2024 Program 4

Q&A WITH C’S INFIELDER

NICK GOODWIN

9 GET TO KNOW YOUR CANADIANS FRONT OFFICE STAFF

Meet the team behind our team as we feature those who work around the clock to ensure your best ballpark experience.

14 2024 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

This is your chance to map out the entire summer using our vibrant and colourful Promo Schedule that shows you every single moment this season. A great tool to plan out the games you absolutely HAVE to see this season.

17 ROAD TO THE SHOW

Climbing through the Blue Jays system.

18 TEAM ROSTERS

22 MEET THE 2024 VANCOUVER CANADIANS

This year’s squad is looking to bring home Northwest League Championship #5! Let’s meet this year’s ‘Boys of Summer’!

30 CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

A list of alumni who have gone to 'The Show'

32 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME

A Scorekeeping 101.

34 Q& A WITH RAFAEL OHASHI

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians pitcher Rafael Ohashi.

40 A HALF-CENTURY LATER, ATHLETICS’ DYNASTY REMAINS UNIQUE

The Oakland Athletics won the 1972 World Series, taking down the Reds in seven games. A year later, they beat the Mets in seven. Then, on Oct. 17, 1974, the A’s defeated the Dodgers in Game 5 to secure their third consecutive World Series title. They remain one of only two franchises to enjoy such profound success in a three-year span.

46 BIRMINGHAM’S RICKWOOD FIELD FEATURES BASEBALL’S PAST AND PRESENT

Negro Leagues baseball endured a serious decline in the 1950s and completely died out by the 1960s. Given the passage of time – more than 55 years – it’s not surprising that few of the Negro Leagues ballparks remain in existence.

54 MEET OUR MASCOTS!

The Canadians feature not one, not two, but seven amazing mascots all with their own claim to fame! Take a look at the colourful characters that keeps fans smiling all summer long.

56 KIDS FUN PAGE

Fun kids activities

8,000,000+ Kilometers | 500,000+ Passengers Every year | We're going your way

Whatever the event, no matter how large, Universal has the experience and the fleet to make it happen in comfort and style. From customer shuttles, team buses, student transportation, to major conventions and multi-departure tour programs, we do it all.

FRIDAYS

Gates Open at Noon. First Pitch 1:05 BUY TICKETS

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball League is looking for your help this season. Your assistance will help more than 300 local children between the ages of 6-11 learn a number of life skills on the diamond including teamwork, fair play and how to develop confidence and pride. If you would like to make a donation to Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, please go to www.vancouverfoundation.ca/vancouvercanadians and click on the donate button.

THANK YOU for supporting the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and Vancouver Canadians Baseball League. Because of your generosity, we can move forward and bring a summer of fun and memories to children from right here in our own neighbourhoods.

FRONT OFFICE STAFF

JAKE KERR

CHAIR OF VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jake Kerr attended the University of British Columbia before completing his MBA in Economics and Finance at the University of California at Berkeley. A Canadian business icon, Mr. Kerr has been the recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia for his remarkable contributions to both our country and province.

Taking ownership of the Canadians back in 2007, Mr. Kerr has led the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club to eight (8) franchise attendance records, multiple Larry McPhail Awards for excellence within the Northwest League, and Minor League Baseball’s most coveted accolade - the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, awarded to MiLB’s most complete franchise.

JEFF MOONEY CHAIR OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL FOUNDATION

In addition to his valuable contributions to the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney is Chairman Emeritus and a major shareholder of A&W Food Services of Canadians Inc. Today, A&W is a strategy-driven organization that has grown to over 1,000 locations across Canada. A&W has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada for the past 10 consecutive years, and in 2008, it was honoured to become an official member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club.

Mr. Mooney is an alumnus of both the University of Saskatchewan and Harvard University Graduate School of Business. In 2003, Mr. Mooney received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Medal and three years later was inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame(2006). In 2016, Mr. Mooney was inducted into the B.C. Business Laureates Hall of Fame and this year received the Order of Canada

ALLAN BAILEY GENERAL MANAGER

Allan Bailey has been with the Vancouver Canadians since 2007 and was appointed General Manager on September 5th, 2018 after spending the previous seven seasons as the organization's Assistant General Manager.

Allan has led several departments during his tenure with the C's including the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office and its ticket operations as well as his more recent efforts in the Team Operations handling everything from player housing and travel right through to Information Technology (IT).

Born in Victoria, B.C., Allan was raised on the North Shore and up on the Sunshine Coast. Allan completed his education at McGill University while playing five seasons with the McGill Redbirds baseball program. Prior to university, Allan played for the North Shore Twins of the B.C. Premier League.

STEPHANI ELLIS

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER 2024 is Stephani’s tenth season with the Vancouver Canadians. She was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager in 2019 and was the recipient of the 2019 Northwest League Female Executive of the Year for her work with the C's.

Stephani has led the Canadians Group Sales, Social Media, and Community platforms during her time out at historic Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

After a standout collegiate softball career at California University of PA where Stephani played for the Vulcans, the Prince of Wales Secondary graduate and former Team BC member began her marketing career with the Canadians.

Stephani works in concert with group leaders who expect the Canadians to provide an excellent ballpark experience with each visit to The Nat. Even with the demands that come with that responsibility alone, Stephani still lends her time to the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and its fundraising efforts.

WALTER COSMAN VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING

With more than 20 years of Sales & Marketing experience here in Vancouver, Walter decided to put those skills to work in the sport he's most passionate about, baseball.

With a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick, Walter has worked with Proctor & Gamble, Molson Canada, Granville Island Brewing and Steamworks Brewing.

With a longstanding corporate partnership with the Canadians prior to his arrival in May of 2019, Walter joined the organization fully aware of the standard that has put the C's among the best in Minor League Baseball.

BRENDA

CHMILIAR FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Brenda enters her 16th season at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and her sixth as Financial Controller for the Canadians. She spent the first 10 of those years with Aramark Food Services in the company's financial division, dividing her time between the ballpark and Rogers Arena. Her knowledge of stadium operations thanks to her time with both Aramark and the Canadians have proven to be invaluable during her tenure.

Brenda is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations and is right at home here at The Nat; much of her childhood was spent on local baseball fields up in Kamloops.

JACOB NAKHLEH

MANAGER,

TICKET OPERATIONS

Jacob returns for his eighth season with the C’s and his first as Manager, Ticket Operations.

He first joined the club for the 2016 season, when he began his time with the C’s in the Box Office. Jacob was first hired as a member of the game day staff, then promoted to Box Office Assistant before joining the sales team at the conclusion of the 2021 season. After spending the last couple of years working in sales and community relations, Jacob is excited to be back at home in the Box Office.

Prior to joining the C’s in a full-time role, Jacob graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).

When Jacob’s away from The Nat, you can find him watching Blue Jays baseball, Seahawks football, or dreaming about ice fishing in Saskatchewan.

ROSEMARY ALBERTS COORDINATOR, MARKETING SERVICES

Rosemary enters her first year with the Canadians as a Marketing Services Coordinator. She recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with her Bachelor of Arts in May 2023 and her Master of Management in December 2023.

Born in Richmond, Rosemary was raised in Victoria, B.C. where she grew up playing volleyball. Her previous work experience includes being the Communications & Administrative Coordinator for Athletics for Kids and a Varsity Game Day Statistician for UBC Athletics. She is excited to help the C’s organization in any way she can.

When Rosemary is not at the Nat, she enjoys her time watching the Canucks, kickboxing, or spending time with family and friends.

CHARLENE YAROSHUK ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

Charlene is excited to be entering her sixth season with the Vancouver Canadians as their Accounting Coordinator. In 2020 she graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Growing up in the Vancouver area she spent most of her free time practicing martial arts and currently has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

TYLER ZICKEL

MANAGER OF BROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS

2024 is Tyler’s fourth with the Canadians, seventh within the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 10th in Minor League Baseball.

Before the C's, Tyler served as the Director of Promotions & Entertainment and Radio Broadcaster for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Over the course of three seasons in Manchester, he oversaw the entire ingame presentation and promotions departments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. He has especially fond memories of the 2018 campaign, when he worked alongside current Jays (and former C’s) skipper John Schneider and the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Jordan Romano. He began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communications intern for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm in the California League. He made his professional baseball radio debut with the Storm in 2015 and handled the middle innings of road games for the rest of his tenure. Tyler, his wife Kate and dog Rosie make their offseason home in Portland, OR, where they play copious amounts of pickleball and obsess over the University of Texas Longhorns football season each fall. Born and raised in San Diego, Tyler is a lifelong Padres fan and will always “Keep The Faith.

Proud to support the

AVAILABLE ON THE CONCOURSE AND at THE 3RD BASE CRAFT ZONE

LEVI WEBER HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

Levi―the 2023 Northwest League Groundskeeper of the Year―is no stranger to this circuit, with prior experience as the Head Groundskeeper for the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium. His talents have also taken him to the desert, where he was the Field Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Spring Training facility in Arizona. The Colton, WA native graduated from Washington State University with a Double Major in Turfgrass Management and Vegetable Management and two minors in Horticulture and Agricultural Systems.

In his time away from the ballpark, you can find him on the golf course, weight training or enjoying time with family and friends.

