C'S CHAT WITH CUTTER COFFEY
JULY 2
Supporting local charities in our community
$5 from every ticket sold will go directly to the BC Parks Foundation
extravaganza Fireworks postgame
THURSDAY, JULY 3
FRIDAYS
Gates Open at Noon. First Pitch 1:05 BUY TICKETS
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.
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
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 strategydriven 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
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.
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.
ROB FAI DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING
Rob Fai returns to the Vancouver Canadians in 2025, marking his 15th year with the organization. He has previously served as Communications Director and Broadcaster. In his new role as Director of Sales & Marketing, Rob will focus on expanding the organization’s outreach, managing outgoing sales and sponsorships, overseeing merchandise, and revitalizing the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation. In 2015, Rob was inducted into the Vancouver Canadians Broadcast & Journalism Hall of Fame. He also received Baseball B.C.’s Meritorious Award that same year in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the sport of baseball in British Columbia. During his time away from the organization, Rob hosted weekend programming at 980 CKNW and is currently a faculty member in the Journalism Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Rob's voice is well-known across the province for his work at TSN1040, where he hosted Rob Fai Nation Radio. Additionally, he co-founded Nation Extreme Wrestling, which has become one of Canada’s premier independent wrestling promotions.
JACOB NAKHLEH MANAGER, TICKET OPERATIONS
Jacob joined the C’s for the 2016 season, starting his time at the Nat 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 2022 and 2023 seasons working in sales and community relations, Jacob is thrilled to be back where it all started – working in (and now running) the Nat Bailey Box Office.
Prior to joining the C’s in a full-time role, Jacob earned his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Saskatchewan. When he’s not at the Nat, Jacob can be found dreaming about ice fishing back in Saskatchewan or rooting on his USask Huskies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Seahawks.
ROSEMARY ALBERTS MANAGER, MARKETING SERVICES
Rosemary enters her second year with the Canadians and first as Marketing Services Manager. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with her Bachelor of Arts in May 2023 and her Master of Management in Dec 2023. Born in Richmond, Rosemary was raised in Victoria 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.
TYLER ZICKEL
MANAGER, BROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS
2025 is Tyler’s fifth with the Canadians, eighth within the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 11th in the MiLB. 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 in-game 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, newborn son Archer – who shares a birthday with Nat Bailey himself – 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.”
CHARLENE YAROSHUK
ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR
Charlene has been with the Vancouver Canadians since the 2018 season. She spent her first summer working as a co-op student before transitioning to working full time in the accounting department.
Charlene graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2020 with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Growing up in New Westminster Charlene spent over 10 years practicing martial arts and currently holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Before joining the Canadians she previously worked as an assistant martial arts instructor.
COOPER MISIC
SENIOR COORDINATOR, SALES
Cooper enters his 4th season with the Canadians and his first season as Senior Coordinator, Sales. He is excited to take on more responsibilities and to continue to grow within the Canadians Organization.
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 time in nature, playing golf, or trying out every new restaurant in town.
ZACH MAHAFFY COORDINATOR, SALES
Zachary is entering his fourth season with the Vancouver Canadians. He spent the 2022 & 2023 seasons as Box Office Assistant for the club and transitioned to sales prior to the 2024 season.
In April 2023, Zachary graduated with a BBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, concentrating in Marketing and Strategic Analysis. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, but raised in 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. Outside the Nat, you can find him at your local arena officiating a hockey game, at the gym, or watching the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Blue Jays, or Seattle Seahawks.
DAWSON MARCHAND SALES ASSOCIATE
2025 marks Dawson’s first season with the Vancouver Canadians as a Sales Associate. He is excited to apply his skills and continue growing within the organization.
Growing up in Maple Ridge, Dawson graduated from BCIT in 2024 with a diploma in Marketing Management, specializing in Digital Marketing and Brand Strategy. His passion for sports and marketing led him to pursue a career in the sports industry, where he is eager to contribute to the team’s success.
