliability while making the most difficult plays appear effortless," said Mike Thompson, chief marketing officer for Rawlings. "We look forward to celebrating this year's honorees, from first-time winners to returning standouts, alongside legendary defensive icons, as they join this distinguished legion of athletes."

To determine the winners of the 18 defensive position awards, each team's manager and up to six coaches on his staff voted from a pool of qualified players in their league and could not vote for players from their own team. Additionally, Rawlings includes the SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI) as part of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection process, which influences approximately 25 percent of the overall selection total, with the managers' and coaches' votes continuing to carry the majority.

To identify the utility award winners, Rawlings collaborated with SABR to create a specialized defensive formula separate from the traditional selection process for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award position winners. Utilizing the SABR formula and additional defensive statistics, Rawlings selected one utility winner from each league.

"This year's Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipients represent the very best in defensive excellence, and SABR is proud to provide the statistical foundation that helps celebrate and validate their achievements," said Scott Bush, chief executive officer of SABR. "Through our long-standing and valued partnership with Rawlings, we look forward to continuing to celebrate and elevate one of baseball's most prestigious award platforms."

Below is the complete listing of the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners from each league and the number of Rawlings Gold Glove Awards each player has won in his career:

Fans can vote for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award presented by SABR at www.Rawlings.com now through Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11:59 p.m. E.T. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled at the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony in New York City, on Friday, Nov. 6.

About the Rawlings Gold Glove Award®
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® is a registered trademark owned by Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. The award is correctly identified as the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The name should not be shortened, abbreviated, or otherwise misused. Proper identification of this service mark using the registration symbol and the Rawlings name is important to protect the integrity of the program and perpetuate this worthy tradition. For more information including how players qualify for the Award, please visit www.Rawlings.com.

About Rawlings®
Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings.
Rawlings is the official glove, baseball, helmet and faceguard, and base of Major League Baseball, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball and the official baseball and softball of the NCAA and NAIA, and the official softball of the NJCAA. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com.

November 1, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Padres decline Pivetta’s 2027 option

The San Diego Padres have declined right-hander Nick Pivetta‘s $14-million option for 2027, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune.

Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) is now a free agent.

In his report on Saturday, Acee noted that the Padres are concerned about the health of Pivetta’s elbow which sidelined the Canuck righty for several months in 2026.

Still, the move comes a surprise. The $14-million salary Pivetta would’ve received in 2027 is very reasonable in today’s market for a starting pitcher that has gone 16-7 with a 2.87 ERA in 39 starts over the past two seasons. With that said, Pivetta was limited to just eight regular season starts and two postseason starts in 2026 due his elbow injury.

In February 2025, Pivetta signed a four-year, $55-million contract with the Padres that included opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. However, the Padres also negotiated an injury protection clause that stipulated that if Pivetta were to miss 130 consecutive days on the injured list in one of the first two seasons of the contract that a conditional $14-million team option would be triggered for the 2027 season. Pivetta did, in fact, miss more than 130 consecutive days in 2026. So, team option was activated which voided his opt-out clauses and the final two years of his contract.

The 33-year-old Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team grad just completed his 10th MLB season.

Melvin to receive first World Series ring

Longtime MLB general manager and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) has been involved in professional baseball as a player or executive for more than 50 years.

As a GM, he built teams in Texas (1996, 1998 and 1999) and Milwaukee (2008, 2011) that have advanced to the postseason, but it wasn’t until the Brewers won the World Series on Wednesday night that he was part of a World Series-winning squad.

Melvin is currently a special assistant to the general manager with the Brewers.

Born in 1952, he pitched in the minors in the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees organizations from 1972 to 1978 then moved into the front office ranks.

He worked in a number of prominent posts, including as scouting director with the Yankees (1985) and as assistant GM and director of player personnel with the Baltimore Orioles (1988 to 1993) before landing his first general manager’s job with the Rangers in 1994. During his time with the Rangers, he was named MLB executive of the year twice in 1996 and 1998.

After his tenure with the Rangers, he was named executive vice-president and general manager of the Brewers in 2002 and was voted executive of the year in 2011 after the team won 96 regular season games and captured a National League Central Division title.

Melvin stepped down as Brewers’ GM in 2015 but he remains a respected member of the club’s front office.

In a previous article, I noted that the Brewers also employ the following Canadians:

Player: Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) – He was not on the Brewers’ World Series roster.

Minor league Players: INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.)

Coach: Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), MLB pitching coordinator

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), special assistant to the general manager; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), vice-president, baseball projects (who will receive his third World Series ring after two with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993); Taylor Green (Comox, BC), director of international scouting and player personnel, Brad McKay (Fredericton, NB) head strategist, skill acquisition

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, BC), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Taylor Frederick (Ottawa, Ont.)

Another Canadian executive with the Brewers

On top of the Canadians I’ve already mentioned, I recently learned that the Brewers have another Canadian in their front office.

Michael Cosentino, the team’s senior vice-president of ticket sales and service, is from Toronto. I didn’t know this until Hazel Mae gave him a shoutout on X on Friday.

Cosentino is a York University graduate who has more than 20 years experience in the sports and entertainment industry. Prior to joining the Brewers, he was executive vice-president of business development for the New York Islanders. He has also worked for Canucks Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Vancouver Canucks, as well as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which is the parent company of the Raptors, Maple Leafs and Toronto FC.

Cosentino began his position with the Brewers in March 2024.

And another Canadian working for the Brewers

Yesterday, I also learned that Adam Auer, the Brewers’ team dietician, is from Waterloo, Ont.

Auer has been serving in this role since November 2024. Before that, he held the same position with the Miami Marlins.

The University of Arizona graduate began his work in professional baseball with the Los Angeles Angels organization as their minor league strength and conditioning coach from 2013 to 2018. He was promoted to assistant major league strength and conditioning coach in November 2018 and he held that position for more than five years.

Auer played his minor ball in the Kitchener/Waterloo region. After graduating from high school, he excelled as a catcher for the Colorado State (Pueblo) Thunderwolves (NCAA Div. II), with whom he earned Second Team All-Region Honours in 2007.

Hicks had strong World Series for Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays may have lost the World Series to the Brewers in five games but they received a strong performance from catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.).

Hicks went 4-for-14 (.286 batting average) in the series. And Canadian Baseball Network statistician Neil Munro noted that Hicks topped the Rays in RBIs (4), slugging percentage (.571) and OPS (.946) during the Fall Classic. The Toronto Mets alum also clubbed the Rays’ only home run of the series – a two-run shot in the first inning of Game 2, which made him the first Canadian catcher to hit a home run in the World Series.

Overall in the postseason, Hicks went 10-for-41 (.244 batting average) and topped the Rays with eight RBIs.

Sabrowski’s 28 holds for Guardians rank near top among Canadians

Also according to Munro, the 28 holds Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) registered during the regular season for the Cleveland Guardians are tied for the second-most by a Canadian in an MLB season.

Right-hander Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) had 32 holds for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002, which is the most in a season by a Canuck.

Three others are tied with Sabrowski for second with 28 holds: Quantrill (2003, Dodgers), Rheal Cormier (Cap Pele, N.B., Philadelphia Phillies, 2004) and Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C., Guardians, 2024).

Davalan playing some second base in Arizona Fall League

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Charles Davalan (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.) has been playing some second base with the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.

The Dodgers are hoping this will make him more versatile and expedite his ascent to the big leagues.

Selected 41st overall in the 2025 MLB draft, Davalan had an outstanding season with the High-A Great Lakes Loons this year. In 115 games, he had a .292/.402/.535 slash line with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He also scored 103 runs.

The ABC and University of Arkansas grad is the Dodgers’ No. 7 prospect, according to Baseball America.

Blue Jays dealt Lind for Estrada 12 years ago today

Twelve years ago today, the Toronto Blue Jays traded 1B/DH Adam Lind to the Brewers for right-hander Marco Estrada.

At the time, the deal was not greeted warmly by Blue Jays fans, but Estrada evolved in a key starting pitcher for the club for four seasons and was particularly effective in the postseason, registering a 2.16 ERA in six starts.

Lind, meanwhile, batted .277 with 20 home runs in 149 games in his sole season with the Brewers before he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners.

Remembering Pascual Perez

It was 14 years ago today that former Montreal Expos right-hander Pascual Perez passed away at the age of 55.

Perez pitched parts of three seasons with the Expos from 1987 to 1989. What I tend to forget about Perez is that beyond his enthusiasm, energy and zaniness on the field, he was an excellent pitcher. In 10 starts for the Expos in 1987, he went 7-0 with a 2.30 ERA. He followed that up with 12 wins and a 2.44 ERA in 27 starts in 1988 and a 3.31 ERA in 33 appearances in 1989.

You can watch some fun Expos highlights of him by clicking on the following video.

47th anniversary of big Blue Jays’ trade with Yankees

Forty-seven years ago today, the Blue Jays traded Rick Cerone, Tom Underwood and Ted Wilborn to the Yankees for Chris Chambliss, Paul Mirabella and a little-known prospect named Damaso Garcia.

Just over a month later, the Blue Jays swapped Chambliss to the Atlanta Braves for a package of players that included Barry Bonnell and Joey McLaughlin.

And while Mirabella was mostly ineffective in parts of two seasons with the Blue Jays, Garcia blossomed into an All-Star second baseman. In his seven seasons with Toronto, Garcia was selected to the Midsummer Classic in 1984 and 1985, won a Silver Slugger Award in 1982, batted over .280 five times and was the leadoff hitter on the Blue Jays’ 1985 division-winning team.

This trade still stands as one of the most underrated transactions Pat Gillick made as Blue Jays GM.

Canadian ball hall adds hat from Wilkinson’s MLB debut

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., recently added a game-worn hat from left-hander Matt Wilkinson‘s major league debut to their collection.

On August 19, Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) made his first big league start for the San Francisco Giants against the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched two scoreless innings in the Giants’ 1-0 win at Progressive Field.

In total, Wilkinson made eight appearances (six starts) for the Giants in 2026, posting a 1-3 record and a 3.58 ERA.

Prior to being called up in August, the 23-year-old Okotoks Dawgs grad went 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 10 starts for the Giants’ triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

Platts hired by Mariners

Congratulations to Brett Platts (Albany, P.E.I.) who has been hired to be the assistant MLB strength and conditioning coach of the Seattle Mariners.

This will be Platts’ first big league gig after serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the Texas Rangers’ double-A Frisco Roughriders for the past four seasons. In 2022, he worked in a similar role in the Chicago Cubs’ organization.

The Carleton University alum cut his teeth as a strength and conditioning coach with the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Okotoks Dawgs from 2019 to 2022.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 29, 2026. You can read it here.

November 1, 2026

By Ian Wilson

Alberta Dugout Stories

The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions and Calgarians have good reason to raise a glass to the triumph.

The Brew Crew claimed their first Major League Baseball (MLB) title in dominant fashion with a 4-1 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Milwaukee was a force all year long, picking up 103 wins as the best team in the regular season before going 11-2 in the MLB postseason.

While World Series MVP catcher William Contreras – who successfully won 10 of 13 Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System challenges during the Fall Classic – and star players such as outfielder Jackson Chourio, clutch shortstop Cooper Pratt, veteran slugger Christian Yelich, stellar starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski and unhittable reliever Aaron Ashby rightfully seized the spotlight during the postseason, there were a number of key individuals with ties to Alberta who helped the Brewers raise the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2026.

Here’s a closer look at some of the Calgary connections to the World Series-winning Milwaukee Brewers:

JIM HENDERSON

The pitching coordinator with the Brewers, and a member of the big-league coaching staff since 2022, Jim Henderson was tasked with implementing a pitching strategy ahead of each game to keep some of the world’s top hitters in check.

According to a Sportsnet article by Shi Davidi, Henderson had “an ideal set-up written down and prepared and an, uh-oh, one as well. Then I have to adjust when Murph comes up to me in the fourth inning and says, ‘I want to switch out,’ and improvise. … For us to put the puzzle together and figure out how to get through that game, matching up, that’s fun to me and I’ve enjoyed that part of the gig.”

Manager Pat Murphy told Davidi this of their relationship: “We’re lucky … Jimmy Henderson and I, we fight about it all game on the bench. I don’t know who the arbitrator is, but we fight about it all game, and then we come up with something. So far, so good.”

Henderson – who appeared as a relief pitcher in 111 MLB games with the Brewers – was an original member of the Calgary Dawgs youth team that grew to include the Dawgs summer collegiate squad in the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL), the forerunner of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL). Dawgs Academy is now located in Okotoks, where the Seaman Stadium Complex is a mecca of Canadian baseball, and the summer collegiate team has won eight WCBL championships.

“I couldn’t be here without them, obviously,” Henderson said of the Dawgs.

“It’s hard to even say how important it was. It was beyond important for my development. It’s as simple as that.”

You can learn more about the Okotoks Dawgs Hall of Famer’s journey from Calgary to Milwaukee here.

CHARLIE GREENE

Bullpen coach Charlie Greene suited up for the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and the Brewers during his 55 MLB games as a catcher.

Near the end of his playing days, he appeared in 99 games with the triple-A Calgary Cannons of the Pacific Coast League. During that 2002 season, Greene batted .250 with 34 runs, 24 doubles, 41 RBIs and seven home runs.

The Miami native joined the coaching staff of the Brewers as a fielding coordinator and catching instructor in 2010 and was promoted to the role of bullpen coach in 2024.

MATT ERICKSON

Managing traffic at third base for the Brewers was Matt Erickson, an Appleton, Wisconsin product who only played in four MLB games, but all of them were with Milwaukee in his home state.

Erickson was a teammate of Greene’s with the Cannons. The infielder appeared in 223 games for Calgary in 2001 and 2002. In that time, he collected 129 runs, 237 hits, 51 doubles, 26 stolen bases and three long balls.

The seventh-round selection of the Florida Marlins also took time to work with young players at one of the Cannons instructional baseball camps in July of 2001.

“I know as a young kid, growing up in a town that had a minor-league baseball team, I’d love to go out and see the guys play,” Erickson told the Calgary Herald newspaper at the time.

“And I still remember that any interaction I had with them was a big highlight for me. Hopefully, if I now can do that for some kids in this city, it makes me feel good. Hey, it’s also fun to be out there.”

Erickson joined the coaching staff of the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2009 and took over as manager in 2011, a job he held for a decade. The Timber Rattlers won a Midwest League championship in 2012.

The Brewers brought him onto the parent club as an assistant hitting coach and infield coach in 2022 and he was named the third base coach in 2026.

“The Brewers have been in all parts of my life and baseball upbringing,” Erickson said in a recent interview with Whole Hog Sports.

“To be a fan and then a player, and now a coach, and to see this stadium the last couple of weeks and throughout the summer just filled with joy and excitement from our fans, it has been truly remarkable.”

PAT CASEY

College Baseball Hall of Famer Pat Casey joined the Brewers in 2025 as a player development and high performance consultant.

Casey was a long-time skipper at Oregon State University, where he won three national championships and claimed five coach of the year awards.

“He’s a great man and we’ve had a lot of fun competing against each other,” Murphy said of Casey in a 2011 interview.

“I really cherish our friendship … He’s a wonderful man and I think he’s accomplished a lot in college baseball.”

Casey was sent to Foothills Stadium to represent the Cannons in their inaugural season in 1985 and the infielder played 225 games for the Cannons over two seasons.

“I have fond memories about that whole experience. Loved Calgary, loved the people in that city,” Casey told Alberta Dugout Stories.

“I appreciated how much that front office and the people with the Calgary Cannons cared about baseball and what we were doing. We were treated really well there. There was just a lot of good things there. Every year that I played there was something that helped me in a positive way.”

BRIAN TURANG

Another connection to the Cannons comes from the Turang family.

Brian Turang, who played 78 games for the Seattle Mariners, made his way to Calgary for parts of three different PCL seasons from 1990 to 1994. In total, he repped the Cannons in 178 games.

The infielder and outfielder from Long Beach, California produced 135 runs, 36 doubles, 16 triples, 13 homers, 95 RBIs and 29 stolen bases with the Cannons.

His son, Brice Turang, has been the starting second baseman for the Brewers since 2023.

“I was a little bit stronger than him, but that will come,” said the elder Turang in a 2022 MLB.com interview.

“He has height on me, speed on me. I just try to tell him, ‘Hey man, keep doing what you’re doing. Be you, and you’ve got it.’”

After fielding a ground ball from Jonathan Aranda for the final out of the Fall Classic, Turang has something else his father does not: a World Series championship.

TYLER HOLLICK

His day job is president of baseball operations with the Okotoks Dawgs, but Tyler Hollick has also been an associate scout for the Brewers for several years.

“They’re still going to make the decisions on who they want, it’s basically an extra set of eyes wherever I can,” Hollick said during a 2019 interview with Western Wheel reporter Remy Greer.

“It’s really cool and something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, specifically with the Brewers, they’re super-involved in Canada. Anyone that knows the history of the draft, the Brewers are one of the most aggressive teams in Canada.”

Added Hollick: “They decided they need some more help in Canada and I thought it would be a good fit …. It kind of goes full circle there with Jimmy and myself.”

The Calgarian was the 2011 WMBL Rookie of the Year as a member of the Dawgs, before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 14th round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Following his time in the minor leagues, he returned to Okotoks where he coached and took on a number of front office roles.

OTHER CONNECTIONS

John Axford, who was inducted into the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor in 2025, took the bump for the Melville Millionaires in the WMBL in 2006. That summer he squared off against a number of teams across Saskatchewan and Alberta. During the regular season, the 6-foot-5 hill topper registered a 2.27 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 35 2/3 innings. He also limited opposing hitters to a .139 batting average and just 25 walks. His standout performances included a 19-strikeout effort against the Weyburn Beavers and a 17 K outing during a seven-inning game. The 19 strikeouts established a league record for the most Ks in a single game that still stands.

Alex Rodriguez, who covered the World Series as a FOX Sports analyst, played 32 games for the Cannons in 1994, a year that saw the 18-year-old prospect suit up in Single-A, double-A, triple-A and in the big leagues with the Mariners. In 119 at bats with the Cannons, he posted a .311 batting average, six homers, 21 RBIs, 70 total bases, two stolen bases and a .359 on-base percentage.

If you want to play the “what if?” game, it’s interesting to consider outfielder Tristan Peters. The 2019 WCBL Postseason MVP and Rookie of the Year, who won a championship with the Okotoks Dawgs, had a breakout season with the Chicago White Sox. The Sox surprised many by sweeping the Houston Astros in the American League (AL) Wild Card Series and then pushed the Cleveland Guardians to five games before bowing out of the AL Division Series. Peters was a seventh-round pick of the Brewers in 2021 and he made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. Had he stayed with Milwaukee, the Winkler, Manitoba native would have a lot to celebrate right now, but the Rays must also be reconsidering trading him for cash after watching the bottom of their lineup struggle in the World Series. In any event, Peters’ future in Chicago looks bright.

DOING IT FOR BOB

Many people thought of long-time broadcaster Bob Uecker when the Brewers won the World Series and rightfully so. Uecker, who passed away at the age of 90 in 2025, represented the soul of the ball club and players could feel him watching over them.

The beloved baseball icon made an appearance at a sportsman’s dinner in Lethbridge in 1972 and wowed the 600 people in attendance with his one-liners.

“I just want to do something for baseball,” Uecker said during the visit.

“It has given me a lot in my life and I am thankful for it.”

With the World Series win for the Brewers, it’s clear that baseball fans in Milwaukee are also thankful for Uecker.

October 28, 2026

Official Baseball Ontario News Release

CAMBRIDGE, ONT. – The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is excited to announce that Dan Skirka, head baseball coach at Murray State University and the architect behind one of college baseball's most remarkable postseason runs, will join the speaker lineup for the 2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic, taking place January 15–17, 2027, at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre.

Skirka brings an impressive résumé of championship success, player development and program building, highlighted by leading Murray State University to its first-ever NCAA Division I College World Series appearance in 2025.

Under Skirka's leadership, the Murray State Racers enjoyed a historic 2025 campaign, setting a program record with 44 victories, capturing their first Missouri Valley Conference championship and advancing through the NCAA Regional and Super Regional rounds to earn a coveted spot in Omaha at the College World Series.

The remarkable season also marked Murray State's fifth consecutive 30-win campaign, with the Racers establishing nine single-season team records along the way.

Since taking over as Murray State's head coach ahead of the 2019 season, Skirka has transformed the program into a consistent contender, building a winning culture while developing athletes for success at the collegiate and professional levels.

His commitment to player development has helped numerous athletes advance into professional baseball, including players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft and others who have signed professional contracts with organizations such as the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles.

Before taking the reins at Murray State, Skirka spent four successful seasons at Walters State Community College in Tennessee, serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, Walters State compiled an outstanding 208–48 record, culminating in a 60–8 season and an appearance in the 2018 NJCAA World Series championship game.

Skirka's coaching background also includes previous stops at Murray State, Ouachita Baptist University and Grand Rapids Community College, where he gained extensive experience in recruiting, player development and building competitive baseball programs.

Beyond the collegiate ranks, Skirka has worked with the Prospect Development League at IMG Academy in Florida, a collaborative initiative involving Major League Baseball and USA Baseball focused on developing elite amateur baseball talent.

An accomplished player himself, Skirka enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Grand Valley State University, earning Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region First-Team honours after batting .400 during his senior season. He was also recognized as a First-Team All-GLIAC selection and Grand Valley State's Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007.

Skirka's combination of championship-level coaching, recruiting expertise and player development experience will provide attendees with valuable insights into building successful programs, developing athletes and establishing a winning team culture.

His addition further strengthens an outstanding lineup of speakers for the 2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic, bringing together respected coaches and baseball professionals from across the amateur, collegiate and professional levels.

The Best Ever Coaches Clinic remains one of Canada's premier baseball coaching education events, providing coaches of all experience levels with opportunities to learn, network and bring new ideas back to their teams and local associations.

2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic Details

Dates: January 15–17, 2027

Location: Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre

Featured Speaker: Dan Skirka, Head Baseball Coach, Murray State University

Registration: Now Open

Coaches are encouraged to secure their spot for an exciting weekend of baseball education, professional development and inspiration.

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on October 30, 2026. You can read it here.

October 31, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

It sure didn’t take Aiden Kilshaw long to knock a few items off his bucket list in 2026.

Suit up for the Junior National Team? Check.

Play for Baseball Sask at The Road to Okotoks and Morneau Cup? Check.

Help the Saskatoon Berries clinch their first Western Canadian Baseball League championship? Check.

Start college? Also check.

The Swift Current native was actually in the midst of another day as a freshman at Blinn Community College when his parents called to tell him that all of those major accomplishments had culminated with one more major recognition: Baseball Sask Male Player of the Year.

It was the cherry on top of what’s been a year to remember for the rising star.

“I was pretty honoured to hear that I was getting the award,” Kilshaw told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “It’s what you work all year towards, so it was really cool and special to hear.”

The highly touted catching prospect turned heads at every corner of his 2026 campaign, but he’s now laser-focused on making sure he has an even bigger year to come.

ROLLIN’ WITH THE MOMENTUM

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kilshaw had as big of a year as he did.

His 2025 was just as impressive, as he helped the Saskatoon Cubs capture the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League title, taking them to the Baseball Canada 18U Nationals in Fort McMurray, Alta.

However, Kilshaw didn’t make that trek as he had been tabbed to represent Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games, where he was a major presence in their journey to a bronze medal.

He then went to Toronto for the Canadian Futures Showcase and ended the year with a call to the Junior National Team for their fall trip to the Dominican Republic.

The Berries Academy product impressed the staff enough during that stretch to continue getting the call early in 2026, including for Baseball Canada’s first sojourn into the Major League Baseball Draft League, where he hit .167 with a home run and four runs batted in over three games.

“To rep my country, it was definitely my biggest, most special moment in my baseball career getting that call from coach Greg Hamilton,” Kilshaw said. “It was just an unreal moment and something you can’t ever take for granted.”

He adds it was a big confidence booster as well to know that he’s ranked among the best young players in Canada, feeling it was important to represent the maple leaf with pride everywhere he went as he knew it might not happen again.

ONE MORE ROAD TRIP

The next big-ticket item on Kilshaw’s “Tour de Force” was the inaugural Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound catcher continued to impact every facet of the game, particularly at the plate, where he had hits in eight of the 10 games split between the Regional Qualifiers and the main event in Okotoks in July.

While Team Sask couldn’t make it into the knockout round thanks to the tiebreakers, Kilshaw says it was one more opportunity to play for a team that had been together since the 15U Ray Carter Cup a few seasons earlier and the 2025 Canada Games.

“It was still awesome to go through that experience with that group of guys,” Kilshaw said. “It was all real special and we all loved every minute of it.”

All told, he hit .378 with six doubles, a triple, four RBIs, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases during his time in the green, yellow and white.

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Listen to Saskatchewan Dugout Stories interview Aiden Kilshaw in July 2026 here.

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BERRY EXCITING SUMMER

Kilshaw quickly traded those colours in for the purple, baby blue, white and sometimes black of the Saskatoon Berries as they marched towards a third-straight postseason appearance.

Bent on winning it all this time around, the club was able to lean on their young protégé as he hit .308 with a home run and 14 RBIs in 16 regular season games.

Kilshaw saved his best for last though, as he bumped his average up to .333 to go along with two roundtrippers and 10 RBIs in just seven postseason games to help the Berries raise the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy.

“Behind the plate, I was just trying to slow the game down for our pitchers,” he said. “Hitting-wise, I just wanted to do my job in the five-hole: when guys got on, I just wanted to get them over or drive them in … whatever we needed.”

While closer Wesley Shackelford was ultimately named WCBL Postseason MVP, Kilshaw’s performance earned him more than a few votes.

It also gave the 18-year-old even more confidence knowing he could play with and against some veteran college talent while he was getting himself ready to pack his bags.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories’ podcast about the Saskatoon Berries winning the WCBL championship here.

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BIGGER, STRONGER AND FASTER

Expectations are high for Blinn heading into the 2027 season.

Fresh off being the runner-up at the Junior College (JUCO) World Series last spring and having won it all in 2024, the Buccaneers will likely be looking to the big-game experience of Kilshaw to help them.

The Saskatchewan product says he’s acclimating to his new surroundings in Brenham and the team is already hard at work getting ready for the upcoming college campaign.

The throwing and hitting programs are underway, and he’s hitting the gym hard to get bigger, faster and stronger before the real action starts.

“I don’t really have any expectations going in,” Kilshaw said. “My goal is just to do my job when I can, call a good game, and just try to help the guys to another World Series.”

Just another item for a bucket list that is quickly adding checkmarks.

October 30, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays used more than 16 different pitchers in the starting role last season, ranging from Dylan Cease and his 29 outings to the handful of names who helped carry the club through bullpen games and spot starts after being acquired off the waiver wire.

Toronto’s rotation wasn’t the biggest issue facing the Jays during their disappointing 2026 campaign, but finding some additional stability in the starting five is certainly something the club should consider.

Whether that means pursuing a starter or two on the free-agent market, with names like Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta potentially leading the charge, or identifying a few internal options who can cement their place in the rotation, there are several avenues the organization could explore.

Here’s where things currently stand heading into the offseason.

The Locks

Dylan Cease – RHP

A slow clap for Dylan Cease.

His inaugural campaign with the Blue Jays, following the largest free-agent signing in franchise history, could hardly have gone better. Across 29 outings, he struck out 239 batters and posted a 2.40 ERA and had an AL-leading 2.56 FIP over 169 innings.

Cease was the main cog in Toronto’s rotation, and his name should be on the AL Cy Young ballot in the coming days.

He is expected to lead the charge in 2027 and beyond, barring the club making a major splash in free agency by signing a high-profile name like Skubal.

Jose Soriano – RHP

Acquired at the 2026 trade deadline, the Jays appeared to be sellers after trading right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs. However, they surprised many by acquiring Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels.

Soriano gives Toronto some additional contract control in the rotation beyond 2026, with the right-hander currently slated to reach free agency following the 2029 campaign.

Before the trade, the Dominican product pitched to a 3.29 ERA across 123 innings with a 1.252 WHIP. After joining Toronto, however, Soriano struggled to adjust to his new club, allowing 32 earned runs across 54 1/3 innings for a 5.30 ERA and a 1.362 WHIP.

The 2027 season will represent a fresh start, and the Jays' front office will likely be excited to work with Soriano from the beginning of the campaign rather than having him join the organization midway through the year.

Trey Yesavage – RHP

After a cup of coffee with the Jays in 2025, Yesavage was expected to be a key part of Toronto’s rotation heading into last season. Unfortunately, injuries derailed those plans, and the right-hander finished the year with 20 starts in which he pitched a total of 97 2/3 innings.

Despite missing some time on the injured list, Yesavage still posted strong results on the mound. He finished the campaign with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.137 WHIP, allowing just 5.9 hits per nine innings while recording 97 strikeouts.

His FIP increased slightly to 4.22, likely due in part to the 12 home runs he surrendered (1.1 HR/9) and his 4.3 BB/9. Those are areas the right-hander will look to tighten up as he continues navigating the early stages of his major league career.

Fighting for a Spot

Spencer Arrighetti – RHP

Arrighetti joined the Jays this past summer as part of the Daulton Varsho trade with the Houston Astros, but he struggled to find his groove with his new club.

Injuries kept him sidelined until August 21 following the late-July trade, and he eventually found himself working out of the bullpen after allowing six earned runs against the Kansas City Royals on September 6.

Through seven outings with Toronto, Arrighetti allowed 16 earned runs across 22 2/3 innings.

The right-hander will likely find himself on the big league roster in 2027, but there is no guarantee he will have a spot in the starting rotation. He could also serve as starting depth for the organization, as he still has two minor league options remaining.

Jake Bloss – RHP

It was a difficult year for Jake Bloss.

He entered the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and while rehabbing in July, he landed back on the injured list with a shoulder strain that ultimately shut him down for the remainder of the campaign.

The Jays sent him to the Arizona Fall League to get some innings under his belt before the winter, but he has struggled mightily with Mesa, allowing nine earned runs and 11 hits across 7 2/3 innings.

Next season will be a big one for the right-hander, who enters spring training out of minor league options.

Chad Dallas – RHP

Credit to Chad Dallas. He rode the options train for Toronto last season when the organization desperately needed some innings from its internal depth.

Across six outings, all of which came in a bulk-relief role, he posted a 5.02 ERA and a 1.465 WHIP over 14 1/3 innings.

After missing all of 2025 due to injury, the Jays didn't rush Dallas back into a starting role. He made 15 appearances out of the Buffalo Bisons’ bullpen last season, and 2027 could be a pivotal year in determining whether he remains a starter or transitions into a full-time bullpen role moving forward.

Luckily for Toronto, Dallas still has two minor league options remaining, giving the organization some flexibility as it figures out his future.

Spencer Miles – RHP

There is a fair argument to be made that Spencer Miles could go down as one of the best Rule 5 Draft selections in franchise history, at least when it comes to making an immediate impact.

Willie Upshaw, George Bell, Manuel Lee and Kelly Gruber fans are likely booing that suggestion, but Miles was electric in 2026.

The right-hander made 49 appearances for the Jays last season, eight of which came in a starting role. He pitched to a 2.63 ERA and struck out 93 batters across 95 2/3 innings while posting an almost identical 2.65 FIP.

There have already been rumblings that Toronto could flirt with the idea of moving Miles into the rotation, something he has certainly earned after an impressive rookie campaign.

If that doesn't pan out during his sophomore season, he should remain the go-to long man in the Jays' bullpen moving forward.

Cody Ponce – RHP

After revitalizing his career in Japan, Cody Ponce signed a three-year, $30-million deal with the Jays last offseason.

He was given an opportunity to work out of the rotation, but in cruel fashion, he tore his ACL during his first start and missed the remainder of the season on the injured list.

He didn't appear in affiliated baseball for the rest of the campaign, but the current prognosis suggests he should be ready to go in 2027.

Of the group in this section, Ponce likely has the best chance of making the rotation out of spring training based on his experience. However, the club could also consider moving him into a bullpen role if someone like Miles performs well in a starting capacity, particularly if Toronto adds another arm or two through free agency.

Ricky Tiedemann – LHP

Speaking of injuries, enter Ricky Tiedemann.

After missing all of 2025 and being limited to just 17 1/3 innings in 2024, the left-hander finally made his major league debut this past season, appearing out of the Jays' bullpen.

His sample size was limited to just six innings, where he produced mixed results. Tiedemann allowed just one earned run but also surrendered five hits and issued six walks.

Finding more consistency will be key for Tiedemann, who has already demonstrated his ability to generate strikeouts.

One major benefit for the California product is that he throws from the left side, something Toronto is currently lacking in its projected rotation heading into 2027.

CJ Van Eyk – RHP

Van Eyk found himself in a similar situation to Dallas last season, putting on plenty of mileage between Toronto and Buffalo.

The right-hander appeared in five games for Toronto, including one start, and allowed seven earned runs over 11 2/3 innings, resulting in a 5.40 ERA and a 1.457 WHIP.

He didn't walk many batters, issuing just two free passes, but he also recorded only three strikeouts while surrendering 15 hits. That combination ultimately contributed to his elevated ERA.

At 27 years old, Van Eyk is reaching a point in his career where a transition to the bullpen could become a realistic option. However, there is still some conviction within the organization that he can serve as another depth arm who can be called upon when needed in 2027.

A strong spring could help sway the coaching staff, but time is ticking for the former second-round pick.

The Wild Cards

Jose Berrios – RHP

Here we go. It's time to talk about Jose Berrios.

The 2025 World Series saga, the reported 'kicking of the tires' on a potential trade last winter, and missing all of 2026 due to injury have left Berrios and the Jays at something of a crossroads.

He has a $24-million player option this offseason, which he should be expected to exercise, leaving him with $48 million remaining through 2028.

Financially, he is likely heading back into the rotation based on principle alone, barring Toronto trading him or moving on from his contract altogether. The organization has made similar decisions with large-scale contracts in the past. Troy Tulowitzki, anyone?

There also hasn't been much information regarding Berrios' recovery from elbow surgery. Considering he underwent Tommy John surgery last May, he might not even be ready to return to the mound until late July or August.

It's not something the Jays necessarily need to address immediately, but having a significant amount of money tied up in a pitcher who found himself moving to the bullpen when Yesavage joined the club late in 2025 is likely keeping Ross Atkins up at night.

Bowden Francis – RHP

Right-hander Bowden Francis also missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, although his procedure took place in February. As a result, he’ll likely return before Berrios.

The biggest question surrounding Francis, once he is healthy and ready to return, is what his role will look like moving forward.

With Toronto, Francis has appeared in 62 games, 27 of which came in a starting role. When looking at his splits, he has found considerably more success as a reliever than as a starter, even with his multiple no-hit bids.

Out of the bullpen, Francis owns a 2.83 ERA across 63 2/3 innings compared to a 4.34 ERA across 141 innings as a starter.

It's not the most perfect comparison given the difference in innings, but the overall trends make his future role something of a coin flip.

Francis does have one minor league option remaining, meaning Toronto could send him to triple-A to work as a depth starter if the organization wants him to continue developing in that role.

Nolan Perry – RHP

It wasn't quite the same meteoric rise as Trey Yesavage's through the farm system, but Nolan Perry put together one heck of a run last season.

Starting the year in Single-A Dunedin, Perry finished the campaign with nine starts in double-A New Hampshire, where he posted a 2.32 ERA across 31 innings.

Collectively, he allowed just 23 earned runs across 82 2/3 innings and 21 appearances, finishing the year with a 5.7 H/9, 3.5 BB/9, and an impressive 12.7 K/9 as one of the Jays' top pitching prospects.

Looking ahead, Perry's chances of cracking Toronto's 2027 rotation are slim, but they certainly aren't zero.

There is some stiff competition ahead of him, and that becomes even more complicated if the club signs a starter or two this offseason. Still, it's not entirely out of the question.

An impressive spring showcase, combined with a few injuries at the major league level, could open the door for Perry.

Even if he falls just short of making the Opening Day roster, he should be hovering around triple-A Buffalo, waiting for an opportunity to make his major league debut at some point in 2027.

October 29, 2026

Official Okotoks Dawgs News Release

OKOTOKS, ALTA. — The Okotoks Dawgs proudly congratulate alumnus Jim Henderson on winning the World Series as pitching coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers captured their first World Series championship Wednesday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 4-1.