COOPER MISIC CO-ORDINATOR, SALES

Cooper enters his third season with the Canadians and his second season as Coordinator, Sales. He is excited to take on more responsibilities during the 2024 season.

A former Langley Blaze star pitcher who took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston College and Central Washington University, Cooper graduated from CWU with a degree in Sports Management with a Specialization in Business.

When Cooper’s away from The Nat, you can find him enjoying even more baseball, playing golf, or trying out every new restaurant in town.

DREW HOWSON SALES ASSOCIATE

2024 marks Drew’s third season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and second full season in Vancouver. This season will be his first in an office role as a Sales Associate.

After graduating St. Clair College with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and interning with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Drew began his career in professional baseball as a member of the Canadians Grounds Crew. He would go on to gain experience with the Toronto Blue Jays Facility Department, assisting with the renovation and clean-up of Rogers Centre before returning to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Drew is a baseball junkie. He played and coached at many levels in his hometown community of Windsor, Ontario, most notably with the Tecumseh Rangers. In his off time, you’ll usually find him hiking, playing his guitar, or cheering on the Detroit Tigers and his beloved Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

LIAM GUERRIERO

CO-ORDINATOR, SALES

2024 is Liam’s second season with the C’s, and first as a Sales Coordinator. The 24-year old graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from their four-year program.

A native of Waterloo, Ontario, Liam grew up playing competitive hockey for the Waterloo Wolves. He loves playing and watching hockey, baseball, golf and football. He’s a fan of the Boston Bruins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Browns and Rory McIlroy.

IZZY DINO SALES ASSOCIATE

Izzy joins the C’s as a Sales Associate for the 2024 season. She recently graduated from Seattle University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media Studies. A native of North Vancouver, Izzy grew up playing competitive softball in both Vancouver and Richmond. She went on to log five NCAA Division I seasons between the University of Hawaii and Seattle University. In her spare time, she coaches youth softball pitchers on the North Shore. Izzy’s hobbies include watching and playing softball, yoga, going to the beach, and travelling to new places.

ZACH MAHAFFY SALES ASSOCIATE

Zachary returns to The Nat for his third season with the Canadians and his first in sales. He spent the previous two seasons as Box Office Assistant for the club.

In April 2023, Zachary graduated with a BBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, concentrating in Marketing and Strategic Analysis.

A native of Surrey, Zachary played rep hockey with Semiahmoo MHA from U15 to U18, while also playing one season in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with the White Rock Whalers and Port Moody Panthers. During the baseball offseason, Zachary officiates hockey, from U15 all the way up to the Pacific Junior Hockey League. He achieved his Member High Performance certification with Hockey Canada in December 2023.

JUNE 16 | 1:05

CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY WITH

BROOKS PRIMO TRAVIS PORTER CAMERON CARELSE

ADAM HAUXWELL

2024 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

CRAFT CORNER ICE COLD - FRESH BEER -

LOCATED IN THE -

3RD BASE FOOD COURT

PROUDLY SERVING

ROAD TO THE SHOW

Baseball players work their way up through the organization in hopes of getting to the big leagues. Toronto is in the American League and pulls its talent from these teams.

JOHN SCHNEIDER MANAGER

MARK BUDZINSKI FIRST BASE COACH

GIL KIM FIELD COORDINATOR

LUIS RIVERA THIRD BASE COACH

DON MATTINGLY BENCH COACH

HUNTER MENSE ASSISTANT HITTING COACH

PETE WALKER PITCHING COACH

DAVE HUDGENS MAJOR LEAGUE HITTING STRATEGIST

MANAGER CASEY CANDAELE BENCH COACH DONNIE MURPHY HITTING COACH RYAN LONG

GUILLERMO MARTINEZ HITTING COACH

JEFF WARE ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, BULLPEN

ADAM YUDELMAN MAJOR LEAGUE COACH ALEX ANDREOPOULOS BULLPEN CATCHER

PITCHING COACH DREW HAYES

POSITION COACH JUSTIN ECHEVARRIA

DAVID HOWELL ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, STRATEGY

HURTADO BULLPEN CATCHER

BULLPEN COACH ANTHONY GOMEZ

MANAGER CESAR MARTIN BENCH COACH JAKE MCGUIGGAN

HITTING COACH MITCH HUCKABAY

PITCHING COACH JOEL BONNETT

BRENT LAVALLEE MANAGER

BARRETO BENCH COACH

WRIGHT HITTING COACH

GEISON URBAEZ NAMED NWL PITCHER OF THE WEEK MAY 6-12

Five scoreless and hitless innings opposite Everett make him first C’s hurler to earn honor

VANCOUVER, BC – Minor League Baseball named Canadians starter Geison Urbaez as the Northwest League Pitcher of the Week for May 6-12 after he twirled five scoreless and hitless innings against the Everett AquaSox [Mariners] on May 8. He was the first C’s pitcher to earn the weekly honor this year.

Urbaez, 23, was as dominant as any Canadian has been so far this year. After working around command issues in the first – two walks and a wild pitch had runners at the corners with two outs – the right-hander retired the next ten batters and struck out five along the way. The only other base runner that reached was a one-out walk in the fifth that Urbaez stranded to end his outing. His performance continued a strong start for the Cabral, DR native. Urbaez missed all of 2023 with an injury but posted a 2.25 ERA in 12 April innings, struck out nine, walked five and limited league opponents to a .171 average across three starts. He has yet to allow a home run.

PITCHERS HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ‘22 CLUBS ACQUIRED

30 Alex Amalfi 6-1 185 R/R 23 02/18/01 Ashland, MA Dunedin MiLB FA, 07/26/22

35 Lazaro Estrada 6-0 200 R/R 25 04/24/99 Havana, CUB Dunedin INT FA, 01/04/18

11 Pat Gallagher 6-0 200 R/R 23 06/30/00 Leominster, MA Dunedin, Vancouver 11th, ’22, Connecticut

3 Ryan Jennings 6-0 190 R/R 24 06/23/99 New Braunfels, TX Dunedin, Vancouver 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

9 Justin Kelly 6-1 210 R/R 25 12/02/98 Salt Lake City, UT Vancouver ND FA, 07/21/21

25 Conor Larkin 6-1 215 R/R 25 03/17/99 Royersford, PA Vancouver 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

28 Johnathan Lavallee 6-4 240 R/R 24 08/11/99 Simi Valley, CA Fort Myers (MIN) MiLB FA, 02/02/24

26 Chris McElvain 6-0 205 R/R 23 09/15/00 Thompson Station, TN Daytona, Dayton (CIN) Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24

17 Kevin Miranda 5-10 180 R/R 25 11/14/98 Dolega, PAN Dunedin, Vancouver INT FA, 08/04/22

40 Josh Mollerus 6-3 215 R/R 24 10/06/99 Campbell, CA Dunedin 10th, ’23, Oregon

32 Rafael Ohashi 6-1 185 R/R 21 10/08/02 Mogi Guacu, BR Dunedin INT FA, 07/02/19

4 Naswell Paulino 5-11 205 L/L 23 4/17/00 San Cristobal, DOM Vancouver INT FA, 07/04/16

18 Carson Pierce 6-3 215 R/R 22 09/10/01 Edmond, OK College, FCL, Dunedin ND FA, 08/04/23

16 Kendry Rojas 6-2 190 L/L 21 11/26/02 Ciego De Avila, CU Dunedin INT FA, 10/14/20

23 Rafael Sanchez 6-1 215 R/R 24 08/22/99 Antilla, CUB Dunedin, Vancouver INT FA, 05/13/22

34 Grayson Thurman 6-3 205 R/R 25 12/27/98 Lynch Station, VA Dunedin, New Hampshire MiLB FA, 03/24/23

10 Anders Tolhurst 6-4 190 R/R 24 09/13/99 Santee, CA FCL, DUN, VAN 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont

36 Geison Urbaez 6-1 185 R/R 23 07/05/00 Cabral, DOM DNP INT FA, 10/14/20

20 Chay Yeager 5-11 180 S/R 21 09/11/02 Fort Wayne, IN FCL, Dunedin 12th, ’23, Pasco-Hernando State JC

CATCHERS (3) HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ‘23 CLUBS ACQUIRED

19 Jommer Hernandez 5-11 205 R/R 23 10/20/00 Puerto Plata, DOM Vancouver MiLB FA, 09/08/21

31 Jackson Hornung 6-2 215 R/R 23 02/06/01 Ashland, MA College, Dunedin 16th, ’23, Skidmore

INFIELDERS (6) HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ’23 CLUBS ACQUIRED

21 Jean Arnaez 5-10 175 R/R 21 08/22/02 Aguadulce, PAN Dunedin INT FA, 7/2/19

15 Jamari Baylor 5-11 195 R/R 23 08/25/00 Richmond, VA JS (PHI), ACL (COL), FRE (COL), SPO (COL) MiLB FA, 05/22/24

1 Nick Goodwin 6-1 205 R/R 22 09/06/01 Overland Park, KS College, DUN, VAN 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State

