To Koozma from Ty Cobb – Letters to Saskatchewan

Some stories in baseball history aren’t defined by box scores or batting averages but by the unexpected connections that cross generations and geography.

Guest contributor Robyn Jensen looks back at how a teenage boy from Saskatoon befriended baseball legend Ty Cobb.

Short Stop in Saskatchewan

You could call it glove at first sight.

Western Canadian baseball fans may not have realized it at the time, but they were watching the best defensive shortstop since Ozzie Smith take the field.

That summer of 2009, Andrelton Simmons made his way to the town of 15,000 people in Saskatchewan to suit up for the Yorkton Cardinals at Jubilee Park.

Editorial: OK Blue Jays!

The signing of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. to a 14-year, $500-million contract wasn’t just big for the Toronto Blue Jays.

As Joe McFarland opines, it’s huge for the game of baseball across Canada.

Let’s Play Two

It was an event that baseball fans in Saskatchewan had never dreamed was possible, and it went so well that they ended up experiencing it twice.

A press conference in January of 1989 was held at Regina’s Sheraton Centre to announce that the Toronto Blue Jays were coming to play an exhibition game at Taylor Field – home of the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders – in May.

Million-Dollar Arm

John Axford was money on the mound.

And it was a summer in Saskatchewan that made him a millionaire, in more ways than one.

Front-Row Favourite

His sense of humour was just a bit outside for some, but Bob Uecker was a one-of-a-kind baseball comedy legend.

From the ballpark to the broadcast booth to beer commercials, the former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher connected with countless people through the game he loved.

Comedians across several generations, including Johnny Carson and Norm Macdonald, could attest to Uecker’s ability to put smiles on faces.

Puhl Hall

Terry Puhl had a long and successful Major League Baseball career, but the highlight of his journey in the game ended up coming more than 30 years after his retirement.

We chatted with the Melville product about his career and what it was that takes the cake for his favourite moment.

Dutch Treat

Hall-of-Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven spent part of his early childhood years in Saskatchewan.

A rehab assignment decades later brought him back to Western Canada …

Saskatchewan Stalwart

He put the “battle” in North Battleford.

Following a playing career full of twists and turns that showed off his resilience, Andrew Albers has returned to his home province of Saskatchewan and he’s ready for the next chapter of his baseball life in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

The Ax-Man Retires

John Axford officially announced his retirement in a social media post on Tuesday night.

The 11-year MLB hurler was happy to throw his final professional pitch for Canada in last year’s World Baseball Classic.

The Canadian Baseball Network’s Kevin Glew takes a look at the former Melville Millionaire’s announcement.