Henderson’s baseball journey began close to home. A member of the original Dawgs team in Calgary in 1996, he helped lay the foundation for the organization that would become today’s Okotoks Dawgs program. Playing with the Dawgs at numerous U.S. showcases, Henderson attracted the attention of college coaches, ultimately earning full rides to Midland JC in Texas and Tennessee Wesleyan University. Jim was selected in the MLB draft while suiting up with the college Dawgs.

Three decades later, his success is a proud moment for the Dawgs family. His path to baseball’s biggest stage required extraordinary perseverance. Henderson spent 10 years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut with Milwaukee in 2012. He went on to pitch for the Brewers and New York Mets, completing his MLB playing career in 2016.

Henderson carried that experience into coaching, joining Milwaukee’s minor league coaching ranks in 2018. He steadily advanced through the Brewers organization, coaching at Helena, Wisconsin and triple-A Nashville before joining the major league staff in 2022.

Now serving as Milwaukee’s pitching coordinator, Henderson celebrates a World Series championship with the same organization that gave him his first big league opportunity.

For current Dawgs players, Henderson’s journey demonstrates where dedication to the game can lead. From his earliest days with the original Dawgs to his years developing as a professional pitcher and coach, his story reflects the value of persistence, learning and hard work.

The Okotoks Dawgs join their fans, players, alumni and families in congratulating Jim Henderson and the Milwaukee Brewers on this historic achievement.

“Once a Dawg, always a Dawg.”

October 29, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team closed out its run at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship on a winning note Thursday, defeating Cuba 8-2 in Boca Chica.

Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) set the tone on the mound, working five strong innings while allowing one run on two hits and striking out eight to earn the win.

After two scoreless innings, Canada broke through in the bottom of the third. Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) singled to centre before Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) followed with a single to left and Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) walked to load the bases. Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) then delivered a two-run single to centre, scoring Armitage and Lascelles to give Canada a 2-0 lead.

The Juniors added another run in the fourth. Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) drew a walk and stole second before Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) moved him to third. Armitage followed with a sacrifice fly to right to extend the advantage to 3-0.

Cuba got on the board in the fifth on an RBI single, but Andersen responded by striking out the next two hitters to strand a pair of runners and preserve Canada’s 3-1 lead.

Canada broke the game open with five runs in the sixth. Miller walked and Whiteford was hit by a pitch before Armitage singled to left centre to bring home Miller. Whiteford later scored on a wild pitch before Blain singled to right, scoring Armitage.

An error on the play allowed Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) to score as Blain advanced to third, and Jacob followed with a sacrifice fly to complete the five-run frame and push the lead to 8-1.

Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) took over for Andersen in the sixth and retired the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts. Cuba added a solo home run in the seventh before Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) entered and closed out the 8-2 victory with a game-ending double play.

Canada finishes its U-18 Pan American Championship with consecutive victories over Brazil and Cuba in the Placement Round.

BOXSCORE

October 29, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Ty Shannon of the Brantford Red Sox had every reason to tie one on last weekend.

Only problem was Shannon was the stud of the 16U Red Sox, so it will be a few years before he can celebrate.

Shannon was a primary reason for Brantford’s 43-14-1 championship season, as they won both Inter County regular-season and playoff titles.

In 58 games, he batted .341 with a team-high 46 hits and 39 RBIs. And he delivered in the clutch: hitting .366 with runners in scoring position.

Showing versatility, Shannon caught over 137 innings, fielded .980, and went 6-0 with a 2.23 ERA from the mound. The team captain showed character, leadership, as well as clutch performance which earned near-unanimous MVP votes.

At the annual OBA Convention, he earned senior player of the year.

Top Pitcher: Shannon had company on stage as his Brantford teammate Ethan Hunter was named rep pitcher of the year 14 and above. In 73 innings, he had 101 strikeouts and a 1.82 ERA

Top Player No. 2: Caiden Stashans-Alvarado, of the Cambridge Cubs 13U Tier 1, made it a clean sweep for the OBA, winning junior player of the year.

Stashans-Alvarado also won ICBA Junior player of the year. He displayed a .529 batting average while collecting 48 RBIs, including 27 extra-base hits, and 33 stolen bases.

He provided leadership behind the plate, at shortstop and on the mound whenever called upon. Stashans-Alvarado’s complete skillset and elite play drove his team’s success.

* * *

Top Pitcher No. 2: La’Kai Delancy, of the Hawks, won OBA junior pitcher of the year in the 13U age group.

Besides the mound, he played outfield and caught.

* * *

HOF Class of 2026: Rob Butler, Michael Lebel, and Don McKnight: Butler, an East York native realized his dream of playing for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays when he received the call to the majors while playing at triple-A Syracuse. He was there on a Friday when he learned he would be joining the Blue Jays the following day in Detroit. As he walked from the first-base dugout toward the clubhouse in the right-field corner, Butler recalled having tears in his eyes. With Toronto, Butler appeared in 17 games in 1993, batting .271 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. After becoming the first Canadian to play on a Canadian World Series-winning team that fall, Butler suited up for 41 more contests with the Blue Jays in 1994 before spending the 1995 season in Toronto’s minor-league system. He resurfaced in the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997, batting .292 in 43 games. He would play his final eight major league games with the Blue Jays in 1999. Butler operated a hitting academy in Ajax, coached with Canada’s Junior National Team and currently manages the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Michael Lebel has been an integral part of baseball in Sault Ste. Marie for decades, serving as a volunteer, coach and executive. He served as president of the Soo Minor Association for roughly 35 years and played a significant role in growing the game throughout Northern Ontario. He also founded the Soo Black Sox, the Great Lakes League and the Northern Elite League. He was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Lebel has won seven provincial championships and finished as a runner-up six times.

McKnight’s involvement in baseball spans eight decades. His journey began as a player with the Newmarket in the late 1940s and he later became heavily involved off the field, serving as a coach, umpire and administrator with the Newmarket, York-Simcoe Association and Baseball Ontario. After coaching his two sons, McKnight remained involved in the game and transitioned into administration, eventually becoming a key leader with the provincial body. McKnight was inducted into the Newmarket Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

* * *

Former OBA players of the year:

Players

Year Junior and Senior Players of the Year

1994 Chris Green, Mike Kusiewicz

1995 Paul Brown, Shawn Pearson

1996 Dan Hansen, Doug Vandecaveye

1997 Scott Thorman, Jason Mandryk

1998 Bradley Gould, Patrick Nailer

1999 Chris Emanuele, Tanner Watson

2000 Derek Lowe, BJ Richardson

2001 Dan Zehr, Chris Robinson

2002 Kate Psota, Jamie Romak

2003 Ian Choy, Cherie Piper

2004 Trevor Barton, Davey Wallace

2005 Cain Monaghan, Kevin Long

2006 Tanner Nivins, Greg Densem

2007 McCalla Sturgeon, Robert Cooper

2008 Geoffrey Seto, Larry Balkwill

2009 Nicholas Dimpfel, Ryan Zimmer

2010 Josh Naylor, Jake Lumley

2011 Connor May, Byron Reichstein

2012 Jason Stott, Matt Smith

2013 Noah Naylor, Justin Gideon

2014 Noah Roberts, Zachary Fascia

2015 Colin Mandarich, Jake Brennan

2016 Joe Kuin, Tyrell Schofield-Sam

2017 Carson Lumley, Josh Arce

2018 Brett Talbot, Carter Arbuthnot

2019 Jorja Sandilands, Scott Austin

2020 COVID

2021 Markus Woodley, Ryan McGivney

2022 Clive O’Brien, Darian Barnes

2023 Westin Merrit, Cameron Tully

2024 Zander Parsons, Isaac Cartier

2025 Victoria Curro. Marquise Gordon

2026 Caiden Stashans-Alvarado, Ty Shannon.

(Pro players or those drafted listed in bold.)

Award winners

Players

Naep Player of The Year 13U & Below _ Caiden Stashans-Alvarado

Rep Player of The Year 14U & Above _Ty Shannon

Select Player of The Year 13U & Below _ Lucas Todd

Select Player of The Year 14U & Above _ Luke Robinson

Rep Pitcher of The Year 13U & Below _ La’Kai Delancy

Rep Pitcher of The Year 14U & Above _ Ethan Hunter

Select Pitcher of the year 13U & Below _ Akiva Tobias

Select Pitcher of the year 14U & Above _ Carson Delaney

Rep Team of The Year _ Waterloo Tigers 18U AAA

Teams

Select Team of the Year _ Southwest London Scorpions 15U DS

16U Provincial Team Award of Excellence _ Ashlynn Jolicoeur

17U Provincial Team Award of Excellence _ Brett Rienguette

21U Provincial Team Award of Excellence _ Zoe Falardeau

Women’s Provincial Team Award of Excellence _ Reese Velocci

Coaches

Rep Coach of The Year 13U & Below _ Carlos Verde

Rep Coach of The Year 14U & Above _ Mark Cheeseman

Select Coach of the Year _ Michael Burko

Umpires

Dick Willis Junior Umpire Of The Year _ Nick Wilton

Dick Willis Senior Umpire Of The Year + Mark Ariss

Don Gilbert Umpire Of The Year _ Chris Walters

Association of the ear

Association of the Year _ SPBA

Executives

Don McKnight Memorial Awards for Affiliate Volunteer of the Year, COBA _ Pierre Lill, The Smith Family, ICBA _ Alberto and Meaghan McGloin

Don McKnight Memorial Award for Affiliate Volunteer of the Year, YSBA _ Jen Novak

Jack Middlemasss Memorial Award, Provincial Volunteer of the Year _ Bill Bouck

Director of the Year _ Aaron Dunlop

President’s Award _ David Huctwith

Provincial Award _ Ron Smith

Commissioners Award _ Wendy Kudeba

Service Awards:

Five Years _ Scott Costello, Ashley Stephenson, Samantha Magalas and Donald Fell.

10 years _ Adel Agar, Adam Bakos, Ron Burns, Paul Chapley, Kaira Bates, Brent Peltola, Robert Murakami, David Lible, Steve Koziel, Chris Walters and Isaac Zywczok.

15 years _ Enza Finnie.

20 Years _ Sean O’Brien, Stephen Gomes, Keith McConkey, David Phillips, Falco Schieda and Matthew Tyler.

25 Years _ Glenn Ostrosser, Dirk Drieberg.

Great Lake Canadians director of baseball operations Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.) played for Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy with the triple-A Tucson Padres in 2013.

October 29, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

It would've been difficult to find someone in Southwestern Ontario who was cheering harder for Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy to win the World Series than Chris Robinson.

The former big league catcher, and now director of baseball operations for the Great Lake Canadians in Dorchester, Ont., played for Murphy on the San Diego Padres' triple-A affiliate in Tucson in 2013.

"I had Murph as my manager from July until the end of September [in 2013] and he was the most influential person on my baseball career," said Robinson in a phone interview on Wednesday. "He's the reason I got to the big leagues . . . He pounded the table for me loud enough for someone to listen and I owe him a lot."

In 2013, a then 29-year-old Robinson was in his ninth minor league season. He had enjoyed a solid professional career but he had yet to receive a big league call-up. He had told his wife, Amy, who was at home in Dorchester with two young twins, that this season would be his last.

He began the campaign with the Baltimore Orioles' triple-A Norfolk Tides and was contemplating hanging up his playing spikes mid-season before his agent Bob Lisanti, who had played for Murphy at the University of Notre Dame, orchestrated a trade that would see Robinson go to the Padres' organization.

Robinson had to OK the deal and after a lengthy, late-night phone conversation with his wife, he agreed to head to Tucson.

After his first week with his new club, he was ready to retire, going so far as to call his agent to tell him this. But within 48 hours of that phone call, the Padres promoted Rene Rivera, who had been Tuscon's regular catcher, and Robinson began playing every day, and he discovered he loved playing for his quirky new manager.

"Murph was just the best," said Robinson. "I started to think this was going to be a pretty good way to end things . . . Murph was just such a character."

That much was evident on Canada Day that year when Murphy announced his plan for that day's game.

"It was Canada Day and we're in Sacramento about as far as you can be from Canada. Murph walks into the room that day and he says, 'New rule today: you don't address anyone on the field without using a strong Canadian accent or using some sort of hockey reference,’" recalled Robinson.

"And he was managing from the dugout during that game because he was wearing a boot. He had hurt his foot, so he couldn't coach third base. And he sat on the top ledge in the dugout that night and just absolutely wore this poor umpire out in triple-A. And everything was with Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe with some ridiculous Canadian accent. He didn't stop the whole night. And the umpire was like, 'What is talking about?’ And I'm back there thinking, 'This guy's crazy, but this is the best.' And it went on the whole game and it was everything that he could pull from his mind that had to do with hockey . . . That was just Murph being Murph."

Murphy and Robinson shared a gritty approach to the game and were both intensely focused on winning. And Murphy grew to trust Robinson so much that he would call his veteran catcher into his office and ask him who they needed to go trade for. One time, Robinson suggested his friend Scott Moore and the team went out and acquired him.

"One of the biggest things I remember about Murph is that he was on the phone all day," recalled Robinson.

Robinson wondered who Murphy was calling all the time and it turns out it was largely former players. Robinson says one day Murphy would be talking to a former player who was going through a divorce and the next, he'd be congratulating an ex-player whose wife just had a baby.

"I could text Murph right now and he'd text me back," said Robinson. "That's the type of person he is. And I'm an absolute nothing in his story, but that's the type of person you're dealing with, with Pat Murphy. He's on a different level when it comes to connecting with people."

The fact that Robinson batted .316 in 39 games and served as a veteran leader behind the plate also wouldn't have hurt his relationship with Murphy, who was responsible for delivering the news to Robinson that he was being called up by the Padres, his first promotion to the big leagues, in early September 2013.

In late August, Robinson had been sent to double-A San Antonio and was told to be ready for a call-up when Padres catcher Nick Hundley's wife went into labour. But when that didn't happen after three or four days, Robinson was returned to Tucson where he resigned himself to the fact that he may never receive a big league call-up.

A couple of days later, however, Robinson woke up and had a message from Kai Murphy, Murphy's 13-year-old son, on his phone.

"The message was, 'Robby, I can't find my dad. He didn't come home after the game last night. You're one of his guys, so I didn't know if you knew where he went?'" shared Robinson.

"So, I called Kai and I was like, 'Is it all good? Did your dad come home?' And he was like, 'No, he didn't come home . . . I woke up this morning and he wasn't here. He just left a note that said, 'Brush your teeth. Have a big breakfast and when you're done, call Robby and tell him he's going to the big leagues.' So then I just stopped and I heard Murph in the background saying, 'I wanted you to remember it. I wanted you to remember it and I wanted Kai involved in this one.' I was just like, 'Murph, I've been in the minor leagues for nine years, you could've emailed me and I would've remembered it.'"

"So Kai Murphy, not Pat Murphy was the one who told me I was going to the big leagues."

Robinson would play in eight games for the Padres that September and belt a pinch-hit, two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 25, 2013.

For that opportunity, Robinson will be forever grateful to Murphy, and he's not at all surprised that his former manager is now a World Series-winning skipper.

"Murph is the master of putting people in positions where they will be really successful," said Robinson. "He was also a master at making you feel good at what you do."

So it's easy to see why Robinson was cheering for Murphy and the Brewers this postseason.

"I saw Murph had his family up there with him [at some of the World Series press conferences] . . . That's not a show. That's Murph," said Robinson. "He plays to the beat of his own drum. If they were to say, 'You shouldn't have your family up there.' He would say, 'I don't care. This is what I'm doing.' He's not a disrespectful, defiant guy. It's just Murph being Murph."

And "Murph" is someone Robinson calls "one of his favourite people in the world."

"He took me under his wing . . . He's just a special person in terms of being able to read people, to support people and get the most of out of people. I wanted to run through a wall for him," said Robinson. "And I still would."

October 28, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

Jeff Rose has been named the 2026 Canadian Baseball League's Umpire of the Year, as selected by all teams.

The longtime umpire has been a respected fixture in the league since coming over from Alberta and has consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability and a strong commitment to the CBL.

"With his calm personality, approachability and unwavering integrity, he has built a reputation of respect among CBL managers and players," CBL commissioner Ted Kalnins said.

It's the first time the league has recognized its top umpire, which it plans to do annually going forward.

October 28, 2026

Baseball Canada

The tournament format at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship has been adjusted following weather-related game suspensions and the need to complete the Super Round and determine qualification for the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

The Medal Round has been cancelled, with every effort now being made to complete all remaining Super Round games. Final tournament standings will be determined by the results of the Super Round, with the team finishing in first place being declared tournament champion.

Canada did not advance to the Super Round and is currently awaiting further information regarding additional Qualifying Round games.

Tournament organizers have indicated that games involving Qualifying Round teams may be scheduled on the final day of competition.

Stay tuned to Baseball Canada channels for further updates on Canada’s remaining schedule.

October 28, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The World Series is nearing its conclusion, and the 2026–27 MLB offseason is just days away.

However, this winter’s free-agent market comes with an added layer of uncertainty: the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire in early December, raising the possibility of a lockout that could disrupt offseason activity.

For Toronto Blue Jays fans, several familiar faces are expected to hit the free-agent market, including George Springer, Shane Bieber, Yimi García and Max Scherzer. Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho, both of whom were traded by Toronto this past summer, are also among the notable names to watch.

From a Canadian perspective, however, several questions remain regarding which players will reach free agency, as club and mutual options could determine the next steps for a number of Canadian-born/connected players.

Nick Pivetta – RHP

Status: Club option — San Diego Padres

Victoria, B.C., native Nick Pivetta missed a significant portion of the 2026 campaign because of an elbow injury, limiting him to just eight regular-season starts and 34 2/3 innings.

When healthy, however, the right-hander showed just how effective he can be. Pivetta allowed 11 earned runs while striking out 42 batters, finishing the regular season with a 2.86 ERA. He also made two postseason starts for San Diego, surrendering just three earned runs over 7⅔ innings.

This offseason, the Padres must decide whether to exercise Pivetta’s $14-million club option for the 2027 season. The option was originally structured as a player option but converted into a club option after the veteran spent more than 130 days on the injured list this past season.

Since joining San Diego, Pivetta has delivered impressive results. Across 39 starts, he has recorded a 2.87 ERA and a 3.29 FIP over 216⅓ innings while striking out 9.7 batters per nine innings.

Provided there are no lingering concerns about his elbow, exercising the option appears to be a straightforwarer could be worth the investment as San Diego looks to remain competitive. d decision for the Padres. Pivetta has demonstrated that he can be a valuable piece of the rotation, and retaining a proven start

Cal Quantrill – RHP

Status: Free agent

After finishing the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers, right-hander Cal Quantrill elected to return to the organization on another minor-league contract.

He did not begin the 2026 campaign on the major-league roster but was called up on April 15 and remained with the club for the rest of the season.

Moving between the rotation and bullpen, Quantrill found his footing in Texas. He appeared in 32 games, including 15 starts, and allowed just 35 earned runs over 110 innings, finishing with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.

Opponents hit just .218 against him, while his walk rate improved to an impressive 2.0 BB/9. The right-hander's versatility and ability to limit baserunners made him a useful option for the Rangers, although a right lat strain landed him on the injured list to close out the campaign.

Quantrill enters the offseason in a similar position to Romano, but his stronger results and younger age could work in his favour.

The right-hander could attract interest from teams looking for an experienced starter who can also provide relief innings when needed. A short-term contract in the $1-million-to-$3-million range could be a possibility, although his final market will depend on his health and the level of interest from other clubs.

A reunion with Texas also makes sense. The Rangers gave Quantrill an opportunity to rebuild his value, and he responded with one of his more effective campaigns in recent years. With that relationship already established, another short-term agreement could benefit both sides.

Jordan Romano – RHP

Status: Free agent

Markham, Ont., native Jordan Romano experienced a turbulent 2026 season, one that saw him move from a major-league contract to a minor-league deal before finding a measure of stability in Colorado.

Romano signed a one-year, $2-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels before the season. However, his tenure in Anaheim was short-lived. After blowing four saves and posting a 10.13 ERA over eight innings, he was designated for assignment in late April.

The right-hander subsequently signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies. After making nine appearances in triple-A, he earned a call-up to the major leagues and finished the season in Colorado's bullpen.

Romano was considerably more effective with the Rockies, recording a 4.21 ERA over 25⅔ innings while converting 11 of 14 save opportunities.

Although his season got off to a disastrous start in Los Angeles, the former Blue Jays closer showed enough in Colorado to attract interest this winter. His late-season improvement and experience in high-leverage situations could appeal to teams seeking bullpen depth without committing significant money.

A minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training could be a realistic starting point for Romano, though a team looking for an experienced closer willing to accept a short-term deal could provide another opportunity.

After a difficult year, the 33-year-old will be looking to prove that his struggles in Los Angeles were an outlier rather than a sign of things to come.

Michael Soroka – RHP

Status: Mutual option — Arizona Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka was looking for a change of scenery, and he appears to have found one in the desert.

The Calgary, Alta., native has faced an uphill battle throughout his career, with injuries disrupting his development after a promising start with the Atlanta Braves. After struggling to establish himself in several different rotations, Soroka found a more consistent role with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Across 22 appearances, including 21 starts, he posted a 3.41 ERA, a 3.19 FIP and a 1.086 WHIP over 116 innings. It was his highest innings total since his sophomore campaign in 2019. Soroka also allowed just 44 earned runs and recorded an impressive 7.5 hits per nine innings.

The right-hander signed a two-year contract with Arizona that includes a mutual option for 2027. If both sides exercise the option, Soroka would earn $10 million next season, with a $1-million buyout attached to the decision.

This situation is more difficult to predict.

Soroka showed that he can still be an effective starter, but he also missed time on the injured list, leaving some questions about his long-term durability. The Diamondbacks must weigh the value of retaining a productive arm against the financial commitment and the risk of another injury-shortened season.

Soroka, meanwhile, could test the market in search of a more lucrative deal, particularly if teams believe his 2026 performance signals a return to form that made him a promising name to watch in the Braves’ rotation. With the possibility of a lockout looming, however, the security of another season in Arizona could be appealing.

Both paths carry risk, making this one of the more intriguing option decisions involving a Canadian player this winter.

Jameson Taillon – RHP

Status: Free agent

After signing a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs during the 2022–23 offseason, right-hander Jameson Taillon was hoping to finish his deal on a high note. Instead, the Lakeland, Fla., native endured a difficult season, posting a 5.92 ERA through 15 starts before a strained hamstring further complicated matters.

The Cubs eventually designated Taillon for assignment before trading him to the Blue Jays.

Taillon made three appearances with Toronto, allowing just four earned runs over 10 innings. However, he once again landed on the injured list and is now preparing to undergo elbow surgery for the third time in his career.

The goal is to get the veteran right-hander healthy enough to return to the mound, as Taillon has made it clear that he is not ready to call it a career just yet.

Should a lockout occur this winter, the extended period of inactivity could offer Taillon additional time to recover from surgery and work his way back into throwing shape. While the uncertainty surrounding his health will likely limit his market, a successful rehabilitation could give him another opportunity to establish himself at the major-league level.

Across 10 MLB seasons, Taillon owns a career 3.99 ERA and a 4.18 FIP over 1,323 innings.

Rowan Wick – RHP

Status: Club option — San Francisco Giants

Since 2024, right-hander Rowan Wick has pitched overseas with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Wick (North Vancouver, B.C.) established himself as one of the club's top relievers in 2025, appearing in 40 games and posting a 4–1 record with an outstanding 0.84 ERA. He struck out 49 batters, recorded five saves and finished the season with a 0.844 WHIP and a 10.3 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2025 before signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in February. The deal included a club option for the 2027 season.

The arrangement gave San Francisco a relatively low-cost opportunity to retain Wick's services while accounting for his expected absence during the 2026 campaign. The Giants could also place him on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster while he recovered.

Wick's club option is worth $800,000, with a $100,000 buyout if the Giants decide to move on. He did not pitch in affiliated baseball during the 2026 season.

Given the modest financial commitment, the decision could come down to how the organization views Wick's recovery and his potential contribution to the bullpen in 2027. If his rehabilitation progresses as hoped, retaining him could offer the Giants an inexpensive opportunity to add bullpen depth without making a significant investment in free agency.

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

With one out in the eughth inning, Sal Frelick rushed toward Ben Williamson’s dying fly ball.

He skidded, caught it and rolled over on his right shoulder, which was hurt anyway. Frelick’s teeth reflected the pain, but then he started laughing. The exhilaration of making a late-inning catch in the World Series is better than ibuprofen. Note: Frelick’s Milwaukee Brewers were leading Tampa Bay, 10-0.

Sal Frelick makes a stellar diving catch! https://t.co/j9tyNyYqt0

— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2026

It ended at 10-1, and the Brewers lead the World Series, 3-0.

For a small-market team, their fans were anywhere and everywhere. They barged into Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field. They jammed into their home ballpark to watch it on the video board. There were even reports of ticket-scalping. The downtown Deer District was also fawning over the Brewers. The only thing keeping them from being America’s Team is that they’re churning to their first championship too quickly. Besides, the Cowboys were playing on a rival channel, so that’s where most of the eyeballs went. But the thing about Frelick is that he would have made that dive in front of empty bleachers. The Brewers are not playing the scoreboard, or even the Rays. They’re playing the book.

For most of this century it has become gospel that you can’t win this way, at least not offensively, that you can’t base-hit and run and execute your way to victory. No, it takes massive uppercut swings to propel baseballs over fences, and strikeouts are just collateral damage. And it has worked, to a point, when accompanied by superior pitching and defense. There are certain players who can slug their way to championships, or close to them, but they’re usually not the players the Brewers can afford.

Jackson Chourio and William Contreras, the two leading offensive contenders for Series MVP whenever this ends, are a product of the belief system. Both have ample power. Chourio is only 22. You’d think he’d be trying for tape-measure shots every time. Instead, he has eight hits in the Series, and seven are singles. He has led off four innings and gotten four hits.

Contreras is 7-for-13, all base hits. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .333 with two out, 12-for-36. Tampa Bay is hitting .083.

Contreras will get points by throwing out three basestealers, including the blurry Chandler Simpson, who is one of the few Rays to introduce himself nobly to the Series audience. And certainly Aaron Ashby’s 15 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen will sway some MVP voters. For that matter, Robert Gasser outpitched Freddy Peralta Monday, with one hit and one walk over six innings.

You can tell how special a team is when you have trouble deciding the proximate cause of their victory. In fact, we’re suddenly in a phase of ensemble casts.

The Carolina Hurricanes had no obvious Hall of Famers when they rampaged through the Stanley Cup with a 16-3 record. The Knicks had Jalen Brunson, but he played himself into celebrity during the NBA playoffs, and everyone else in the lineup had a prominent part, all the way to OG Anunoby getting the follow-up bucket that finished the Game 4 comeback.

Connor McDavid hasn’t won a Stanley Cup yet. Aaron Judge hasn’t won a World Series and neither has Bryce Harper, nor Luka Doncic. One would expect that all of them will, but it’s so much easier when everyone has fingerprints on the prize, especially in baseball. “Trust” has become a cliche because it’s so true. If Chourio didn’t trust the other Brewers, he would be chasing down-and-away sliders, and walking back to the dugout with his bat.

This game was an exploding cigar. Milwaukee only led 2-0 after four innings. Simpson had electrified the Rays’ cheering section by going face first into a wall to catch Frelick’s liner into the leftfield corner. Peralta, who came into the game with a 1.08 postseason ERA, had two out with Chourio on first. Then Chourio stole second and Christian Yelich, who with Brandon Woodruff are the only Brewers who were in the 2018 NLCS, got a walk. Clouds began gathering.

Contreras, who isn’t fast, drilled a grounder into the 5.5 hole. Third baseman Junior Caminero had to pivot, so he possibly didn’t see Contreras stumbling out of the box. He flipped to second base but the 34-year-old Yelich got there first. Everybody safe and bases loaded.

This finished Peralta and brought in lefty Cam Booser, who has been money against lefty hitters. Not this time. Brice Turang, the next hitter, worked a 2-2 count and sent a seed that shortstop Taylor Walls couldn’t apprehend. That made it 4–0 and set off a feeding frenzy that’s usually seen in Milwaukee when somebody yells “Last call.” Garrett Mitchell singled on the first pitch for two runs. Cooper Pratt doubled on the next pitch for two more runs. Frelick doubled to score Pratt. Milwaukee got eight runs out of that harmless-looking situation.

Nobody’s ever done that with two out in a World Series game.

Only two clubs, the 1999 Yankees and the 2005 White Sox, have gone through a triple-decker playoff with only one loss. The Brewers are 11–1. Those White Sox actually pitched four consecutive complete games in the ALCS vs. the Angels, if you’re looking for inviolate records. Tampa Bay could win Game 4, of course, but there’s nothing duller than a mystery when you’ve already figured out the culprit.

The statistically-obsessed among us love to talk about the three True Outcomes of any plate appearances: a walk, a strikeout or a home run. Everything else, they say, is a product of happenstance and is therefore unimportant. But the three True Outcomes require only three players and precious little athletic ability. No slides, no plays at the plate, no dancing at the double-play bag. You wonder just what you’ll remember from such a walkover Series, if that’s indeed what happens. Most of us will remember how Sal Frelick ignored a 10-run lead, scoffed at the outcome. Instead, he was true.

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on October 26, 2026. You can read it here.

October 27, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

Looking back on 2026, Greg Brons beams like a proud papa.

As Baseball Sask hosted its annual general meeting and awards in Regina, the Baseball Sask High Performance Director can’t help but smile as he thinks about all the accomplishments of the past year.

From topnotch individual efforts to outstanding team performances, Brons says it was another great year for baseball in the province.

The “Blue Jays Bump” – created by the run to the World Series in 2025 – followed by Baseball Canada’s first-ever appearance in the knockout round of the World Baseball Classic set the stage for a big year at the grassroots level and he says it didn’t disappoint.

It also sets the stage for an even bigger 2027.

“We want to continue being in the hunt for a medal in all of the high-performance tournaments,” Brons told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “It’s always our goal to medal, but we are beyond the stage of just being competitive – we have expectations to come back with a medal in all of our programs.”

Those great team performances also made for some fantastic personal achievements, which were celebrated during this year’s awards banquet.

BECK THE BRAVE

While he didn’t receive an award, 2026 can’t be talked about without mentioning Carter Beck and the impact he is having on the game in Saskatchewan.

The Carnduff native took home a trophy case full of awards during his spring season at Indiana State University, paving the way to being selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves.

He was the first Canadian off the board and the highest-ever selection from Saskatchewan, which Brons says was monumental for the province and for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

“Joe Carnahan and Chance Wheatley had a big hand in his development,” said the Baseball Sask architect. “I remember texting Joe and saying, ‘Do you think Beck would have been a first-rounder if the Berries didn’t exist?’ Of course, he didn’t reply.”

Beck impressed during his first stint in professional baseball, hitting .283 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, 13 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases in just 29 games split between Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome.

KILLIN’ IT

Speaking of the Berries, no one could have imagined the impact a teenager would have on the team’s run to its first Western Canadian Baseball League championship.

Such was the case for Swift Current native Aiden Kilshaw, who hit .333 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in seven postseason games, garnering a few votes for most valuable player.

It capped off an outstanding year for Kilshaw, who also suited up for Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team and played very well for Baseball Sask at The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, hitting a combined .378 with six doubles, a triple, four RBIs, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases in 10 games.

For all he accomplished, the 18-year-old was named Baseball Sask’s Male Player of the Year.

“Aiden has turned himself into a great player and his aggressive approach will continue to serve him well,” Brons said. “I’m really excited about his future.”

Kilshaw says it’s a “huge privilege and honour” to be recognized with the award, something he’s not taking for granted as he looks ahead to 2027.

Meantime, Estevan’s Tayson Tangjerd was named Baseball Sask’s Minor Male Player of the Year, who was also named the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s 15U AAA Pitcher of the Year earlier in the summer.

TRIPLE THREAT

On the women’s side of the game, Criseyde Borthwick came away with this year’s Baseball Sask Female Player of the Year.

The utility player suited up in the 16U, 19U and Women’s Open Nationals this summer for Baseball Sask.

At the plate, Borthwick hit a home run and drove in 12 runs, scored 14 of her own and stole three bases during the three tournaments.

She also struck out 16 batters in 13 2/3 innings of work split between three games.

The female teams also put in strong performances, highlighted by a bronze medal at the 19U Nationals in Saskatoon.

“I look at the job Tyson Black is doing with that program and I’m really happy with their continued development,” Brons said. “Having Tyson around gives Baseball Sask the assurance that the program will be competitive for a long time.”

Dundurn’s Josie Fines was named the Minor Female Player of the Year.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

By all accounts, the 19U Women’s Nationals in Saskatoon was a smashing success.

Not only did Baseball Sask earn a medal, but the hosting committee was lauded for making it a top-notch event.

It was put on by the Saskatoon Royals, who have continued to raise the bar for girls’ baseball in the province, producing some outstanding talent over the past few years.

To recognize those efforts, the Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit was presented to Royals president Jaelyn Willness.

“This award represents much more than an individual achievement,” she said. “It reflects the growth of girls’ baseball in Saskatoon and the dedication of the many people who have helped build the program over the years.”

She says seeing more girls have the opportunity to play, develop and stay involved in baseball is what makes all the time and effort worth it.

When it comes to the national event, which will be held in Saskatoon again in 2027, Willness says it comes down to the people who want to see growth and success of girls’ baseball as much as their committee does.

“There was months of planning and work behind the scenes, and our goal was to give the athletes, coaches and families a great experience while showcasing what Saskatoon and the baseball community have to offer,” she says. “We had great people and businesses step up and give their time and support, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Willness adds they are excited to host again in 2027 and look forward to creating more opportunities for girls and women in baseball, making sure the work that’s been done over the years continues to move forward.

CELEBRATING THE BEST

Here’s the full list of 2026 Baseball Sask Award winners:

Lou Slotsve Junior Official of the Year – Koen Rhinehart (Maidstone)

Rocky Nickel Umpire of the Year – Blake Thille (Saskatoon)

Builder of the Year – Trent Dorrance (Alameda)

Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit – Jaelyn Willness (Saskatoon)

Coach of the Year – Dakota Smith (Saskatoon)

Grassroots Coach of the Year – Chad Nixey (Saskatoon)

Minor Team of the Year – 13U AAA Swift Current Riverside Electric 57’s

Senior Team of the Year – Moose Jaw Padres

Minor Female Player of the Year – Josie Fines (Dundurn)

Minor Player of the Year – Tayson Tangjerd (Estevan)

Female Player of the Year – Criseyde Borthwick (Prince Albert)

Male Player of the Year – Aiden Kilshaw (Swift Current)

October 26, 2026

Official Colby Community College News Release

COLBY, Kan. — The 2026 Colby Community College Hall of Fame class includes two former student-athletes and two longtime instructors who left a lasting mark on the institution.

The inductees are bull rider David Dyke, behavioral science instructor Roger Hale, baseball player Logan Hofmann (Muenster, Sask.) and vocal music instructor Dr. Philip Shuman.

A reception will be held in their honour at about 5 p.m. after the men's basketball game on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Colby Event Center. A brief ceremony is also scheduled at halftime of the men's game.

The CCC Hall of Fame was established in 2012. Each June, a committee selects individuals or couples who have made substantial contributions to the college through their time, effort, and interest, or who have significantly impacted others' lives after being part of Colby Community College. Previous inductees are listed at colbycc.edu/hof.

David Dyke

"Davey" Dyke remains the most accomplished bull rider in Colby Community College history. Dyke, who passed away on Feb. 1, 2026, at age 45, attended CCC from 2001 to 2003.

Dyke grew up in Iowa and graduated from Eddyville-Blakesburg High School in 1999, where he was a standout wrestler and placed in the state tournament twice. He didn't begin bull riding until age 18, but he quickly turned his natural grit into a successful career.

He was a dual-sport athlete for the Trojans, first as a bull rider, then as a 125-pound walk-on to Coach Steve Lampe's wrestling team. He later earned a scholarship.

In the arena, Dyke went on to claim the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Central Plains Region reserve bull riding champion for the 2001–2002 season. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in both 2002 and 2003, including a fifth-place national finish in 2002.