14 Estiven Machado 5-10 190 S/R 21 10/04/02 Barlovento, VEN Dunedin INT FA, 7/3/19

22 Ryan McCarty 5-9 185 R/R 25 04/22/99 Yardley, PA Dunedin ND FA, 7/26/22

15 Brennan Orf 6-4 230 L/R 22 09/06/01 Wildwood, MO College, Dunedin 13th, ’23, So. Illinois-Edwardsville

5 Glenn Santiago 5-11 185 R/R 23 - 12/14/00 Guanica, PR Vancouver, Dunedin 10th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR)

7 Jeff Wehler 6-0 195 R/R 25 01/10/99 St. Marys, PA College ND FA, 6/9/23

OUTFIELDERS (4)

8 Jace Bohrofen 6-2 205 L/R 22 10/19/01 Oklahoma City, OK College, FCL, Dunedin 6th, ’23, Arkansas

6 Dasan Brown 6-0 195 R/R 22 9/25/01 Oakville, ON Dunedin, Vancouver 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

27 Dylan Rock 6-0 210 R/R 25 08/21/98 Sugar Land, TX FCL, DUN, NH 8th, ’22, Texas A&M

24 Jaden Rudd 5-11 190 L/L 21 08/16/02 Panama City, FL Dunedin 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

TOR SYSTEM: BUF – AAA | NH – AA | VAN – A+ | DUN – A | FCL – R

PRONUNCIATIONS: Devereaux – dev-er-row | Leam – Liam | Pardinho – par-DEEN-yo | Naswell – NAZ-well | Anders – AND-ers Jommer – YOE-murr | Kekai – KAY-kai | Doughty – dough-dee | Kasevich – KASS-uh-vitch | Estiven – es-STEVEN | Wehler – WHALE-er Dasan – duh-SAWN | Angel – awn-hell | B. Lavallee – luh-VALLEY | Deiferson – DAY-fer-son | Bibens-Dirkx – BIB-ins DURKS | Stephenson – Stevenson

MANAGER: 33 Brent Lavallee

BENCH COACH: 13 Deiferson Barreto

PITCHING COACH: 29 Austin Bibens-Dirkx

HITTING COACH: 12 Ryan Wright

POS. PLAYER COACH: 2 Ashley Stephenson

BULLPEN COACH: XX Carson Phillips

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Bailey Forst

ASSISTANT S&C: Zane Hunt

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Rob Shifrin

MENTAL COACH: Raul Pimentel

ATHLETIC THERAPIST: Katie Reyes

TECH ASSISTANT: Cristian Cordova

NO. PITCHERS

18 Brady Choban RHP 6-5 240 09/16/2000 NDFA-8/23 (U, of Rio Grande) Rittman, OH Barberton, OH

27 Chris Clark RHP 6-4 200 08/14/2001 Draft-5th/2023 (Harvard) Wayne, PA Reston, VA

55 Ryan Cousteiu RHP 6-0 200 11/28/2000 Draft-7th/202q (Arkansas) Clayton, CA Walnut Creek, CA

20 Carlos Espinosa RHP 6-2 190 08/08/2001 Trade w/ HOU (1131/2024) Najasa, Cuba Najasa, CUB

15 Leonard Garcia LHP 6-2 165 08/11/2003 INTL FA-signed 8/2019 Barcelona, Venezuela Anzoategui, VEN

7 Joel Hurtado RHP 6-2 80 02/06/2001 INTL FA-signed 6/2022 Puerto Plata, DR Puerto Plata, DOM

10 Jorge Marcheco RHP 6-1 185 08/06/2002 INTL FA- signed 9/2021 San Cristobal, DR Bayamo, CUB

28 Quinton Martinez LHP 6-4 190 01/23/1999 NDFA-7/22 (Charlotte) Orlando, FL Orlando, FL

31 Camden Minacci RHP 6-3 215 01/14/2002 Draft-6th/2023 (Wake Forest) Tampa, FL Orlando, FL

24 Dylan Phillips LHP 6-0 220 06/16/1999 Draft-8th/2022 (Kansas St, ) Omaha, NE Omaha, NE

30 Erik Rivera LHP 6-2 200 04/02/2001 Draft- 4th/2019 (PR BSB Academy) Caguas, PR Caguas, PR

11 Jake Smith RHP 6-4 189 10/04/1999 Draft-61h/2021 (U. of Miami [FL]) Chapel Hill, NC Chapel Hill, NC

23 Jared Southard RHP 6-2 220 10/04/2000 Draft-12th/2022 (Texas) Leander, TX Austin, TX

29 Willian Suarez RHP 6-3 210 03/21/1998 Rule 5- 2022 (from SF) Azua, DR Santo Domingo, DOM Ben Thompson RHP 6-0 223 01/17/2002 MiLB FA-signed 7/2023 South Bend, IN South Bend, IN

14 Walbert Ureña RHP 6-0 170 01/25/2004 INTL FA-signed 3/2021 San Pedro de Macoris, DR Mao, DR

NO. CATCHERS B/T HT WT DOB ENTERED ANGELS ORG. RESIDES BIRTHPLACE

3 Kevin Bruggeman R/R 5-9 185 07/25/2001 NDFA - 7/23 (Hofstra) Trumbull, CT Stamford, CT

26 Renaldo Flores R/R 6-0 175 05/17/2002 Rule 5-2022 (from SF) Cagua, Venezuela Maracay, VEN

12 Caleb Pendelton R/R 6-2 190 04/05/2002 NDFA-7/23 (Florida Atlantic) Palm City, FL West Chester. PA

9 Alberto Rios R/R 6-0 203 03/19/2002 Draft-2nd/2023 (Stanford) Bellflower, CA Lynwood, CA

NO. INFIELDERS B/T HT WT DOB ENTERED ANGELS ORG. RESIDES BIRTHPLACE

12 Andy Blake R/R 6-4 205 08/15/2000 NDFA-7/23 (Columbia U, ) Hopewell, NJ Trenton, NJ

22 Matt Coutney L/R 6-1 230 07/08/1999 Draft-101h/2022 (Old Dominion) Wetaskiwin, AB, Canada Wetaskiwin, AB, CAN

4 Caleb Ketchup R/R 5-10 160 01/04/2002 Draft-15th/2023 (Lipscomb) Atlanta, GA Jonesboro, GA

46 Mason Martin L/R 6-0 220 06/02/1999 MiLB FA-signed 4/2024 (PIT org) Kennewick, WA Kennewick, WA

Will McGillis R/R 6-3 200 01/16/1999 Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque, NM

19 Cam Williams S/R 5-10 195 02/08/2004 MiLB FA-signed 4/2024 (LAA org) Odessa,FL Miami, FL

NO. OUTFIELDERS B/T HT WT DOB ENTERED ANGELS ORG. RESIDES BIRTHPLACE

1 Werner Blakely L/R 6-3 185 02/21/2002 Draft - 4th/2020 (Edison HS) Detroit, Ml Detroit, Ml

6 Shane Matheny L/R 6-1 205 06/05/1997 MiLB FA-signed 4/2024 (SF org) Bremerton, WA SBremerton, WA

13 Jorge Ruiz L/L 5-10 165 06/30/2004 INTL FA-signed 5/2021 San Cristobal, DR Valencia, VEN

32 Jadiel Sanchez S/R 6-2 185 05/10/2001 Trade w/PHI (8/2/2022) Arroyo, PR Arroyo, PR

2 Joe Stewart R/R 6-4 205 05/06/1998 Draft-9th;2022 (Michigan) Portage, Ml Kalamazoo, Ml

NO. FIELD STAFF

21 Willie Romero - Manager

33 Hiram Bocachica - Pitching Coach

49 Ron Villone - Hitting Coach

5 Trevor Nyp - Infield/1B Coach

Koki Ikeda - Athletic Trainer

Mike Milgrew - Strength and Conditioning

Michael Snow - Game Planning Strategist

Spencer Bayes - Video Assistant

Joseph Rossman - Clubhouse Manager

Joe Creason - Assistant Clubhouse Manager

FIELD STAFF

BRENT LAVALLEE 33 MANAGER

• Entering his second year as Manager in Vancouver, coming off a 67-62 campaign... Served as a Manager for the first time in 2021 while with the FCL Blue Jays...Played at LSU Shreveport until 2009 and joined their coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant in 2010...Started as a full-time assistant in 2012 and was named the Head Coach in 2016...In three years, his teams produced with an overall record of 126-57 and claimed the last two conference championships.

• The North Delta, British Columbia, native played for LSU for five seaons, including a medical redshirt campaign...Played a total of 200 games and earned 2009 1st Team All-Canada while runner up for Canadian College Baseball Player of the Year.

DEIFERSON BARRETO 13 BENCH COACH

• Moving up to Bench Coach after spending the last two seasons as Position Coach for the DSL Blue Jays...Started his coaching career in 2018 with Advanced-A Dunedin by assisting the coaching staff...In 2019, was assigned as Assistant Pitching Coach at The Toronto Blue Jays Dominican Academy...That July, he transitioned to the infield coach for the J2 signed players...In 2020, served as Infield Coach for the Dominican Academy and was instrumental in assisting the club with the Venezuelan players who were unable to get back home because of the pandemic.

• Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in September of 2011....Played as an infielder in the Blue Jays system from 2012-2017, reaching as high as Triple-A Buffalo..

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX 29 PITCHING COACH

• Officially retired in January and is entering his first year in professional baseball as a coach, taking on Bullpen Coach for Vancouver.

