Jays should find out if Ryota Igarashi can be the next Tom Henke

With Bill Caudill faltering as the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer in 1985, general manager Pat Gillick looked within the organization to solve the club’s ninth-inning woes. Fortunately, a bespectacled, 27-year-old fireballer that the Jays had plucked from the Texas Rangers as free agent compensation for Cliff Johnson was dominating International League batters. In 51-1/3 innings [...]

Vladimir Guerrero set to become the 56th player to suit up for Expos and Blue Jays

With Adam Lind demoted and Ben Francisco serving as their primary DH, the Toronto Blue Jays may fast-track future Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero into their lineup. Signed to a minor league contract on May 10, Guerrero, who had been hitting in the Dominican Republic before joining the Jays, reportedly belted a 495-foot home run [...]

But What Do I Know? … Brandon Morrow, Jeff Francis, Mike Sirotka

My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports):  Being named the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer is becoming a lot like being tabbed the starting goalie of the Philadelphia Flyers. No matter who assumes the role, they seem doomed to fail.  I hope Blue Jays [...]

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame presents Tip O’Neill award to Votto and Axford

Last Thursday, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame presented Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto with the 2011 Tip O’Neill Award in Cincinnati prior to the Reds’ afternoon match-up with the St. Louis Cardinals. Votto shared the accolade with Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford, who hails from Port Dover, Ont., who was honoured by the Hall [...]

Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance honours Tom Valcke with President’s Award

Courtesy of CSTA Vancouver – Tom Valcke was named the recipient of the President’s Award by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) on Sunday at the 6th Annual CSTA PRESTIGE Awards Gala held at the River Rock Casino Hotel in Richmond, British Columbia. “We are thrilled to honour Tom, who has truly made a significant [...]

But What Do I Know? … Jose Canseco, Jeff Francis, Tony Fernandez

My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports):  One of the most talked-about items at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., is the jersey that slugger Jose Canseco wore during his spring training stint with the Montreal Expos in 2002. I [...]

Toronto Blue Jay Omar Vizquel has several Canadian links

For the first time in his 24-year major league career, Omar Vizquel is suiting up for a Canadian team. The likely Hall of Famer, who will turn 45 on April 24, won the Toronto Blue Jays’ utility infielder’s job over Mike McCoy. But though the 11-time Gold Glove Award winner hasn’t called Canada his big [...]

But What Do I Know? … Brett Cecil, John Farrell, Tim McCarver

My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (Please follow me on Twitter: @kevinglewsports):  God bless Cito Gaston. He was a successful manager in his own way, but Jays manager John Farrell employed more game strategy in Thursday’s opener than Gaston did in his 10-plus years as dugout boss.  I [...]

Votto’s new contract to dwarf the value of previous highest deals signed by Canadian MLBers

With Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto on the cusp of signing a reported 10-year, $225-million extension with the Cincinnati Reds, here’s a look back at the largest previous contracts signed by Canadians. A second chart is also included that reveals the Canadians that have made the most over the course of their big league careers, [...]

But What Do I Know? … Dustin McGowan, Scott Thorman, Ryan Dempster

My weekly opinions, observations and rants about some Canadian baseball stories (My apologies for the wonky spacing. I can’t figure out how to adjust this): Nobody loves Dustin McGowan’s comeback story more than me, but the Blue Jays’ decision to sign him to an extension is baffling. Perhaps the memory of J.P. Ricciardi low-balling Chris [...]