"Davey was as hard-headed as they come," said former Colby rodeo coach Allen Russell. "But that led to his outstanding achievements in both wrestling and rodeo."

After leaving Colby, Dyke continued his education and collegiate rodeo career at Missouri Valley College. He joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2004, and quickly reached the sport's pinnacle. In 2005, he qualified for the prestigious National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Throughout his career, which concluded with his final PRCA competition in 2012, Dyke was a respected member of the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association, Bull Riders of America, and Professional Bull Riders (PBR).

Dyke returned to his hometown high school, now named Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, as an assistant wrestling coach. He helped lead the program to a 2014 state championship.

Roger Hale

The late Roger Hale was among the original faculty members hired at Colby Community College, beginning his 35-year career in 1966. He taught psychology, history, government and sociology while helping establish the College's outreach education programs throughout northwest Kansas.

He began teaching in the basement of the Cooper Hotel in downtown Colby before the College moved to its present campus. He chose to join CCC despite already being under contract at another community college, drawn by the opportunity to help build a new institution from the ground up.

Throughout his career, Hale traveled to communities across northwest Kansas to teach evening courses and conducted numerous weekend classes, workshops and seminars. He also served as a division chair and college counselor. After retiring in 2001, he continued teaching part time in the College's Great Plains Experience course.

A graduate of Fort Hays State University, he earned both a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in psychology and counseling. He received CCC's Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence in 1994 and was awarded an honorary associate degree in 2013 in recognition of his service to the College and northwest Kansas.

Beyond the classroom, Hale was active in the Lions Club, community recreation programs, services for children and adults with special needs, and the Farm Employment Office.

He took particular pride in watching CCC’s current campus transform from a wheat field into a thriving educational institution, and he often recalled that no campus existed when he interviewed for his position. He also preferred the term "community college" over "junior college," saying that CCC was "our community's college."

He was survived by his two children, Dana and Ryan, and three grandchildren, Alex Schoenberger, Jamis Hale and Vivienne Hale.

Logan Hofmann

A native of Muenster, Sask., Hofmann played for the Trojans during the 2018 and 2019 seasons while earning an associate degree in business administration. At Colby, he set a Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference record with 230 strikeouts.

Standing 5-foot-10-inches and weighing 185 pounds, the right-hander was a two-time first-team all-conference and all-region selection. His 2019 performance earned him Jayhawk Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-American honours, and later that summer he was a Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Hofmann in the 35th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft following his sophomore season at Colby. He chose to continue his collegiate career at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In 2020, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Hofmann in the fifth round of the MLB draft. He began his professional career in the Pirates’ organization and helped the Bradenton Marauders win the 2021 Florida State League championship. He was also named the Pirates’ organization’s Teammate of the Year.

Hofmann pitched for the Greensboro Grasshoppers at the High-A level in 2022 and 2023 before joining the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Frontier League in 2024. The next year, he played in Germany with the Heidenheim Heideköpfe and was named Deutsche Baseball League Pitcher of the Year while helping Heidenheim win the league championship and European Cup. He also assisted with the organization’s youth baseball teams.

He has continued his involvement in the sport as a coach. He serves as the pitching and catching coach for the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy and is head coach of the East Central Red Sox 18U AAA team in Saskatchewan.

“My best memories at Colby are spending time with my teammates on and off the field,” Hofmann said. “I was around those guys for one or two years of my life, and many of them I am still friends with today.”

He also credited head coach Ryan Carter for his positive influence.

“I still remember my visit to Colby in high school, knowing that it would give me a chance to grow as a baseball player and person, and Coach Carter was a huge part of that,” he said. “He pushed me to be a good human no matter the situation. It truly was the best two years of my life, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me to be a Trojan.”

Philip Shuman

After 24 years as director of choral and vocal activities, Dr. Philip Shuman retired from Colby Community College in 2012. During his tenure, he directed the CCC Concert Choir and Sunflower Singers and played a prominent role in music education and the performing arts throughout northwest Kansas.

He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in voice performance from Fort Hays State University and, in 1989, a doctorate in vocal performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Before joining CCC, he taught vocal music in Emporia and served as an assistant professor of voice at Adams State College.

In 1993, Shuman received the Dr. James H. Tangeman Award for Teaching Excellence, an honor selected by students and CCC faculty. He was also named the outstanding college music educator for the Northwest Kansas District of the Kansas Music Educators Association in 1999.

Shuman has previously held memberships in Music Educators National Conference, Kansas Music Educators Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association, and Rotary.

Beyond the classroom, he has served as a guest conductor for the Pride of the Prairie Orchestra and organized numerous community chorus and musical theater productions in the Colby area. He was an adjudicator and clinician throughout the tri-state region and served as a clinician for district honor choirs. Community music has remained part of his life, including serving as choir director at Colby Methodist Church and directing the Prairie Rose Harmony Women's Chorus.

His involvement with CCC has continued in retirement through his support of the Colby Community College Endowment Foundation and his work on the CCC Beautification Committee.

He and his wife, Jerrilee, also a retired music teacher, have three daughters and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. In retirement, Shuman enjoys playing piano, pickleball, gardening and cheering for the Denver Broncos.

October 27, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

In the city of Milwaukee, before the Brewers, there were the Braves.

And Claude Raymond can share some incredible stories about his time with them.

The 89-year-old St. Jean, Que., native pitched three seasons with the Braves from 1961 to 1963 and was the first in a line of Canadian closers to star in Milwaukee. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.), John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) and Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) would follow with the Brewers.

But Raymond is the only one in that group who can share stories about going to the movies with Hank Aaron, having dinner with Eddie Mathews or coming up through the minors with Bob Uecker.

It has been more than 60 years since Raymond toed the rubber in Milwaukee, but his memories of the city remain fresh.

"Milwaukee was a clean city and the people were very generous," recalled Raymond in a phone interview last week. "People were very enthusiastic about the team . . . It was all new to me. I was in awe of everything that was happening to me. I was in the major leagues -- me, this little guy from St. Jean, Quebec."

Raymond remembers a man named Wally Rank, who ran a Buick dealership that loaned a car to every Braves player.

"I remember they had a gas station where you could go and fill up for free," shared Raymond. "Every week we got a free case of [Miller] beer. Every week we got a carton of cigarettes. We had free milk and free dry cleaning. We were spoiled by everybody in Milwaukee."

It was a level of star treatment Raymond couldn't have fathomed growing up in Quebec, where he played hockey and baseball.

By his teens he was one of the hottest young pitching prospects in the province. And it was Quebec baseball legend Roland Gladu who convinced a 17-year-old Raymond to sign with the Braves in early 1955.

Raymond was intrigued by the Braves who had transferred to Milwaukee from Boston two years earlier. He liked the idea of joining an organization that boasted stars like Aaron, Mathews and Warren Spahn.

He was given a $250 signing bonus and his contract was to pay him $165 a month.

"I also had two clauses," recounted Raymond, "I would get $250 on the first of June if I was still with the club and $500 if I was still with the club on the first of August."

In April 1955, Raymond boarded a train in Montreal for the Braves' minor league spring training complex in Waycross, Ga., along with fellow Quebecors Ron Piche, Yvan Dubois and Bobby Laforest who had also been signed by Gladu.

Raymond and Dubois, a catcher, were assigned to class-D West Palm Beach. Raymond was 17 and Dubois was 18, which likely makes them the youngest Canadian battery in pro baseball history.

When he left Montreal, Raymond spoke little English.

"When I went to spring training my first year, I bought a little dictionary and made it my duty to learn 10 new English words a day," said Raymond.

Soon he was conversing with his manager and his teammates in English. In that first season with class-A West Palm Beach, he went 13-12 with a 2.60 ERA in 37 games (27 starts), which earned him a promotion to class-B Evansville in 1956.

After another solid season – in which he went 9-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 31 appearances (four starts) - he was invited to Milwaukee by fellow Evansville right-hander Bob Botz, who lived in the city.

While they were there, the Brewers invited them to throw batting practice.

"Can you imagine? I was 18 years old and just finished a season in Class-B and I was pitching batting practice to Eddie Mathews, Joe Adcock, Hank Aaron, Billy Bruton and Del Crandall," recalled Raymond. "That was my first trip to Milwaukee and County Stadium."

Over the next two seasons, Raymond continued to climb the Braves' minor league ranks, rising to triple-A in 1958. But he was also hampered by shoulder woes that season and that December, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 draft.

He made his MLB debut with the Sox on April 15, 1959 and appeared in three contests for them before being sent back to the Braves.

He spent the remainder of that season and the ensuing campaign in the high minors and started 1961 with the triple-A Vancouver Mounties before he was called up by the Braves in May. He proceeded to post a 3.98 ERA in 13 big league relief outings. But he was even better the following season when topped the team with 10 saves and finished with a 2.74 ERA in 26 games.

"At the banquet after the season, I got my first ever trophy as a professional baseball player," said Raymond. "I was named their rookie of the year. The best pitcher was Warren Spahn. The best hitter was Hank Aaron and then there was me as rookie of the year. So, I have a picture of the three of us together from that banquet."

Raymond would register five more saves in 45 games with the Braves in 1963.

During his tenure in Milwaukee, Raymond forged a strong relationship with the fans; so much so that a 12-year-old boy and his sister developed the Claude Raymond Fan Club.

Raymond also befriended some of his legendary Braves teammates.

"When I got to Milwaukee, one of the first guys that came to meet me was Eddie Mathews," said Raymond, who can recall going over to Mathews' house for dinner.

In an early conversation with Mathews, the power-hitting third baseman told Raymond that the team's top hitters were getting knocked down by inside pitches too often and he encouraged Raymond to throw inside to protect them.

"And he said, 'If you protect us, I'll be there all the time to protect you,'" recalled Raymond. "So every time I threw inside to somebody or hit somebody, Eddie was always next to the mound . . . Nobody ever decided to come and get me."

Raymond also became friends with Aaron who he'd go to the movies with.

"I remember one game [May 3, 1962] and the Phillies had a screwball pitcher named Jack Baldschun on the mound . . . I'm sitting on the bench next to Hank and Hank said, 'I hope I get up. I want to hit that screwball out of here.' He said, 'I'm going to look bad on the first two pitches and then he's going to try to throw me a good one and I'm going to hit it out,'" recalled Raymond. "He came up and he looked very, very bad on the first two pitches. He swung at balls in the dirt . . . and I'm sure Baldschun thought 'I got him.' And he tried to make a better pitch and he hung it and Hank hit a home run."

Raymond counts Spahn and Lew Burdette as two of the biggest influences on his career. When Ron Piche was with Raymond in Milwaukee in 1963, they hung out with Spahn and Burdette after games.

"We were always talking baseball," said Raymond. "In those days, we didn't have cellphones or computers and music in our ears all the time, like they do today . . . I learned so much from those guys when I was in Milwaukee."

Spahn and Burdette emphasized the importance of looking the batter directly in the eye to Raymond when he was on the mound. They also taught him not to throw the same pitch too many times in a row, regardless of how it foolish it might have made the hitter look. That point was driven home when he tried to throw five consecutive sliders past Dodgers slugger Frank Howard in the bottom of the ninth inning of a game on April 23, 1963.

"The fifth pitch, I hung it. And Frank Howard hit it so far it hit the palm trees in the back of the bullpen in left field at Dodger Stadium. I think those palm trees are still shaking from it," joked Raymond.

After that game, the Braves had to fly to Houston to play the Colt .45s and Raymond had a seat between Spahn and Burdette.

"They gave me hell the whole way for that pitch," said Raymond. "That flight seemed to take about seven hours."

Raymond also forged a strong friendship with Bob Uecker.

"I was raised with Bob Uecker. I played with him for many years," said Raymond. "The first three years I was in Waycross, Georgia he was there with me. And I played with him in Jacksonville, Wichita, Louisville, Milwaukee and Atlanta. We had a lot of fun together."

Uecker made a career out of his self-deprecating humor, but Raymond knew better.

"He'd make you believe he wasn't that good, but he was a heckuva catcher. He had one helluva an arm," recalled Raymond.

Following the 1963 season, Raymond was selected from the Braves by the Houston Colt .45s in a special draft. He pitched parts of four seasons with them before returning to the Braves who had relocated to Atlanta.

He completed his professional career with three seasons with his hometown Expos and then embarked on a successful broadcasting career.

According to Baseball Reference, Raymond is one of just 25 Milwaukee Braves players still living.

"I went back to Milwaukee about five or six years ago. They invited me because they always have a great [Milwaukee Braves] banquet during the winter," said Raymond. "I talked to Eddie Mathews' son who was there. He is still a baseball fan and we talked about Eddie a lot."

And for the record, Raymond is cheering for the Brewers in the World Series.

"I'm a National League fan," said Raymond. "It's going to be a good series, but I'm going to pull for Milwaukee."

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 22, 2026. You can read it here.

October 26, 2026

By Ian Wilson

Alberta Dugout Stories

When it comes to baseball, Jim Henderson has always had something brewing.

“I got started real early, like five years old right into tee ball,” recalled the pitching coordinator with Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers.

“My grandfather passed away when I was young, and passed on a softball and a bat to me, and it just kind of seemed like it was a sentimental sport for my mom’s side of the family, so that’s kind of how I got into it.”

By the time he was competing in Little League baseball with Calgary West, Henderson became a part of a special group of players and coaches that formed the bedrock of what would become Okotoks Dawgs Academy.

“Just a great group of guys who were, for Canada and Calgary, were actually pretty good at baseball. And their dads loved baseball, as well, so that’s how it all came together,” said Henderson.

“I don’t want to sound conceited, but we were pretty good as a group … we noticed we had something special with this core group of guys.”

Dawgs Academy founder and managing director John Ircandia, whose sons Matt and Vince took to the diamond with Henderson, was one of the baseball dads helping the boys take their game to the next level.

With the formation of the Dawgs program in Calgary, Henderson joined the best teenage ball players in the city in traveling around Canada and the United States while facing stiff competition.

“We got away from Calgary and went on road trips and we were doing well and playing in different places and those are probably the biggest memories for me. We were young, we kind of had a chip on our shoulder with this newly organized team and we knew we had to make a name for ourselves,” said Henderson, who was both a pitcher and a hitter back then.

Baseball also became a place of refuge for Henderson when he was 14 years old and his father, Neil, died of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Neil was just 51 years old when he passed away in 1996.

“He found playing baseball helped him forget his troubles,” said Jim’s mother, Marilyn Meek, in a 2013 MLB.com interview.

“Anything serious in his life, he could get on the mound and just concentrate on the game. Baseball was good for him, definitely. The Dawgs became like family — the coaches were like fathers and the teammates were like brothers to Jim.”

Added Meek: “Losing his father, I think, taught him about determination and perseverance and courage … it made him grow up and face life’s challenges, that’s for sure.”

Henderson agreed that the Dawgs provided a major comfort to him at a crucial stage of his life.

“Perfect timing, I guess, for a kid at that age, losing my dad. That team formed right after I lost him, or right around that time. It distracted me. It helped me kind of get out there and just take my mind off things when I was out on the field,” he said.

“It was road trips and having these dads around that I kind of looked up to and they were the authority figures and kind of the way my dad would be, so they definitely picked up where he left off. It was perfect timing for me to have these influences in my life and I owe a lot to them. That was a special time in my life to transition into this other field. I’ve got to grow up and be a man now and find myself and those men, those dads definitely helped me out.”

After high school, the 6-foot-5 righthander went to Midland College in Texas, followed by Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he drew attention from scouts.

Meanwhile, the Dawgs program continued to grow and in 2003, a Calgary Dawgs summer collegiate franchise joined the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL), predecessor to the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

As he prepared for the MLB draft, Henderson suited up for the WMBL version of the Dawgs during their inaugural campaign, which came on the heels of the final season of the triple-A Calgary Cannons at Foothills Stadium.

“There was quite a buzz around the city, around the team, to have some kind of high level baseball around Calgary. It was exciting for everybody. There was some good fan support for those first few games. They did a good job of getting it out there that we were taking over the stadium for that summer,” recalled Henderson.

“It was exciting to play at a stadium I went to and watched the Cannons play in my whole life and actually step on that mound and do that.”

GOING PRO

The Montreal Expos came calling during the MLB draft, selecting Henderson 777th overall in the 26th round.

“I think I knew no matter what that I was going to sign and move on with professional baseball. Even if I was taken in the last round, I was going to go I think. I was just looking for my name to get called so I could move on,” said Henderson, who was also excited to be selected by a Canadian franchise.

His journey through professional baseball took him from the rookie level Gulf Coast Expos in 2003 to the low-A Vermont Expos later that year, followed by the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats in 2005 and 2006, where he served primarily as a starting pitcher.

As Henderson was navigating life in the minor leagues, the Dawgs were gaining traction in the WMBL. They won a championship title in 2004 and they opened Seaman Stadium in their new home of Okotoks in the summer of 2007.

Henderson joined the Chicago Cubs organization that year as a Rule 5 draft selection and pitched for two seasons at the double-A and triple-A levels.

After being released by the Cubs, he inked a minor-league contract in 2009 with the Brewers, the team that ultimately made the most of his talents.

Working as a full-time relief pitcher, Henderson continued to climb the ranks of the Brewers, going from the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2009 to the triple-A Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 2011 and 2012.

He finally got his shot in the big leagues when he made his MLB debut on July 26, 2012 during an 8-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. Henderson tossed a clean sixth inning that included no hits, walks or runs and one strikeout.

The Calgarian put in a solid first season in Milwaukee. In 36 games and 30-plus innings of mound work for the Brew Crew, Henderson went 1-3 with a 3.52 earned run average (ERA), three saves and 45 strikeouts.

In 2013, he took over the closer role from another Canadian, John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.), who had also pitched in the WMBL as a member of the Melville Millionaires. During that season, Henderson collected 28 saves over 61 MLB appearances while going 5-5 with a 2.70 ERA and 75 Ks.

“It’s not easy, nothing in Major League Baseball is easy,” noted Henderson, who also represented Canada at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2013.

“To have those experiences young, and the Dawgs were able to give that to me, that translates for sure over to the big league level. It took me a long time to get to the major leagues and you’ve got to face some adversity. You can tie this all together with the Dawgs and how we faced adversity.”

The 2014 campaign spoke to that adversity. Henderson started the year as the closer in Milwaukee, but after pitching in just 14 games, he required season-ending shoulder surgery.

He spent the 2015 season in the minors before signing a minor-league contract with the New York Mets in December. Henderson rose through the minors again in 2016 and made a return to the major leagues, getting into 44 games with the Mets. In his 35 innings, Henderson racked up 40 strikeouts and went 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA.

Henderson’s final MLB appearance on the bump took place on Oct. 2, 2016 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

A pair of minor-league deals with the Cubs and Brewers followed the next two years but Henderson was unable to get into game action. He pitched again for Canada at the WBC in 2017, before setting his sights on other paths in baseball.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview with Jim Henderson from February 2022 here.

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COACHING CREW

Once again, Henderson found himself in a familiar place … the minor leagues.

The Brewers sent him to the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League to serve as a pitching coach in 2019. One of the pitchers he worked with there, Aaron Ashby, has been a clutch reliever for the Brewers during their 2026 postseason march to the World Series. Ashby picked up two saves and a hold during Milwaukee’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

Henderson retained the role of pitching coach in the Brewers’ system at the triple-A level in 2020 and 2021, ultimately earning another trip to Milwaukee as the bullpen coach of the parent club in 2022.

“I thought I’d be good at it, honestly,” admitted Henderson of the bullpen coaching role during a 2022 interview with Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

“There was a little bit of confidence going into the job interviews and stuff with it. As a reliever, spending so much time in the bullpen, understanding what that unit kind of feels like and looks like out there as a group, I felt comfortable in that space.”

Added Henderson: “Games are won and lost a lot of times in the late innings with the relievers, and it’s a beast of a role because you have got guys out there grinding for nine innings and then you can come in and change the game within a couple of minutes, right? So, you have to be able to handle that and you have to be able to support each other throughout those times.”

Henderson has remained with the coaching staff of the Brewers ever since, picking up different job titles along the way, including assistant pitching coach, strategy coach and major league pitching coordinator, the role he currently holds.

“There’s so many things that you can pull out of coaching that just makes you feel good, day-to-day, when your guys do well and you can teach them about the game or about life, whatever it is. Yeah, it’s special,” said Henderson.

The Brewers have now made four-straight postseason appearances, including a pair of Wild Card series losses and an NLCS defeat at the hands of the Dodgers in 2025.

With a World Series appearance booked – the first for the Brewers since 1982 – Henderson is hoping to capture baseball’s ultimate prize in the form of an MLB championship.

“We’re just trying to put guys in the best opportunity to win. We can’t go out and buy a bunch of horses, so we have to do things a little bit differently and this is how we do it. The players are bought in, they’re excited about it. Everybody gets an opportunity to be in good situations. That’s just Brewer baseball and the way we want to get ahead,” said Henderson in a 2025 MLB Network interview.

As he helps the franchise chase its first Commissioner’s Trophy, Henderson has never forgotten his roots.

He’s returned to Okotoks on several occasions to help coach and talk with players in both the academy and with the summer collegiate squad.

As the first member of the Dawgs to graduate to the MLB ranks, Henderson was inducted into the Okotoks Dawgs Hall of Fame in 2015. He was also recognized at Kore 4 (+14) Corner in Seaman Stadium as one of the original members of the Dawgs youth team.

“I couldn’t be here without them, obviously,” Henderson said of the Dawgs, who have now won eight WCBL championships.

“It’s hard to even say how important it was. It was beyond important for my development. It’s as simple as that.”

October 25, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, earning a 10-0 victory in five innings over Brazil in the opening game of the Placement Round at the U-18 Pan American Championship.

Canada wasted little time taking control, sending four runs across in the bottom of the first inning. Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) was hit by a pitch to open the frame before Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) reached on an error and Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) walked to load the bases.

Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) followed with a two-run single up the middle to open the scoring. After Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) drew a walk, Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) was hit by a pitch to force home another run before Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) worked a bases-loaded walk to stretch the advantage to 4-0.

Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.) made the early lead stand up with a strong performance on the mound. The right-hander worked four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five to earn the win. He retired the side in order in both the first and third innings and kept Brazil off the board after a pair of singles created a fourth-inning threat.

Canada added two more runs in the third. Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) and Liske drew walks before Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) singled to load the bases. Thierman brought Miller home with another bases-loaded walk before Ellis singled through the left side to score Liske and make it 6-0.

The Juniors put the game out of reach with four more runs in the fourth. Blain and Miller reached on walks before Liske singled down the right-field line to bring Blain home. An error on the play also allowed Miller to score before MacDonald doubled to deep right to bring home Liske. Armitage later scored on an error to push Canada’s advantage to 10-0.

Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) took over on the mound in the fifth and worked a scoreless frame to complete the shutout and seal the five-inning victory.

Canada will continue Placement Round action at the U-18 Pan American Championship against Mexico on Monday.

BOX SCORE

October 25, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Hicks makes Canadian World Series history

With his two-run home run in the first inning for the Tampa Bay Rays last night, Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) became the first Canadian catcher ever to hit a home run in the World Series.

This came a day after he became the first Canadian-born catcher to start a World Series game since Larry McLean (Fredericton, N.B.) started behind the plate for the New York Giants on October 11, 1913.

On Friday, in his Game 1 start, Hicks drove in both Rays’ runs in their 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. When he knocked in a run on a ground out in the fourth inning, Hicks became the first Canadian catcher to record an RBI in the World Series since McLean did it for the Giants against the Philadelphia A’s on October 11, 1913.

With four RBIs in the first two World Series games, Hicks, a Toronto Mets alum, now has eight this postseason, which leads the Rays.

For the record, Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.) played in the postseason 10 times during his major league career, but he never competed in a World Series.

Henderson born just after Brewers’ last WS appearance

Milwaukee Brewers pitching coordinator Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) was born on October 21, 1982.

I’m not sure what this means (other than I like fun baseball trivia), but that was one day after the Brewers lost Game 7 of the 1982 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.

That was also the last World Series game the Brewers had played until their Game 1 victory on Friday night.

This is Henderson’s fifth season on the Brewers’ big league staff. He was initially hired as the club’s bullpen coach in 2022. Last season, he served as the team’s assistant pitching and strategy coach.

Henderson was promoted to the Brewers’ big league staff after he served as the pitching coach of the triple-A Nashville Sounds in 2021. Prior to that, he had been a pitching coach in the Brewers’ organization for four seasons, beginning as bullpen coach with the Rookie-ball Helena Brewers in 2018 before being promoted to the class-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2019.

Prior to his coaching career, Henderson pitched parts of three major league seasons with the Brewers from 2012 to 2014. The Canuck right-hander, who honed his skills with the Okotoks Dawgs, also toed the rubber for the Canadian national team on multiple occasions, including for the gold medal-winning squad at the 2011 Pan Am Games.

15 years ago, Canada won gold at Pan Am Games

It was 15 years ago today that the Canadian senior national team captured its first gold medal at the Pan Am Games.

In the championship contest in Guadalajara, Mexico, veterans Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) and Scott Richmond (Vancouver, B.C.) combined to strike out 11 batters, while Jimmy Van Ostrand (Vancouver, B.C.) knocked in both of the team’s runs with a sixth-inning double, in Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States.

The entire team was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., the following year.

Happy Birthday to Joe Siddall!

Happy 59th Birthday to former Montreal Expos catcher and current Toronto Blue Jays Sportsnet analyst Joe Siddall!

He was born in Windsor, Ont., and honed his skills there before signing as an amateur free agent with the Expos on August 5, 1987. He proceeded to play 13 professional seasons and enjoyed big league tenures with the Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers.

In 2014, he began his broadcasting career as a radio analyst for the Blue Jays alongside Jerry Howarth before transitioning to a role as analyst on Blue Jays Central in 2018. He was inducted into the Baseball Ontario Hall of Fame that same year.

Siddall became a full-time analyst on Sportsnet’s Blue Jays broadcasts this season after splitting the previous three campaigns between the broadcast booth and Blue Jays Central.

In 2022, he won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Sports Analysis or Commentary.

Cubs traded Jenkins 53 years ago

Fifty-three years ago today, the Chicago Cubs traded ace right-hander Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Bill Madlock and utility player Vic Harris.

Though Madlock would win two batting titles in three seasons with the Cubs, Jenkins put together arguably his most dominant big league season in his first year with the Rangers, setting career-highs with 25 wins and 328 1/3 innings pitched. He also topped the American League with 29 complete games. For his efforts, he finished second to Catfish Hunter in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

He added 17 wins in his second season with the Rangers before he was dealt to the Red Sox prior to the 1976 campaign. He later returned to the Rangers and was a key starter for them from 1978 to 1981.

Remembering Phil Marchildon

Please take a moment to remember Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Marchildon who was born in Penetanguishene, Ont., on this date in 1913.

While working in the Creighton Mine in Sudbury and starring for the company ball team, Marchildon was convinced to try out for the International League’s Toronto Maple Leafs in 1938. The hard-throwing hurler would strike out seven of the nine batters he faced at the tryout and reported to the Leafs’ training camp the following spring.

After two seasons with the Leafs, Marchildon’s contract was purchased by the Philadelphia A’s. In his first big league season, he recorded 10 wins for the lowly A’s, managed by Connie Mack. The ensuing season, he recorded 17 wins and established himself as the team’s ace.

Poised to join the pitching elite, Marchildon was called for military duty and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943 to 1945. In August 1944, his plane was shot down and he was taken as a prisoner of war. He spent nine months in a German prison camp.

Upon his release and return to North America, Marchildon almost immediately returned to the A’s rotation. Though still traumatized by the war, Marchildon registered 19 wins for the A’s in 1947.

In all, Marchildon won 68 big league games and completed 82 of his 162 major league starts. He passed away in 1997.

Trailblazing baseball executive Kent Cooke born on this date

Please also take a moment to remember Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jack Kent Cooke who was born in Hamilton, Ont., on this date in 1912.

Kent Cooke moved with his family to The Beaches area in Toronto in 1921. By age 14, he was a successful door-to-door encyclopedia salesman, and after a string of prosperous business ventures, including owning radio stations and publications, Cooke purchased the International League’s Toronto Maple Leafs in 1951.

Under his flamboyant reign, the club drew more than 3.3 million fans to Maple Leaf Stadium from 1951 to 1963. Creative and sometimes off-the-wall, Cooke’s promotions made attending a game in Toronto an event. For his efforts, he was named minor league executive of the year by The Sporting News in 1952 when the Leafs drew 446,040 fans – an attendance mark that topped some major league clubs.

While Cooke was the owner, the Maple Leafs won pennants in 1954, 1956, 1957 and 1960. The ambitious owner passionately believed Toronto was worthy of a big league team and pressed local politicians to build a larger stadium. While in Toronto, Cooke made attempts to purchase the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers. But when his dream of bringing the big leagues to Toronto was thwarted, he moved to the U.S., where he would eventually own several pro sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings.

He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. He passed away 12 years later.

Blue Jays hired Montoyo as manager eight years ago

Eight years ago today, the Blue Jays hired Charlie Montoyo to be their field manager.

Montoyo had been the Rays’ bench coach and prior to that had been a minor league manager for almost two decades. This came after he enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career in the Brewers, Expos and Phillies organizations. He played his only four major league games with the Expos in 1993 and went 2-for-5 – good for a .400 batting average.

During his tenure as Blue Jays’ manager, he led the club to a 236-236 record in parts of four seasons. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he guided the Blue Jays to a 32-28 record and a Wild-Card spot.

Smith sets Canadian postseason pitching records

The Cleveland Guardians lost the American League Championship Series in six games to the Rays, but not before their closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) set some all-time Canadian postseason records, according to Canadian Baseball Network statistician Neil Munro.

Smith appeared in nine of the Guardians’ 11 postseason contests this fall. This coupled with 12 previous postseason outings in 2024 and 2025 gave him a Canadian record of 21 career postseason pitching appearances.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander also had 14 strikeouts this postseason which gave him 34 for his career, moving him past Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.), who has 27 postseason Ks, and into first place among Canucks.

For his MLB postseason career, Smith is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 24 2/3 innings.

Mississauga Tigers HPP right-hander Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.) struck out nine and tossed a complete game to lead the Junior National Team to a 3-2 win over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Photo: Baseball Canada

October 25, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team split a crucial doubleheader on the final day of Opening Round play at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship, walking off Puerto Rico 3-2 in eight innings before falling 4-2 to Panama.

The results leave Canada with a 1-3 record in Pool C, bringing its bid for a spot in the Super Round to an end.

Canada opened the day with a dramatic extra-inning victory over Puerto Rico.

The Juniors struck first in the bottom of the second. Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) worked a walk before Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) reached on a fielder’s choice and Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) followed with another walk. Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) then lined an RBI single to right-centre to bring MacDonald home and give Canada a 1-0 lead.

Puerto Rico tied the game in the fifth, and again on the eight via a pair of wild pitches to go-ahead before Canada’s final opportunity trailing 2-1.

With Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) starting the inning at second and Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) at first, Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Puerto Rico intentionally walked Chung to load the bases before MacDonald lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Lascelles and tie the game.

Moments later, Armitage reached on a throwing error, allowing Liske to race home with the winning run and complete the 3-2 walk-off victory.

Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.) provided the Canadians with a dominant start, striking out nine over his complete-game effort.

The victory kept Canada’s Super Round hopes alive heading into its second game of the day against Panama.

Panama spoiled the Canadian party early, opening the scoring in the second inning before extending its lead to 3-0 in the third.

Canada’s bullpen kept them within reach. Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.), Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) and Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) combined to hold Panama scoreless from the fourth through the sixth as Canada looked for a way back into the game.

Panama added an insurance run in the seventh to stretch the lead to 4-0, but Canada mounted one final rally in the bottom half.

Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) opened the inning with a walk and moved to second on a passed ball before Blain singled to centre. An error in the outfield allowed Jacob to score and Blain to advance all the way to third. After MacDonald drew a walk, Armitage lifted a sacrifice fly to right to bring Blain home and cut the deficit to 4-2.

Panama retired the next batter to close out the 4-2 victory and secure Canada’s elimination from Super Round contention.

The Juniors will now turn their attention to the Placement Round as the U-18 Pan American Championship continues.

BOX SCORES:

Puerto Rico - Canada |

Panama - Canada

October 24, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Some call October the game’s best month.

It always is: especially for the World Series winner and its fans.

Yet, October is about memories:

Like ... Atlanta Braves’ Tom Glavine pitching a one-hitter against Cleveland to clinch matters in 1995, Blue Jays broadcaster Tom Cheek saying “Touch’em all Joe ...” almost ordering Joe Carter to touch first; Minnesota Twins ace Jack Morris pitching 10 scoreless in Game 7 of 1991, the Kansas City Royals scoring two in the bottom of the ninth forcing a Game 7 (an easy win) against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985 and Lew Burdette shutting out the New York Yankees in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium in 1957.

That’s not my favourite though. My all-time best was a dream scenario: Game 7. Tie game. Bottom of the ninth ... Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who hit 11 homers all season at the plate. Maz took Ralph Terry over the left field wall at Forbes Field to win it for the Bucs 10-9.

Carter and Maz have been the only two players to end the World Series on a home run.

That Maz homer was a favourite memory of my friend Jay Greenberg, one of the most talented scribes I have ever worked with. We would talk about it each October.

The conversation could be in Pittsburgh with a Pirate fan, or someone from Pittsburgh and Jay would say, “Tell the Maz story.”

I was seated in class at Rideau Public School in Kingston. I had my transistor radio inside my shirt pocket and wore a pullover sweater. The cord from the radio ran up my sleeve and into my ear, covered by my left hand ... listening to Game 7.

When Maz homered, I punched my right fist in the air and yelled “YESSSSS!”

The other kids looked at me wondering what was going on and the next voice I heard was our teacher Mrs. Lake:

“Class will be dismissed in 22 minutes, but Mr. Elliott will be standing in the corner for an hour.”

One elderly gentleman, Jay had me tell the story to broke down in tears at the memory.

The Pirates won in 1960 and so did the “We Are Family” Pirates in Game 7 of the 1979 Fall Classic against the Baltimore Orioles and in 1971 facing the same team.

So two championships since 1960 and the Bucs previous one before that was 1925 against the Washington Nationals.

* * *

Jay could pick them though. His favourite players included Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, plus side-winding closer Kent Tekulve, who had 184 career saves.

In the late 1970s, their first dog, was named “Tique.” In wife Mona’s mind, the name was short for “antique” -- a rare and cherished treasure. In Jay’s mind, the dog, who was a fabulous black lab, was named after Tekulve.

When the Blue Jays were in New York and the Post assigned Jay to a game he’d ask me, “Want a ride home?” I always said yes, of course. He lived in New Jersey, so we would head across the George Washington bridge and as long as the next day was not a day game, we’d make a pit stop at some all-night diner.

* * *

As a writer, you can’t cheer for a team or else you will get so distraught over a loss you will miss deadline. I’ve cheered for the Milwaukee Braves as a kid, the Syracuse Orangemen and the Buffalo Bills.

Jay’s heart belonged in Pittsburgh. He was a Bucs fan through and through.

Despite ownership which has not spent, Bucs fans remember Maz’s homer. Forbes Field is gone now. So, too, is Three Rivers Stadium, as the Bucs now play in the picturesque PNC Park.

The left field wall at Forbes was not demolished. The surviving wall is located on the University of Pittsburgh campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

The section of the red-brick outfield wall (including original distance markers from home plate and the flagpole) stands near the Pitt’s Posvar Hall and Mervis Hall.

So, every Oct. 13, Pirates fans gather to remember the glory days. Tail gating. Barbecues. Stories. They listen to a re-broadcast of Game 7.

It is a celebration of days of old. I am sure Jay is there in spirit. In fact, I know Jay, or Jaybird as he was known around the office, is watching down as “his Pirates,” win again. Jay was living in Englishtown, N.J., on Aug. 12, 2021, when he passed away from complications of West Nile virus.

The Philadelphia Flyers honoured Jay with a celebration and wall in his honour: Jay Greenberg Press Row, near the refreshment/popcorn stand outside the press box at the Wells Fargo Center, now known as the Xfinity Mobile Arena, on Nov. 2, 2024.

Jaybird did love his popcorn. We think Jay set a SkyDome two-year record for most kernels consumed. As well as most kernels spilled.

The Flyers gave Mona, Steph, Liz and their children a box, refreshments, commemoratives, visits from players and team management.