• The native of Salem, OR, was selected out of the University of Portland by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round of the 2006 draft...Eventually reached the Majors for 37 games while with Texas in 2017 and 2018... Has also pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League, the Dominican Winter League, the Mexican League, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

RYAN WRIGHT

HITTING COACH

• Made his Minor League coaching debut in 2021, in his current role, after his debut with Class-A Lansing was cancelled in 2020...Began his coaching career at Capital High School in Boise, ID, from 2015-2016... Was a Graduate Assistant at California State University Northridge in 2016... Joined the organization from Montana State University Billings where he was on staff since 2017... Served as the Hitting Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at MSUB...Has also managed the Spearfish Sasquatch Baseball Club in Spearfish, SD (2018-2019), and the Kelowna Falcons Baseball Club in Kelowna, BC (2019).

• Played collegiately at the University of Utah, Treasure Valley Community College, and Oklahoma City University.

ASHLEY STEPHENSON 2 POSITION COACH

• 2024 is Ashley’s second season with the Blue Jays...Follows Jaime (Vieira) Lever as the second female coach in the organization...Coached with the Canadian Women’s National Team since 2018, leading to a Bronze medal at the COPABE Women’s Pan-American Championships in 2019, and was the first woman to manage the Women’s National Team when Canada played against USA in Thunder Bay in 2022...Was also the first woman to coach in the Canadian Futures Showcase, hosted by the Blue Jays baseball academy in Ottawa last year...Made history in November as she became the first woman to capture Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Elite Coach of the Year Award.

• Was an original member of the Women’s National Team in 2004 and played for 15 years...Won four Women’s Baseball World Cup medals (three bronze, one silver), and a silver at the Pan American Games in 2015.

• 2024 Inductee into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

CARSON PHILLIPS 35 BULLPEN COACH

• Joins the Vancouver Canadians for his first season in the organization...Was working at the University of Arizona as a Graduate Assistant Pitching Coach.

• Played at Dixie State University where he completed a Bachelors in Exercise Science... Also attended the University of Arizona.

ROSTER

ALEX AMALFI

HT: 6-1 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 02/18/01

HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 07/26/22

HT: 6-1 WT: 210

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/02/98

HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City, UT

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

LAZARO ESTRADA

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 04/24/99

HOMETOWN: Havana, CUB

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 01/04/18

PAT GALLAGHER 11

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/30/00

HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: 11th, ’22, Connecticut

RYAN JENNINGS 3

HT: 6-0 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/23/99

HOMETOWN: New Braunfels, TX

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

CONOR LARKIN 25

HT: 6-1 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 03/17/99

HOMETOWN: Royersford, PA

23 CLUBS: Vancouver AQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

JOSH MOLLERUS

HT: 6-3 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/06/99

HOMETOWN: Campbell, CA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: 10th, ’23, Oregon JUSTIN KELLY 9

JOHNATHAN LAVALLEE

HT: 6-4 WT: 240

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/11/99

HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA

AQUIRED: ND FA, 07/21/21 RAFAEL OHASHI

HT: 6-1 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/08/02

HOMETOWN: Mogi Guacu, BR

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/02/19

23 CLUBS: Fort Myers (MIN) AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 02/02/24

NASWELL PAULINO 4

HT: 5-11 WT: 205

B/T: L/L

DOB: 4/17/00

HOMETOWN: San Cristobal, DOM

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/04/16

CHRIS McELVAIN 26

HT: 6-0 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/15/00

HOMETOWN: Thompson Station, TN

23 CLUBS: Daytona, Dayton (CIN) AQUIRED: Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24

KEVIN MIRANDA 17

HT: 5-10 WT: 180

B/T: R/R

DOB: 11/14/98

HOMETOWN: Dolega, PAN

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: INT FA, 08/04/22

CARSON PIERCE

HT: 6-3 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/10/01

HOMETOWN: Edmond, OK

23 CLUBS: College, FCL, Dunedin

AQUIRED: ND FA, 08/04/23

KENDRY ROJAS

HT: 6-2 WT: 190

B/T: L/L

DOB: 11/26/02

HOMETOWN: Ciego De Avila, CU

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

RAFAEL SANCHEZ 23

HT: 6-1 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/22/99

HOMETOWN: Antilla, CUB

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: INT FA, 05/13/22

JOMMER

HERNANDEZ 19

HT: WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/20/00

HOMETOWN: Puerto Plata, DOM

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 09/08/21

NICK GOODWIN 1

HT: 6-1 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/06/01

HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS

GRAYSON THURMAN 34

HT: 6-3 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/27/98

HOMETOWN: Lynch Station, VA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, New Hampshire AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 03/24/23

JACKSON HORNUNG 31

HT: WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 02/06/01

HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin AQUIRED: 16th, ’23, Skidmore

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State ESTIVEN MACHADO 14

HT: 5-10 WT: 190

B/T: S/R

DOB: 10/04/02

HOMETOWN: Barlovento, VEN

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/3/19

ANDERS TOLHURST 10

HT: 6-4 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/13/99

HOMETOWN: Santee, CA

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont

KEKAI RIOS 5

HT: 5-10 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/06/97

HOMETOWN: Kaneohe, HI

23 CLUBS: New Hampshire, Vancouver

AQUIRED: Waivers (LAD), 12/7/22

RYAN McCARTY 22

HT: 5-9 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 04/22/99

HOMETOWN: Yardley, PA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: ND FA, 7/26/22

GEISON URBAEZ 36

HT: 6-1 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 07/05/00

HOMETOWN: Cabral, DOM

23 CLUBS: DNP

AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

JEAN ARNAEZ 21

HT: 5-10 WT: 175

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/22/02

HOMETOWN: Aguadulce, PAN

23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/19

BRENNAN ORF 15

HT: 6-4 WT: 230

B/T: L/R

DOB: 09/06/01

HOMETOWN: Wildwood, MO

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 13th, ’23, So. IllinoisEdwardsville

CHAY YEAGER 20

HT: 5-11 WT: 180

B/T: S/R

DOB: 09/11/02

HOMETOWN: Fort Wayne, IN

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 12th, ’23, PascoHernando State JC

BAYLOR 15

HT: 5-11 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/25/00

HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA

23 CLUBS: JS (PHI), ACL (COL), FRE (COL), SPO (COL)

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 05/22/24

GLENN SANTIAGO 5

HT: 5-11 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/14/00

HOMETOWN: Guanica, PR

23 CLUBS: Vancouver, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 0th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR)

JAMARI

JEFF WEHLER 7

HT: 6-0 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 01/10/99

HOMETOWN: St. Marys, PA

23 CLUBS: College

AQUIRED: ND FA, 6/9/23

ROB SHIFRIN HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

JACE BOHROFEN 8

HT: 6-2 WT: 205

B/T: L/R

DOB: 10/19/01

HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, OK

23 CLUBS: College, FCL, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 6th, ’23, Arkansas

KATIE REYES ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

DASAN BROWN 6

HT: 6-0 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/25/01

HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

BAILEY FORST HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

DYLAN ROCK 27

HT: 6-0 WT: 210

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/21/98

HOMETOWN: Sugar Land, TX

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, New Hampshire AQUIRED: 8th, ’22, Texas A&M

HUNT ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JADEN RUDD 24

HT: 5-11 WT: 190

B/T: L/L

DOB: 08/16/02

HOMETOWN: Panama City, FL

23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

BOVILLE DIETICIAN

PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

MANAGER

ZANE

STEPHANIE

RAUL

CRISTIAN CORDOVA TECH ASSISTANT

GLENN HALL HOME CLUBHOUSE

COLE HOWES VISITOR CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club has welcomed more than 800 players onto its rosters since 2000. That’s a lot of guys all striving to one day reach the bright lights of the Major Leagues. Here is a list of every one of our players who has arrived at the game’s highest stage and play in Major League Baseball.

2003 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Rich Harden P 2001 21-Jul Oakland

Neal Cotts P 2001 12-Aug Chicago (AL)

Mike Wood P 2001 21-Aug Oakland

2004 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Santiago Casilla P 2002 09-Aug Oakland

Nick Swisher OF 2002 03-Sep Oakland

Joe Blanton P 2002 24-Sep Oakland

2005 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Mark Teahen INF 2002 04-Apr Kansas City

Dan Johnson INF 2001 27-May Oakland

Omar Quintanilla INF 2003 31-Jul Colorado

Freddie Bynum INF 2000 30-Aug Oakland

Nelson Cruz OF 2002 17-Sep Milwaukee

2006 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

John Rheinecker P 2001 22-Apr Texas

Andre Either OF 2003 02-May Los Angeles (NL)

Chris Mabeus P 2001 29-May Milwaukee

Kurt Suzuki C 2004 12-Jun Oakland

Jason Windsor P 2004 17-Jul Oakland

Jeremy Brown C 2002 03-Sep Oakland

Mark Kiger INF 2002 13-Oct Oakland

2007 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Travis Buck OF 2005 02-Apr Oakland

Jared Burton P 2002 04-Apr Cincinnati

Danny Putman OF 2004 23-Apr Oakland

Dallas Braden P 2004 24-Apr Oakland

Connor Robertson P 2004 17-May Oakland

Marshal McDougall INF 2000 05-Jun Texas

Kevin Melillo INF 2004 24-Jun Oakland

Bill Murphy P 2002 03-Sep Arizona

2008 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Gregorio Petit INF 2004 18-May Oakland

John Baker C 2002 09-Jul Florida

Jeff Gray P 2005 08-Sep Oakland

2009 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Andrew Bailey P 2006 06-Apr Oakland

Landon Powell C 2004 11-Apr Oakland

Tommy Everidge INF 2004 28-Jul Oakland

Brad Kilby P 2005 02-Sep Oakland

Jeff Baisley INF 2005 09-Sep Oakland

2010 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

A.J. Griffin P 2010 24-Jun Oakland

Alexi Ogando P 2004 15-Jul Texas

2011 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Justin Sellers INF 2005 12-Aug Los Angeles (NL)

Anthony Recker C 2005 25-Aug Oakland

Corey Brown OF 2007 06-Sep Washington

2012 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Pedro Figueroa P 2007 21-Apr Oakland

Sean Doolittle P 2007 05-Jun Oakland

Dan Straily P 2009 30-Aug Oakland

2013 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Ian Krol P 2009 05-Jun Washington

Kevin Pillar OF 2011 14-Aug Toronto

Max Stassi C 2009 20-Aug Houston

Michael Choice OF 2010 02-Sep Oakland

2014 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Bo Schultz P 2009 23-Mar Arizona

Marcus Stroman P 2012 04-May Toronto

Aaron Sanchez P 2011 23-Jul Toronto

Dalton Pompey OF 2012 02-Sep Toronto

Daniel Norris P 2012 05-Sep Toronto

2015 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Miguel Castro P 2014 06-Apr Toronto

Roberto Osuna P 2012 08-Apr Toronto

Noah Syndergaard P 2011 12-May New York (NL)

Justin Nicolino P 2011 20-Jun Miami

Dusty Coleman INF 2008 03-Jul Kansas City

David Rollins P 2011 04-Jul Seattle

2016 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Andy Burns INF 2011 09-May Toronto

Matt Dermody P 2013 03-Sep Toronto

2017 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Dwight Smith Jr. OF 2012 18-May Toronto

Seth Frankoff P 2010 09-Jun Chicago (NL)

Ian Parmley OF 2013 23-Jun Toronto

Franklin Barreto INF 2014 24-Jun Oakland

Taylor Cole P 2012 09-Aug Toronto

Tim Mayza P 2014 15-Aug Toronto

Jairo Labourt P 2014 01-Sep Detroit

Carlos Ramirez P 2012 01-Sep Toronto

Richard Urena INF 2014 01-Sep Toronto

Tim Locastro INF 2014 29-Sep Los Angeles (NL)

2018 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Ryan Borucki P 2014 26-Jun Toronto

Justin Shafer P 2014 18-Aug Toronto

Murphy Smith P 2009 27-Aug Toronto

Dawel Lugo INF 2013 30-Aug Detroit

Jose Fernandez P 2014 01-Sep Toronto

Jonathan Davis OF 2014 05-Sep Toronto

Jon Berti INF 2011 26-Sep Toronto

2019 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

John Schneider MGR 2011/14-15 28-Mar Toronto

Travis Bergen P 2015-17 29-Mar San Francisco

Cavan Biggio INF 2016 25-May Toronto T.J. Zeuch 2016 03-Sep Toronto

Lane Thomas OF 2015 17-Apr St. Louis

Ryan McBroom INF/OF 2014 03-Sep Kansas City

2020 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Nate Pearson P 2017 29-Jul Toronto

Dany Jiménez P 2017 23-Jul San Francisco

Patrick Murhpy P 2016 18-Sep Toronto

Ángel Perdomo P 2015 18-Aug Milwaukee

2021 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Josh Palacios OF 2016 09-Apr Toronto

Alek Manoah P 2019 27-May Toronto

Riley Adams C 2018 08-Jun Toronto

Tayler Saucedo P 2015 17-Jun Toronto

Nick Allgeyer P 2018 02-Jul Toronto

Otto López INF 2018 17-Aug Toronto

2022 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Zach Jackson P 2016 9-April Oakland

Zach Logue P 2017 19-April Oakland

Christian Lopes INF 2012 20-April Oakland

Vinny Capra INF 2018 1-May Toronto

Danny Young P 2015 9-May Seattle

Josh Winckowski P 2018 28-May Boston

Jake Fishman P 2017 31-July Marlins

2023 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Samad Taylor INF 2017 18-Jun Kansas City

Spencer Horwitz OF 2021 19-Jun Toronto

Davis Schneider INF/OF 2022 4-Aug Toronto

Hagen Danner P 2021 11-Aug Toronto

Cam Eden OF 2021 21-Sep Toronto

Jose Espada P 2018 24-Sep San Diego

2024 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Addison Barger INF/OF 2021 24-Apr Blue Jays

APRIL 10 SUPPORTING

APRIL 24 SUPPORTING

MAY 8 SUPPORTING

MAY 29 SUPPORTING

JUNE 12 SUPPORTING

JUNE 26 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 7 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 21 SUPPORTING

JULY 3 SUPPORTING

SEPT 4 SUPPORTING

JULY 31 SUPPORTING

HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL GAME

Different fans have different methods of keeping a scorecard, and many use their own notations. But here's a simple method: For example, If the hitter grounds out to shortstop, for example, write in "6-3," which shows the shortstop threw him out at first base. If the hitter flies out to left field, write a "7."

If the batter gets a hit, write in the hit according to which base he reached. Each corner of the box represents a base, with the lowerright corner being first.

If he singles, put a "-" in the lower right. If he doubles, write a "=" in the upper right, and so on. For a walk, use "BB" in the lower right. As the runner advances, mark the appropriate symbol in the appropriate corner.

If a runner scores, put a circle at the bottom of the box, and inside the

1ST INNING

1. SINGLED, ADVANCED ON NEXT BATTER'S WALK, TOOK 3RD ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, SCOREO ON NO. 4 BATTER'S DOUBLE

2. WALKED, LATER FORCED OUT, SHORTSTOP TO SECOND BASE

3. REACHED ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, ADVANCED TO 3RD ON NEXT BATTER'S DOUBLE, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE

4. DOUBLED, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE

5. SINGLED, ADVANCED TO 2ND ON NEXT BATTER'S SINGLE, STOLE 3RD BASE, THROWN OUT ON GROUNDER, SHORTSTOP TO CATCHER

6. SINGLED, STOLE 2ND BASE

7. REACHED 1ST ON FIELDER’S CHOICE

8. POPPED OUT TO 2ND BASE 2ND INNING

9. LEADOFF WITH DOUBLE

1. FLIED OUT TO CENTERFIELD

2. POPPED OUT TO SHORTSTOP

3. STRUCKOUT SWINGING

Umpires use a number of signals. Some of these are familiar and are associated with the Rules of Baseball, like safe, out, foul, etc. These are a few you are likely to see when scoring a game.

1. CENTER FIELDER

2. SHORTSTOP

3. 1ST BASEMAN

4. 3RD BASEMAN

5. RIGHT FIELDER

6. LEFT FIELDER

7. DESIGNATED HITTER

8. 2ND BASEMAN

9. CATCHER

circle put the symbol of the play and/or the player that drove him in. For example, if the No. 5 hitter drives in two runs with a single, mark his single in the bottom right of his box and mark a circle with the number "5" in the boxes of the runners who score (Some people like to use uniform numbers here, so you can tell who did what, even after lineup changes).

At the end of each inning, total the hits and runs for that inning only. At the end of the game you'll be able to add the innings total to get the game score.

SYMBOLS FOR PLAY

Double: Triple: Homerun: Sacrifice: Walk: Strikeout: Called Out on Strikes: Balk: Fielder’s Choice: Hit by Pitch: Wild Pitch:

LEFT FIELDER CENTER FIELDER RIGHT FIELDER

FOUL BALL

FOUL TIP STRIKE OUT

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS

NICK GOODWIN

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE OF C’S PLUS BASEBALL

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians infielder Nick Goodwin.

GOODWIN

The Kansas City, Missouri product grew up in a baseball family with his father David Goodwin having played in the KC Royals organization as a first baseman from 1998-2000. His uncle Mark Goodwin was also an outfielder/first baseman in the Baltimore Orioles system in 1985 and 1986. Nick starred at Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas where he hit .386 with a .483 on-base percentage in his 2019 junior season. He was a key contributor to the Saints regional championship and second-place finish in the 5A State tournament.

There was no senior season for Goodwin as a result of the pandemic in 2020 but he still played ball in the Ban Johnson Collegiate League. He batted .378 with a 1.213 OPS for the Building Champions over 13 games and was named team MVP and First Team All-Star. In addition to getting some action on the diamond, Goodwin put on about 20 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame to allow him to hit for more power.

After his extensive work pumping iron, it was off to college for Goodwin in 2021 where he honoured his commitment to Kansas State, allowing him to stay close to home. He showed a solid all-around game by hitting .277/.355/.482 with 10 home runs to tie the Wildcats single-season record for a freshman. Goodwin also swiped a team-leading 14 bases and that contributed to a season in which he was a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, a Big 12 Conference All-Freshman Team selection and an All-Big 12 Honourable Mention.