* * *

It was surprising for me to learn Jay was a Bucs fan since he made his name in Philadelphia covering the Flyers for the Daily News, writing hockey that one scribe told him he wrote “like a Canadian,” He was born in Johnstown, Pa., 90 minutes from Pittsburgh.

This Game 7 event started in 1985, for the 25th anniversary of Maz’s homer, when a Pirate fan named Saul Finkelstein decided to listen to the game.

There were 1,600 people for the 50th anniversary in 2010 and the event consistently draws several hundred fans who eat, drink, smoke cigars and talk about the Pirates’ history.

There is a group of regulars who call themselves the “Game 7 Gang.” They have been coming to the listening party for the past four decades or so.

Did you attend the Blue Jays’ 33rd listening party of Joe Carter’s homer? It was Friday.

The night Carter homered, Jay spotted Paul Molitor sitting in the dugout as the replay played again and again. Paul explained how the games don’t always end like this.

The next night, Jay phoned me and asked, “Guess who phoned me? Paul Molitor, he thanked me for the story.” I may have had that three or four times in 50 years and three months of writing.

That’s how special Jay was.

* * *

Jay wrote for the Kansas City Star, Philadelphia Bulletin, Philadelphia Daily News, one of the best sports section south of the borer, Toronto Sun and New York Post.

“I covered the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993,” Jay said to more than once during the Blue Jays’ post-season drought. “You should tell Paul Beeston they should bring me back as a good-luck charm to end the drought.”

And then he would laugh. Jay had a laugh that could light up a room or a press box.

In 2013, Jay was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

(Jay invited me as his guest. A number of Flyers showed which was a sign of respect. We were lucky we didn’t get kicked out of the luncheon. A ball writer and a hockey scribe talking about Mazeroski. Fortunately, the Sargent-At-Arms was at the back of the room.)

I had an old boss who would say don’t try to be funny. Humor is the most difficult thing to convey to the reader. Jaybird and Mark Whicker, another Philadelphia alum, were as funny in person as they were in the daily bugle.

Here’s a sample of Jay’s humor in The Hockey News from when he won the Elmer Ferguson award, presented during the Hall of Fame week at a downtown Toronto hotel.

Princeton man Mark Shapiro, president of the Toronto Blue Jays, was a regular Greenberg reader.

Jay also wrote a book titled, “Full Spectrum: The Complete History of the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club” for the team’s 30th anniversary season. And later Mark Howe asked him to write an autobiography titled “Gordie Howe’s Son”.

And when Jay left the Post -- since he did not hunt, golf or fish (well, he did go to the Arctic Circle with Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington and Glen Sather for Sports Illustrated), he did what writers do when they retire, they write.

And since Stephanie and Elizabeth attended Princeton, Jay did too.

Jay covered the Princeton Tigers football games -- home and away -- wrote features for the alumni publications and did a regular blog: princetontigersfootball.com saying, “I had a blast, a lot of fun, doing this blog. It was fun watching the team get good. The year before I started, they were 1-9, and my first year, they were 5-5.”

They went on to win three championships in the years he covered them and they even gave him three championship rings.

For Jay’s Memorial Book, he wrote, “The 1966 football team decided to make me an honorary team member and captain, to thank me for documenting their championship in my article, “What Two Inches Meant to the 1966 Tigers is Immeasurable.” They even added his picture to their team photo.

* * *

A player will give us memories this World Series. A bench player? A star? Who knows? The memory may even be good enough to rank behind Lew Burdette, Bill Mazeroski and Jay Greenberg.

October 22, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

The Canadian Baseball League has announced its Rawlings Gold Glove winners for 2026, and the London Majors led the way with four recipients.

Majors first baseman Trent Lenihan and second baseman Cristian Inoa both earned Gold Gloves, as did outfielder Jarrett Burney and pitcher Travis Keys.

Hamilton had two Gold Glovers, as third baseman Reyny Reyes and outfielder Tyler Duncan were both recognized for their defence.

Welland shortstop Brendan Luther was a Gold Glover at shortstop, Guelph catcher Matthew Ward was honoured for his work behind the plate, and Barrie’s Canice Ejoh was a Gold Glover in the outfield.

October 23, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team dropped a pair of games on Friday at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship, falling 4-1 to Panama before returning to the field to complete a 5-3 loss to Puerto Rico in its suspended tournament opener.

Canada opened the day against Panama and threatened immediately when Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) singled to right-centre and advanced to third, but Panama escaped the inning without allowing a run.

Panama broke through in the bottom of the second, scoring all four of its runs in the frame. Edward Elian Delgado Jimenez delivered a two-run double before Daniel Alberto Long Guzman added a two-run single to give Panama a 4-0 advantage.

Canada’s pitching staff shut the door from there. Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) entered in the third and helped keep Panama off the board through the fifth, while Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.) worked a clean sixth inning, striking out one. The Canadian bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to keep the Juniors within striking distance.

The Juniors got on the board in the fifth. Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) opened the inning with a single to left before Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) reached on an error. Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) followed with a fielder’s choice before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) lifted a sacrifice fly to centre to score Miller and cut the deficit to 4-1.

Canada made one final push in the seventh. Liske singled to right-centre but was thrown out at second base before Whiteford and Ellis followed with singles to left. Panama worked out of the inning to secure the 4-1 victory.

The Juniors returned to the field later Friday to complete their suspended opener against Puerto Rico, which had been halted due to darkness Thursday with Puerto Rico leading 5-2 after the top of the fifth.

Puerto Rico had done all of its scoring in the second inning after Canada starter Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.) opened the game by striking out the side. Three bases-loaded walks brought home the first three runs before a two-run single stretched the advantage to 5-0.

Canada answered in the third. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) singled up the middle and later scored when Ellis lined an RBI single to left. Ellis eventually came around to score on an error, cutting the Puerto Rican advantage to 5-2.

The Canadian bullpen kept the Juniors within striking distance from there. Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) stabilized the game after entering in the second, while Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) worked a scoreless fourth. Miller took over when play resumed Friday and kept Puerto Rico off the board over the final two innings.

Canada mounted one final push in the seventh. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) doubled to left before Blain followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Lascelles later scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to two, but Puerto Rico retired the next three Canadian hitters to close out the 5-3 victory.

Canada now sits at 0-2 in Pool C and will enter the final day of Opening Round play needing a response as the Juniors face Puerto Rico and Panama in a crucial doubleheader with a spot in the Super Round still at stake.

BOX SCORES:

Canada vs. Panama

Canada vs. Puerto Rico

October 22, 2026

Baseball Canada

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic - The Junior National Team’s opening game of the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship was suspended due to darkness on Thursday with Puerto Rico holding a 5-2 lead after the top of the fifth inning.

Box Score

Canada and Puerto Rico traded scoreless opening frames before Puerto Rico broke through with five runs in the bottom of the second. A pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt set the table before three consecutive bases-loaded walks brought in runs.

Puerto Rico then capped the inning with a two-run single to pull ahead 5-0.

The Juniors responded in the third. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) singled up the middle before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) doubled to deep left to put two runners in scoring position. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) brought Thierman home on a ground out for Canada’s first run before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) reached on an error that allowed Ellis to score, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Canada’s pitching staff settled in from there. Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) worked out of the second inning and kept Puerto Rico off the board through the third before Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) entered in the fourth and stranded two runners to preserve the three-run deficit.

The Juniors generated another opportunity in the fourth when Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) walked and Thierman was hit by a pitch, but Puerto Rico escaped without allowing a run.

Armitage drew a walk and stole second in the fifth, but the inning ended with Canada still trailing 5-2.

Play was suspended following the top of the fifth inning due to darkness. The game is scheduled to resume Friday following the conclusion of Canada’s game against Panama, scheduled for 12 p.m. E.T.

October 21, 2026

Niagara Ironbacks

Tyson Gomm is back with the Niagara Ironbacks, stepping into the role of field manager for the upcoming season.

He replaces Richard Griffin, who served as manager for the team’s first two Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League seasons.

Gomm served as an assistant coach with Ironbacks in 2026.

With three championships with the Canadian Baseball League’s (formerly Intercounty Baseball League) Welland Jackfish, an OUA Championship with Brock and experience with the Junior National Team, Gomm brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and championship experience to the dugout.

Before playing for the Jackfish, Gomm played for the College of Southern Idaho and Parkland College.

In 2019, he was named MVP of the Canadian Futures Showcase.

*Kevin Glew, from the Canadian Baseball Network, has also contributed to this article.

October 23, 2026

Official OBA News Release

Running October 23–25, the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) convention will bring together baseball leaders, volunteers and delegates from across Ontario for a weekend of collaboration, discussion and planning for the future of baseball in our province.

Under the theme Building a Championship Culture, attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, review proposed amendments and help shape the future of Ontario baseball.

You can read a list of the proposed amendments that will be discussed here.

You can read the agenda for the Annual Rules and Procedures Meeting that will take place on Sunday here.

This article was originally posted in July 2012.

Editor’s note: Of all the tricky ways a triple-A manager has told a minor-leaguer he has been promoted, this was the best …. Plus it is about James Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), a Dawgs alum and the current Milwaukee Brewers pitching coordinator, who is four wins away from a World Series title …. And another reason — it is always good to have the productive, creative Alexis Brudnicki’s copy on our pages.

By Alexis Brudnicki

Canadian Baseball Network

You have no idea what’s happening.

The game is over and your manager has called a team meeting. Everyone is gathered in the locker room, waiting to find out what’s going on.

Apparently, the group of young women who were sitting behind the bullpen all game have brought forward a grievance. They’ve gone to the police and lodged a complaint against one of the relief pitchers.

The accuser has informed the authorities that she was being harassed by the Canadian. The police have asked your manager to help them out in solving the problem.

You stand up, and so does the other Canadian on the team. He’s the third baseman, however, and he was not in the bullpen. Your manager tells you both that she named a tall player, so Taylor Green (Comox, BC), your Nashville Sounds teammate, sits back down.

“So what do you have to say for yourself?” your manager asks as he looks in your direction.

Jim Henderson didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t harassing anyone. He didn’t even talk to the ladies who were sitting by the bullpen. He was genuinely baffled by the situation. And he told his manager, Mike Guerrero, as much.

So how did Guerrero’s respond?

“Okay, you can tell all that to the lieutenant that’s going to come in,” he said. “He’s all pissed off because all of these young ladies said whatever they said. So you can explain that to him. And by the way, you’ve been called up to the big leagues.”

Guerrero wanted Henderson’s moment to be special. He wanted the nine-year minor leaguer to remember his call to the Milwaukee Brewers, and Guerrero also wanted his entire team to be a part of it.

As the manager’s eyes wandered around the stadium during the game, they landed and fixated near the bullpen. He had found his scenario and planned accordingly.

“It was incredible,” Guerrero said over the phone from Nashville. “It was a good moment. It was perfect. It caught him totally by surprise; it caught everyone by surprise. I got everybody. They didn’t catch me. I was totally serious and it was a really good moment for the team. They felt like they won 10 games in a row, they were so happy for Jim.”

The smile on Henderson’s face just over a week into his big league tenure is so wide that it doesn’t seem possible that anyone could be happier.

“It’s pretty amazing right now,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s a dream come true right now as far as making my debut last week and enjoying the first week right now. It’s been pretty incredible.”

The incredible journey by Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) began in 2003 when he was drafted in the 26th round by the Montreal Expos. Since then, he’s been affiliated with the Washington Nationals, the Chicago Cubs and the Brewers organizations.

He spent four of those seasons in Triple-A, where the bigs is always just a phone call away. But he never felt closer than he did this year, a factor that didn’t always play out to his advantage.

“This year I had a good year and stayed consistent,” Henderson said. “So I heard some whispers earlier in the season. It was almost a bad thing, kind of a distraction, so I tried not to think about it. But how can you not?

“I didn’t like the way I was going out there and it was distracting me, but I was able to get through it and be patient for most of the year.”

Through 35 appearances for the Sounds in the Pacific Coast League in 2012, Henderson was 4-3 with a 1.69 ERA out of the bullpen. He threw 48 innings, notched 15 saves, struck out 56 and held opponents to a .214 average.

In six games with the Brewers, Henderson has thrown five frames, allowed one run, walked none and struck out seven. Upon his arrival in Milwaukee, the right-hander also joined fellow Canadian John Axford in the bullpen.

Axford’s path to The Show was also a little unorthodox, not making his way into the minor leagues until he was in his mid-twenties. But he’s been incredibly impressed with what his new teammate has gone through to get to where he is.

Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) believes that their persistence – and perhaps even stubbornness – might be traced to their Canadian roots.

“We’re always trying to prove ourselves to a certain degree on a larger stage than where we believe we should be,” Axford said. “My path wasn’t the most-traveled path, that’s not the way you really want to go, but it’s the same with Jim, too.

“I think Jim started playing pro ball younger than I did but the persistency of him staying in the minor leagues for nine years, that’s hard, especially when you’re bouncing around as many different teams as he had, being released, trying to sign with another team, being released again; trying to sign with another team. It takes a lot to be able to keep going after it the way you want to and try and reach that fulfillment, that dream of playing in the big leagues.

“And after nine years, it’s got to be tough when you’re down there. I was in the minor leagues only for a few years but it was the matter of getting into pro ball that was the difficult part for me. I didn’t start playing until I was 24 and I couldn’t imagine being there for nine years, like certain people ...

“I don’t know if I would have lasted if it was nine years in the minor leagues. So that says something for Jim, that’s for sure.”

There is a lot to be said about the journey of Jim Henderson, from his time with John Ircandia’s Okotoks Dawgs through his 10 seasons in the minors to Milwaukee’s clubhouse, but Guerrero said it best:

“It’s a special moment, not only for him but for everyone in the organization, and in all of baseball,”

Guerrero said. “As long as you work hard and no matter how long you’re in baseball, if you have a uniform you have a chance. Your willingness to keep fighting and grinding it out, one way or the other, if you do the right things and you’re in the right place, you’re going to get a chance.”

* * *

Sequel: Axford made his debut Sept. 15, 2009 retiring Bobby Scales of the Chicago Cubs on a fly ball. He pitched in six other games as a call-up.

In 2010 he saved 24 games and the next year led the NL with 46 saves. And in 2012 he saved 35 more for the Brewers.

He also pitched for the Athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, the Blue Jays, Cleveland, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers.

In all, he pitched in 544 games with 144 saves and a 3.90 ERA, striking out 589 in 525 2/3 innings.

* * *

The first hitter Henderson, who turned 44 on Thursday, faced was Washington Nationals’ Roger Bernadina, whom he struck out on July 26, 2012. The Canuck righty would pitch in 26 major league games, picking up three saves, that season.

In 2013, taking over as Brewers closer from fellow Canadian John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.), he had 28 saves. The next year, he only pitched in 14 games before being sidelined by an injury. In 2016, he worked in 44 games for the New York Mets. In all, he pitched in 155 games and posted a 3.61 ERA, while striking out 177 in 137 innings.

And now Henderson is back sitting in the Brewers’ dugout as pitching coordinator. He worked in Milwaukee’s minor league system in 2018, 2019 and 2021. In 2022, he was promoted to bullpen coach, assistant pitching coach and later assistant pitching and strategy coach.

October 22, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

He’s the first Canadian to play for the Milwaukee Brewers.

And though he only spent about a year in Toronto at the beginning of his life, Barry Cort happily refers to himself as Canadian in Dade City, Fla., where he now lives with his wife, Susan.

“We have the Canadians against the Americans in a golf tournament here. And all my buddies say, ‘Barry, are you going to play for the Canadians?’ And I say, ‘Yeah. I’m Canadian,'” he shared with a chuckle in a recent phone interview. “But I split it up, I’ll play one year with the Canadians and one year with the Americans. That way I’ll keep everyone happy, I guess.”

It’s been more than 49 years since Cort threw a pitch for the Brewers but he still feels a kinship with the club.

“I’m glad to see the Brewers get to the World Series,” said Cort. “They were having a good year and I was saying if everyone stays healthy they might get there. And I loved it when they swept the Dodgers.”

Cort posted a tidy 3.33 ERA in seven appearances for the Brewers in 1977 before shoulder woes and bone spurs ended his career prematurely.

Fittingly, his only big league win and complete game came against the Blue Jays in Toronto on May 3, 1977 with his father, George, present, recording parts of the contest on a Kodak Instamatic video camera.

Cort’s father emigrated to Toronto from England in 1953, following his brother, Ernie, to Canada in search of prosperity. Uncle Ernie was also on hand to see Cort’s first major league win.

Cort’s father got work as a house painter, but didn’t like the cold weather in Toronto, so he gathered up his family – his wife, Sally, and two sons George and Barry – and moved to Tampa Bay, Fla.

In the Sunshine State, Cort began playing baseball at age five.

“I used to love to hit more than I liked to pitch,” said Cort.

While at C. Leon King High School in Tampa, he grew to 6-foot-5 and by his senior year his fastball was being clocked at over 90 mph and he was dominating the competition.

Cort volunteers that discipline was sometimes an issue for him in high school, but fortunately his coach, Billy Howell, steered him in the right direction.

“Billy worked and worked and worked with me,” recalled Cort. “And I almost blew it. I was messing around . . . I missed 13 days of school. And my coach came up to me one day and he said, “Barry, listen, if you miss any more days of school they’re going to set you back a year and you might not get drafted.”

That set Cort straight and the Brewers ended up selecting him in the fourth round of the 1974 draft.

The Brewers dispatched scout Sandy Johnson to sign Cort, who received a $21,000 signing bonus, which he used to buy a Trans Am.

The then 18-year-old righty reported to the Brewers’ Class-A Short Season Newark Co-Pilots where he went 8-3 with a 2.27 ERA and tossed seven complete games in 14 starts.

“Back then, we might have had two people in the bullpen, so when you started, you had to go out there and do the best you could,” said Cort.

The hard-throwing hurler was promoted to the Class A Burlington Bees in 1975 where he continued to excel, finishing 14-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 24 starts. He threw 12 more complete games.

He was elevated to double-A Berkshire the ensuing year and completed the campaign with a 14-5 record and a 2.80 ERA in 25 games (24 starts).

With three excellent minor league seasons under his belt, Cort headed to Brewers’ camp in 1977 determined to crack the big league roster.

“I had a good spring training and [Brewers manager] Alex Grammas called me into his office and he said, ‘Hey, listen, I’ve got some good news and bad news for you,” recalled Cort. “I said, ‘Well, give me the bad news first.’ He said, ‘Well, the bad news is you’re not going to go back to double-A ball.’ And I said, ‘Well, what’s the good news?’ And he said, ‘Call your family because you’re going to Milwaukee.’ Man, the hairs on my arms stood up, just like they did now when I mentioned it to you. It was really something.”

Cort made his major-league debut on April 22, 1977 against the California Angels and allowed two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings in relief in a Brewers’ 7-4 loss. He made two additional relief appearances that month before getting his first start against the Blue Jays on May 3.

But even during his start against the Blue Jays, Cort could feel something was wrong with his shoulder.

“I remember after about the seventh inning, my arm was killing me. I remember putting a hot water bottle on my shoulder and I told Alex Grammas, ‘I don’t want to come out of this game. I want to finish it,’” recalled Cort. “And I did.”

The Brewers won 6-2 with Cort scattering nine hits and striking out five batters in his complete-game effort. That performance made him the first Toronto-born pitcher to register a win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

His father, who was so nervous during the game that he smoked a full pack of cigarettes, filmed parts of it, but only brought one roll of film.

“After the game, I said to him, ‘Hey, pop, you only brought one roll. You must not have expected I was going to go very far in the game?’” said Cort with a laugh.

Eleven days later, Cort made his second big league start and permitted just two runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers, but he was saddled with a tough-luck loss in the Tigers’ 3-2 victory.

Four days later, he started against the Blue Jays again, this time in Milwaukee, but left after two innings when the pain in his shoulder became unbearable.

He’d make just one more relief appearance for the Brewers prior to undergoing surgery on his shoulder.

Cort has fond memories of the fans in Milwaukee and the city itself. He can recall living in a small apartment about a mile from County Stadium, going to a bar called Bootleggers downtown and driving around in a big car with his teammates.

“The guy at Balistreri Oldsmobile gave us this big old sled to drive around,” said Cort. “You could put eight people in that car. It was unbelievable . . . It was like a four-door Lincoln, or a big Cadillac, but it was an Oldsmobile Delta 88.”

Unfortunately, Cort was never able to regain the same arm strength after his shoulder surgery.

“I thought my shoulder was coming back and, of course, it didn’t,” said Cort. “The whole sad thing was I never had any therapy. After my surgery, they sent me home with a stretching book. I didn’t have anybody to train with or give me the therapy that I needed to get me back to where I needed to be.”

Cort threw his final professional pitch for the double-A West Haven A’s in the Oakland A’s organization in 1981 before hanging up his playing spikes.

The following year, Cort, just 26, was at home watching many of his former Brewers teammates play in the 1982 World Series.

“I was cheering for them, but you wouldn’t believe how much I wished I was part of that,” said Cort.

After his pitching career, he returned to the Tampa area where, like his father, he became a commercial painter.

“My dad taught me well because I did it for almost 40 years and I still do it every now and then,” said Cort, who turned 70 in April. “I paint cabinets in people’s houses. It has kept me busy.”

He also played slo-pitch for several years but he gave that up about 10 years ago after having surgery on his spine. That was one of 14 surgeries Cort has endured over the years. That list includes four shoulder surgeries, as well as operations on both knees and his neck. He also has three stents in his heart and a pacemaker.

“I’ve been through the mill,” said Cort. “I’m lucky to even be here . . . I wake up every morning saying, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ I don’t know what’s keeping me going. Maybe it’s just because I’m a fighter and I love golf.”

Ten years ago, he received a surprise in the mail from Major League Baseball. It was a notice informing him that from that point forward, he’d be receiving an annual pension payment of $563 from them.

“Hey, it’s better than nothing,” said Cort. “I get that and take my wife down to the beach and we spend the weekend there and live it up.”

Cort and his wife, Susan, will have been married nine years in February. She is the “love of his life” and he says he’s not sure what he’d do without her.

Cort is uncertain if he still has relatives in Toronto, but he still has the paperwork to prove he’s a Canadian citizen.

“I’m a permanent resident here, but I’ve never given up my Canadian status,” said Cort.

In 2021, his high school in Tampa retired his No. 13. It was a proud moment for Cort, who will be cheering on the Brewers, his former big league team, in the World Series.

“I told my wife earlier this year that I have a funny feeling the Brewers are going to go pretty far this year. And sure enough, they’re about to play on the big stage. They can’t go any further than they have now,” said Cort. “Man, that’s got to be a good feeling to wake up and know you’re going to the World Series. I’d have given anything for that.”

But while he wishes his major league career was longer, Cort is grateful for what he has – a beautiful wife, a daughter, two grandchildren and the warm memories of winning a major league game almost 50 years ago in the Canadian city he was born in, with his father there to witness it.

“I still have dreams about pitching. I miss it terribly. I just wish the old arm had held out and who knows what would’ve happened? I love the game of baseball. I just wish I’d had more time to play it, but the Good Lord had other plans . . . I like to think God’s got a plan for me. I’m not sure what it is, but I hope it’s not any more surgeries,” said Cort with a laugh.

October 22, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

It will be Ash versus Cash in this year’s World Series clash.

That first sentence sounds like it could’ve been written by Dr. Seuss, but I can assure you it was not.

It will be former Toronto Blue Jays general manager and current Milwaukee Brewers’ vice-president, baseball projects Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) against former Blue Jays catcher and current Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash in this year’s Fall Classic, which will begin at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Friday night.

Adding further intrigue to this “clash” is that it was under Ash’s reign as Blue Jays general manager that the club signed Cash as an amateur free agent in 1999.

But this is just one Canadian angle to this year’s World Series, a showdown that will assure us of a first-time World Series champion. Neither the Brewers or the Rays have ever won the World Series.

The Rays have Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) - the only Canadian-born player left standing - while the Brewers have some prominent Canadian executives.

Both teams had the best records in their respective leagues, which should make for a long, hard-fought series.

So, without further ado, here’s a rundown of the Canadian content in this year’s World Series:

1. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the postseason for the 10th time, but this is the first year they have had a Canadian on their October roster.

The American League East division-winning Rays acquired catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) from the Miami Marlins on Aug. 3, and Hicks has been a key part of their offence. In 41 regular season games with the Rays, he had a .288/.379/.440 slash line with four home runs and 20 RBIs. And he had already been enjoying a breakout campaign with the Marlins.

In total, the Toronto Mets alum batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 142 regular season games in 2026. He also finished the season as one of a select group of MLB hitters with more walks (56) than strikeouts (55).

After going just 1-for-10 in the Rays’ three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the ALDS, Hicks improved at the dish against the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, going 5-for-17 (.294 batting average) with three RBIs.

Perhaps most impressive, however, has been Hicks’ game-calling behind the plate, which has drawn raves from his manager and veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta.

It has been a remarkable baseball journey for Hicks who less than two years ago was left unprotected by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft and selected by the Marlins.

In March, he suited up for the Canadian national team for the first time at the World Baseball Classic.

Player: C Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.)

Minor league players: OF Slater de Brun (Bend, Ore., mom, Julie, lived in Toronto), C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), INF Jack Lines (Okotoks, Alta.), INF Taj Marchand (Charleston, N.C., father, Hugo, from Montreal), OF Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), LHP Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.)

2. Milwaukee Brewers

When Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) was the general manager of the Brewers from 2002 to 2015, and Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was his assistant GM, the Brewers seemed to consistently have the most (or close to the most) Canadian players in their system. This changed under more recent regimes, but it has rebounded somewhat in the past five years when thanks to input from the club’s director of international scouting and player personnel, Taylor Green (Comox, BC), and area scout Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), the Brewers selected Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB draft and INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.) 102nd overall in 2022.

The Brewers also added catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) from the Guardians on August 1. Naylor played with the Brewers’ triple-A Nashville Sounds in August before being called up and going 2-for-7 in three games with the Brewers in September. With catchers William Contreras and Gary Sanchez ahead of him, Naylor is unlikely to be on the Brewers’ World Series roster.

Also, former Okotoks Dawgs right-hander and ex-Brewers closer Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) is the Brewers’ pitching coordinator.

The Brewers finished with 103 wins during the regular season - the most in MLB - and they swept the reigning World Series championship Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS to secure their first Fall Classic berth since 1982.

Player: Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.)

Minor league Players: INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.)

Coach: Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), MLB pitching coordinator

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), special assistant to the general manager; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), vice-president, baseball projects; Taylor Green (Comox, BC), director of international scouting and player personnel, Brad McKay (Fredericton, NB) head strategist, skill acquisition

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, BC), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Taylor Frederick (Ottawa, Ont.)

October 21, 2026

Baseball Canada

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – Baseball Canada has named 20 athletes to the Junior National Team roster who will represent Canada at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship, with Canada set to begin its pursuit of a berth at next year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China.

The championship runs from October 22-29 at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, with four World Cup qualification spots on the line.

Canada enters the tournament in Group C alongside Puerto Rico and Panama. The Juniors will open against Puerto Rico on Thursday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m. E.T. before facing Panama at 12:00 p.m. E.T. on Friday.

Opening Round play concludes Saturday with doubleheader action as Canada takes on Puerto Rico at 12:00 p.m. E.T. and Panama at 3 p.m. E.T. All four Canadian games will be played at IPL Academy Stadium 2.

The final roster was selected following Canada’s U-18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp in the Dominican Republic. It features a good mix of Junior National Team veterans refreshed by some new young talent.

Head Coach and Director of Men’s National Teams Greg Hamilton will lead the group alongside coaches Mike Johnson (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Jesse Hodges (Victoria, BC) and Chris Begg (Uxbridge, Ont.).

Canada’s 20-player roster

Pitchers: Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.), Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.), Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.), Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.), Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.), Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.), Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC), Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.) and Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC).

Catchers: Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) and Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC).

Infielders: Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.), Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.).

Outfielders: Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) and Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.).

Utility: Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) and Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.).

Tournament Format

Eleven countries are divided across three groups for the Opening Round. Group A features the United States, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Curaçao, while Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua make up Group B. Canada, Puerto Rico and Panama comprise the three-team Group C

The top two teams from each group will advance to the six-team Super Round beginning October 25, while the remaining countries move into the Placement Round. Results from Opening Round games between teams that advance together will carry into the Super Round standings.

Because Group C contains only three teams, each country will play four Opening Round games. All four games will count towards the Group C standings, but only designated games will count toward a team’s Super Round record. For Canada, the October 23 meeting with Panama and the October 24 game against Puerto Rico are the two designated carry-over games should those opponents also advance.

Super Round play runs through October 28, with the top four countries earning qualification for the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China and advancing to the tournament’s final day. The third- and fourth-place teams will meet in the bronze medal game at 10 a.m. E.T. on October 29, followed by the gold medal game between the top two teams at 2 p.m. E.T.

U18 PanAmerican Championship games will be streamed on Youtube.

ROSTER
SCHEDULE/RESULTS

October 20, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans, the defending Frontier League champions, announced on Tuesday that they have signed field manager Bobby Brown to a multi-year contract extension.

The 52-year-old skipper guided the Titans to a franchise-record 57-44 record this past season, finishing second in the North Division and clinching their third playoff berth in the Club's five-year existence.

In the playoffs, he led the team to an 8-1 record, capped off by the first championship in team history. The team swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs – defeating the New Jersey Jackals and New York Boulders – prior to defeating the Evansville Otters in four games to capture the title.

In 2026, the Titans got off to their best start in team history, winning 10 of their first 14 games, becoming the first team in the loaded Atlantic Conference to reach 10 victories. Shortly after the All-Star break through mid-August, the team strung together a consecutive unbeaten streak of 10 series in a row. Returning several key contributors from the year’s past, Brown surrounded the veteran group of players with star-studded talent on both sides of the ball for a deep postseason run.

Offensively, Brown’s Club posted one of its best seasons in team history, with 99 home runs, 647 runs scored, 523 walks, 155 stolen bases, and a .382 on-base percentage. Pitching-wise, the team navigated their way through the regular season before tossing to a 2.02 ERA in the postseason. In the nine playoff games, Titans starters tossed at least six innings in five games, getting credit for quality starts in each appearance.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Sam, Regan, Martin, and the entire Titans organization for their continued trust and support,” said Brown. “Winning a championship is something everyone in this game works toward, and to accomplish that with this group in Ottawa makes it especially meaningful. Ottawa has become a special place for me, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited to continue working toward bringing more success to our fans and this community for years to come.”

The 2026 resurgence followed an impressive run that capped off the 2025 campaign, in which the Club went 40-21 down the stretch, just missing out on the playoffs after an 11-24 start. That year, the Titans put together a franchise record with 13 consecutive series unbeaten.

Since taking the helm, Brown has guided the Club to multiple playoff appearances (2022, 2024, and 2026) – the most by one skipper in the modern era of Ottawa professional baseball.

Over five seasons at the helm in Canada’s Capital, the Titans own a 265-218 record under Brown – good enough for a .549 winning percentage, three playoff berths, and a championship.

Before accepting the Titans managerial position, Brown served as the hitting coach for the Pioneer League champion Missoula PaddleHeads in 2021 – guiding the team to the best record in all of professional baseball. Pre-pandemic, he managed seven seasons in the American Association with stops in Amarillo and Lincoln. Brown was tabbed as the American Association Manager of the Year in 2017, guiding the Saltdogs to a Central Division championship.

“Bobby has played a tremendous role in shaping the identity, culture, and success of the Ottawa Titans,” said Regan Katz, vice president and COO of the Ottawa Titans. “His leadership, competitive mindset, and commitment to building a winning environment have been instrumental in bringing a championship to our city. As our organization continues to grow, maintaining continuity in key leadership positions is essential to achieving sustained success. Bobby understands the expectations we have for this team and shares our vision for the future, both on and off the field. This extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team forward, and we’re thrilled to have him committed to the Titans as we continue raising the standard for our organization, our fans, and our community.”

Originally from San Luis Obispo, Calif., Brown played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma before beginning a 10-year professional playing career. From 1996 to 2005, he suited up for nine different teams, spending parts of three seasons in the Northern League with Winnipeg. Over 637 career games, Brown compiled a .301 batting average.

“Bobby’s impact on this organization goes well beyond the on-field success,” outlined Martin Boyce, general manager of the Ottawa Titans. “His ability to recruit and develop players and bring a team together around a common goal has been a major part of our success. Having worked closely with Bobby over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication he brings to the job every day. I’m thrilled to have him leading our team for years to come, and I look forward to seeing what we can continue to accomplish together.”

Brown and the Titans are expected to announce their full 2027 coaching staff closer to the beginning of Spring Training in late April.

October 20, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

London Majors’ Maikol Escotto won the John Bell Memorial Trophy as the Canadian Baseball League’s Most Valuable Player for 2026.

The 24-year-old Dominican flashed a combination of power and speed in his first season with the Majors. Escotto ranked fourth in the league in average (.396), slugging (.677) and OPS (1.097), which helped London contend for a regular season pennant until ultimately finishing third in a tiebreak.

The right-handed hitting shortstop launched 16 home runs, which was second in the CBL, and he drove in 52, which was sixth most in the league. He also swiped 15 bases – second on the Majors.

Hamilton pitcher Owen Boon was the league MVP in 2025.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 20, 2026. You can read it here.

October 21, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

2026 will go down as a year of making memories for Reid MacDonald.

The 18-year-old was a key piece of a Dawgs Academy 18U Black team that won several major tournaments including the inaugural Morneau Cup before heading to the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

They were the kinds of experiences that the Long Point, N.S. product hoped for when he moved west to Okotoks three years ago.

MacDonald wanted to prove he belonged among the elite players in Canada and his performance showed he’s on the right path.

“It’s such a confidence boost,” he told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “It’s awesome knowing that I can play with the best in the country and compete with them.”

Fresh off the Dawgs’ annual U.S. college trip, he’s looking to take his game to the next level and have an even more memorable 2027.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Reid MacDonald here.

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CROSS-COUNTRY CALL

The son of well-known senior league player Sheldon MacDonald, the young athlete had an inkling not to follow in his father’s footsteps.

A fan of Justin Verlander, the right-hander says his attention went to the diamond by his first year of bantam baseball, where his talent became obvious.

Pitching for Nova Scotia at the Baseball Canada 15U Ray Carter Cup in 2022, MacDonald remembers pitching very well against Alberta, who was represented by the Dawgs.

That performance, along with his complete-game 2-0 shutout over Ontario in the fifth-place game, prompted a call from Dawgs coach Lou Pote to come to Okotoks the following spring.

“Going from a country lifestyle to a city lifestyle was a big change in itself,” MacDonald said. “New people, new everything, new school – I was really nervous but once I got settled in, I was good.”

A BIG BOUNCE-BACK

While it’s never easy to move across the country to keep chasing your baseball dreams, MacDonald faced an additional hurdle before his first summer in Okotoks.

While throwing a bullpen session, he felt something tweaked in his elbow, forcing him to the sidelines for a couple of months.

“I didn’t know if I’d be back for the start of the season or not,” MacDonald said. “My dad and I were debating on going back home, but I said I wanted to stay and just see it out.”

He stuck it out and it’s been nothing but smooth sailing since, including a return to playing for Nova Scotia at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

That set the table for his 2026 season, which culminated with The Road to Okotoks and a big win on home soil.

MacDonald pitched a total of five innings during the tournament, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out four.

“That was probably my favourite tournament I’ve ever played in,” he said. “We had a great group of guys, and everybody worked so hard towards that moment. It was awesome.”

Adding to the allure of the Morneau Cup, according to MacDonald, is how special it was to win the first one and to set the standard for future teams.

SUNNY DAYS AND COOL NIGHTS

Then it was off to Vancouver for the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

For pitchers, it’s a prescribed kind of tournament in that you know which games you’re likely to perform in and you’re only pitching for a couple of innings.

MacDonald was suiting up with a Team Grey that ended up playing in two nightcaps in two days, with his schedule appearance to be at the tail-end of the second.

Admittedly, it was a bit chilly with the sun already set and the evening dew starting to form.

“I was just walking around during all the games trying to stay warm,” MacDonald said about his preparation. “Going for jogs out of the bullpen towards the scoreboard and back a couple of times, just anything to stay warm.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound twirler closed out an 11-3 Team Grey loss to Team Red, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four in two innings of work.

He’s happy with how he performed, including touching 89.9 miles per hour with his fastball.