In 2022, Goodwin slugged .525 with 11 home runs among his 31 extra-base hits and drove in a team-leading 48 runs batted in and 30 walks. That led to yet another All-Big 12 Honourable Mention. After going to the Cape Cod League in 2021 where he batted .225 in 21 games for Bourne, he made another trip to the Cape in 2022 and fared much better with a batting line of .269/.375/.409 with six homers among 17 extra-base knocks and 22 RBI with Harwich.

A Preseason All-Big 12 Team selection heading into 2023, Goodwin met those expectations by slashing .285/.394/.511 with 12 homers and 57 RBI. Once again, he was an All-Big 12 Honourable Mention and was named a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation Brooks Wallace Award.

Baseball America rated Goodwin as the 158th best prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft and had this to say about him.

“He can impact a game in more ways than one, and also has a solid history of performance in the Cape Cod League. The athletic, 6-foot1, 205-pound righthanded hitter has good strength in his wrists and forearms that produces good bat speed and exit velocities that can reach a maximum near 110 mph. Goodwin is a low-ball hitter and looks to lift for damage, with all of his home runs this spring going to the pull side. Though he has shown the ability to level off on pitches up in the zone, his lower quadrant average speaks much louder. Goodwin is aggressive at the plate but will take his walks. He improved his strikeout rate significantly year-over-year, going from a 23.1% strikeout rate in 2022 to a 13.5% rate in 2022. Defensively, Goodwin possesses instincts and proper actions with an aboveaverage arm that will allow him to stay on the dirt at the next level. Second base may ultimately be his spot, but he will have the ability to move around the dirt and perhaps take on an outfield role as well. He’s a well-rounded player who fits at some point on the second day of the draft.”

On the recommendation of scout Wes Penick, the Toronto Blue Jays would select Goodwin in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft and give him a signing bonus of $236,200.

The orientation camp at Dunedin, Florida awaited Goodwin before he was assigned to the D-Jays. He collected his first run batted in during his first professional game in Tampa on July 29. His second game was Game 2 of a doubleheader that night and registered his first professional hit with a three-run double.

Other Dunedin highlights for Goodwin included driving in the winning run with a 2-for-5 performance against Fort Myers on August 6 and belting his first professional home at Lakeland on August. 9. Also on the Goodwin highlight reel for August 2023 with the D-Jays finishing a double short of a cycle at Clearwater on August 16 and driving in four runs after a 2-for-3 performance against St. Lucie on August 23. He recorded a pair of seven-game hitting streaks from August 5-13 and August 25-September 3.

Goodwin’s year was not done yet though. He was promoted to Vancouver for the final week of the regular season and drew a walk in his pinch-hitting debut at Tri-City on September 5. His first Northwest League hit was a double and he heard ball four twice against the Dust Devils on September 7. He repeated his one-hit, two-walk feat against the Double-D’s and was credited with the game-winning RBI on September 8.

After being named to the C’s playoff roster, Goodwin was pressed into action in Game 2 of the Northwest League final in Everett after a wrist injury to Peyton Williams by entering the game at second base on September 13. Goodwin took one for the team in Game 3 at Nat Bailey Stadium on September 15 before getting on base three times in the clinching Game 4 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a two-run home run to cap off a 10-2 victory on September 16.

That homer was a sneak preview of what fans can expect from Goodwin in 2024. He belted his first regular season home run as a member of the C’s on Opening Night as he connected for a three-run homer in a win over the Hillsboro Hops on April 9. His second dinger of the year came in Game 2 of an April 12 doubleheader but he saved his biggest hit of the homestand for last as he walked off the Hops with an RBI single to cap a five-run rally with two outs in the ninth on April 14.

C’s Plus Baseball was able to speak with Goodwin during the team’s Media Day event earlier this month. This interview has been edited

for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Let’s begin with the draft. You were picked out of Kansas State. Did you have any idea it was going to be the Blue Jays who were going to take you?

Nick Goodwin – No, I had no idea. Actually, I didn’t talk to the Blue Jays a whole lot at all. So when they called my name, it was kind of a surprise to me. But, you know, I was excited. I was ready to get to work. And looking back on it now, there’s no place I’d rather be.

CPB – Did you sense any other teams were interested?

NG – Yeah, there are some teams that I talk to more than others. But at the end of the day, anything can happen in a draft like that. So, yeah, I’m happy with the team that I ended up with. The organization is great and I’ve had a lot of fun since being drafted.

CPB – Your father played minor league baseball and your uncle as well. How valuable was that for you to have their experiences to draw upon?

NG – Yeah, well, first off, I was around guys who knew the game pretty well my whole life so I was getting coached the right way. I was always taught how to play the game the right way. I played for my Dad. He was my coach growing up all the way to high school and my uncle kind of took over. So, yeah, I spent a lot of time with those guys, and they’ve made a big impact on where I am today.

CPB – When did you get started playing baseball? Can you bring us a timeline from your time beginning in baseball all the way up to Kansas State?

NG – Yeah, I started playing since I was like three, five years old, so very young. In high school, I was pretty undersized for a while, so I was kind of a late bloomer. I didn’t have a ton of interest out of high school and ended up going to K-State. COVID summer was a blessing in disguise. I ended up putting on 20 to 25 pounds, which allowed me to go in and start as a freshman at K-State. I had the most fun three years of my life there. I definitely made the right decision there. The coaching staff was awesome. The facilities were great. Big 12 was a great conference. I had a ton of fun playing there.

CPB – You go to Dunedin for the draft camp. How important was that

for you to kind of have a bit of an orientation session after you come off a long season in college ball?

NG – It was fun. I had a good time. I didn’t play summer ball between my K-State season and Dunedin, so I didn’t play summer ball. It took me a little bit to kind of get going just because I hadn’t seen pitching in a while. But once I got going, I felt good, felt strong, was hitting well, playing good defence, and then I got the chance to come up and play with the Canadians for about a week and a half, and that was probably the best atmosphere I’ve played in my entire life.

CPB – What was your experience like with Dunedin? You had some highlights there with a home run at one point.

NG – Yeah, it was a lot of fun. It was my first little taste of pro ball. It was a culture shock. You’re playing with a lot of guys from all over the world, so that was really cool to me. Not a whole lot of fans, though, so you really had to focus more in on the game. I had a good time, though. It was a lot of fun.

CPB – You’re coming down to the last week of the season. Did you have any idea you were going to get called up to Vancouver? How did you find out about it?

NG – No, I had no idea. We were actually in Daytona and just finished our sixth game of the week. We were about to hop on the bus and head back home. And when the manager called, he called me into his office and said I’d be going up for the playoffs. And I was super excited. My parents were actually supposed to come down to Dunedin and watch me play the next day. So they weren’t able to come, obviously. They didn’t come up to Vancouver either. But, yeah, I was super excited.

CPB – What was your sense of the team atmosphere? Things were kind of at a down moment for the team after a tough series against Hillsboro. What was your sense of the team coming in, and getting used to a new set of teammates in Tri-City?

NG – Yeah. Well, like you said, I was coming into a team full of guys that I didn’t know. So I was a little nervous at first. I’d never been in the Northwest before. So I just met all the guys. They’re all super good guys, all the coaching staff. They’re all awesome. I didn’t play the first game so I kind of just got to sit back and watch the game.

CPB – Your first at bat was a pinch-hit appearance which turned out to be a walk. What do you remember about that?

NG – Yeah, that was the game I was talking about where Brent, the manager, told me I wasn’t going to play. So I was kind of just sitting back in the dugout, just kind of watching the game. And he asked me, he was like, ‘You wanted that at-bat?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, sure!’ So I went up there and I was going to take until I got a strike anyway. So I ended up walking. I can’t remember if the guy walked me on four pitches or what. I don’t think I swung the bat once in that at-bat. (Editor’s Note – Nick kept the bat on his shoulder for all five pitches.)

CPB – You weren’t in the lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs but in Game 2, you had to come in after Peyton Williams got hurt. That game wasn’t going as well as you would like but what was that like to enter the game at second base?

NG – Well, in a game like that, you got to be ready for anything. So if some guy goes down, as a reserve on the bench you got to be ready to play every time. So when Peyton went down, I immediately started getting loose because I figured I’d be the guy that they called on to go get in the game. I remember it being pretty cold in Everett so it was a little uncomfortable. It was tough to get loose early on. But, yeah, I felt good. It was fun.

CPB – After getting the split, Game 3 was the 1-0 game. What do you remember about that game because it was a nail-biter.?

NG – Yeah. A super fun game. Really good pitching from both sides. And the biggest moment in the game was when Gabby (Gabby Martinez) hit that ball off the wall and drove in the run so we were all super excited and pumped up about that. It was a fun game to be a part of.

CPB – For Game 4, I was here at the stadium early and the vibe seemed really chill. You guys seemed really confident that you were going to get the job done and you did.

NG – Yeah, we tried to sit back and just be as loose and fluid as we could and just kind of relax, not get too uptight about thinking about the outcome of the game. We knew we had a really good team. We had Jennings (Ryan Jennings) on the bump, who’s really good so we all were pretty confident and felt good about what was to come.

CPB – And you hit the lone playoff home run (for the C’s). What do you remember about that plate appearance?

NG – Not a whole lot, actually. I blacked out when I was running the bases. I remember I had faced the guy in Everett the day before, a couple days before, and I kind of remembered, like, what he threw me. So he had a really good fastball. I fouled off a few pitches and I was a little behind. So I just tried to start early. I hit a hard line drive foul ball down the left field line. So I think it was like a 3-2 count, laid off some tough pitches, and he threw me a fastball. And I didn’t miss it. So, I mean, yeah, I don’t really remember running the bases at all, if I’m being honest but it was awesome.

CPB – I don’t know if you really noticed, maybe the crowd was a little bit louder than usual but another reason why was they also got to win a free burger and root beer at A&W.

NG -See, I didn’t know that until after the game. So that’s why people were really happy to hear that.

CPB – The final play. The ball gets lined out to Josh Kasevich. Were you hoping maybe the ball was going to be hit to you but it gets hit to your right? Take us through what you experienced in that final play of the game.

NG – Yeah, it happened fast. Dude smoked a ball right at Josh, and

that was the end of it. And then we were dogpiling on the mound. So it was an awesome experience, something I’ve never been a part of so it was a lot of fun.

CPB – What was that like being part of the dogpile? I mean, obviously you make sure you don’t get hurt or anything like that.

NG – Yeah, exactly.

CPB – When did it sink in that, ‘Oh my God, we’re champions!’?

NG – Yeah. Well, like I said before, I hadn’t been a part of anything like that before in my life. So to finally be a part of something like that was awesome. And it’s something I’ll remember forever. It was a ton of fun and a great group of guys that accepted me when I came up at that point in the season.

CPB – For the offseason, now that you kind of got your first taste of pro ball, did you do anything differently as far as getting ready for what’s going to be your first full season in pro ball?

NG – Not really. The biggest thing for me, it was the most time I had had off from playing a baseball game my whole life. I think I was at home for like five months. So I just tried to stay consistent with what I was doing. I got a lot of resources I can use back home. Some good hitting coaches, and fielding coaches like that. So just basically just staying consistent with what I was doing.

CPB – Brent Lavallee has said that you’re going to be the man in shortstop to begin the season. How do you see yourself in that role as you’ve also played second base as well. Are you looking forward to playing at the six-spot?

NG – Yeah, absolutely. That’s what I played in college most of my life before that, actually. So I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it.

CPB – If you had to describe yourself as a player, what would be the scouting report on you?

NG – I’m fiery and play with a lot of passion. I hate losing more than I love winning so I’m kind of going to play with a chip on my shoulder as much as I can.

CPB – I saw one major league comp (for you), (former Arizona and current San Francisco shortstop) Nick Ahmed. Do you agree with that comp?

NG – See, I never watched him a whole lot. I’ve seen some video, but I’m not going to comp myself to anyone. I’ll let other people (do that). So if other people are saying that’s who they’re going to comp me with, then I’ll let them. I’ll go with that.

CPB – What would you say is your strongest aspect as a player?

NG – Probably, I would say my arm. I think that’s probably my best tool, I would say.

CPB – What’s it like preparing at shortstop as compared to second base? Is it a huge difference? I mean, it’s middle infield but obviously, you have the longer throw at short.

NG – Yeah, I’d say that’s it. You kind of got to be a little more rangy too and a better arm. other than that, I really think it’s pretty similar.

CPB – Did you have a favourite player growing up?

NG – Not really. I liked Carlos Gonzalez a lot when I was little.

CPB – Favorite major league team? I assume it’s the Royals?

NG – Yeah, the Royals.

CPB – What do you think about them maybe leaving for a new downtown ballpark?

NG – Well, as long as they’re in Kansas City, then, yeah, I don’t care.

Joe Castiglione has called Red Sox games for 41 seasons, the most in Red Sox history. (Courtesy Boston Red Sox)

BY CRAIG MUDER

Passion brought Joe Castiglione to the broadcast booth and fueled him for more than four decades. Patience brought his Red Sox four World Series titles — and Castiglione a place in Cooperstown.

On Dec. 6, Castiglione was named the 48th winner of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters. The longtime radio voice of the Boston Red Sox will be honored at the Hall of Fame Awards Presentation on Saturday, July 20, in Cooperstown as part of Induction Weekend.

“This is nothing that was on the radar ever,” said Castiglione, who in 2023 completed his 41st season behind the mic in Boston, a record for Red Sox broadcasters. “To have my name there in that broadcasters section (of the Hall of Fame) is just amazing.”

PASSION, PATIENCE PAYS OFF FOR 2024 FRICK AWARD WINNER JOE CASTIGLIONE

A native of Hamden, Conn., Castiglione, 76, earned an undergraduate degree at Colgate University and took his master’s degree at Syracuse University — each about an hour from Cooperstown — before beginning his career at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio. After moving to Cleveland to work for WKYC-TV, he began calling Indians games in 1979 before working Brewers games in 1981 and then returning to the Indians booth in 1982.

Joining the Red Sox radio team in 1983, Castiglione has shared the microphone with partners that include Bob Starr, Dave O’Brien, Jerry Trupiano and Will Flemming while also teaching broadcast journalism at Northeastern University, Franklin Pierce University and Emerson College.

A frequent visitor to Cooperstown during trips back to Colgate, Castiglione was awed by the moment after receiving the news that he had won the Frick Award in his fourth appearance on the ballot.

“I didn’t sleep too well (the night before the announcement), and we had a refrigerator delivered this week, so it was a little bit of a hectic time,” Castiglione said. “Then I rode my exercise bike, did my stretching and then sat here and looked at the phone.

“It was more stunning than anything.”

Inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014, Castiglione has called several of the franchise’s historic moments, among them both of Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout games and four no-hitters. He also delivered the final out calls in each of Red Sox’s four World Series wins from 2004 through 2018, including the victory that snapped their 86-year championship drought with the memorable phrase: ‘Can you believe it?’

It was all heady stuff for a broadcaster who arrived in Boston on a one-year contract in what would become Carl Yastrzemski’s final year on the field in 1983.

“I had a one-year agreement, not even a contract until late in the season (in 1983), so I was not counting on being here over 40 years later. I just wanted to get through to the next season,” Castiglione said. “I never thought this would culminate in this great award.

“After 1986, (when the Red Sox fell to the Mets in the World Series), you thought you’d get right back [there] the next year because it was such a strong team. Then it took 18 years to get back and finally win one. Then to happen four times in a 15-year period is amazing.”

Castiglione joins the ranks of fellow Red Sox announcers Curt Gowdy, Jon Miller and Ken Harrelson as Frick Award winners.

In 2022, the Fenway Park home radio booth was named in Castiglione’s honor.

“My first hero was Mel Allen (who along with Red Barber earned the initial Frick Award in 1978),” Castiglione said. “It’s just so meaningful to be in with some of the greats. It’s a tremendous honor.

“I love the game. I love the people in the game and the stories: The scouts, managers and the players. More than anything, it’s the love of the people in the game and connecting with the great fans of Red Sox Nation. The friendships you make, I think, are really what sustains you.”

Those friendships and relationships have produced an unflagging work ethic and energy that continues to resound from radios throughout the Northeast.

“If I had to describe my style,” Castiglione said, “it’s one of passion.”

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Hank Aaron was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1982. (Milo Stewart Jr./ National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

FIFTY YEARS AGO, HANK AARON BECAME KING

On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Stadium played host to one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. Four days after tying Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs, Hank Aaron went deep again to stand alone on the alltime leaderboard.

Years of anticipation and pressure culminated in Aaron’s majestic No. 715, a drive into the Braves’ left-field bullpen. Hammerin’ Hank had dominated the game for two decades, and of his myriad accomplishments on and off the field, dethroning the Babe may have been his greatest feat yet.

“Sometimes, when I’m alone, eating, drinking coffee, I find myself thinking about what Hank Aaron has accomplished,” wrote Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, Atlanta’s manager with 512 home runs of his own and Aaron’s teammate for 13 seasons, in the Atlanta Constitution. “I mean, 715 home runs. That hits me. I start shaking my head and smiling, then look around to see if anybody is looking at me.

“And the homers are just part of it… Name something, this man has done it. He is one super human being.”

Aaron may no longer be the all-time home run king, but half a century later, his record-setting blast deserves another look from a few unique perspectives.

THE MICROPHONES

Commensurate with the occasion, three Hall of Fame broadcasts aired that Monday night contest between the Dodgers and Braves. Milo Hamilton, who would win the 1992 Ford C. Frick Award, called the game for Atlanta. Vin Scully, the 1982 Frick winner, was in town with the Dodgers. And 1984 Frick Award recipient Curt Gowdy treated a national audience to NBC’s Game of the Week.

“It’s 715!,” announced a delighted Hamilton as Aaron’s fly ball cleared the fence. “There’s a new home run champion of all time and it’s Henry Aaron! The fireworks are going. Henry Aaron is coming around third. His teammates are at home plate. And listen to this crowd!”

“Hank Aaron has done it!,” Gowdy echoed. “He has done it!”

“What a marvelous moment for baseball,” Scully exclaimed. “What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the State of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world!

A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South, breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol.”

Aaron’s pursuit of Ruth hadn’t been without controversy. As he approached 715 in the later parts of 1973, some Braves fans had shown a relative indifference toward the Black superstar. And while Aaron enjoyed plenty of support in his quest, he also received death threats from those who couldn’t bear the thought of a Black home run king. The threats had merited a police presence around Aaron for a couple years.

glorious story for baseball, but not so much for the man himself.