INSPIRED BY HOME

After wrapping up their stateside trip, MacDonald says the Dawgs shut down their throwing programs to give pitchers a chance to rest their arms.

They have still been in the gym working on strength and conditioning and will continue to do that until ramping back up again in December.

When he gets to that point, the 18-year-old says he plans to work on a complimentary pitch to his fastball and curveball: a changeup.

“I can get my curveball over for a strike pretty much whenever I want to,” MacDonald said. “I’d like to be able to get that changeup dialed in just like that curveball.”

He’s also in the midst of a gap year and on the hunt for where he might take the next step in his baseball journey.

As a small-town Nova Scotia athlete, MacDonald is cognizant of how much of an impact he can have on players from his home province.

He says he was once “that kid” keeping tabs on how others were doing and now he’s the one being asked about his time on the diamond – it’s a point of pride.

“It reminds me that I’m doing it for them,” MacDonald said. “They want me to succeed and I’m going to succeed for them.”

October 20, 2026

Official Guelph Royals News Release

GUELPH, ONT. - After an extensive search, the Guelph Royals have appointed Brian Sewell as their new field manager for the 2027 season.

Sewell, who spent the last few seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, replaces the legendary Dino Roumel, who retired at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

The former catcher, who previously played for a number of teams in the IBL, including the Royals, has also played for teams in Belgium, Greece, Austria and in the international friendlies as a member of the Great Britain National Team.

Royals General Manager Ryan Eakin said there were numerous reasons behind hiring Sewell.

"Between his experience in the league, knowledge of the game, passion on the field and familiarity with the team and myself, Brian was always someone I had in mind for this job. He is a natural leader with tremendous experience and someone who has a burning desire to win.

"I cannot wait to see Brian lead our staff for years to come."

Sewell said he cannot wait for this opportunity.

"I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Guelph Royals organization. I’m looking forward to working with such a talented group and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish this year. Guelph baseball has always had a gritty, hard-nosed identity, and the coaching staff intends to carry that forward. We will be a team that competes every night, plays for each other, and expects to win every time we take the field."

October 19, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

Kitchener Panthers infielder Malik Williams has been named the CBL’s top Canadian.

The 27-year-old from Toronto spent parts of four seasons in Barrie before joining the Panthers in 2026.

In 2026, he led the Canadian Baseball League with a .417 average and was second among qualified batters with a 1.223 OPS.

Fourteen of his 68 hits were home runs, which was a career-high and tied for sixth in the CBL.

It’s the first time the league has recognized the top Canadian, an award sponsored by the Canadian Baseball Network.

October 19, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team battled back from an early deficit but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles FIL in U18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp action on Monday.

Box Score

After two scoreless innings, Baltimore opened the scoring in the third. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases before a two-run single gave the Orioles a 2-0 advantage.

Canada cut into the lead in the fifth. Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) drew a leadoff walk before Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) and Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) followed with singles to load the bases. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) then delivered a line-drive single to right to bring Jacob home and make it a one-run game.

The Canadian pitching staff kept the Orioles off the board over the next four innings to give the offence a chance to work its way back. Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) led the pitching staff effort, each with two scoreless frames and each collecting two strikeouts in their outings.

The Juniors pulled even in the bottom of the seventh. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt and a wild pitch before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) lined an RBI single to centre to tie the game, 2-2.

Baltimore regained the lead in the eighth, taking advantage of a pair of Canadian errors to push across an unearned run.

Canada threatened once more in the bottom half when MacDonald opened the inning with a double to left, but the Orioles retired the next three hitters to preserve the 3-2 win.

MacDonald finished with two hits, including the eighth-inning double, while Armitage and Thierman each drove in a run. Canada’s pitching staff allowed just three runs while keeping the Juniors within striking distance throughout the game.

The Canadians are back on Tuesday for their final game of the Selection Camp ahead of the U18 Pan American Championship set to start later this week.

October 19, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Sitting down alongside Larry Millson the first thing you noticed was his pencil case.

Then, he’d take out a piece of paper from its three-ring binder and a ruler.

He’d draw lines across the piece of paper for the hitter and vertical lines for each inning.

Most everyone else in the press box used the printed lineups provided by the home team.

It was unusual, but Larry scored games his way -- like he did everything else.

I remember asking someone in the 1970s, “What’s the best way to score?” The veteran ball scribe answered: “Score any way you want -- as long as when the game is over, you can explain what exactly happened in the second inning.”

And then there were his pencils inside his pencil case ... different colors for at-bats with men on base and who knows what else. I never asked. I thought it was like asking for someone’s PIN number.

Most people in the press box used a pen and had a back up Bic pen in their pocket. Larry used a pencil with an eraser so he could change his scoresheet if the scorekeeper changed a hit to an error ... or vice versa.

Larry saw more Blue Jays games than any other writer in the history of the franchise. He started in 1980 and was covered the team until the 2025 World Series. From start to finish, aside from a short step sideways to work on immigration when the Globe and Mail shrunk its Sports department in 1991.

* * *

Larry bounced back like a bad check, returning to sports in 1992 covering Toronto FC and again the Blue Jays. One afternoon at the park and he rushed over to tell us about an amazing game he had covered at Soldier’s Field in Chicago.

When he left after 10 minutes, I shook my head. My friend from Denver said, “Hey, at least he is enjoying it. If they took you out of sports and put you on something else you’d be sitting over in the corner . . . sulking.”

My friend from Denver was right of course. He always was.

* * *

When the press box was located behind home plate at SkyDome, I sat in seat No. 10. Larry was four seats to my right. He would time the anthems and kept a record.

Halfway through a slow-moving anthem I’d hear a whisper from my right. It was Larry: “We’ve got a chance for a record tonight.”

He did things his way. He timed hitters when they ran to first. He knew who hustled and who was going through the motions.

* * *

Someone once described Larry as a being a “contrarian.” I’m not sure about that. Argue? Yes. Debate? Yes. The ability to tell a club-authored cliche from what the player or executive really felt? Yes.

Yet zero debates and zero arguing during the game. Larry watched every pitch. Writers nowadays seldom do.

I’d say it is not their fault. Between assignments from bosses to be active on ‘X’, to check what is written on ‘X’ or Facebook, or Instagram and whatever news is going on in the world (and of course: “Are the Leafs winning?”) there is little time to watch each pitch.

* * *

In the old days when you could interview a player without a Rogers Communications screen behind him, Larry mingled ... from one locker to another.

Larry once told me the late John Cerutti was his best friend. He was very close to Tom Henke, George Bell, Ernie Whitt, Carlos Delgado, Pat Hentgen, John Olerud, Pat Borders, Todd Stottlemyre and others, as well as managers Bobby Cox, Jimy Williams, Cito Gaston and John Gibbons.

*For some reason Larry disliked every player from this one California school. One night in manager John Gibbons’ office he was in the midst of a soliloquy venting against the school, its program and the players it produced.

Late to the party was visiting broadcaster Steve Sparks of the Texas Rangers. Gibbons, who could tease with the best of them, introduced the announcer to everyone in the room.

It was quiet for a second and then Gibbons said, “Steve went to Larry’s favourite school.” Larry continued to list the players to a straight-faced Sparks. When we got upstairs we looked up Sparks. Sparks had pitched at Houston State. Score one for Gibbons.

* * *

One spring, Gibbons and Larry would argue daily about weapons of mass destruction. Sometimes it would go on 15-to-20 minutes.

That spring, the Jays played a day game at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg. I was going to a concert: Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and George Strait that night.

I asked Larry for a favor: “I have two questions, please let me go first before you two begin to argue ... it’s a package show which starts at 1 o’clock.” He said, “No problem.” We walked in and as I was going to ask a question ... Gibbons zinged Larry. The two went toe-to-toe in humorous manner.

Some 25 minutes later -- after the debate and my two questions -- I headed upstairs, filed and drove across the bridge to Raymond James Stadium for the concert.

* * *

Most springs after his work was done Larry would head to Eddie’s, a Dunedin bar, for a beer and a bite to eat.

The next day he’d show and give his a play-by-play on his Pop-A-Shot machine.

“Almost had a record last night Bobby, but someone bumped my arm on my last shot,” he would say.

It reminded me of working in Ottawa. The deskman would ask the boss if he had golfed that day. “Well, on the dog-leg left third hole, I blocked the ball really well ...” The deskman would get up and leave and come back to hear our boss say “and on 18 ...” For someone who did not golf it was painful.

One spring there was a championship fight on closed circuit TV. So, GM Pat Gillick, his assistant GM Gord Ash and Fran Brown, Gillick’s executive assistant headed to Eddie’s. They arrived before Larry had finished his work.

We’re not sure who figured it out -- but someone in the group noticed an electronic eye tabulated points when balls went through the hoop.

Someone grabbed a pool cue, deposited the money and moved the cue up and down. Guess what? A record score. They typed in FB -- Fran Brown as the new record holder.

Larry eventually arrived saw the threesome, stopped to say hello and off he went to the hoops machine. All three told us Larry did a double take that he was no longer the Eddie’s record holder ... Fran was best shooter ... so the machine said.

A few years ago, Mike Boon (TorontoMike) invited Dave Perkins, Larry and myself to his Etobicoke studio.

As the show was winding down Larry said, “I’d like to congratulate Bobby ... on being inducted into the Invisible Volleyball Referee Hall of Fame.”

There were stunned listeners all around. The background: One late night in Baltimore Larry, another writer and I emerged from a bar to find a beach volleyball court. Larry and the other writer played a game without a ball, while I sat in the referee’s chair.

Larry won every point. The other writer complained on our walk to our hotel. “How come?” he asked. I said, “Because Larry dove for every ball.”

* * *

Besides the Globe, Larry worked for the Toronto Telegram, The Canadian Press and Field Level Media. He authored two books: Ballpark Figures: The Blue Jays and the Business of Baseball and co-wrote, the wonderfully titled, From Hockey to Baseball: I Kept Them in Stitches with Ken Carson former Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Penguins trainer.

In 2016, he was presented with Jack Graney Award by Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys.

* * *

At the 1985 winter meetings in San Diego, we both had an open day before our flight home. We headed across the border to Tijuana, watched the races and found a sports book with dozens of TVs.

The first race we saw was a closed circuit from The Meadowlands in New Jersey. Eventually, I said, “Time to go.” Larry shook his head no.

“I just bet the first at Bay Meadows in San Mateo (Calif) ... I’ve never lost at 10 different tracks in the same day.”

In later years, we took turns explaining updates on our tickers (Larry knew more than I did). A doc put me on a lasik -- which I mistook for phenylbutazone (bute) and asked if I’d now be banned from racing in some States.

Larry said I would be OK “but the program would show a huge ‘L’ to tell bettors I was on the drug.” He knew his thoroughbreds.

* * *

Larry passed Oct. 6. Deepest sympathies to his wife, Diane, of almost 60 years, daughter Cara, grandson Benjamin and great granddaughter Elly.

We traveled together. We argued with each other. We shook our heads at the same time watching a bone-head play. Mostly we laughed together. And we were friends.

As Hall of Famer Bobby Cox said once: “Larry? Great guy. Hard worker. Knows the game.”

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on October 14. You can read it here.

October 19, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

“I had a really good summer season this year.”

It seems like a bit of an understatement from Rhett Cawood as he took to social media to reflect on the summer that he had.

He has put his name on the baseball map in a big way, standing out in competition against players a year or two older for most of the season.

The 16-year-old thrived in his debut season in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s ‘AAA’ season, winning a couple of major awards, and then performed well at the Baseball Canada Cup, starting it off by winning the tournament’s Home Run Derby.

Cawood credits “staying out of his own head” as he felt like he was really hard on himself in previous years.

“I did a good job this year of just letting myself play and trusting all the work I put in during the offseason,” he told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “I kept my approach at the plate simple and just trusted my swing to do its thing.”

And now he enters a new offseason with new goals, aspirations and even some new experiences in store.

RISING THROUGH THE RANKS

Growing up in North Battleford, Cawood remembers his dad introducing him to baseball with a plastic bat and ball set at a very young age.

His love of the game kept growing as he made his way through the hometown Beavers’ program, which took him to the Sask Five Giants program during his second year of U13 baseball.

That’s when Cawood earned his first spot on a Baseball Sask squad, playing in the 2023 Baseball Canada 13U National Championship in Woodstock, Ont.

He repped the green, yellow and white again at the Western Canada Prospects Series in 2024, then went to the 15U Ray Carter Cup in Summerside, P.E.I. in 2025.

The rising star went 4-for-11 with three singles, a double, a run batted in and three runs scored in that tournament, showing he can perform with the best in the country while realizing a dream.

“I remember being a young boy watching Team Sask at Nationals when it was hosted in Saskatoon,” Cawood recalled. “I had then made it my goal to represent my province one day and it’s a privilege getting to do it.”

WHAT A SUMMER

A big part of Cawood’s journey in baseball has been Going Yard Academy in Saskatoon.

He started with their fall ball program in 2019, making his way through their various teams before being named to their 18U team at the end of 2025.

The centre fielder/pitcher dedicated himself to getting stronger while experiencing all that Going Yard has to offer.

It paid off in a big way, as Cawood suited up with the Zone 7 Sun Devils, hitting an out-of-this-world .525 with 13 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 39 RBIs en route to being named the SPBL’s Rookie of the Year and Hitter of the Year.

He then joined Team Sask for a return trip to Summerside for the Baseball Canada Cup, where his hot streak continued right away.

Taking part in his first-ever home run derby on the opening night of the tournament, Cawood fought through some nerves and the physical demand to win it all.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound slugger opened up the final round by hitting nine out of the park then admits he had to pace around watching his opponent take his round.

“Once the timer went off and I officially won it, it was amazing,” Cawood smiled. “It was such a surreal feeling – all my teammates on the field celebrating with me – I couldn’t believe I was the derby champ.”

During tournament play, he went 4-for-20 with three singles, a double, an RBI, five runs scored, four walks and a stolen base as Team Sask finished fifth.

BIGGER AND BETTER

Cawood put the wraps on his season by heading south to the Perfect Game WWBA Underclass World Championship in Fort Myers, Florida at the start of October.

Representing CBR Nation, he picked up three hits, two walks and two stolen bases while being lauded for having several quality at bats.

With the big year under his belt, Cawood enters the offseason with a renewed confidence that he can play with some of the best in Canada and across North America.

The 2028 grad says he will be hitting the weight room hard at Going Yard, where he likes how they design drills and exercises to improve his exit velocity, sprint speed and much more.

“I am really working hard to improve my arm from the outfield this offseason,” says Cawood. “I want to get bigger and stronger for next season so I can get better in all areas of my game.”

While 2026 might have been a year to remember, Cawood is hoping it was just a taste of what’s to come in the future.

October 17, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team mounted a late rally but came up just short in a 9-8 loss to the San Francisco Giants FIL in WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp action on Saturday.

Canada jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) reached on an error before eventually coming around to score on a Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) ground out. Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) followed with an RBI single to left that brought Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) home.

San Francisco answered with four runs in the bottom of the second and added another in the fourth to take a 5-2 advantage.

The Juniors responded in a big way in the fifth. Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) opened the scoring with a solo home run to right before Chung and Blain drew walks. A Giants throwing error brought Chung home, before Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) capped the scoring with a two-run home run to left to put Canada back in front, 6-5.

Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.) helped preserve the one-run advantage with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out three and keeping San Francisco off the board in the sixth and seventh.

The Giants broke through in the eighth, however, scoring four times to turn the one-run deficit into a 9-6 lead.

Canada refused to go quietly. Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) opened the ninth with a double and later scored on a Lascelles’ ground out. Armitage followed with a walk before Liske drove him home with a double to centre, cutting the deficit to one, but the comeback ended there.

Liske was at the centre of the Canadian offence, collecting a single, solo home run and an RBI double while also drawing a walk. Miller added the go-ahead home run in the fifth, while Blain drove in a run as part of Canada’s two-run opening inning.

The Junior National Team will work out on Sunday at the Giants facility before returning to action on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles.

October 18, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Smith sets Canadian postseason strikeout record

On Thursday, Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) had two strikeouts and picked up the save in his team’s 3-2 win over Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

With those two Ks, Smith has 33 MLB postseason strikeouts. This moves him past Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) for the most career MLB postseason strikeouts by a Canadian.

In seven appearances this postseason, Smith has permitted just one run in nine innings and has struck out 13 batters. He has two saves and opponents are hitting .069 against him.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander is in his third postseason with the Guardians. In the 22 postseason games the Guardians have played since 2024, Smith has appeared in 19 of them. Aside from his 33 Ks in those contests, Smith owns a 2-0 record and a 2.01 ERA. He has 33 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.

Sabrowski picks up another hold

In the Guardians’ Game 3 win, left-hander Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to register his third hold of the postseason.

The Canuck southpaw struggled to start the 2026 postseason – permitting three runs in his first two outings in the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox – but he has since settled down and allowed just one run in his last four appearances.

On October 8, Sabrowski became the first Alberta-born pitcher to collect a postseason win when he did so in Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox.

34th anniversary of Sprague’s World Series home run

Thirty-four years ago today, Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston sent rookie Ed Sprague up to pinch-hit for reliever Duane Ward in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 1992 World Series at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.

The Blue Jays had lost the series’ first game and trailed this contest 4-3. With one out and Derek Bell on base with a walk, Sprague belted the first pitch he saw from Atlanta Braves closer Jeff Reardon over the left field wall to put the Blue Jays ahead 5-4.

Blue Jays closer Tom Henke held the Braves off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth to record the save.

Sprague’s home run is one of the most important in Blue Jays’ history. It shifted the momentum in the series that the Blue Jays eventually won in six games.

Mattick took over as Blue Jays manager 47 years ago

Forty-seven years ago today, the Blue Jays hired Bobby Mattick to be their new manager to replace Roy Hartsfield who had guided the expansion club in its first three seasons.

One of the Blue Jays’ original employees, Mattick was hired as the club’s scouting supervisor in 1976 prior to his promotion to director of player development in 1978.

When he accepted the Blue Jays’ field manager position, Mattick was 64, which made him the oldest rookie manager to start a season in big league history.

He would compile a 104-164 record in two seasons in the dugout before he returned to the front office, first as executive coordinator of baseball operations and then as the Blue Jays’ vice-president of baseball.

In 2003, the Blue Jays renamed their Spring Training complex in Dunedin, Fla., in his honour.

Melvin closer to first World Series ring

Longtime MLB general manager and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) has been involved in professional baseball as a player or executive for more than 50 years. As a GM, he built teams in Texas (1996, 1998 and 1999) and Milwaukee (2008, 2011) that have advanced to the postseason, but the one thing that has eluded him is a World Series ring.

Melvin is currently a special assistant to the general manager with the Brewers who secured their spot in the World Series by completing a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Born in 1952, Melvin pitched in the minors in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ and New York Yankees’ organizations from 1972 to 1978 then moved into the front office ranks.

He worked in a number of prominent posts, including as scouting director with the Yankees (1985) and as assistant GM and director of player personnel with the Baltimore Orioles (1988 to 1993) before landing his first general manager’s job with the Texas Rangers in 1994. During his time with the Rangers, he was named MLB executive of the year twice in 1996 and 1998.

After his tenure with the Rangers, he was named executive vice-president and general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 and was voted executive of the year in 2011 after the team won 96 regular season games and captured a National League Central Division title. Melvin stepped down as Brewers’ GM in 2015 but he remains a key voice in the club’s front office.

Happy Birthday to Willie Horton!

Happy 84th Birthday to Willie Horton!

As a Detroit Tiger, Horton was a four-time all-star and a World Series champion who hit 262 home runs in parts of 14 seasons from 1963 to 1976. For his efforts, his No. 23 was retired by the club and there’s a statue of him outside Comerica Park.

As a Canadian baseball fan, you’ve probably forgotten that Horton played 33 games for the last-place Blue Jays in 1978. Horton, himself, probably wishes he could forget his tenure with the Blue Jays. In his late-season stint with the team, he batted just .205 with three home runs in his 16th major league season.

Happy Birthday to Ben Onyshko!

Happy 30th Birthday to left-hander Ben Onyshko!

Selected in the 24th round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, the Winnipeg, Man., native posted a 4.75 ERA in 161 appearances (five starts) in parts of six seasons in the M’s organization. In 2025, he returned home to pitch for independent American Association’s Winnipeg Goldeyes, where he had a 3.51 ERA and struck out 29 batters in 33 1/3 innings in 34 relief appearances.

The 6-foot-1 southpaw was originally chosen by the Brewers in the 16th round of the 2014 MLB draft but he declined to sign and instead headed to Stetson University where he toed the rubber for four seasons, registering 165 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings. As a collegian, Onyshko was twice named to the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to his college career, Onyshko honed his skills with the Junior National Team and at the Vauxhall Academy. He also pitched for Team Manitoba in the 2013 Canada Games, going 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. During that tournament, he tossed a no-hitter against Nova Scotia.

Onyshko has also toed the rubber for Canada’s senior national team on multiple occasions, including at the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics.

Former Winnipeg Goldeye Long dies

Former Winnipeg Goldeyes slugger Jeoff Long died in Elsmere, Ky., on September 25 at the age of 84.

Originally signed as a pitcher by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959, Long was converted into a first baseman in 1960.

He spent his first six professional seasons in the Cards’ minor league ranks. He enjoyed his greatest success north of the border, with the Class-C Goldeyes in 1961 when he put together a .299/.463/.571 slash line and a 1.034 OPS. He also had 14 home runs and 45 RBIs.

Two years later, he made his big league debut with the Cardinals. After going 1-for-5 in five MLB games in 1963, he returned the following year and hit .233 with a home run in 28 games for the Cards prior to being sold to the White Sox on July 7. He went 5-for-35 in 23 games with the White Sox to conclude the season.

Hampered by knee injuries, he initially retired from baseball in 1965 but he returned to play two more seasons in Cards’ organization in 1968 and 1969.

On top of his baseball prowess, Long was also an exceptional golfer. In 1975, he won the first National Open Long Driving Contest with a drive that travelled 322 yards and 28 inches.

Vancouver Canadians honoured by MiLB.com

The Vancouver Canadians have been named winner of the 2026 MiLB Organization of the Year Award for the High-A classification.

A Toronto Blue Jays’ affiliate, the Canadians won the Northwest League championship for the second time in four seasons. They also topped the league in attendance with an average of 4,324 fans per game.

In 2026, the Canadians celebrated the 75th birthday of Nat Bailey Stadium, while also successfully completing renovations on the facility.

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

There were 56 Canadians competing at the 128-team Perfect Game World Wood Bat championships in Jupiter, Fla.

Several of them caught the eye of evaluators ...

RHP Calum Andersen, Calgary, Alta. Brewers/Langley Blaze Scout (2027) Vauxhall Academy.

Andersen showed advanced present stuff and pitchability in a strong outing. The delivery is athletic and repeatable from a projectable frame, with room remaining for strength gains that should help the fastball play more consistently in the mid-90s and give the breaking balls even sharper bite. Andersen attacks with a live fastball that touched 96 mph a couple times and plays up in the zone, paired with a sharp, horizontal slider at 85 mph that tunnels well and generates swings and misses.. He mixed in a late-breaking 12-6 curve ball at 78 mph that induced weak contact and flashed a change up with good arm-speed deception that mirrored the fastball delivery. The combination of velocity, secondary feel, and sequencing allowed him to control the zone without relying on pure power. Committed to Oklahoma. Struck out eight while allowing two hits and one walk.

_ Scott Rankin, Perfect Game

* * *.

Calum Andersen, RHP

BA Star Rating: 3 stars

Commitment: Oklahoma

Andersen blends present stuff with considerable physical projection. The Oklahoma commit stands 6-foot-5, 195 pounds with a long, lean starter’s frame and ample room to add strength. Still just 16 years old and set to be 17 on draft day, Andersen is young for the 2027 class and has already made significant strides over the past year, including a notable velocity jump.

Andersen’s fastball sat 92-94 mph and touched 96 in Jupiter, showing consistent run-and-carry shape that allows it to play effectively throughout the strike zone. The pitch could reach plus quality as he adds velocity. His low-to-mid-80s slider features above-average spin and sweeping horizontal break, maintaining consistent shape throughout his outing and serving as his primary finishing pitch. A high-70s curveball offers more vertical depth and finish, giving him two distinct breaking-ball looks. Andersen also throws a firm, upper-80s changeup with fade, maintaining his arm speed and generating enough movement separation from his fastball to give the pitch a different look.

Andersen has an unconventional setup from the windup, turning his lead foot inward until his toes nearly point toward shortstop before moving into a high leg lift. He works through a short, quick arm action that stays behind his body and delivers from a three-quarters slot. An efficient mover with minimal effort in his operation, Andersen gets down the mound well and stays mostly direct despite a slightly closed-off, crossfire element. He repeats his delivery consistently, and his combination of arm speed, mechanical efficiency and remaining physical projection makes mid-to-upper-90s velocity a reasonable long-term possibility.

Andersen shows encouraging feel for his arsenal, attacking hitters on either side of the plate with all four pitches. He threw multiple right-on-right changeups in Jupiter and landed his slider for strikes against both lefthanded and righthanded hitters. His fastball and slider generated seven whiffs apiece during a five-inning, eight-strikeout outing. He threw nearly 70% of his pitches for strikes, demonstrating solid present control with room to refine his command.

Andersen remains a projection-dependent prospect who must continue adding strength while improving his precision, a process that could challenge his present delivery consistency as he incorporates more power. His pitch mix, athleticism and repeatability provide a promising foundation for a professional starter, though realizing that ceiling will require continued physical maturation and refinement. He has a chance to develop into one of Canada’s top exports in the 2027 draft.

_ Jacob Rudner, Baseball America.

* * *

RHP Caleb Dupuis (2027, Georgetown, Ont.) Canadian Premier, FieldHouse Pirates.

He turned in a dominant start to open up pool play action, tossing four shutout innings with seven punch outs and one base runner allowed. The 6-foot right-hander worked his fastball in all four quadrants of the strike zone, topping it out at 91 mph with heavy arm-side run and sink. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with tilt and late actions to it, successfully mistiming opposing hitters.

_ Anthony Gambardella, Perfect Game.

Jalen Jacob (2027, Maple, Ont.) Canadian Premier, Ontario Blue Jays.

One of the top power hitters in the 2027 class had a multi-hit game today that included his first home run of the tournament. A towering home run down the right field line that easily cleared the fence. One of the most intimidating physical presences while in the box at this tournament. Shows a disciplined approach and has been regularly getting to his power at events this month. Committed to Kansas State.

_ Blaine Peterson, Perfect Game.

Lucien Kovalcik (2028, Burlington, Ont.) Canadian Premier. FieldHouse Pirates.

He was intriguing in his start on the mound. The 6-4, 200-pound righty showed a lot of moxie after striking out three-consecutive batters at one point then hanging a slider to give up a two-run homer, he stayed on the attack and punched out the next hitter to end the threat. Kovalcik is long limbed with a loose delivery, loading the arm quickly before accelerating through a classic 3/4 arm angle. There is life to his fastball that lived in the upper-80s and reached the low-90s often. He is a high-level strike thrower and except for the one mistake, his low-80s slider was all but unhittable. There is still plenty of projection left for Kovalcik’s frame and delivery, so he has the look of a true starter at the nest level. The uncommitted arm did get touched up by soft contact at the end, finishing his outing with 2 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs, no walks and he punched out five batters all told.

_ Craig Cozart, Perfect Game.

RHP Richard Marshall (2028, Whitby, Ont.) Florida Burn, Vauxhall Academy, Ontario Yankees.

He put together an impressive start striking out six batters in four innings while allowing one hit and a walk. The 6-foot-2 right-hander worked his fastball on the edges of the strike zone, topping it out at 92 mph while sitting comfortably in the 90-91 mph range. He spun a late-breaking curve ball with tight spin to it, inducing multiple swings and misses from opposing hitters.

_ Anthony Gambardella, Perfect Game.

OF William Nolet (2027, Saint-Gilles, Que.) Canadian Premier, ABC.

Reached base in all three plate appearances on Thursday, driving in five runs on an early RBI triple as well as a loud pull-side grand slam. The 6-foot-3 right-handed batter swings one of the more consistent barrels up north with budding power to all parts of the field that is starting to show up more often.

_ Anthony Gambardella, Perfect Game.

LHP Ethan Reason (2027, Stouffville, Ont.) Canadian Premier, Toronto Mets.

Anytime you have a 6-foot-6 southpaw that runs it up to 94 in Jupiter, there will be a large contingent in attendance. Reason lived up to the billing. Executed well throughout 2 no-hit frames. Spins the overhand breaker with some bite at times and is more than capable of missing both sides of the bat. Tons of room to fill and polish on the mound.

_ Troy Sutherland, Perfect Game.

LHP Johann Sternberg (2027, Toronto, Ont.) Canadian Premier, Ontario Blue Jays.

Fantastic work in relief, attacked hitter with 86-89 throughout the look and has excellent feel to spin the overhand breaker for strikes in any count. The arsenal produced more whiffs than expected, and it was obvious that he felt opposing bats were not going to square him up even on the rare occasion that he was behind in the count. Bullish about the projection even with the present sturdiness of the build. Just scratching the surface of his potential, but his acumen on the mound is already well ahead of the game.

_ Troy Sutherland, Perfect Game.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 16. 2026. You can read it here.

October 17, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

The smell of fresh-cut grass, the sound of baseballs slapping into gloves or meeting bats, the sights of fans cheering.

Every time Scott Gillespie stepped foot into a different Canadian Baseball League stadium in 2026, he was soaking the entire experience in.

After a solid college career and five years in the independent professional circuit formerly known as the Intercounty Baseball League, the Sherwood Park native knew it was time to move on.

It was quite a run for the young man who was once told that he might not be cut out for college baseball.

Gillespie kept going through the unknowns, including injuries in his final season, to live out his dream until it was time to hang up his spikes – on his own terms.

“Everyone has that idea in their head and that dream that they want to play as long as they can,” he told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “You want to make it about you at the end and not let it be somebody else’s decision.”

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Scott Gillespie here.

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As Gillespie settles into what he calls “real life” in eastern Ontario, it gives him an opportunity to reflect on his journey while thanking baseball “for the wild ride, the memories and the best years of my life.”

THE DEFINING MOMENT

A product of Sherwood Park Minor Baseball and Absolute Human Performance in St. Albert, Gillespie’s first foray into college baseball was with the University of British Columbia.

He redshirted his first year, then was cut heading into his second season in a moment that forever changed him.

“I was told they didn’t think I could hack it at the college baseball level,” Gillespie recalled. “It drove me for the rest of my time playing as I wanted to be able to prove the doubters wrong.”

The sidearm right-hander returned to his home province to join Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge for two years, earning himself a spot with the University of Arkansas-Monticello, where he went 2-1 with 18 strikeouts and an 8.05 ERA in 17 relief appearances over two seasons.

He was also a long-time member of the Edmonton Prospects, spending four summers with the Western Canadian Baseball League squad.

LIVING THE PRO DREAM

Believing he still had more in the tank, Gillespie started reaching out to professional teams across Canada and eventually found himself a home with the Welland Jackfish in 2022.

He went 2-1 with a 6.87 ERA in four games (three starts) in his first summer with the team, then came back in 2023 where the Jackfish collected their first of three championships in four seasons.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Scott Gillespie back in 2023 here.

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The 6-foot-3, 235-pound twirler was moved to the bullpen and became a fixture there for two more seasons.

Coming into 2026, he was expecting more of the same until an injury derailed the start of his summer.

He managed to pitch in two games for the Jackfish but was ultimately released.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to throw a ball again,” Gillespie admitted. “Luckily, with rest and recovery, all things worked out.”

When the Hamilton Cardinals started battling some injury woes of their own, they called the 29-year-old to see if he was available.

He quickly said “yes” and made his triumphant return on July 24, putting up a 1-2-3 ninth inning of relief – including two strikeouts – to cap off a 13-1 win over Kitchener.

The Albertan made three more regular season appearances for the Cardinals, who made it all the way to the league championship before losing to the Jackfish in four-straight games.

‘REAL LIFE’ CALLING

While he didn’t make any postseason appearances with Hamilton, Gillespie says his season ended the way he wanted it to.

It could have closed out with his release, but he’s grateful to the Cardinals for giving him a chance to be with the guys for one more summer.

Gillespie says the outpouring of support from the Hamilton players, and even the players and fans in Welland who were watching in the final, was unbelievable.

Teammates and supporters have become close friends and he couldn’t have had any of it had it not been for his dogged determination.

“I’m proud of not giving up on anything and how I got to finish it out on my own terms.”

“Just not taking ‘no’ for an answer and making it my own journey is definitely something that I love the most,” Gillespie said.

And now it’s time to settle into what’s next.

Gillespie just moved in with his girlfriend to a small town just north of Belleville, where he’s chasing his second passion: teaching.

He’s a substitute in the local school district, specializing in junior and senior high social studies and physical education.

“What I love about teaching is that it’s exactly like coaching, just in different aspects of life,” Gillespie said. “You get to coach these kids about their work ethic in school and on assignments, you get to help them improve in other aspects of their lives.”

And don’t be surprised to see him back at the diamond once everything is settled down with the move.

Gillespie would love the opportunity to share some of the wisdom he’s gained over the years and show young players that no two paths in baseball are ever the same.

“Everyone has this idea about playing at the major league level and everyone should have that dream,” he said. “But if that doesn’t work out, there are plenty of avenues to still chase after in the pros or semi-pros and continue living out your dream.”

As one chapter closes for Gillespie, another is about to begin.

October 16, 2026

Baseball Canada

BOCA CHICA, D.R. – The Junior National Team opened their WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp against the Philadelphia Phillies organization with a 5–3 victory on Friday.

Box Score

Canada struck first with a pair of runs in the second inning. Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) singled and Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) walked before Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) drove both home with a two-run double to centre field, giving the Juniors an early 2–0 advantage.

On the mound, Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) set the tone with two solid innings, permitting only a walk and striking out four to start the game.

The lead grew to three in the third when Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) singled and eventually scored on a Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) RBI single in the third.

Philadelphia responded with two runs in the bottom half to cut the deficit to 3–2, but Canada restored some breathing room in the fifth.

Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) opened the frame with a triple to centre before MacDonald delivered his second run-scoring double of the game, extending the lead to 4–2. The Phillies answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to make it a one-run game once again.

Canada added an insurance run in the seventh. After Liske worked a walk, courtesy runner Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) came around to score on a Chung single, pushing the advantage to 5–3.

From there, the pitching staff and defence closed the door.

The Phillies were held scoreless over the final four innings, with Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) striking out three in the seventh and eighth innings, before the Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.) induced a game-ending double play in the ninth.

MacDonald led the Canadian offence with three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three of the team’s five runs. Chung also collected three hits, including a triple, while adding an RBI and helping manufacture the final insurance run.

October 13, 2026

Baseball Ontario

CAMBRIDGE, ONT. – The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is thrilled to announce that Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Ashley Stephenson will be a featured speaker at the 2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic, taking place January 15–17, 2027, at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre.

Stephenson’s appearance will be a highlight of the clinic’s all-new Women’s Baseball Stream, an exciting addition for 2027 designed to provide enhanced education, development and networking opportunities while supporting the continued growth of women’s baseball and female leadership in coaching across Ontario.

One of the most accomplished and influential figures in Canadian women’s baseball history, Stephenson brings an extraordinary combination of international playing experience, coaching expertise and groundbreaking achievements to the Best Ever Coaches Clinic.

A native of Mississauga, Ont., Stephenson spent 15 seasons representing Canada as a member of the Women’s National Team, competing in eight World Cups and helping Canada capture seven international medals. A two-time Women’s National Team MVP, she was widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Canadian uniform.

Following her remarkable playing career, Stephenson continued breaking barriers in coaching. In 2022, she became the first woman to manage Canada’s Women’s National Team and was later named Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Elite Coach of the Year, becoming the first woman to receive the prestigious honour.

In 2023, Stephenson made history once again when she joined the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization as a position coach with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. She currently serves as the bench coach for the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Single-A affiliate of the Blue Jays, where she continues to make her mark in professional baseball while helping develop the next generation of talent.

Her extraordinary contributions to the game were recognized in 2024 when she was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a pioneer and ambassador for women’s baseball in Canada.