“It was about two-and-a-half years, constantly being harassed by the press,” Aaron told David Letterman in 1982 after his Hall of Fame induction. “The same questions: ‘Why didn’t you hit a home run tonight?’ Even if I would go 4-for-4: ‘Why did you take this pitch?’

“It was pressure because if you’ve never played the game of baseball, people don’t realize that you can’t just walk up to the plate and hit a home run every time you want to.”

In the moment, however, reporters and fans, Black and white, flooded the field to celebrate with their hero. Dodgers infielders shook Aaron’s hand as he rounded the bags. Two young male fans joined Aaron in his trot after he passed second base. The mob included Aaron’s Braves teammates and his parents, who embraced him as he crossed home plate.

“Aaron is being mobbed by photographers, he is holding his right hand high in the air, and for the first time in a long time, that poker face of Aaron’s shows a tremendous strain and relief, of what it must have been like to live with for the past several months,” Scully said. “It is over.”

“It’s a marvelous, wonderful, enjoyable moment here in Atlanta,” he continued. “We’re so happy, too, that it could be seen all over the United States. That it will be duly reported all around the world. And I’m sure films of it will be seen around the world, and you can hear Georgia around the world.”

THE MAN

“And I thank God it’s all over with.”

Aaron’s succinct address during the on-field celebration was consistent with Scully’s analysis: The home run chase had been a

Yes, Aaron’s power stroke had often looked effortless, and he had led the National League in home runs four times, but he was not merely a power hitter. Aaron entered 1974 with a career .311 average, tied with Tony Oliva for fourth-best in baseball since his 1954 debut season. He had drawn 1,259 walks and stolen 239 bases — both ninth-best in the sport from 1953-73. And Aaron’s 584 doubles had led the game in that span.

But to demand home runs was to challenge the approach of one of baseball’s most multifaceted offensive weapons.

“I was happy that I got it over with for two reasons,” Aaron told Letterman. “One, for my teammates. And the other was because I wanted to go back and start playing baseball the way I knew how to play it.”

THE WHITE HOUSE

The game eventually resumed with Atlanta leading 5-3 after four innings. While playing left field, Aaron saw his traveling secretary Donald Davis running down the foul line. “The President’s on the telephone,” Davis said.

“What do you want me to do, stop the ballgame?,” Aaron responded. “Just put the President on hold and I’ll be right with him.”

He took the call once he returned to the dugout. “Henry, I would like for you to be my guest at the White House,” said President Richard Nixon. “As soon as possible.”

Of course, Aaron had little free time during the baseball season, and Nixon would resign from office Aug. 9, 1974, amidst the Watergate scandal.

“Hell, I didn’t get there quick enough,” Aaron joked with Letterman.

THE BULLPEN

“The highlight of my major league career was catching Henry Aaron’s 715th home run,” Braves reliever Tom House told USA Today in 2015. “That’s the good news. The bad news was that’s still the highlight of my major league career.”

The left-handed House, a Braves pitcher from 1971-75, saved 33 games and posted a 3.79 ERA in his eight-year career. His contributions to baseball — and sports, more broadly — have come as a coach. House has been called the “father of modern pitching mechanics” for his research and teaching of proper throwing

mechanics. His coaching has changed the careers of Hall of Fame pitchers Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson, as well as quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees, to name a few.

House and his bullpen mates were well-prepared for Hank Aaron’s 715th home run.

“When Babe Ruth’s record was being challenged by Henry in 1973, we divided the area behind the left-field fence, where the bullpen was, into little 10-yard territories,” House said. “The guys with the most big league time got right down the left-field line because Henry pulled most of his home runs. And then the guys with less and less time got closer to center field. We agreed if the ball came to your 10 yards, it belonged to you.”

The home bullpen was prime real estate with Aaron on the brink of history, but Atlanta’s relievers weren’t the only ones aware of this.

Singer Sammy Davis Jr. visited their clubhouse before the April 8 game and preemptively offered $25,000 for the ball — a tempting proposition for House, who was making $11,500 that season — to bring it to his upcoming Las Vegas show.

“Second at-bat he comes up, men on base so Al Downing has to pitch to him,” House said. “I know Al Downing, he’s going to keep the ball away. Something good could happen here.

“Whack! I look and I’m going ‘Holy crap! This ball is coming to me!’ If I would have stood still, it would have hit me in the forehead. The next thing I remember, I’m at home plate, ball in my hand, in front of him. He’s hugging his mom. Tears in their eyes. And I say, ‘Here it is, Hammer.’

“I don’t even think he knew who I was, which is okay with me. It was one of the coolest nights of my life.”

THE HALL OF FAME

That ball and the bat that hit it are on display at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Aaron’s jersey from the game, meanwhile, is featured in “Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream” at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibit, detailing Aaron’s life from his childhood to post-playing days, also includes the bat and ball from home run No. 714.

Aaron returned to Milwaukee for two final seasons and retired with 755 home runs. The ball from his final blast on July 20, 1976, is another valued piece of the Hall of Fame’s exhibit.

As an 18-year-old in 1952, Hank Aaron played shortstop for the Negro League’s Indianapolis Clowns for $200 a month. Thirty years later, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in home runs, RBI and total bases.

Justin Alpert was a digital content specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum receive free admission to the Museum, as well as access to exclusive programs, such as the Voices of the Game Series. Additionally, members receive a subscription to the Hall of Fame's bi-monthly magazine, Memories and Dreams, the annual Hall of Fame yearbook and a 10% discount and free shipping on retail purchases. For information on becoming a member, please visit baseballhall.org/join or call 607-547-0397.

NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

Trivia

1 2 3 4 5

Who is the only player in history with at least 200 homers and fewer than 300 strikeouts?

A. Bill Dickey

B. Wade Boggs

C. Joe DiMaggio

D. Tony Gwynn

Who was the first pitcher to strike out at least 100 batters in 20 straight seasons?

A. Cy Young

B. Dizzy Dean

C. Don Sutton

D. Randy Johnson

Who is the only player in history to play at least half their games at third base while totaling at least 3,000 hits and 450 home runs?

A. George Brett

B. Eddie Mathews

C. Mike Schmidt

D. Adrián Beltré

Who was the first major leaguer to compile both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs?

A. Lou Gehrig

B. Hank Aaron

C. Ted Williams

D. Babe Ruth

Which pitcher won a record 16 straight Gold Glove Awards?

A. Jim Kaat

B. Bob Gibson

C. Mike Mussina

D. Bobby Shantz

S

ince 1939, the Hall of Fame has served as the keeper of baseball’s history, preserving the majesty of The Game for future generations.

ORLANDO HUDSON

JUNE 25

PACIFIC TOYOTA DEALERS

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BY LINA SETAGHIAN

MEET OUR MASCOTS

THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS HAVE AN ARMY OF MASCOTS THAT ARE ALL DESIGNED WITH ONE COMMON GOAL – ENSURE EVERYONE OUT AT HISTORIC SCOTIABANK FIELD AT NAT BAILEY STADIUM HAS FUN! FROM A LOVEABLE BEAR TO A TRIO OF SUSHI THAT ARE READY TO ROCK – NOT TO MENTION A CONDIMENT AND UTENSIL? THE CANADIANS MASCOTS ARE TRULY ONE OF A KIND!

BOB BROWN BEAR

Debut: 2007

Occupation: Canadians’ official mascot

Favourite Pastime: Meeting fans, giving high fives and hugs, posing for photos

About BBB: Makes more than 150 local community appearances every year and named after Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball, Bob Brown who dedicated his whole life to the game we love so dearly.

MR. KAPPA MAKI

Debut: 2008

Occupation: Staying cool, Professional Racer

Favourite Pastime: Attending birthday parties, winning races

Make-Up: Few slices of cucumber wrapped in rice and then rolled in a piece of dried seaweed. Sleek and light - Mr. Kappa Maki is always a tough competitor.

CHEF WASABI

Debut: 2008

Occupation: Chef, professional racer

Favourite Pastime: Running, cooking

Make-Up: Whether you buy wasabi in root form or as a green powder, there is one thing that is for sure - Chef Wasabi is one spicy addition to our Sushi Race!

SADAHARU SOY

Debut: 2015

Occupation: Pot Stirrer, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Cooking, meeting fans, running

Make-Up: Known to add a little saltiness to any meal, Sadaharu Soy was named after the legendary baseball slugger Sadaharu Oh who’s legend is global. Sadaharu is both physical and a little trickly during the sushi races!

MS. BC ROLL

Debut: 2008

Occupation: Pageant queen, professional racer

Favourite Pastime: Beating Chef Wasabi in Sushi Races and hanging out at the ballpark Make-Up: Combination of barbecue BC smoked salmon and fresh cucumber with a little mayonnaise to keep her rollin'.

CHOP N’ STIX

Debut: 2018

Occupation: Hand Tools, Professional Racers Favourite Pastimes: Helping people, racing Make-Up: Renewable, reusable and environmentally friendly! Chop & Stix come to the ballpark to keep the peace between the super competitive sushi and sauce. Connected at the top, Chop & Stix have a few challenges to iron out during the race – but they always get an A for effort.

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