The introduction of the Women’s Baseball Stream marks an important step forward for the Best Ever Coaches Clinic, creating a dedicated space to share knowledge, encourage collaboration and inspire more women to pursue coaching and leadership opportunities throughout the sport.

The 2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic will once again bring together outstanding speakers from across amateur, collegiate and professional baseball, offering coaches of all experience levels valuable insights and practical tools to take back to their teams and associations.

2027 Best Ever Coaches Clinic Details

Dates: January 15–17, 2027

Location: Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre

Featured Speaker: Ashley Stephenson, Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer

New for 2027: Dedicated Women’s Baseball Stream

Registration: Now Open

Additional speakers, session details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks.

Coaches are encouraged to register early and be part of an exciting weekend dedicated to learning, leadership and growing the game.

October 15, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

After finishing near the top of the Canadian Baseball League in several offensive statistical categories, Welland’s Daiki Abe won the Brian Kerr Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year for 2026.

The 27-year-old outfielder was second in the CBL with 77 hits, which contributed to a .397 batting average that ranked third among qualified batters.

Abe was a force atop the Jackfish lineup, reaching base at a .489 clip that ranked second in the league, and he led the CBL with 62 runs and 40 stolen bases. Abe tied Kitchener’s Rafael Gross atop the CBL with three triples, and he was tied for second in the league with 35 walks while only striking out 20 times.

Chatham’s Evan Morrison (Mitchell, Ont.) was the Rookie of the Year in 2025 and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in June.

October 15, 2026

Official Okotoks Dawgs News Release

OKOTOKS, ALTA. — Three current Dawgs Academy players recently committed to top NCAA Division I baseball programs, adding to a legacy of Dawgs graduating to the highest levels of college baseball.

Ethan Renaud committed to Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Brooks Froese to Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.) and Dallas Tanaka to Pepperdine University (Malibu, Calif.).

The commitments add to the Dawgs’ tradition of graduating players to leading NCAA Division I programs, including in the past few years:

- Kayden Armitage - Indiana University

- Taye Thierman, Josh Mills, AJ Rogers - Coastal Carolina University

- Will Labonte, LC Larouche, Leo Cote, Matthew Tran, Austin Collins, Xander Guedes – University of Portland

- Tim Piasentin, Max Poirier - University of Miami

- Jack Bello, Max Hartman – Washington State University

- Declan Spooner - St. John’s University

- Jerome Pare, Brandon Paez, Adam Beamin – North Dakota State University

- Eric Machej – Illinois State University

The college track record comes while Dawgs continue to enjoy success in the professional ranks. This past year former Dawg, Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) was an MLB All-Star with the Chicago White Sox, Matt “Tugboat” Williamson (Ladner, B.C.) made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants, and Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) was named the No. 1 prospect of the Atlanta Braves.

Former Dawgs, Andrew Kittredge (Baltimore Orioles) and Kody Funderburk (Minnesota Twins) also had solid seasons in the majors. Original Dawg and former New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers closer and now Brewers Pitching Coordinator, Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), is headed to the World Series with the club.

Ethan Renaud — Wake Forest University

Born and raised in Okotoks, Renaud has committed to Wake Forest University, a top ranked NCAA program. Renaud has been a Dawg since he was 12 when he joined the Dawgs’ 13U team. This past season, he was a key member of the Dawgs’ 18U Black team when the club captured the inaugural Road to Okotoks National Championship.

Brooks Froese — Kansas State University

A newcomer to the Dawgs Academy, Froese has accepted a scholarship to the nationally recognized, Wildcats of Kansas State University. Originally from Red Deer, Alta., Froese looked to take the next step in his baseball career by joining the Dawgs Academy this past fall. An outstanding middle infielder, Froese is projected to be an impact player on the Dawgs’ 18U Black as the club vies to repeat as Road to Okotoks National Champions.

Dallas Tanaka — Pepperdine University

Tanaka has accepted a scholarship to NCAA, Division 1, Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Tanaka is an Okotoks native who joined the Dawgs Academy program as an 11-year-old. He enjoyed success on the Dawgs’ 13U and 15U teams before taking a huge step forward this past fall with the Dawgs’ 18U Black where he attracted the attention of several college programs. Dallas’ dad, Kevin Tanaka, was a collegiate player with Hawaii Pacific and continues to be a coach in the Dawgs Academy.

October 14, 2026

Official Rawlings News Release

ESPN to broadcast exclusive show unveiling Gold Glove winners Sunday, Nov. 1

ST. LOUIS, MO – Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., announced the finalists for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award®, honouring the best individual fielding performances at each position in the American League® and National League®.

The winners will be unveiled during a one-hour, special-edition “Baseball Tonight” broadcast on ESPN Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. E.T.

While the award originated in 1957, Rawlings first began highlighting the top three defenders at each position as finalists in 2011. This season, the Toronto Blue Jays led the AL and the Chicago Cubs topped the NL, with five finalists each. 

“Offense wins moments, but defense wins baseball games. A stellar defensive play can change an inning, shift the momentum of a game, or define an entire season. This year’s Rawlings Gold Glove Award finalists have consistently made that difference for their teams,” said Mike Thompson, chief marketing officer of Rawlings. “Rawlings has proudly honoured defensive excellence for nearly 70 years, and the talent on display continues to elevate the award. Each season brings a new level of competition, making it truly special to witness and be a part of this tradition.”

To determine the winners of the 18 defensive position Awards, each team’s manager and up to six coaches on his staff vote from a pool of qualified players in their League and cannot vote for players from their own team. In 2013, Rawlings added the SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI) to the Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection process, which comprises approximately 25 percent of the overall selection total, with the managers’ and coaches’ votes continuing to carry the majority. 

To identify the utility Award winners, Rawlings collaborated with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) to create a specialized defensive formula separate from the traditional selection process for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award position winners. Utilizing the SABR formula and additional defensive statistics, Rawlings will select one utility winner from each League.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

P

• José Soriano (Los Angeles Angels/Toronto Blue Jays)

• Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers)

• Tanner Bibee (Cleveland Guardians)

C

• Brandon Valenzuela (Toronto Blue Jays)

• Austin Wells (New York Yankees)

• Dillon Dingler (Detroit Tigers)

1B

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)

• Christian Walker (Houston Astros)

• Vinnie Pasquantino (Kansas City Royals)

2B

• Michael Massey (Kansas City Royals)

• Chase Meidroth (Chicago White Sox)

• Cole Young (Seattle Mariners)

3B

• Nick Loftin (Kansas City Royals)

• Brooks Lee (Minnesota Twins)

• Caleb Durbin (Boston Red Sox)

SS

• Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)

• Andrés Giménez (Toronto Blue Jays)

• Taylor Walls (Tampa Bay Rays)

LF

• Cody Bellinger (New York Yankees)

• Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers)

• Chandler Simpson (Tampa Bay Rays)

CF

• Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)

• Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox)

• Evan Carter (Texas Rangers)

RF

• Nathan Lukes (Toronto Blue Jays)

• Cam Smith (Houston Astros)

• Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox)

Utility

• Zach McKinstry (Detroit Tigers)

• Ezequiel Duran (Texas Rangers)

• José Caballero (New York Yankees)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

P

• Nolan McLean (New York Mets)

• Michael McGreevy (St. Louis Cardinals)

• Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves)

C

• Freddy Fermin (San Diego Padres)

• Luis Torrens (New York Mets)

• Gabriel Moreno (Arizona Diamondbacks)

1B

• Ty France (San Diego Padres)

• Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves)

• TJ Rumfield (Colorado Rockies)

2B

• JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals)

• Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers)

• Brandon Lowe (Pittsburgh Pirates)

3B

• Max Muncy (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs)

• Javier Sanoja (Miami Marlins)

SS

• Masyn Winn (St. Louis Cardinals)

• Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs)

• Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks)

LF

• Ian Happ (Chicago Cubs)

• Daylen Lile (Washington Nationals)

• Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers)

CF

• Andy Pages (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs)

• Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves)

RF

• Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks)

• Carson Benge (New York Mets)

• Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs)

Utility

• Ildemaro Vargas  (Arizona Diamondback)

• Mauricio Dubón (Atlanta Braves)

• Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The 2026 finalists include 22 former Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners – nine in the AL and 13 in the NL. 

Following the Rawlings Gold Glove Award televised announcement special on ESPN, Sunday, Nov. 1, fans can vote for their favourite defensive player in each league to determine who will be named the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award™ winners. A combination of the national fan vote and the SDI will determine who takes home the honor.

Voting for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award presented by SABR will begin online at www.Rawlings.com on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 9:30 p.m. E.T. and will remain open until Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11:59 p.m. E.T. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled at the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Ceremony in New York City, on Friday, Nov. 6. 

About the Rawlings Gold Glove Award®

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® is a registered trademark owned by Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. The award is correctly identified as the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The name should not be shortened, abbreviated, or otherwise misused. Proper identification of this service mark using the registration symbol and the Rawlings name is important to protect the integrity of the program and perpetuate this worthy tradition. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com. 

About Rawlings

Established in 1887, Rawlings is an innovative leading global brand and manufacturer of premium baseball and softball equipment, including gloves, balls, and protective headwear. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. 

Rawlings is the official glove, baseball, helmet and faceguard, and base of Major League Baseball, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball and the official baseball and softball of the NCAA and NAIA, and the official softball of the NJCAA. For more information, please visit www.Rawlings.com. 

October 14, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

Barrie Baycats all-star reliever Carlos Sano has been named the Canadian Baseball League’s top closer for the 2026 season.

The 33-year-old Dominican made the most of his 29 1/3 high-leverage innings for the Baycats, racking up eight wins to tie for the CBL lead. He started the season with six scoreless innings and earned wins in five of his first seven appearances.

Sano, a former San Francisco Giants farmhand in his third season with Barrie, collected three saves while posting a 2.15 earned-run average.

Much of Sano’s success was his ability to limit baserunners. His WHIP of 1.16 was second among relievers after yielding 25 hits and walking nine. He also showed an ability to finish off hitters, striking out 33 and averaging a career best 10.13 punchouts per nine innings.

London reliever Skylar Janisse was the 2025 winner.

October 14, 2026

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada has announced the 23 athletes selected to attend the Junior National Team Selection Camp from October 16 to October 20 in the Dominican Republic.

Players will compete for a spot on Canada’s final 20-player roster for the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship from October 22 to October 29 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.

The five-day camp will include four games against professional academy teams from the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.

The roster features a wealth of Junior National Team experience, with 17 of the 23 athletes having previously represented Canada as part of the program.

Returning to the Junior National Team are RHP Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.), INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), OF Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.), RHP/OF Austin Blair (Victoria, BC), INF Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.), OF Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.), RHP Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.), 1B Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.), INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), 1B/RHP Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.), INF Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.), RHP Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.), RHP Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.), LHP Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.), C Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.), RHP Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC), and C Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC).

Six players are set to make their Junior National Team debuts in RHP Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.), 3B/2B Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.), OF Daril Rodriguez (Red Deer, Alta.), RHP Evan Shewfelt (Grimsby, Ont.), LHP Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) and LHP Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.).

Head Coach and Director of Men’s National Teams Greg Hamilton will lead the coaching staff alongside former national team and professional players Chris Begg, Jesse Hodges and Mike Johnson.

ROSTER
SCHEDULE

October 14, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Hicks comes through for Rays

Batting eighth and starting his first American League Championship Series game for the Tampa Bay Rays last night, Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) delivered a clutch, two-run single in the fourth inning off Cleveland Guardians’ left-hander Parker Messick.

Liam Hicks 🇨🇦 went just 20-for-104 (.192) against left-handed pitchers during the regular season. He went 2-for-2 off Parker Messick tonight with 99.6 and 96.9 mph singles. https://t.co/vocT88EKng

— Zach Worden (@Worden_Zach) October 14, 2026

Hicks’ single proved to be the difference in the Rays’ 3-1 victory, which evened the ALCS series 1-1.

The Toronto Mets alum also had a leadoff single in the third inning.

Hicks’ performance represented his first, two-hit postseason game.

The Canuck catcher was also effective calling pitches for Rays starter Freddy Peralta who struck out six in six scoreless innings before the bullpen took over.

11th anniversary of Bautista’s bat flip homer

To Toronto Blue Jays fans, it’s simply known as the “bat flip” and it happened 11 years ago today.

The seventh inning of Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers was arguably the wildest and most exciting inning ever played at Rogers Centre.

After the Rangers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the inning when Montreal native Russell Martin’s throw back to the pitcher ricocheted off the bat of Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo allowing Rougned Odor to score, the Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the inning and then Jose Bautista stepped to the plate with two outs and Josh Donaldson and Ryan Goins on base in front of him. On a 1-1 count, Bautista launched a three-run home run into the left field bleachers and celebrated with a bat flip for the ages.

The Blue Jays went on to win the game 6-3 and take the series.

Blue Jays clinched first AL pennant 34 years ago

And the “bat flip” isn’t the only great moment in Blue Jays’ history that occurred on this date.

Thirty-four years ago today, the Blue Jays defeated the Oakland A’s 9-2 in Game 6 of the 1992 ALCS at Rogers Centre to advance to their first World Series.

Joe Carter and Candy Maldonado belted home runs for the Blue Jays and Roberto Alomar had three hits.

Right-hander Juan Guzman allowed just one run in seven innings to pick up the win.

58th anniversary of Montreal Expos participating in expansion draft

Fifty-eight years ago today, the Montreal Expos began building their inaugural roster through the 1968 MLB Expansion draft.

The Expos’ first pick was outfielder Manny Mota from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Among the other notable players the Expos selected were Mack Jones (fourth overall), Bill Stoneman (19th overall), Maury Wills (21st overall), Jimy Williams (32nd overall, yes, the later Blue Jays manager), Carl Morton (45th overall) and Coco Laboy (54th overall).

The expansion San Diego Padres also participated in the draft and with their last selection they opted for a 24-year-old outfielder named Cito Gaston.

Happy Birthday to Al Oliver!

Happy 80th Birthday to former Expos and Blue Jays first baseman Al Oliver!

Back on October 12, 2018, I posted on Facebook that it was the 33rd anniversary of the Oliver’s clutch two-run double in the top of the ninth for the Blue Jays in their 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the 1985 American League Championship Series. Oliver responded to that post, adding that that was his last major league hit.

Prior to his stint with the Blue Jays, Oliver also won a National League batting title with the Expos in 1982 when he hit .331. He batted .300 again the following season with the Expos.

In all, in an 18-year major league career, that also included stops with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, Oliver was selected to seven All-Star Games, recorded 2,743 hits and finished with a career batting average of .303.

Ash promoted to Blue Jays GM 32 years ago

It was 32 years ago today that Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was promoted to the position of vice-president and general manager of the Blue Jays after Pat Gillick had announced his retirement.

With that, Ash became the first Canadian GM in Blue Jays' history.

During Ash’s seven-year reign as general manager, the Blue Jays drafted future stars Roy Halladay (1995), Vernon Wells (1997), Michael Young (1997), Orlando Hudson (1997) and Alex Rios (1999). His finest season as GM came in 1998 when the team finished 88-74 and if the current post-season format had been in place, the club would’ve claimed a wild-card spot in the American League.

October 13, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

Hamilton Cardinals owner and team president Eric Spearin was named the David E. Hastings Trophy winner as the Canadian Baseball League’s top executive in 2026.

Spearin, who bought the franchise in 2022, was instrumental in his hometown club winning its first regular season pennant in league history after going 31-17 in the regular season. The Cards’ success continued in the playoffs, as Hamilton advanced to the final for the first time since 2002.

This past season marked the fourth straight campaign with increased attendance at Bernie Arbour Stadium, with the Cardinals averaging 1,794 fans a game – 59 per cent more than in 2025. Those unable to attend were able to follow the club on Cable 14’s dynamic live broadcasts, which included commentating from Roger Lajoie and Brent Gunning from Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

Off the field, Spearin is part of the CBL’s executive committee and has dedicated countless hours to revamp the league’s website, making it more robust with additional sortable stats and information, a live scorekeeping app and the CBL TV platform.

Spearin is the first David E. Hastings award winner from Hamilton since Larry Wood in 2024.

October 14, 2026

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

Brice Turang is old enough to remember being overrated.

He didn’t buy it. Now that he is being discovered as some sort of hidden gem, by a world that doesn’t stop by Milwaukee very often, he isn’t likely to be swayed.

There’s a theory, often advanced by those who coach hockey defensemen, that if you can stay right where you are long enough, everything that’s wrong will fall back into place, thanks to the earth’s rotation, and you’ll get the acclaim and the satisfaction you deserve, as well as the puck. In eight years, Turang has gone from old hat to Gold Glove, and even though he’s bigger and stronger, his essence hasn’t changed a bit. There is no team in baseball that wouldn’t trade its second baseman for him.

At this writing the Brewers lead the Dodgers, 2-0, in the National League Championship Series and, for the first time all season, the Dodgers are not the book favourite to win the World Series. That might be a premature evacuation. The Dodgers still have two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to confront Milwaukee in Games 3-4 at Dodger Stadium, where many an opposing eighth-inning lead disappears into the tumult.

But the Brewers have already faced Tarik Skubal and Yoshiburu Yamamoto in this series and have survived to talk about it. In those games they kept coming back to recapture leads, and Jake Bauers took Yamamoto through a 12-pitch walk that probably ruined his outing, and the Milwaukee bullpen retired the final 15 Los Angeles batters in Game 2. So their confidence is earned, particularly in the quiet second baseman who drove in 100 runs, compiled an .816 OPS, and is in line to win his second Gold Glove in four years, with five errors in 591 chances at his preferred position.

His readiness for the NLCS was evident by the way he handled the first batted ball, by Mookie Betts. Turang ranged far to his right, into the shortstop frontier that he used to patrol, to scoop it and retire Betts. The Brewers had one hit off Skubal in the first three innings, but Turang led off the fourth with a home run to left-centre out of nowhere, for a 1-1 tie.

“A sinker on 2-and-0,” said Skubal, appreciatively. “All I can do is tip my hat to that.”

The Dodgers ended the second and fifth innings with double plays in which Turang was the middleman, and eventually the Brewers won, 2-1.

Game 2 began with an L.A run in the first inning, and Yamamoto, who was impossible for the Brewers to solve in last year’s NLCS, had a lead. But he didn’t have it by the time the Dodgers batted again. Turang drove a one-out double and scored on William Contreras’ single. Then he walked and scored a go-ahead run, and in the eighth inning he had an RBI single and scored again. Milwaukee won that one, 7-4, and now the Dodgers have to win four of five to take the Series.

Things are so abnormal in Dodgerland that they openly discussed benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3, at least until Ohtani informed them that he disagreed with the theory. Manager Dave Roberts reported that Ohtani was “adamant” about staying in the lineup, even though he is 1-for-7 in this series, 3-for-20 in the postseason, and has not had a home run since August 18.

Turang is only 26 but has been a prominent entry in every scout’s report since his sophomore year at Corona (Ca.) High. He played on the 16-and-under U.S. team that also featured Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene, who were 1-2 in the MLB draft. As a junior at Corona he only struck out once. But when you’re that good for that long, you’re vulnerable to the allure of the new kids in town. Scouts knew they couldn’t sound very profound if they kept repeating that Turang was a probable All-Star. He fell victim to “overscouting,” with everyone squinting to find a flaw, and he tumbled to 21st in the draft, where the Brewers stood, pounding their gloves and yelling I-got-it.

Except that Turang had already committed to LSU. It took some exasperating negotiation for Turang to get the $3.41 million bonus he felt he deserved. Although he says he doesn’t remember saying it, he doesn’t deny that he finally told then-general manager Dave Stearns, “Don’t let a million dollars keep you from signing a Hall of Famer.”

Failure didn’t occur to Turang because he was surrounded by so much excellence. His mother Carrie was an All-American softballer at Long Beach State. His father Brian played briefly for the Mariners, and owns a workout facility in which Brice practically lived. Brian recalls slow-pitch softball games, after he retired, in which Carrie would play the outfield and routinely stun baserunners by throwing them out. She, Brian says, is the one who deepened the gene pool.

Brice’s sister Clarissa was the offensive catalyst for an NCAA softball championship at Oklahoma. Three other sisters played softball, soccer and volleyball in college. Ask Reggie Miller, who grew up in nearby Riverside and got a daily basketball schooling from sister Cheryl. There’s nothing that heats up the competitiveness more than struggling to beat your sister. According to Baseball America, the Turangs’ compulsion to win was illustrated best on a cruise. Clarissa and her husband, former NFL punter Tress Way, were playing cornhole. The game involved four people at first. Pretty soon, all the ship’s guests were gathered around.

“We wound up challenging the whole boat,” Brian said.

Such competitiveness may win the Brewers a world championship that will invalidate all of Rob Manfred’s theories about the connection between payroll and winning, which would be nice because those theories are the foundation of the expected off-season lockout. But it also could cost the Brewers, because, under current rules, Turang could become a free agent after the 2028 season, and a deluxe one at that. By then Turang could be far more than almost famous.

Fortunately, he’s learned to ignore opinions, especially pertaining himself.

October 14, 2026

Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Since the Canadian Futures Series was not at the Rogers Centre, it didn’t mean we ignored the competitors ...

* * *

Name: OF Noah Corrente

Hometown: Squamish, BC

Team: Okotoks Dawgs Academy/Team Black.

Committed: Iowa Western Community College.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My dad, David. He played at a high level, including for Team Canada and getting drafted by the Blue Jays (Dave Corrente played for Team Ontario, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and played for eight seasons at rookie-class Medicine Hat, class-A Charleston, class-A Auburn, class-A Lansing, class-A Dunedin, double-A New Hampshire and triple-A Syracuse, in 342 games). He taught me a lot about baseball and has always pushed me to work hard and get better.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father, and why? “My Nonno, John Corrente. He has always supported me and been there for me. He’s always encouraging me and reminding me to work hard but also have fun with it. And whatever happens, happens.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Winning the Nationals with the Cloverdale Rangers in 2025. We weren’t really expected to win the whole thing, but we kept battling and ended up coming out on top.”

Your favourite player and why? “Bo Bichette. He’s been one of my favourite players over the last couple years. I’ve really enjoyed watching him play, and I think he’s super fun to watch. I like how he plays and competes every time he’s on the field.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A physical therapist. I like sports and working with people, so I think it would be a pretty good fit for me.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “Keep showing up and putting in the work. Baseball is a game where you’re going to fail a lot, so I’ve learned not to get too caught up in the bad days. Keep working and trust that it’ll pay off.”

What four people — dead or alive — would you invite to a mythical dinner to ask them questions? “Nolan Ryan to ask: how did you keep your arm healthy for so long? Bo Bichette to ask: how do you stay so confident when things aren’t going your way? Ken Griffey, Jr. to ask: what was your mindset like when you were playing in your prime? and Jackie Robinson, to ask: how were you able to keep your cool while facing so much pressure?”

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Futures bios - Bello, Morris, Reason, Whiteford

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Name: OF-1B Galen Hudel.

Team: Great Lake Canadians/Team New Blue.

Hometown: Waterloo, Ont.

Coach: Ron Oneson.

Previous teams: Waterloo Tigers, Riverside Royals.

Previous coaches: Brock Kjeldgaard, Jeff Helps, Derek Bloomfield, Matt Bowden, Jody Brown, Scott Ballantyne.

Born: Waterloo, Ont.

Committed: Wright State.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why?: “Jamie Romak (former Tip O’Neill award winner presented by Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys in 2020). He’s someone who has been a cornerstone in all aspects of my development. He’s someone who I take great pride in listening to and learning from, not only hitting and general baseball conversations, but also with everyday life. Not to mention that he’s practically molded my swing and approach.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “This year I had a two-homer game including a game tying grand slam with two outs and two strikes, in the top of the final inning (against Fieldhouse Pirates). Bonus points that both home runs were off friends.”

Your favourite player and why? “Currently my favourite player is Munetaka Murakami. I admire his ability to step into a new environment with many doubts rumoring about his ability and dominate so quickly. He’s also a pretty funny guy.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I’d love anything regarding baseball - whether that be scouting, coaching, or becoming an analyst. With all of those jobs, I get to be around the game every day, and if that’s the case then it’s never truly a job.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, don’t rush it.”

What four people -- dead or alive -- would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions and what would you ask: “1. Jesus - How to be a better man? 2. Barry Bonds - What went through your mind on an 0-2 count in the 2001 season? 3. Terry Fox - How to wake up with that level of discipline every single day? 4. Joey Votto - How did analytics affect your career and how did you utilize them within your training and in game?”

Name: INF Dayne Liske

Hometown: Drayton Valley. Alta.

Teams: Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep, St. Joseph High School/Team Royal.

School: Uncommitted.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My brother Carter (who committed to Southwestern Oregon Community College). Watching him play through his career and seeing his hard work pay off and watch him succeed.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your brother and why? “I would say my mom, Raelene, because she always is there supporting me even if she doesn’t want to be at the ball field.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Making the Morneau Cup final on The Road to Okotoks.”

Your favourite player and why? “Ernie Clement because he’s a gamer — not flashy or anything. He plays the game.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I would say a coach or a firefighter.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “To have fun and enjoy because you can’t do it forever. So appreciate little things in life.”

What four people -- dead or alive would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “Adam Sandler, Ernie Clement, Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. They are some of my favourite people to watch and would think that they would have good stories to share.”

Name: SS Cohen Miller

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

Teams: Webber Wildcats/Team New Blue.

Committed: Kansas State University.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My hitting coach Cole Armstrong. He has taken an approach of teaching that allows me to identify my problems by myself and be able to work on fixing it myself.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Success early on in a game such as a hit or a nice play in the field leading to extra confidence I can build off throughout the rest of the game. Although, of course, this doesn’t always happen but it makes it a lot easier when it does.”

Your favourite player and why? “Bobby Witt, Jr. because he is the player any shortstop would want to emulate. He has all the traits that make the game exciting, great fielding, speed, and some pop behind it.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A pro golfer. It would be a great job as an alternative. It is typically played in fantastic locations and good weather and is a job where your monetary rewards are directly linked to your successes. Like baseball. It also has a very similar technical element to it with swing analysis etc. that would be very transferable.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “Being able to look forward past failures and understand that it is part of a process. The skill of taking your mind off of a conflict that is causing you stress is one of the most useful I have taken from the sport.”

What four people -- dead or alive would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “My two grandfathers (Jim, who I never met and Les, who passed when I was very young), Bobby Witt and (comedian) Theo Von.”

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(We emailed roughly 20 players during the Canadian Futures Showcase ...but apparently not many people read their emails. Check your emails and answer away ... if you have time. DM to CDNBaseballNet … we have the room. Thanks.)

October 13, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball notes from the past couple of days:

Smith closes out Guardians’ win in Game 1 of ALCS

Last night, Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) needed just six pitches to retire the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the Guardians’ 7-3 win at Tropicana Field.

Smith has appeared in all six of the Guardians’ postseason games this year. I believe the record for most consecutive postseason games appeared in by a reliever is seven by Oakland A’s left-hander Darold Knowles in the 1973 World Series against the New York Mets.

With his scoreless inning on Monday, Smith now owns a 1.17 ERA in his six appearances this postseason. He has 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings and opponents are hitting .080 against him.

Sabrowski earns hold

Guardians lefty Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Ont.) allowed a solo home run to Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins, the first batter he faced in the eighth inning last night, but settled in to retire the side.

He struck out outfielder Victor Mesa Jr., got outfielder Joey Deluca to line out to right and then retired second baseman Ben Williamson on a ground ball to first.

That performance was good enough to earn Sabrowski his second hold of the postseason before handing the ball over to Smith for the ninth.

Hicks enters Game 1 in sixth inning

With left-hander Foster Griffin starting Game 1 for the Guardians, left-handed hitting Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) did not start Game 1 for the Rays.

Hicks entered the contest as a pinch-hitter for Nick Fortes in the bottom of the seventh inning and lined out to first base. He remained in the game and grounded out to second against Smith with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Hicks is now 1-for-12 in four games this postseason.

The Toronto Mets alum may find himself on the bench again to begin Game 2 tonight when southpaw Parker Messick starts for the Guardians.

Stairs became a hero in Philadelphia 18 years ago

When Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) walked to the plate to face Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton for the Philadelphia Phillies with two outs in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the 2008 National League Championship Series - 18 years ago today - his heart rate was the same as it always is.

He was calm and focused, even though the game was tied 5-5 and there were more than 50,000 fans at Dodger Stadium cheering against him.

“My heart rate was the same,” Stairs told me in an interview at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., in 2024. “People that know me know I’m very down to earth, low key. My heartbeat never changes.”

In that at bat, Stairs can recall everything being in slow motion.

“I didn’t hear anything,” said Stairs. “My heart rate was as low as ever. I knew Broxton was good, but I knew he missed his spots sometimes. And I was very fortunate that he threw a 3-1 fastball into my zone and I hit the snot out of it.”

That home run deep into the right field bleachers catapulted the Phillies to a 7-5 lead and a Game 4 victory, and the Dodgers never recovered in the series.

Stairs hasn’t had to buy a beer in Philadelphia since.

October 11, 2026

Official Brock Badgers Athletics News Release

The Brock Badgers baseball team have reclaimed supremacy atop Ontario University Athletics (OUA).

Completing an undefeated 3-0 OUA championship campaign, the Badgers have captured their fifth provincial title and first since 2014, besting the Laurier Golden Hawks 2-0 in the OUA Gold Medal Game on Sunday at Welland Stadium.

Right-handed pitcher Evan Marks was untouchable on the mound, going the distance while blanking the Golden Hawks across all nine innings. The veteran hurler rose to the occasion, striking out eight batters without allowing a single walk.

Marks navigated through early trouble, stranding a runner on third base in the first inning with a clutch strikeout of Laurier's cleanup hitter.

With the game still scoreless entering the bottom of the third, catcher Jack Shannon provided a spark as he drew a leadoff walk. After advancing to third on a throwing error, shortstop Gavin Taylor drove a hanging breaking ball over the wall in left centre field to drive in the only runs of the game.

Laurier continued to threaten as the game progressed, putting runners on first and second with one out in the 7th inning. However, Taylor turned hero once again, snagging an infield line drive that he turned into an inning-ending double play.

With his 91st pitch of the contest, Marks finalized the victory with a swinging strikeout, capping a dominant complete-game shutout to secure provincial gold for the Badgers.

OUA CHAMPS! 🏆 #WeAreBadgers https://t.co/I3Pu8M0pl4

— Brock Baseball (@brockbaseball) October 11, 2026

The Badgers championship title brings a dominant season to a fitting close, as they finish their season with a 15-3 record between the regular season and playoffs.

Within their three OUA Championship matches, the Badgers outscored their opponents 33-6, showcasing their dominance on both sides of the ball and firmly establishing themselves on top of the OUA mountain.

October 10, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

The Canadian Baseball League announced a trio of awards from the 2026 regular season.

Hamilton’s Luis Bernardo won the Troy May Memorial Trophy for Manager of the Year. Bernardo led the Cardinals to a 31-17 record and their first pennant in franchise history.

Bernardo is the first Cards skipper since Dean Castelli in 2019 to win the award named after the former field manager of the Oshawa Dodgers.

Hamilton’s Hector Yan earned the Ted Earley Memorial Trophy awarded to the pitcher with the lowest earned-run average. The 27-year-old Dominican posted a 2.60 ERA after allowing 21 earned runs in 72 2/3 innings. He went 7-1 over 15 games (14 starts), struck out 112 and walked 31.

Yan became the second straight Hamilton pitcher to win the award after Owen Boon won in 2025.

Kitchener’s Malik Williams (Toronto, Ont.) won the Reid Buck Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the highest batting average. Williams hit .417 after collecting 68 hits in 163 at bats in his first season with the Panthers after four campaigns in Barrie.

He finished seven points ahead of Toronto’s Yasiel Puig.

October 11, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Back when all us kids listened to hockey games, broadcaster Foster Hewitt would often say, “The score was not indicative of play.”

As the SBA/Marlins Scout Team 2028 beat Canadian Premier 6-1 in the round of 32 at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat championships, “the score was not indicative of play.” Each team won its respective pool.

SBA held onto the slimmest of leads -- 2-1 -- before scoring four unearned runs in the top of the seventh.

Canadian Premier managed only four hits -- two by William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.), a solo homer by Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) in the fourth and a single by Clark Heimbecker (Guelph, Ont.).

RHP Alex Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) started and pitched two innings allowing two runs -- one earned -- on two hits, while fanning a pair.

RHP Evan Shewfelt (Grimsby, Ont.) was next, working three scoreless. He allowed one hit and fanned three.

Then it was Peyton Markwood (Puslinch, Ont.) who worked 1 1/3 innings allowing three unearned runs on two hits. He struck out one.

RHP Max Covriga (Markham, Ont.) recorded the final two outs as he was touched up for one unearned run on one hit and two walks.

Jacob led off the fourth, hitting a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence.

On the trip over-all Canadian Premier went 6-3 oncluding exhibition play.

Besides 14 players with Brewers Langley Blaze, other Canucks on rosters included:

Baseball U

LHP Evan Lawson L/L 2027 6-3 195 Lawrence Park Collegiate Toronto, Ont.

Canes National 18U/New York Mets Scout Team

LHP-1B Jeremie Sabourin 6-0 170 R/L 2027 Northern Pre-University Vaudreuil, Que.

Chicago White Sox Scout Team

LHP Antoine Boucher L/L 2029 6-0 170 Northern Pre-University Montreal, Que.

Ghost National

OF-1B Jayden Duchaine 6-1 190 R/R 2027 Northern Pre-University St-Bruno, Que. Seminole State College

INF Maxime Lamarre 5-10 160 L/R 2027 Terrebonne, Que.

OF Nathan Roy 6-4 205 R/R 2027 Beauce, Que.

Ohio Warhawks

RHP Gabe Fink R/R 2027 6-2 175 Edmonton, Alta. Southern Cal

Royals Scout Team 2027

SS Ethan Borovilos R/R 2027 6-1 170 Richview Collegiate Toronto, Ont.

OF Josh Holden L/R 2027 6-4 210 Huron Heights Mount Albert, Ont.

Team Elite - Southeast Alliance

SS Zackary Molinaro R/R 2027 6-0 185 Woodstock, Ont.

Team Georgia

C-OF Zachary Lepine 6-3 190 R/R 2027 P27 Academy Candiac, Que. C-Texas Tech

USG/Elev8 Rawlings National

3B Christian Heffernan R/R 2027 6-3 190 Centennial Puslinch, Ont.

Wow Factor/Toronto Blue Jays Scout 18U

RHP Stiaan Henning R/R 2027 6-4 171 Acellus Academy Oakville, Ont.

October 11, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

And then there were four.

The American League and National League Championship Series are set.

And of the four teams still alive in the MLB postseason, two are certain to have Canadian players on their rosters, while the other two have Canucks working prominently in their organizations.

Here’s a summary of the remaining Canadian content in the MLB postseason:

Cleveland Guardians relievers Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) and Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) celebrate together after the Guardians clinched the AL Central title. Photo: Erik Sabrowski\X

1. Cleveland Guardians

In 2024, the Guardians became the first major league team to have four Canadians on a postseason roster.

Since then, Josh and Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) have moved on, but the Guardians will still have two Canucks suiting up for them in the American League Championship Series — and those two are arguably the team’s best relief pitchers.

It was fitting that Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) recorded the save for the Guardians in their American League Division Series clinching 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night. Smith, who struck out four of the five batters he faced, pitched in every game of that series and has been dominant.

In five 2026 playoff appearances, he has permitted just one run on two hits and has fanned 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings.

If you couple that with his outstanding 41-save regular season, there’s an argument that Smith is now the best closer in the majors.

Left-handed reliever Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) hasn’t been as overpowering in the postseason. But he was excellent in the last two games of the ALDS for the Guardians.

He earned his first postseason win - and the first-ever by an Albertan - on Thursday when he tossed a scoreless inning in relief in his club’s 9-5 victory over the White Sox in Game 4 and then he followed that up by registering a hold in the Guardians’ series clincher on Saturday. Sabrowski was summoned into the game with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning and struck out Munetaka Murakami, the only batter he faced, in the Guardians’ 2-0 win.

In all, Sabrowski has appeared in four of the Guardians’ five games this postseason after his strong regular season in which he went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and had 76 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings in 60 appearances.

The Guardians will begin the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday at 8 p.m E.T.

Players: LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.), RHP Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC)

Minor league players: RHP Will Hynes (Mississauga, Ont.), C Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.), 1B Riley Nelson (Toronto, Ont.), LHP Adam Tulloch (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Jacob Zibin (Richmond Hill, Ont.)

Executive: Dr. Stephen Osterer (Ottawa, Ont.), director of pitching developmen

2. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the postseason for the 10th time, but this is the first year they have had a Canadian on their October roster.

The American League East division-winning Rays acquired catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) from the Miami Marlins on Aug. 3, and Hicks has been a key part of their offence. In 41 regular season games with the Rays, he had a .288/.379/.440 slash line with four home runs and 20 RBIs. And he had already been enjoying a breakout campaign with the Marlins.

In total, the Toronto Mets alum batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 142 regular season games in 2026. He also finished the season as one of a select group of MLB hitters with more walks (56) than strikeouts (55).

Though he went just 1-for-10 in the Rays’ three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the ALDS, he was excellent defensively behind the plate.

It has been a remarkable baseball journey for Hicks who less than two years ago was left unprotected by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft and selected by the Marlins.

In March, he suited up for the Canadian national team for the first time at the World Baseball Classic.

Player: C Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.)

Minor league players: OF Slater de Brun (Bend, Ore., mom, Julie, lived in Toronto), C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), INF Jack Lines (Okotoks, Alta.), INF Taj Marchand (Charleston, N.C., father, Hugo, from Montreal), OF Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), LHP Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.)

3. Milwaukee Brewers

When Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) was the general manager of the Brewers from 2002 to 2015, and Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was his assistant GM, the Brewers seemed to consistently have the most (or close to the most) Canadian players in their system. This changed under more recent regimes, but it has rebounded somewhat in the past five years when thanks to input from the club’s director of international scouting and player personnel, Taylor Green (Comox, BC), and area scout Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), the Brewers selected Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB draft and INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.) 102nd overall in 2022.

The Brewers also added catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) from the Guardians on August 1. Naylor played with the Brewers’ triple-A Nashville Sounds in August before being called up and going 2-for-7 in three games with the Brewers in September. With catchers William Contreras and Gary Sanchez ahead of him, Naylor is not on the Brewers’ National League Championship Series roster.

Also, former Okotoks Dawgs right-hander and ex-Brewers closer Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) is the Brewers’ pitching coordinator.

The Brewers finished with 103 wins during the regular season - the most in MLB - and they will play the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National Championship Series starting tonight at 8 p.m. E.T.

Player: Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.)

Minor league Players: INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.), LHP Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.)

Coach: Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), MLB pitching coordinator

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), special assistant to the general manager; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), vice-president, baseball projects; Taylor Green (Comox, BC), director of international scouting and player personnel, Brad McKay (Fredericton, NB) head strategist, skill acquisition

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, BC), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Taylor Frederick (Ottawa, Ont.)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

The two-time reigning World Series champion Dodgers don’t have a player born in Canada on their roster, however, first baseman Freddie Freeman’s parents were born north of the border, and he played for Canada in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics.

Prior to the 2022 season, Freeman inked a six-year, $162-million contract with the Dodgers. And he certainly hasn’t disappointed. He has been an All-Star in each of his five seasons with the club and a huge contributor in the postseason. This year, he socked two home runs in the National League Division Series to help the Dodgers eliminate his former team, the Atlanta Braves, in four games. With that, Freeman has 19 career postseason home runs - which is tied for seventh all-time - heading into the National League Championship Series against the Brewers.

The Dodgers also employ Beeton, Ont., native Ellen Harrigan, who is one of Major League Baseball’s most respected executives. After beginning her career with the Blue Jays as an administrative aide in player development in 1981 and later becoming the general manager of the club’s New York Penn League affiliate in St. Catharines, Harrigan moved on to the Dodgers and has risen through the organization’s ranks to hold a number of key executive positions. Now in her 27th season with the club, she is currently the team’s vice-president, baseball administration.

Player: Freddie Freeman (Villa Park, Calif.), WBC eligible

Executive: Ellen Veronica Harrigan (Beeton, Ont.), vice-president, baseball administration

Minor league players: OF Charles Davalan (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), RHP Cam Leiter (Bayville, N.J., lived for part of his youth in Vancouver, BC), RHP Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.)

Doctor: Dr. Keith Pyne (Niagara On The Lake, Ont.), medical consultant

October 11, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Smith dominating for Guardians in postseason

It was fitting that Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) recorded the save for the Cleveland Guardians in their American League Division Series clinching 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox last night.

Smith, who struck out four of the five batters he faced, pitched in every game of the series.

In five 2026 playoff appearances, he has permitted just one run on two hits and has fanned 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings.

As Zach Worden, of Sportsnet, pointed out with Smith’s two-inning performance in the Guardians’ 9-3 win over the White Sox in Game 3 on Wednesday, the 6-foot-5 righty moved into second among Canadians for most innings pitched in the MLB postseason. Including last night’s performance, Smith has now thrown 20 postseason innings.

He trails only Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) who has tossed 26 1/3 innings.

Smith and the Guardians will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series set to begin on Monday at 8 p.m. E.T.

Pivetta sets another Canadian postseason record

Speaking of Pivetta, when the Victoria, B.C., native started for the San Diego Padres in the Game 3 of their National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, it represented the fourth postseason start of his career. According to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, that moved Pivetta past Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.) and James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) into first place for most postseason starts by a Canadian.

Pivetta allowed two runs on five hits, while striking out four, in 4 1/3 innings for the Padres in their 4-3 victory. The win kept the Padres alive in the series, but they were eliminated the following day.

In all, Pivetta permitted three runs in 7 2/3 innings in two starts for the Padres this postseason and struck out eight batters.

The Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team grad also holds the Canadian MLB postseason record for most strikeouts with 31.

Peters named to MLB All-Rookie First Team

White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) was named an outfielder on MLB Pipeline’s All-Rookie First Team on Tuesday.

The White Sox couldn’t have predicted how good Peters would be in his first full big league season after they purchased him from the Rays on December 18. Peters had a reputation as an excellent fielder, but the Okotoks Dawgs grad quickly showed he could also handle himself at the plate. He finished the regular season with a .265/.337/.437 slash line with 12 home runs, 31 doubles, four triples and eight stolen bases.

On top of that, the Canuck outfielder had hits in six of seven postseason games for the White Sox. In total, he went 6-for-21 (.286 batting average) with two RBIs this postseason.

Sabrowski earns first postseason win

Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) earned his first postseason win on Thursday when he tossed a scoreless inning in relief in his club’s 9-5 victory over the White Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS.

According to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Sabrowski became the 11th Canadian to register a win in the MLB postseason, the others are his teammate Smith, Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.), Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), Ron Taylor (Toronto, Ont.), John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.), Rich Harden (Victoria, B.C.), Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.), James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) and Pivetta.

Sabrowski is also the first Albertan to record a postseason win.

The Canadian southpaw also registered a hold in the Guardians’ series clinching win over the White Sox last night. Sabrowski was summoned into the game with two outs in the sixth inning and struck out Munetaka Murakami, the only batter he faced.

Millson third Graney Award winner we’ve lost in 2026

One of my volunteer roles with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is to chair their Jack Graney Award committee. The Hall presents this award annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work.

To say 2026 has been a devastating year would be an understatement.

When longtime Globe and Mail reporter Larry Millson died on Tuesday, he became the third Graney winner that has passed away this year. Beloved Montreal Expos broadcasters Rodger Brulotte and Jacques Doucet died on March 20 and August 27 respectively.

They were all legends in the Canadian baseball media and I will miss them dearly.

Forty-one years ago, Brett almost single-handedly beat Blue Jays

George Brett was a Blue Jay killer.

Any longtime Toronto Blue Jays fan is likely to tell you that.

And of the seemingly countless games in which the Hall of Fame third baseman teed off on Blue Jays’ pitching, Game 3 of the 1985 American League Championship Series – played 41 years ago today – stands out the most.

In that contest, the three-time American League batting champion almost single-handedly defeated the Blue Jays. With Toronto up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Royals were desperate for a victory. And while Brett had smacked a solo home run down the right field line in the first inning and a double off the right-centre field wall in the third, the Blue Jays still led 5-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth at Royals Stadium.

With 17-game winner Doyle Alexander on the mound, the Blue Jays seemed poised to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series. But Brett had other plans. After Willie Wilson singled to start the Royals’ sixth inning, Brett walloped a fastball from Alexander over the left-centre field fence to tie the game.

“He had hit three different pitches to three different locations of the ballpark,” recalled Buck Martinez, in his 1985 book, From Worst to First, of Brett’s first three at bats in that playoff game.

For good measure, Brett singled to lead off the eighth inning and came around to score the winning run in the Royals’ 6-5 comeback win. For the night, Brett was 4-for-4, with four runs and three RBIs. The Royals, of course, went on the win the ALCS and the World Series.

Freeman rising up postseason homer ranks

Freddie Freeman socked two home runs in the National League Division Series to help the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminate his former team, the Atlanta Braves, in four games.

Freeman, whose parents were born in Canada, now has 19 career postseason home runs, which is tied for seventh all-time.

Manny Ramirez has clubbed the most MLB postseason home runs (29). He’s followed by Jose Altuve (28), Kyle Schwarber (24), George Springer (23), Bernie Williams (22) and Derek Jeter (20).

Four players are tied with Freeman with 19: Max Muncy, Corey Seager, Albert Pujols and Alex Bregman.

Freeman and the Dodgers are set to face the Brewers in the National League Championship Series beginning tonight at 8 p.m. E.T.

34th anniversary of Alomar home run

Almost any longtime Blue Jays fan can tell you exactly where they were 34 years ago today when Roberto Alomar walked to the plate against Oakland A’s closer Dennis Eckersley in the top of the ninth inning in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and belted a two-run home run to tie the game at six.

The Blue Jays had trailed 6-1 until the eighth inning. Alomar’s home run sent the game into extra innings and the Blue Jays eventually won 7-6 in 11 innings when Derek Bell scored on catcher Pat Borders’ sacrifice fly.

Hicks off to first ALCS

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) is off to his first American League Championship Series.

Though he went just 1-for-10 in the Rays’ three-game sweep of the Yankees in the ALDS, he was excellent defensively behind the plate.

It has been a remarkable baseball journey for Hicks who less than two years ago was left unprotected by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft and selected by the Miami Marlins.

The Rays acquired the Toronto Mets grad from the Marlins on Aug. 3, and he has been a key part of their team ever since. In 41 regular season games with the Rays, he had a .288/.379/.440 slash line with four home runs and 20 RBIs.

In total, Hicks, who also played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in March, batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 142 regular season games between the Marlins and Rays in 2026.

Rogers tossed a shutout to propel Expos to NLCS 45 years ago

Forty-five years ago today, Steve Rogers pitched a shutout for the Montreal Expos against Steve Carlton and the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

With their 3-0 win, the Expos advanced to the NLCS against the Dodgers.

It was the second time that Rogers outpitched Carlton in the series. The Expos right-hander also allowed just one run in 8 2/3 innings in Game 1 to lead the Expos to a 3-1 victory.

Estrada saved Blue Jays season 11 years ago

Eleven years ago today, with his team down 2-0 to the Texas Rangers in the best-of-five ALDS and facing elimination, Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada pitched a gem. He held the Rangers to one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings at Globe Life Ballpark in Arlington. Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to help secure the 5-1 win and keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.

Hartman named Braves’ top hitting prospect by MLB Pipeline

Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) has been named the Atlanta Braves’ Minor League Hitting Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline.

The announcement was made on Wednesday.

This is just the latest accolade for the 20-year-old Okotoks Dawgs alum.

Earlier this month, he was named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America and Breakout Prospect of the Year by MiLB.com.

The 20-year-old Albertan put together a .249/.350/.456 slash line and had 26 home runs and 56 stolen bases in 128 games between the High-A Rome Emperors and double-A Columbus Clingstones.

Selected in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Braves, Hartman is proving to be the steal of that draft.

On Canada Day this year, he belted his 20th home run of the season to become the first player in the history of the High-A Emperors to club 20 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. And he did it in just 71 games.

The 2026 campaign represented Hartman’s second in pro ball. In 2025, he batted .240 with five home runs and 48 stolen bases in 90 games between the FCL Braves and the class-A Augusta Green Jackets.

Remembering Cory Lidle

Please take a moment to remember former Blue Jays pitcher Cory Lidle who died 20 years ago today when the small plane he was in crashed into an apartment building in New York City.

He was just 34 years old.

The 5-foot-11 right-hander made 31 starts for the Blue Jays in 2003 and posted a 12-15 record and a 5.75 ERA.

In all, he recorded 82 big league wins and a 4.57 ERA in 277 appearances in parts of nine seasons with the New York Mets, Rays, A’s, Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Phillies and Yankees.

Caissie hit longest home run of season for Marlins

Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) hit the longest home run of the season for the Miami Marlins.

It was a three-run shot off Colorado Rockies right-hander John Brebbia in the eighth inning on June 30 at Coors Field that travelled 453 feet.

It was one of 14 home runs Caissie clubbed for the Marlins in 2026.

The Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team grad was in his first season with the Marlins after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the package for right-hander Edward Cabrera on January 7.

October 10, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Back in the glory days of the Toronto Blue Jays, we would have seven or eight writers at each World Series game.

Some nights there were not enough story lines to go around. And other games there were so many turning points/ideas/performances to write about some guys would have to double up.

The editor assigning stories after Canadian Premier edged Elite Squad Scout 18U 6-5 on Saturday would have had his hands full. Let’s see ... what to write about Canadian Premier?

_ The four-run, two-out rally in the first?

_ The two-run rally in the fourth to break a 4-4 tie?

_ A lead-off double to begin Elite’s final at-bat and then a 1-2-3 ‘warm up the bus. We’re outta here,’ inning by the reliever with the tying run 90 feet away?

_ The three key doubles?

_ The starter who gave his team a chance to win?

_ Advancing to the round of 32 in the 120 tournament.

* * *

Canadian Premier jumped on Elite with four runs in the first as Samuel Ellis (La Pache, Que.) led off reaching on a three-base error. Evan Walker (Ajax, Ont.) bounced out to knock in a run. After a walk and a Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.) single, Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) lined a single to centre. Two wild pitches — as the Elite pitcher stayed away from the dangerous Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) — then increased the lead to 4-0.

Now, even at 4-4 in the fourth inning, Batiste led off with a double to left and scored on a single by Alex Wallace (Oakville, Ont.). Two batters later, Ellis doubled to right, brining home Wallace.

Canadian Premier starter RHP Lucien Kovalcik (Burlington, Ont.) pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing four runs -- two earned -- on five hits. He struck out five in his 51-pitch performance (33 strikes). LHP Korbin Greaves (Ajax, Ont.) recorded the final out of the third.

Then skipper Romak went to RHP Owen McKinstry (Port Elgin, Ont.), who faced three hitters in the fourth, then had plenty of traffic in the fifth: an error, a walk, an out, a run-scoring fly ball and then someone showed McKinstry he could throw a strike too: catcher Ludovic Therriault (Saint-Malo, Que.) gunned down the runner attempting to steal second. Hang with ‘em.

Yet Elite would not go quietly into the Jupiter night. A lead-off double to left put the tying run into scoring position.

First McKinstry retired the No. 3 hitter on a pop up to Wallace in foul ground. A grounder moved the tying run 90 feet away.

Now, McKinstry was facing the man that Canadian Premier came to the park hours ago to get out. The final out. 2B Juan Cruz (Mississauga, Ont.) grabbed the pop up.

De Santis had two hits, including a double and an RBI, while Batiste and Ellis also hit doubles.

* * *

Richmond burning: The Richmond Braves 18U Platinum beat the Brewers Langley Blaze 7-1. Rilen Niclai homered for the Blaze’s only run.

LHP Caleb Miller (Delta, BC) worked an inning, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and two walks. He threw 33 pitches (42% strikes) and hit 87 MPH.

Sam Craven (Victoria, BC) was next, pitching 2 1/3 innings giving up one run on four hits and three walks. He threw 48 pitches (57% strikes) and was clocked at 86 MPH.

Then came RHP Benjamin Dartnell (Vancouver, BC) who tossed a scoreless inning, giving up one hit. He only needed 11 pitches (72% strikes) as he hit 92 MPH.

* * *

And another Canuck: Christian Heffernan (Puslinch, Ont.) singled in two runs for USG/Elev8 Rawlings National.

October 10, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Left-hander Rob Zastryzny has elected to become a minor league free agent.

His decision was announced on the MiLB.com transactions page on Thursday.

The Milwaukee Brewers designated Zastryzny for assignment on September 17. Two days later, he was assigned to the Brewers’ triple-A Nashville Sounds.

The Brewers’ decision to DFA Zastryzny came after he completed a rehab assignment with the Sounds. He did not pitch for the Brewers this season due to a shoulder strain that he first suffered while pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

In total, the 34-year-old Zastryzny posted a 1.93 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Sounds this season. He had nine strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings.

In 26 games with the Brewers in 2025, Zastryzny went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA and struck out 20 batters in 22 innings.

The Edmonton-born southpaw has pitched in parts of seven major league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates and Brewers.

For his MLB career, he owns a 6-1 record and a 3.84 ERA in 80 appearances (six starts).

He earned a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016.

Thanks to a growth spurt and a lot of hard work, Webber Wildcats catcher Lucas Carroll (Calgary, Alta.) has vaulted up the Canadian baseball prospects’ ranks this year. Photo: Blue Jays Academy

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 6, 2026. You can read it here.

October 10, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

There’s a growth spurt and then there’s Lucas Carroll.

Standing next to the 6-foot-1, 201-pound backstop at his first Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, you’d never imagine that just a couple of years ago, he was a 5-foot-8, 150-pound prospect trying to make it with Webber Academy.

Yet here he was, suiting up with Team Red and facing some of the most talented high school players in Canada.

College coaches have taken notice of his ascent up the national depth charts as he’s suited up at a variety of other big events over the past year, including the Prep Baseball Senior Future Games and the Baseball Canada Cup.

And they are clearly noticing his expanded frame.

“I’ve come a long way over the last couple of years and gained a lot of weight and power,” Carroll said. “I think overcoming that challenge has really helped me shape the player I am today and helped me with all my success.”

He’s just getting started as well with a few more events before the year is out and then getting himself bigger and better heading towards high school graduation next spring.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Lucas Carroll here.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SECOND HOME

It’s been nearly five years since Carroll first stepped foot in Webber Academy on Calgary’s western outskirts.

The undersized backstop was determined to follow in his dad’s path in the game, which included collegiate baseball.

Under the guidance of Chris Reitsma, Cole Armstrong and the Wildcats coaching staff, he focused on his diet (a lot of chocolate milk, he laughs) and hitting the weight room.

“It’s been quite unreal having them and the other guys there every day,” Carroll said. “I love being in there – it’s truly a blessing to be able to go there and just feel like it’s another home.”

Little by little, he started putting on more weight and, more importantly, muscle to compete for prime spots in the Webber lineup.

CATCHING FIRE

All of Carroll’s hard work started paying off over the past year as he started getting invited to major events.

It all started with an invite to play for Team Alberta at the Western Canada Prospects Series in 2025.

Then he suited up for Canada at the Prep Baseball Senior Future Games this past July, followed by another stint with Alberta at the Baseball Canada Cup.

There, Carroll hit .167 with a single, double, run scored and four runs batted in to help the province claim its first medal at the event in 14 years.

“We wanted that one bad,” said the 17-year-old. “Some of us had been there before and we wanted it more than anybody else. We didn’t get first, but a medal is a medal and it’s a big step for Alberta, for sure.”

2027 C/1B Lucas Carroll 6-1/200Ibs @wildcats_ab 60 - 7.24 C Velo - 72 Max EV (Avg EV) - 97 (89.3) Uncommitted #TBJFutures https://t.co/v0tRtBfSnW

— Blue Jays Baseball Academy (@BlueJaysAcademy) September 17, 2026

SENSE OF BELONGING

Then came the call Carroll was hoping to get.

The Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase saw 150 players were invited to Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium in September and Carroll’s name was among them.

He performed well during Scout Day with a top exit velocity of 97 miles per hour and a max distance of 362 feet.

Then with Team Red, he went 0-for-6 with three walks and two hit-by-pitches, working some long at-bats while playing solid defensively.

“In the box, I felt comfortable and put some good swings on balls and challenged pitchers into long at-bats,” Carroll said. “Behind the plate, I was happy with my performance and was happy to catch such a variety of top pitchers in the country.”

More importantly, he says he felt like he belonged with Canada’s best by the end of the tournament, adding playing at “The Nat” will definitely go down as one of his career highlights to this point.

Carroll says the showcase was also a great time getting to hang out with his Webber teammates and other Alberta players, seeing all their Blue Jays gear and just soaking in the moments together.

MORE TO COME

If Carroll has it his way, a few more moments are still on the horizon.

He just put the wraps on a visit to Phoenix for the Arizona Fall Classic and will soon be heading to Jupiter, Florida for the Perfect Game WWBA Championship with the Brewers Langley Blaze.

Considered to be one of the top uncommitted catchers in the country, Carroll says the recruitment process has been going well and that he’s confident something will be coming down the pipe soon.

He’s not in a big rush, though.

“We’re just looking at different opportunities, seeing what we’ll get, and then what definitely fits best for me,” Carroll said. “Where I want to go, what I like, how the team does, the coaches – I think that all has to be taken into perspective.”

Through everything he’s experienced in the last year or so, the young left-handed hitter keeps one thing in mind: just have fun.

“This sport has taught me a lot of different things about discipline, hard work and how to deal with failure,” Carroll said. “I have really carried those attributes in my life and it’s kind of shaped the player I am today … I’m excited to see where it’s going to take me.”

October 9, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Canadian Premier arrived in Jupiter, Fla. without a nickname.

After nine-run innings in back-to-back games ... how about coach Jamie Romak’s Jumpin’ Jacks?

Each time a player jacks a home run the dugout empties with all the players jumping into the air in celebration.

Or Jamie’s Wallbangers, a la Harvey Kuenn’s Milwaukee Brewers Wallbangers from the 1980s. Or maybe the Bash Brothers of the Oakland A’s in the 1990s.

Yet to clinch its pool, Canadian Premier relied on an old-fashioned pitching gem, scoring a 3-0 win over Canes West National 2027.

LHP Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.), Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.) and Connor Brown (Oakville, Ont.) combined on a one-hitter.

Reason started things off by working three scoreless innings, without allowing a base hit. He walked two and struck out five. He threw 49 pitches in the first three innings (26 strikes). He threw 34 pitches (55% strikes).He was clocked at 94 MPH.

Next was Sternberg who pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two base runners (one hit, one walk), while fanning six. In his 52-pitch outing, he thew 67% strikes.

Brown needed only four pitches to get the final out.

ABC’s William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) doubled for Canadian Premier.

William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) doubled home Evan Walker (Ajax, Ont.), who had doubled with one out in the first.

Both Nolet and Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) walked with one out in the third. After a ground ball, Nolet scored on a wild pitch and Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.) singled home Jacob.

* * *

Northeast Pride over Langley: Collecting hits for Brewers Langley Blaze in a 4-1 loss to Northeast Pride 27 National were Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC), Brett Rienguette (Val Caron, Ont.) and Fox Ferguson (Surrey, BC).

Scouting reports

Calum Andersen, RHP, Calgary, Alta. Brewers/Langley Blaze Scout. Vauxhall Academy Jets.

Andersen showed advanced present stuff and pitch-ability in a strong outing. The delivery is athletic and repeatable from a projectable frame, with room remaining for strength gains that should help the fastball play more consistently in the mid-90s and give the breaking balls even sharper bite. Andersen attacks with a live fastball that touched 96 mph a couple times and plays up in the zone, paired with a sharp, horizontal slider at 85 mph that tunnels well and generates swings and misses.. He mixed in a late-breaking 12-6 curve ball at 78 mph that induced weak contact and flashed a change up with good arm-speed deception that mirrored the fastball delivery. The combination of velocity, secondary feel, and sequencing allowed him to control the zone without relying on pure power. Committed to Oklahoma. Struck out eight while allowing two hits and one walk.

_ Steve Doherty

Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) Canadian Premier/Academy Baseball Canada.

Dupuis turned in a dominant start to open pool play action on Thursday, tossing four scoreless with seven punch outs and just one base runner allowed. The 6-foot right-hander worked his fastball in all four quadrants of the strike zone, topping it out at 91 mph with heavy arm-side run and sink. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with tilt and late actions to it, successfully mistiming opposing hitters.

_ Anthony Gambardella

1B Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) Canadian Premier/Ontario Blue Jays.

Jacob is a Perfect Game All-American and Kansas State commit, yet I still think he is being undervalued both in the public and pro space as a draft prospect right now. The prep first base demographic has admittedly not been a hotbed recently, as there have been eight total selected this decade. It’s an understandable demo to have precaution with, as you are totally buying into the offensive profile when you pay a prospect here. As for Jacob, I am convicted on this bat and would pay good coin for it if I was a decision maker. He can bop, as the raw power is real and he gets to game power frequently. It is all fields impact and carry, with an innate ability to backspin the baseball. He’s got baseball twitch that translates to big bat speed, and pairs that with a quiet left-handed setup in the box. What impresses me the most about him though is the bat to ball ability and approach. He has a very measured, calculated approach in the box, consistently displaying quality swing decisions paired with damage ability and good contact rates in the zone. I’m convinced of the ability to hit for average and juice at the big league level. Looking elsewhere, he is more than capable at first base with good feet around the pillow and hands to match. He’s shown plenty to like and project on in front of the Canada PG staff time and time again, and will look to do it stateside. He will still be 17 years old on draft day.

_ Michael Albee, Perfect Game.

Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.) Canadian Premier/Academy Baseball Canada.

He hit a no-doubt shot on Cardinals quad. High-end D1 hitter through and through. Real dude. These are pro swing mechanics. Lehouillier drives to straight away CF and burns him for a bases clearing double. Coaches/scouts need to be on this profile during Jupiter. Long history of performance with a swing built to last long-term.

_ Michael Albee, Perfect Game.

William Nolet (2027, Saint-Gilles, Que.) Canadian Premier/Academy Baseball Canada.

He reached base in all three plate appearances on Thursday, driving in five runs on an early RBI triple as well as a loud pull-side grand slam. The 6-foot-3 right-handed batter swings one of the more consistent barrels up north with budding power to all parts of the field that is starting to show up more often.

_ Anthony Gambardella

October 8, 2026

Official Regina Red Sox News Release

Regina, Sask. - The Regina Red Sox are pleased to announce the return of Jason Veyna as the club’s director of baseball operations and field manager for the 2027 Western Canadian Baseball League season.

Veyna returns to the Red Sox with extensive experience at both the WCBL and collegiate levels, along with a long-standing connection to the organization. He previously served as an assistant coach with Regina in 2018 under then-field manager Mitch MacDonald before taking over as the club’s field manager for the 2019 season. Veyna also served as the Red Sox field manager in 2022.

In his first season as Regina’s field manager in 2019, Veyna guided the Red Sox to a 41-15 record, producing the best winning percentage in the WCBL at .732. Regina advanced through the playoffs and represented the Eastern Division in the 2019 WCBL Championship Series before falling to the Okotoks Dawgs. Following the season, Veyna was named the WCBL Eastern Division nominee for Coach of the Year and was selected to coach the East Conference at the WCBL All-Star Game.

Veyna also brings experience from outside Regina, having served as the field manager and general manager of the Swift Current 57s in 2024.

His connection to the Red Sox dates back even further. As a player, Veyna suited up for Regina in 2009 and 2011 and was a member of the 2011 WMBL Championship team. During the championship season, Veyna hit .277 with 25 RBIs while posting a .968 fielding percentage.

A native of Lamar, Colorado, Veyna played his collegiate baseball at Trinidad State Junior College, Georgia College & State University and Colorado State University Pueblo before beginning his professional career, which included stops with the Abilene Prairie Dogs and Trinidad Triggers.

Veyna currently serves as the head baseball coach at Trinidad State Junior College, where he has continued to develop collegiate players and build a successful program. Among his accomplishments are leading Trinidad State to the 2022 Region 9 South Division Championship, while four Trinidad State players advanced to NCAA Division I programs following the 2023 season. Under Veyna’s leadership, the program has also continued its focus on developing players for four-year collegiate baseball opportunities.

“We are excited to have Jason back with the Regina Red Sox,” said Red Sox General Manager Mitch MacDonald. “Jason possesses a strong baseball mind with managerial experience in the WCBL and at the collegiate level, and he understands our league and our organization intimately. Having been a player, assistant coach and head coach with us previously, Jason knows what it takes to be successful in the WCBL, having reached the league final in all three capacities. He also understands the type of players and people our organization values. We are looking forward to having Jason back at Currie Field this summer.”

“This isn’t just a new opportunity, it’s the beginning of a new era built on a proud tradition of excellence and success,” said Veyna. “I’m honoured, grateful and incredibly excited to lead the Regina Red Sox. Having been both a player and a coach within this organization, this opportunity carries an even deeper sense of pride and responsibility for me.

“I’m committed to building on the legacy of those who came before us while adding another chapter to the Red Sox tradition. The work has already begun, and roster construction is underway. I’m excited to get back to Regina, reconnect with this great baseball community and help lead an organization and a city that expects and embraces winning. The next chapter starts now.”

The Regina Red Sox are looking forward to welcoming Jason Veyna back to Currie Field for the 2027 WCBL season.

October 8, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced their 2027 regular season schedule on Thursday, featuring 51 home games at Blue Cross Park, beginning with the Home Opener Friday, May 14 against the Sioux City Explorers.

The team’s return to Blue Cross Park will come after a memorable summer in 2026, when they tied the franchise record with 34 home wins. That success included a team-record 12 consecutive home victories from July 25 through August 13, giving fans plenty to celebrate at the ballpark.

The American Association will feature two five-team divisions in 2027. The Goldeyes will join the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Lincoln Saltdogs, Sioux City Explorers, and Sioux Falls Canaries in the West Division. While the East Division will include the Chicago Dogs, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Kansas City Monarchs, Lake Country DockHounds, and Milwaukee Milkmen.

Winnipeg opens the 102-game season Friday, May 7 on the road against Kansas City. Following three games against the Monarchs and three in Fargo against the RedHawks, the Goldeyes return to Blue Cross Park for their Home Opener Friday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.

The Home Opener launches a schedule featuring nine full weekends of baseball in downtown Winnipeg. Each Friday home game will conclude with a fireworks display, giving fans nine opportunities to enjoy Fireworks Fridays throughout the summer.

“Opening night is always a special occasion, and starting our home schedule on a Fireworks Friday will make it even more memorable,” said Goldeyes General Manager Andrew Collier. “With nine full weekends at home, games on Father’s Day and Canada Day, and fireworks after every Friday home game, there are plenty of opportunities for families, friends, and groups to plan a summer visit to Blue Cross Park.”

The 2027 Fireworks Fridays are May 14 and 21, June 4 and 18, July 9, 23, and 30, August 13, and September 3.

Standard home game times are 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Friday, 6:00 p.m. Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

Three school-day matinees are scheduled for 11:00 a.m.: Thursday, May 20 against Sioux City, Thursday, June 10 against Kansas City, and Wednesday, June 16 against Gary SouthShore.

The Goldeyes will once again celebrate Canada Day at home, hosting Sioux City Thursday, July 1 at 4:00 p.m. Winnipeg also welcomes Sioux Falls for a Father’s Day afternoon game Sunday, June 20 at 1:00 p.m.

All nine American Association opponents will visit Blue Cross Park for at least one series in 2027. Winnipeg will play 72 games against West Division opponents and 30 against East Division clubs.

Winnipeg’s longest homestand runs May 14 to 23, featuring nine games against Sioux City and Fargo-Moorhead. The club’s longest road trips also span nine games, taking place May 25 to June 3 and August 20 to 29.

The Goldeyes conclude the regular season with six home games against Lincoln from August 31 to September 5. The finale is scheduled for Sunday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m.

2027 Winnipeg Goldeyes Schedule Breakdown

Total Games: 102

Home Games: 51

Away Games: 51

Home Games by Day of the Week

Sunday: 9

Monday: 0

Tuesday: 8

Wednesday: 8

Thursday: 8

Friday: 9

Saturday: 9

Home Game Times

Tuesday–Thursday: 6:30 p.m.

Friday: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:00 p.m.

Home Game Time Exceptions

Thursday, May 20: 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 10: 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, June 16: 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, July 1: 4:00 p.m.

Games vs. West Division

Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks – 18

Lincoln Saltdogs – 18

Sioux City Explorers – 18

Sioux Falls Canaries – 18

Games vs. East Division

Chicago Dogs – 6

Gary SouthShore RailCats – 6

Kansas City Monarchs – 6

Lake Country DockHounds – 6

Milwaukee Milkmen – 6

The complete schedule can be accessed at Goldeyes.com/Schedule. All home game times are Central Daylight Time and are subject to change.

October 8, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Canadian Premier was listed as a “dark horse,” to win its pool prior to the 28th annual, 120-team, Perfect Game Wood Bat tournament.

Three games in, Jamie Romak’s team is like a feature performer at Woodbine facing $25,000 claimers.

Canadian Premier scorched Premier 2027 Scout 11-0 with its second nine-run inning in as many days at Jupiter, Fla. Just as impressive were Caleb Dupuis and Alex Wallace who combined on a one-hitter.

Leading 1-0 in the second inning, Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) led off with a single to right. An error and a single by Samuel Ellis (La Peche, Que.) loaded the bases leading to a bases-loaded walk by Evan Walker (Ajax, Ont.).

William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) fouled off four straight pitches. As usual, the longer an at-bat goes the advantage goes to the hitter. Nolet hit the fifth pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam, making it 6-0.

Three straight walks loaded the bases again. Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) scored on a wild pitch and Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a two-run single to left. After a wild pitch Batiste scored on a balk.

FieldHouse Pirates RHP Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) dominated for Canadian Premier

Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) had the upper hand, allowing the one hit, while whiffing seven. He threw 51 pitches (37 strikes). Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) struck out two of the three men he faced in the 11-pitch fifth.

Nolet also tripled to right in the first, giving him a five-RBI day.

Walker added a double and two RBIs for Canadian Premier who have outscored the opposition 29-7 in its first three games. Canadian Premier benefited from 11 walks.

If Canadian Premier wins its final round-robin game against Canes West National it would advance to the playoff rounds.

* * *

RHP Callum Andersen owned the mound, pounding the strike zone throughout five scoreless innings, yet his Brewers Langley Blaze lost 5-2 to Team USA-Team Nike.

Anderson (Calgary, Alta.) allowed two hits and a walk. Clocked at 96 MPH, he struck out eight in his 73-pitch outing (67% strikes).

The five unearned runs came in 1 1/3 innings on five hits. LHP Santiago Acosta (Maple Ridge, BC) retired the final two outs of the game, hitting 86 MPH.

Fox Ferguson (Surrey, BC) led Langley with a pair of hits, while Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC), Evan Maloney (Chilliwack, BC) and Jake Carriere (Abbotsford, BC) were the other Canucks with hits.

October 7, 2026

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

The top performers in the Western Canadian Baseball League have been made official.

The summer collegiate circuit that calls Alberta and Saskatchewan home has named its Rookie of the Year, Most Outstanding Canadian, Most Outstanding Pitcher, Top Relief Pitcher, Coach of the Year, Mitch Ball Memorial Award winner, All-Star Teams and Most Valuable Players from the regular season and postseason.

Here is a summary of the WCBL’s major 2026 award recipients, presented by Insightrix:

Most Outstanding Canadian

There was no mystery to what Ethan Murdoch did on the diamond this year.

The outfielder with the Saskatoon Berries was the picture of consistency during the 2026 WCBL regular season.

Through 278 plate appearances and 55 games, the Swift Current native posted a .358 batting average, .453 on-base percentage and a 1.069 OPS (on-base plus slugging).

He finished among the WCBL batting leaders in hits (82), doubles (17), home runs (14), RBIs (62), walks (36) and at bats (229).

Numbers aside, Murdoch was a leader in the clubhouse and a reliable veteran with the Berries.

The league took notice of his performance and have rewarded the 6-foot-2 righty batter with the 2026 Most Outstanding Canadian award … read more

Top Relief Pitcher

Every bullpen has a fireman, but the Sylvan Lake Gulls have the top cop in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

While the fireman role typically sees relievers enter the game at crucial moments to put out fires, Brayden Stewart of the Gulls was handcuffing hitters all summer long.

As a result of his sworn duty to protect leads and maintain order on the scoreboard, Stewart has been named the 2026 Top Relief Pitcher in the WCBL.

“It’s a great award to get. It was a very tough league this year, so I feel honoured to get that award,” said the 6-foot-3 righthander from Warsaw, Kentucky.

“When I go on the mound, I’m not going to think anyone else is better than me. So, I just went out there with that type of confidence and just believed that my stuff was better than what the hitter could do against it. So, I just trusted myself and my team that they’re going to make plays for me and just go out there and do my thing.”

The results in the regular season saw Stewart produce a 1-2 record, five saves, a 2.32 earned run average (ERA) and 55 strikeouts over 31 innings pitched … read more

Most Outstanding Pitcher

He’s been a mound monster for the Miller Express.

Westin Walls, a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher, was both a workhorse and a strikeout artist when he took the bump for Moose Jaw.

The towering Texan led the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) in earned run average (minimum 54 innings pitched), with a 4.04 ERA during the 2026 regular season.

He also led the circuit in innings pitched (82 1/3), posted a 6-1 record, and set a new single-season record for strikeouts, with 92.

As a result of his diamond dominance, Walls was selected as the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the WCBL. He received 18 first-place votes on 22 ballots, which were submitted by head coaches and media members who cover the league … read more

MVP & Rookie of the Year

It was a powerhouse performance that ripped up the record book.

Jake Hiromoto, third baseman with the Swift Current 57’s, had a season for the ages in the WCBL.

When it was all said and done, the product of Honolulu, Hawaii set impressive new single-season records for home runs (22) and runs batted in (77).

In recognition of the outstanding campaign, Hiromoto has earned a pair of major WCBL awards in the form of Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year (ROY) honours.

“Looking back on the summer, it’s still kind of like I’m on cloud nine. I feel like it’s just unbelievable that I was able to accomplish what I accomplished and I just had such a great support staff and I felt so welcomed,” said Hiromoto … read more

Postseason MVP

He was a purple people eater for the Saskatoon Berries.

Righthander Wesley Shackelford denied opposing batters any satisfaction throughout the WCBL postseason.

The Belleville, Texas product made four impactful appearances against the Regina Red Sox, Moose Jaw Miller Express and Sylvan Lake Gulls on Saskatoon’s run to their first championship in franchise history.

The results were eye popping … three saves, one win, 14 strikeouts and zero runs allowed against the 30 batters that Shackelford faced. The most he conceded was one hit and one walk through nine innings of bullpen duty.

For his efforts Shackelford was named the WCBL Postseason MVP, although he was quick to give credit to the teammates that helped the Berries go 6-1 in pursuit of the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy.

“The bond that we had just straight off the bat was incredible. And I just knew that when we got things going, it would result in something like this. So to see it all come together, I mean, it was a total team effort,” said the Odessa College student … read more

Coach of the Year

It was full steam ahead for the Moose Jaw Miller Express.

The WCBL team underwent some major coaching changes entering the 2026 season.

Head coach Eric Marriott, who guided the club to two WCBL championship appearances, took a position as third base coach with the Ottawa Titans, a move that paid off when the team won its first Frontier League title in franchise history.

Stepping up as the new skipper at Ross Wells Park in Moose Jaw was long-time Millers assistant coach Michael Gonzalez.

“Becoming the head coach of the Millers has been a dream of mine since I became a part of the organization in 2022. Being able to maintain what Marriott and I built means a lot to me,” said Gonzalez when he was named the head coach in December of 2025.

“Taking the next step in my coaching career, with this community behind me, is very comforting. I know they expect great baseball, and with the roster coming along nicely, I feel we will be in for an exciting summer.”

His words proved prophetic.

Gonzalez steered the Miller Express to a 41-15 regular season record that was boosted by a 14-game winning streak. The streak and the wins total were both franchise records and Moose Jaw finished atop the East Division standings.

Players in Moose Jaw also experienced success along the way.

Shortstop Thomas Soto set WCBL single-season records for stolen bases (49) and runs (75).

Westin Walls established a new league high for single-season strikeouts, with 92, and the right-handed pitcher also led the circuit with 82 1/3 innings pitched. He was rewarded with the Most Outstanding Pitcher award for his stellar season.

Other Miller Express pitchers turned in memorable summers, as well. Lefty Jacob Glazener was tops in the WCBL in wins with an 8-2 record, while Nathan Pisio led the league in saves after closing out seven games.

For those achievements and more, Gonzalez has earned the title of 2026 WCBL Coach of the Year … read more

Mitch Ball Memorial Award

He’s been a long-serving and dedicated umpire in the Western Canadian Baseball League for several years.

Whether he’s calling balls and strikes, checking on outfield catches or rendering verdicts on close plays at first base, Jeff Chipley has honed his umpiring craft to the point that observers have taken notice.

The result of his years of ballpark service have led to Chipley being named the recipient of the 2026 Mitch Ball Memorial Award, given annually by the WCBL to the top umpire in the league.

“Jeff has worked tremendously hard on improving his game over the past few years and his work this past year shows his hard work and dedication to umpiring is paying off,” said WCBL Supervisor of Umpires Rob Allan.

“He did over twenty games for us this year, including the WCBL championship series. He is a true leader in our league on and off the field. Congratulations to Jeff on a fantastic season.”

Chipley called it a “tremendous honour” to be selected as the winner of the Mitch Ball Memorial Award … read more

WCBL All-Star Teams

The WCBL has also named its regular season all-star team selections for the 2026 campaign.

The announcement includes First Team, Second Team, Third Team and Honourable Mention rosters consisting of pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders and designated hitters.

Here are the picks, as selected by WCBL coaches and members of the media who cover the league:

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Garryn Plummer (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Infielders: Jake Hiromoto (Swift Current 57’s); Thomas Soto (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Gael Salinas (Saskatoon Berries); Carter Roth (Medicine Hat Mavericks)

Outfielders: Ethan Murdoch (Saskatoon Berries); Cal Gates (Okotoks Dawgs); Elijha Hammill (Sylvan Lake Gulls)

Designated Hitter: Nash Crowell (Okotoks Dawgs)

Starting Pitchers: Westin Walls (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Logan Lynch (Weyburn Beavers); Jacob Glazener (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Relief Pitchers: Brayden Stewart (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Nathan Pisio (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Rob Gurney (Weyburn Beavers)

Infielders: Brady Bye (Regina Red Sox);Johnboy Rittenhouse (Sylvan Lake Gulls); David Simmons (Energy City Cactus Rats); Ricardo Sanchez (Okotoks Dawgs)

Outfielders: Chris Franks (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Charlie Collins (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Hudson Unger (Swift Current 57’s)

Designated Hitter: Eduardo Saenz (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Starting Pitchers: Kaegan Baker (Regina Red Sox); Brody Forno (Okotoks Dawgs); Michael Sall (Saskatoon Berries)

Relief Pitchers: Brooks Jones (Saskatoon Berries); Lucas Huynh (Lethbridge Bulls)

THIRD TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Cardel Dick (Lethbridge Bulls)

Infielders: Brock Laird (Saskatoon Berries); Connor Crowson (Okotoks Dawgs); Kalem Haney (Lethbridge Bulls); Maddox Shaver (Sylvan Lake Gulls)

Outfielders: William Edwards (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Landon Kauffman (Okotoks Dawgs); Steven Fermin (Energy City Cactus Rats)

Designated Hitter: Keagan Knowler (Swift Current 57’s)

Starting Pitchers: Noah Bourgeois (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Derek Archer (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Saul Mata (Energy City Cactus Rats)

Relief Pitchers: Jacob Quiles (Moose Jaw Miller Express); David Gordon (Regina Red Sox)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Catcher: Jacob Wrubleski (Okotoks Dawgs)

Infielders: Frankie Giacalone (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Josh Henson (Saskatoon Berries); Erick Ballenilla (Brooks Bombers); Ben Waliczek (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Outfielders: Asahi Nakano (Brooks Bombers); Evan Morrison (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Ian Montz (Regina Red Sox)

Designated Hitter: Gavin Panks (Saskatoon Berries)

Starting Pitchers: Kingston Besuijen (Energy City Cactus Rats); Zachary Desylva (Swift Current 57’s); Owen Fernandes (Brooks Bombers)

Relief Pitchers: Reid Madriaga (Okotoks Dawgs); Gabe Smitherman (Fort McMurray Giants)

Ontario Blue Jays slugger Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a grand slam for Canada Premier

October 7, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

As Blue Jays talented broadcaster Jerry Howarth used to say “they have their hitting shoes on today,” or “Dr. Longball has come to the SkyDome.”

Canadian Premier managed five home runs in a 13-5 win over the Kansas City Royals 2027 17U on Wednesday at the 28th annual 120-team World Wood Bat championship in Jupiter, Fla.

And if that was not enough, Canadian Premier opened with a 5-2 win over Canes National, thanks to a two-run homer by Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) in the bottom of the seventh when trailing 2-1.

Canadian Premier was dominant from the start: an Evan Walker (Ajax, Ont.) single, two walks and two hit-by-pitches had Canadian Premier up 2-0 with the bases loaded.

One out later, up came Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.). The former Home Run Derby winner took a 2-2 pitch over the right field fence for a grand slam.

He was not the only one of coach Jamie Romak’s lads to go deep: after an out and two more hit batters Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) hit a three-run homer for a nine-run first.

Batiste singled in the third and Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) hit a two-run homer to right making it 11-2.

And in the fourth, Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.) hit a 3-1 pitch out to right. He was followed by Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.) who also took a 2-1 pitch over the fence in right.

On the mound RHP Evan Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) started and pitched two innings allowing two runs on one walk. He fanned a pair in his 26-pitch outing (19 strikes).

RHP Owen McKinstry (Port Elgin, Ont.) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on three hits and two walks. He threw 38 pitches (23 strikes).

RHP Gabriel Lavoie (Mascouche, Que.) had a scoreless outing.

* * *

To paraphrase Yogi Berra, it was getting late real early down there.

Canadian Premier trailed Canes National 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh.

And mighty Casey strode to the plate ... hold on a second it was actually Evan Walker. Walker (Ajax, Ont.) hit a 3-2 pitch for a triple and the sun was shining brightly for Canadian Premier.

An out later Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) hit a 1-2 pitch to right for a homer, a one-run lead and make it even brighter. Then William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) doubled and scored when Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.) did the same for a 4-2 lead.

Alex Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) tripled in the eighth and scored on a single by Samuel Ellis (La Peche, Que.).

Lucien Kovalcik (Burlington, Ont.), Max Covriga (Markham, Ont.) and Peyton Markwood (Puslinch, Ont.) combined on a three hitter while striking out 12.

Kovalcik started and worked three innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out four in his 37-pitch outing (25 strikes).

Next was Covriga who worked two scoreless without allowing a base runner as he struck out three. He threw 26 pitches (16 strikes).

Markwood pitched the final three innings, giving up a run on one hit and two walks. He fanned five as he threw 49 pitches (30 strikes).

* * *

Canes National 18U knocked off Brewers Langley Blaze 8-4.

Evan Maloney (Chilliwack, BC), had the best day for Canadians with the Blaze. He hit a line drive up the middle, stole two bags and scored a run.

Fox Ferguson (Surrey, BC) a 10th grader from Cloverdale, had two good barrels, while Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) singled and knocked in a run.

RHP Lucas Sproule (Collingwood, Ont.) pitched one inning, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and three walks. He threw 44 pitches (61% strikes).

Other Canucks in action ...

LHP Antoine Boucher (Montreal, Que.) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless for the Chicago White Sox/New York Mets Scout Team. He allowed two hits and one walk. Boucher fanned three as he threw 33 pitches (19 strikes).

October 7, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Legendary Canadian baseball writer Larry Millson has died at the age of 83.

The news of his passing was shared by a number of his media colleagues and the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of legendary baseball writer and 2016 Jack Graney Award winner Larry Millson,” said the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in a statement. “Larry’s career in Journalism spanned more than 60 years. This included working the Blue Jays beat for The Globe and Mail for close to three decades where he established himself as one of our country’s most respected and authoritative sports writers. Last year, at the age of 82, Larry could still be found in the Blue Jays’ press box covering the club’s postseason run. Larry was a true baseball writing legend and it’s believed that no one has written more articles about the Blue Jays than him. We would like to extend our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Born in Toronto in 1943, Millson, a Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) graduate, got his start in the newspaper business with the Hamilton Spectator in 1964. He’d also write for the St. Catharines Standard, the Toronto Star and the Toronto Telegram prior to joining The Globe and Mail in November 1971.

At The Globe and Mail, he established himself as a valuable and versatile reporter who, on top of baseball, also wrote about hockey, football, the Olympics, soccer, basketball and horse racing. In 1981, he won a Sovereign Award for best thoroughbred-racing story of the year. He also covered the Green River murders while he was in Seattle on a baseball assignment in 1984.

Millson was assigned to the Blue Jays beat in 1980 and worked full-time in that capacity for 26 years. He was in the Blue Jays’ press box for both World Series triumphs and has likely written more articles about the club than any other reporter.

In 1987, he penned his first book, the groundbreaking Ballpark Figures: The Blue Jays and the Business of Baseball. It was one of the first books to examine the complex business side of the sport. He also co-wrote ex-Blue Jays trainer Ken Carson’s memoir, From Hockey to Baseball: I Kept Them in Stitches, which was published earlier this year.

After leaving The Globe and Mail in 2009, Millson covered baseball for MLB.com, The Canadian Press, Baseball America, The Sports Xchange, Field Level Media and various other newspapers.

For his efforts, he was the recipient of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award in 2016. The St. Marys, Ont.-based shrine presents this award annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work.

“I’ve been lucky enough already, having played as an 11-year-old with John Hiller, having sold programs at old Maple Leaf Stadium, having watched Sparky Anderson in his early managing days with the Leafs, having interviewed Casey Stengel in the dugout at Shea Stadium in the early, comical days of the Mets and, on the same day receiving advice from Yogi Berra, who found out I made the trip on train: ‘Take the plane next time, kid, it’s faster.’” Millson said in November 2016 after he was announced as the Graney winner.

“I feel blessed to have covered the Expos at Jarry Park and the Blue Jays in the friendly confines of Exhibition Stadium and it goes on. More than that, there are the people who work at the ballparks in various cities that you get to meet and eventually know over the years, the elevator operators, ushers, press box attendants. To have had all of that and then get this award, it’s kind of overwhelming.”

In recent years, on top of continuing to be a regular in the Blue Jays’ press box, Millson could often be spotted at Toronto Maple Leafs games at Christie Pits.

“Even after stepping away from full-time beat coverage, Larry remained a familiar and welcome presence in the Rogers Centre press box, continuing to share his love of baseball through his writing, his stories, and the friendships he built throughout the game,” wrote the Toronto Blue Jays in a statement this aftenoon.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Larry’s family, friends, and former colleagues. His contributions to baseball journalism and the Canadian baseball community will be remembered.”

October 6, 2026

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

He’s been a long-serving and dedicated umpire in the Western Canadian Baseball League for several years.

Whether he’s calling balls and strikes, checking on outfield catches or rendering verdicts on close plays at first base, Jeff Chipley has honed his umpiring craft to the point that observers have taken notice.

The result of his years of ballpark service have led to Chipley being named the recipient of the 2026 Mitch Ball Memorial Award, given annually by the WCBL to the top umpire in the league.

“Jeff has worked tremendously hard on improving his game over the past few years and his work this past year shows his hard work and dedication to umpiring is paying off,” said WCBL Supervisor of Umpires Rob Allan.

“He did over 20 games for us this year, including the WCBL championship series. He is a true leader in our league on and off the field. Congratulations to Jeff on a fantastic season.”

Chipley called it a “tremendous honour” to be selected as the winner of the Mitch Ball Memorial Award.

“For me to be considered as one of the top umpires in the league, especially this year, is a major highlight of my career so far, and I can only thank my colleagues for their support and drive to improve alongside them every time we go out to umpire a game,” he said.

“I was fortunate to be one of the many umpires that Mitch mentored in all aspects of umpiring … since I was a teenager just getting into umpiring in Central Alberta when Mitch was living in Rocky Mountain House, to when I moved to Lethbridge for university in 2011, until his unfortunate passing in 2021.”

Added Chipley: “He was always so positive, calm, relaxed, and just always happy, and no matter what, Mitch always brought me back to reality and taught me to not sweat the small things and have fun with life. It is something I strive to do every single day in my personal, professional, and umpire life. To be given this recognition that is named in his honour makes me feel like he is still there making me, and many others, better people through his inspiration and positivity, which I am forever grateful for.”

Chipley got into umpiring in 2005 following what he describes as a “less than Hall of Fame playing career.”

His parents urged him to get a summer job at the time and he had little interest in working in the hospitality industry.

“I saw a flyer at my high school that they were looking for baseball umpires in Sylvan Lake, where I grew up, so I signed up,” he recalled.

“I became hooked then and 22 years later one of my favourite things to do is head to the ballpark, more so when I am actually umpiring or mentoring other umpires, but even just watching a game and the umpires work.”

Known simply as “Chip” to players, coaches and other umpires, he has been working in the WCBL since 2010.

“The WCBL has grown tremendously over the past decade and a half,” noted the 36-year-old Lacombe resident.

“I see players like Erik Sabrowski, Kody Funderburk and Tristan Peters now playing in the majors and can say, ‘It was cool to umpire those guys in the WMBL/WCBL.’”

Chipley thoroughly enjoyed the WCBL postseason this summer, including the opportunity to take the field for the championship final.

“Working the WCBL Championship Series between the Gulls and the Berries was an absolute thrill this past August, and it also prepared me to work at the 2026 Baseball Canada Men's National Championship in Miramichi, New Brunswick just days later,” he said.

“Being out on the field working a league championship with the crowds packed and intense in both Sylvan Lake and Saskatoon was outstanding. I was also fortunate to work all three rounds of the WCBL postseason this year, including working the plate in elimination games during each of the first two rounds, so this season has been nothing except memorable.”

In addition to his time in the WCBL, Chipley has umpired in the West Coast League, the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), and at nine national championships, as well as the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

He has also won Baseball Alberta’s Junior Umpire of the Year and Senior Umpire of the Year awards and conducted umpiring courses for Baseball Canada.

“In short, baseball is a large part of my life,” said Chipley.

“Working games in the WCBL also has became a bit of a personal affair, as I see many family and friends in the stands wherever I work.”

October 7, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

While folks in Ontario might be packing for the sunny shores of Florida with the winter months on the horizon, Tampa Bay Rays backstop Liam Hicks has been holding down the state from both sides of the coast this past season.

The Toronto native landed in Miami in 2025 as a Rule 5 Draft selection after being plucked from the Detroit Tigers’ farm system. Hicks not only lasted the entire season on the Marlins’ roster, but became a regular in the lineup, splitting time behind the plate, at first base and in the DH spot.

That momentum carried into 2026 when Hicks was named to Team Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster before joining his Marlins teammates for the start of the campaign. Hicks had gotten familiar with fellow Canadian Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) the previous season, but another familiar face joined him at LoanDepot Park in Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.), who was acquired during the offseason.

The start of the season was strong for Hicks, who posted a .941 OPS with three doubles and seven home runs through his first 29 games as a regular in Miami’s lineup. He cooled off somewhat in May, hitting .224 with six extra-base hits and a .692 OPS across 114 plate appearances before landing on the injured list in mid-June with a low-back strain.

Hicks made a quick trip to the injured list, returning to the big-league roster after the minimum 10 days. However, his time in Miami was coming to an end.

Boasting a surplus of catching depth, the Marlins dealt Hicks to the other side of the state, with the Tampa Bay Rays acquiring him in exchange for three prospects.

The Rays were thin at the catcher’s spot, with veteran Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia serving as the club’s primary catching duo before Hicks arrived. Tampa Bay also paid a significant price for the Canadian, sending infielder Brayden Taylor (No. 10 on the Marlins’ top prospect list), right-hander Jacob Kisting (No. 21) and infielder Adrian Santana (No. 22) to Miami.

The move made sense for both sides.

The Marlins had handed the keys to Joe Mack for everyday catching duties, while the Rays acquired a catcher who could remain in Tampa Bay for years to come, with Hicks under team control through 2030 and slated for free agency in 2031. The left-handed hitting Hicks had already shown that his 2025 season was no fluke, giving the Rays enough confidence to dip into their prospect pool to bring him in.

The move paid off.

Hicks posted a .288/.379/.440 slash line down the stretch, collecting seven doubles, four home runs and 20 RBIs while producing a .819 OPS. He logged 258 innings behind the plate for the Rays and threw out 19.2% of would-be base stealers.

Overall, Hicks shook off any concerns about a sophomore slump and established himself as a reliable option, whether at first base, the DH spot or behind the plate.

He finished the season with a .284/.367/.434 slash line and an .801 OPS, belting 18 home runs and driving in 82 runs while appearing in a career-high 142 games. He ranked in the 98th percentile in Whiff% at 11.4% and the 97th percentile in strikeout rate at 9.9%.

Hicks also squared up the baseball at a 33.2% rate, good for the 93rd percentile, while posting an impressive 11.0% walk rate. That combination helped him maintain an on-base percentage in the mid-.300s and finish the season with a 126 OPS+.

The left-handed hitter also posted a 123 wRC+, a .352 wOBA and 2.5 bWAR, finishing the year ranked ninth among MLB catchers.

Now, Hicks finds himself in his first postseason run with the Rays facing the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

Tampa Bay currently holds a 2-0 series lead over the Bronx Bombers and is heading to the Big Apple looking to put the series away under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium.

Hicks has started both games behind the plate, collecting one hit, one RBI and one walk in six at-bats without striking out. His lone hit came in Game 1, when he turned around a 96.9 mph Gerrit Cole fastball and sent it 383 feet to right field for a double.

His RBI came in Game 2, when a ground out to the right side brought Jonathan Aranda home from third to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.

Hicks is one of five Canadian-born players on an ALDS or NLDS roster this postseason, joining Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) of the Chicago White Sox, as well as Cleveland Guardians pitchers Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) and Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.). Freddie Freeman, whose parents are Canadian, represents the lone Canuck connection on the National League side with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The move to the west side of Florida marked the second trade of Hicks’ career, and it appears he may have found a long-term home with the Rays.

Tampa Bay does have two highly regarded catching prospects who could compete for playing time in the near future: Caden Bodine, ranked No. 3 in the organization, and fellow Canadian Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), ranked No. 4.

For now, though, the job behind home plate appears to be Hicks’ to lose.

October 6, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

The two Canadian teams are not co-favourites in the 28th annual Perfect Game World Wood Bat championship in Jupiter, Fla.

Yet, both the Canadian Premier and the Brewers Langley Blaze are considered dark horses in their respective pools. Going back to my race track days, that’s a compliment.

No less than 120 teams -- and maybe more than 500 golf carts, occupied by pro scouts and recruiters -- are competing, including Jamie Romak’s Canadian Premier and the Blaze coached by Doug Mathieson and Jamie Bodaly.

In all 55 Canadians are on rosters

* * *

The Blaze, with some US pickups, are in Pool J with the Northeast Pride 2027 National (Pa.), the Richmond Braves 18U Platinum (Va) and the USA Scout – Team Nike US (Ga.).

Dark Horse: Brewers Langley Blaze

With lots of focus going to Leo Nockley, the Brewers will walk into this pool with a chip on their shoulder. This is a squad who could very well make plenty of noise themselves, featuring five 90+ arms on the roster with two T100 prospects and four in the T300. This is a well-balanced team with no real weaknesses to be found, and is going to be a headache for opponents on both sides of the field. The offense will be driven by LSU commit Bryan Ravelo and ASU commit Rilen Niclai, both flashing high end bat speed with Niclai expected to create chaos on the bases as a 6.53 runner. Oklahoma commit and #82 ranked prospect Calum Andersen will join #53 Issac Vidal at the top of the rotation for Brewers, giving the boys a 1-2 punch that not many other rosters have. It’s clear that this squad has the star power to make a run, and is certainly not going to be a fun matchup for opponents who run into them.

_ AJ Denny, Perfect Game.

Canucks on roster

LHP Santiago Acosta L/L 2029 6-1 160 Home School Maple Ridge, BC

RHP Calum Andersen L/R 2027 6-5 195 Vauxhall Academy Calgary, Alta. C-Oklahoma

OF Jake Carriere L/L 2028 5-11 165 Yale Secondary Abbotsford, BC

C Lucas Carroll L/R 2028 6-1 203 Calgary, Alta,

RHP Sam Craven R/R 2027 5-11 170 Oak Bay Victoria, BC

RHP Benjamin Dartnell R/R 2027 5-10 175 Vancouver, BC

SS Fox Ferguson R/R 2029 5-10 160 Surrey, BC

3B Sawyer Gelling R/R 2027 6-3 170 Lambrick Park Academy Victoria, BC

OF Oscar Leah L/L 2027 5-11 185 Maple Ridge, BC C-Kansas State

SS Evan Maloney L/R 2026 6-0 168 GW Graham Chilliwack, BC

LHP Caleb Miller L/L 2028 6-2 185 Delta, BC

OF Brett Rienguette L/R 2027 5-11 210 Val Caron, Ont.

RHP Jonathan Slogocki R/R 2027 6-3 170 Surrey, BC

RHP Lucas Sproule R/R 2027 6-3 180 Collingwood, Ont.

C Rhys Whiteford L/R 2027 6-2 190 Okotoks Dawgs Academy Duncan, BC

* * *

Canadian Premier is in Pool S with Canes West National (Calif.), Elite Squad Scout Team (Fla.) and Premier 2027 Scout (Tex.).

Dark Horse: Canadian Premier

While they catch the “Dark Horse” designation in this exercise, this Canadian Premier group has the proper expectation that this is a pool they need to win. Let’s break it down: offensively, the speedy Sam Ellis is a dynamic table-setter for a host of power bats in this lineup, including Mikey Batiste, Jalen Jacob, William Nolet, Gino De Santis, and Gabriel Lehouillier. On the mound, the staff is headlined by Lucien Kovalchik, an uncommitted 2028 grad who should have every chance to head back north from the WWBA Worlds with several Power 4 offers. Down the rotation, there’s a healthy blend of lefties vs. righties as well as stuff vs. polish. The big southpaw Ethan Reason will assuredly draw a start and can jam up 0s for the club. Look for the uncommitted arms of Will White, Johann Sternberg, and Marshall Schwoob to also provide good innings in their opportunities. If you’re a college coach heading down to Jupiter next week, this roster is packed full of impact uncommitted players and could very well be playing deep into the event.

_ Steve Doherty, Perfect Game.

Canadian Premier Roster

Name Ht Wt B/T Grad School Hometown Commitment

OF Mikey Batiste 6-4 235 S/R 2028 Port Credit Mississauga, Ont.

RHP-3B Connor Brown 6-2 195 L/R 2027 Abbey Park Oakville, Ont.

RHP-OF Max Covriga 6-2 185 R/R 2027 Bill Crothers Markham, Ont. C-Cincinnati

INF Juan Cruz 6-0 160 R/R 2027 Saber Academy Mississauga, Ont. C-Bradley

C Gino De Santis 6-2 220 L/R 2027 John McGregor SS Chatham, Ont. C-Cincinnati

RHP Caleb Dupuis 6-0 175 R/R 2027 Georgetown, Ont. C-Utah

OF-INF Samuel Ellis 6-1 175 R/R 2027 Blyth Academy La Peche, Ont. C-North Dakota State

LHP Korbin Greaves 6-3 190 R/L 2027 Ajax, Ont. C-Xavier

INF Clark Heimbecker 6-1 205 L/R 2027 Guelph, Ont. C-Bryant

OF-1B Galen Hudel 6-0 190 L/R 2027 Waterloo, Ont. C-Wright State

INF Jalen Jacob 6-3 248 L/R 2027 St Joan of Arc Maple, Ont. C-Kansas State

RHP Lucien Kovalcik 6-4 200 R/R 2028 Ecole Elementaire Catholique Sainte-Trinite Burlington, Ont.

RHP-1B Gabriel Lavoie 6-2 190 L/R 2027 Félix Lecler Mascouche, Que.

OF-1B Gabriel Lehouillier 6-1 208 L/R 2027 Levis, Que.

LHP-OF Eliott Malo 5-10 175 R/L 2027 Ecole Secondaire De Mortagne Contrecoeur, Que.

FieldHouse Pirates RHP Peyton Markwood (Puslinch, Ont.) of Canadian Premier

RHP-INF Peyton Markwood 6-4 215 L/R 2027 Puslinch, Ont. C-Odessa College

RHP Owen McKinstry 6-2 215 R/R 2028 Port Elgin, Ont.

OF William Nolet 6-3 195 R/R 2027 Saint-Gilles, Que. C-Weatherford College

LHP-1B Ethan Reason 6-6 195 L/L 2027 Stouffville District Stouffville, Ont.

LHP Marshall Schwoob 6-3 175 L/L 2027 Hamilton, Ont.

RHP Evan Shewfelt 6-1 185 R/R 2027 Blessed Trinity Grimsby, Ont. C-Louisiana Tech

LHP Johann Sternberg 6-5 200 R/L 2027 Riverdale Collegiate Toronto, Ont. C-Kansas State

C Ludovic Therriault 6-0 176 R/R 2027 Antoine de St-Exupéry Saint Malo, Que.

INF Evan Walker 6-0 175 L/R 2027 Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic HS Ajax, Ont. C-Valparaiso

INF Alex Wallace 6-2 190 L/R 2027 Garth Webb SS Oakville, Ont.

RHP Evan Wallace 6-2 194 L/R 2027 Garth Webb SS Oakville, Ont. C-Missouri State

OF Will White 6-3 195 R/R 2027 Perth, Ont.

* * *

There are other Canucks scattered among the other rosters including;

Baseball U

LHP Evan Lawson L/L 2027 6-3 195 Lawrence Park Collegiate Toronto, Ont.

Canes National 18U/New York Mets Scout Team

LHP-1B Jeremie Sabourin 6-0 170 R/L 2027 Northern Pre-University Vaudreuil, Que.

Chicago White Sox Scout Team

LHP Antoine Boucher L/L 2029 6-0 170 Northern Pre-University Montreal, Que.

Ghost National

OF-1B Jayden Duchaine 6-1 190 R/R 2027 Northern Pre-University St-Bruno, Que. Seminole State College

INF Maxime Lamarre 5-10 160 L/R 2027 Terrebonne, Que.

OF Nathan Roy 6-4 205 R/R 2027 Beauce, Que.

Ohio Warhawks

RHP Gabe Fink R/R 2027 6-2 175 Edmonton, Alta. Southern Cal

Royals Scout Team 2027

SS Ethan Borovilos R/R 2027 6-1 170 Richview Collegiate Toronto, Ont.

OF Josh Holden L/R 2027 6-4 210 Huron Heights Mount Albert, Ont.

Team Elite - Southeast Alliance

SS Zackary Molinaro R/R 2027 6-0 185 Woodstock, Ont.

Team Georgia

C-OF Zachary Lepine 6-3 190 R/R 2027 P27 Academy Candiac, Que. C-Texas Tech

USG/Elev8 Rawlings National

3B Christian Heffernan R/R 2027 6-3 190 Centennial Puslinch, Ont.

Wow Factor/Toronto Blue Jays Scout 18U

RHP Stiaan Henning R/R 2027 6-4 171 Acellus Academy Oakville, Ont.

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

The Western Canadian Baseball League has chosen its regular season all-star team selections for the 2026 campaign.

The announcement includes First Team, Second Team, Third Team and Honourable Mention rosters consisting of pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders and designated hitters.

Here are the picks, as voted on by more than 20 WCBL coaches and members of the media who cover the league:

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Garryn Plummer (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Infielders: Jake Hiromoto (Swift Current 57’s); Thomas Soto (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Gael Salinas (Saskatoon Berries); Carter Roth (Medicine Hat Mavericks)

Outfielders: Ethan Murdoch (Saskatoon Berries); Cal Gates (Okotoks Dawgs); Elijha Hammill (Sylvan Lake Gulls)

Designated Hitter: Nash Crowell (Okotoks Dawgs)

Starting Pitchers: Westin Walls (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Logan Lynch (Weyburn Beavers); Jacob Glazener (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Relief Pitchers: Brayden Stewart (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Nathan Pisio (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Rob Gurney (Weyburn Beavers)

Infielders: Brady Bye (Regina Red Sox); Johnboy Rittenhouse (Sylvan Lake Gulls); David Simmons (Energy City Cactus Rats); Ricardo Sanchez (Okotoks Dawgs)

Outfielders: Chris Franks (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Charlie Collins (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Hudson Unger (Swift Current 57’s)

Designated Hitter: Eduardo Saenz (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Starting Pitchers: Kaegan Baker (Regina Red Sox); Brody Forno (Okotoks Dawgs); Michael Sall (Saskatoon Berries)

Relief Pitchers: Brooks Jones (Saskatoon Berries); Lucas Huynh (Lethbridge Bulls)

THIRD TEAM ALL-STARS

Catcher: Cardel Dick (Lethbridge Bulls)

Infielders: Brock Laird (Saskatoon Berries); Connor Crowson (Okotoks Dawgs); Kalem Haney (Lethbridge Bulls); Maddox Shaver (Sylvan Lake Gulls)

Outfielders: William Edwards (Moose Jaw Miller Express); Landon Kauffman (Okotoks Dawgs); Steven Fermin (Energy City Cactus Rats)

Designated Hitter: Keagan Knowler (Swift Current 57’s)

Starting Pitchers: Noah Bourgeois (Sylvan Lake Gulls); Derek Archer (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Saul Mata (Energy City Cactus Rats)

Relief Pitchers: Jacob Quiles (Moose Jaw Miller Express); David Gordon (Regina Red Sox)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Catcher: Jacob Wrubleski (Okotoks Dawgs)

Infielders: Frankie Giacalone (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Josh Henson (Saskatoon Berries); Erick Ballenilla (Brooks Bombers); Ben Waliczek (Moose Jaw Miller Express)

Outfielders: Asahi Nakano (Brooks Bombers); Evan Morrison (Medicine Hat Mavericks); Ian Montz (Regina Red Sox)

Designated Hitter: Gavin Panks (Saskatoon Berries)

Starting Pitchers: Kingston Besuijen (Energy City Cactus Rats); Zachary Desylva (Swift Current 57’s); Owen Fernandes (Brooks Bombers)

Relief Pitchers: Reid Madriaga (Okotoks Dawgs); Gabe Smitherman (Fort McMurray Giants)

October 6, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor underwent surgery on his right wrist on Saturday.

The Mariners reported that Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) is expected to be recovered in time for spring training.

The procedure performed on Naylor is called triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair surgery. It was done by Dr. Jerry Huang at the University of Washington Medical Center on Saturday.

Naylor was hampered by the injury for much of the 2026 season and it contributed to a decline in his power numbers. He belted 10 home runs in 2026 compared to 20 the previous season.

In total, Naylor played in 152 games in 2026 and hit .261 with 58 runs, 23 doubles, 57 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Those 30 stolen bases made him the first major league first baseman to have back-to-back 30-stolen base seasons since George Sisler did it for three straight campaigns with the St. Louis Browns from 1920 to 1922.

Originally selected in the first round (12th overall) by the Florida Marlins in the 2015 MLB draft, Naylor just completed his eighth MLB season. Combining his tenures with the San Diego Padres (2019-20), Cleveland Guardians (2020-24), Arizona Diamondbacks (2025) and Mariners (2025 to present), the Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team grad has batted .268 with 114 home runs, 492 RBIs and 85 stolen bases.

Naylor was dealt to the Mariners by the Diamondbacks on July 24, 2025 in exchange for left-hander Brandyn Garcia and minor league right-hander Ashton Izzi.

Naylor excelled with the Mariners down the stretch in 2025 to become just the fourth first baseman in MLB history and the second Canadian to record 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season (Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, B.C.) was the first with the Colorado Rockies in 1997).

In 12 games in the 2025 postseason, Naylor batted .340, with a .966 OPS and led the Mariners with 16 hits and to within one win of a World Series berth.

He also set several Canadian postseason records, including becoming the first Canuck to have four, three-hit games in the same postseason. In Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, he belted a two-run home run to become the first Canadian to homer against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada in the postseason.

On November 17, 2025, Naylor signed a five-year, $92.5-million contract to remain with the Mariners.