When Dawson’s away from The Nat, you can find him training in Muay Thai Kickboxing, going to the gym, watching NBA basketball, or cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
DREW HOWSON
COORDINATOR, SALES
2025 marks Drew’s fourth season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and third full season in Vancouver. This season will be his first as a Sales Coordinator after joining the office in an Associate role last season.
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 savant. 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!
BEN LETWIN SALES ASSOCIATE
Ben enters his first year with the Canadians as a sales associate. He will graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Langara College in December 2025.
He formerly worked at Nat Bailey for two seasons on the food service side as a lead cook in the premium third base porch section and is excited about his new role as a sales associate with the Vancouver Canadians.
Growing up in Vancouver, Ben played rep hockey with the Vancouver Thunderbirds and won the AAA Provincials with the team in 2018. Outside of the Canadians, he enjoys playing hockey In the UBC Rec League, playing golf in his free time, and watching the Seahawks and Canucks.
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.
Fireworks NIGHTS
BROOKS PRIMO ASST GROUNDSKEEPER
CHARLIE O’NEILL DIRECTOR, STADIUM OPS
CHRIS GEORGES BROADCAST & MEDIA
NOLAN BOWKER CLUBHOUSE ATTENDANT
CAM CARELSE GROUNDSKEEPER
PHIL CHAN BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT
2025 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
CRAFT CORNER
- LOCATED IN THE -
3RD BASE FOOD COURT
ROAD TO THE SHOW
BRENT LAVALLEE
CATCHER LUIS HURTADO
BY NIALL O’DONOHOE
PUBLIC ADDRESS VOICE OF THE NAT NIALL O’DONOHOE COVERS ALL THINGS
CANADIANS AT
CSPLUSBASEBALL.CA. HE’S BACK ON THE BUMP WITH ANOTHER C’S CHAT, THIS TIME JOINED BY VANCOUVER
CANADIANS INFIELDER CUTTER COFFEY.
The Bakersfield, California native starred as a two-way player at Liberty High School. Coffey showed promise on the mound with a fastball that clocked as high as 94 miles per hour along with a slider in the low 80s, but it was his offensive prowess that carried the day. He batted .442 and clubbed 12 home runs as a senior for the Patriots in 2022 and was a MaxPreps All-California First Team selection. Coffey had a chance to attend the University of Texas but he opted to turn pro instead. Baseball America rated Coffey as the 65th-best player in the 2022 MLB Draft, but the Boston Red Sox took him with the 41st pick.
Coffey—who received a $1,847,500 signing bonus—reported to the Florida Complex League for an 11-game stint, reaching base safely in seven of them and drawing a walk in 17.5 percent of his plate appearances.
The 2023 season saw Coffey spent the majority of it in Low-A Salem where he posted an on-base percentage of .341 in 81 games before being promoted to High-A Greenville in early August.
In 2024, Coffey saw a boost in production after returning to Greenville. After missing part of May due to a concussion, he made some mechanical adjustments to improve his bat speed, in which his 90th percentile exit velocity improved from 98.7 miles per hour in 2023 to 102.5, according to Baseball America. Coffey homered in six straight games in June and won South Atlantic League Player of the Week honours for June 10-16. In 61 games with the Drive, Coffey slugged .463 with 12 doubles and 14 home runs. It was on July 27 when Coffey’s tenure with the Red Sox organization came to a sudden end. That was the day he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for catcher Danny Jansen in a deal that also saw shortstop Eddinson Paulino and righthander Gilberto Batista head to the Jays organization.
CUTTER COFFEY
A plane ticket to Vancouver was handed to Coffey to make his organization debut with the Canadians. Despite recording a hit in four of his first five games with Monty’s Mounties, Coffey struggled with the bat by hitting just one home run in 18 games. However, he finished the season on a high note with a couple of two-hit games to start September. In the postseason, Coffey contributed a pair of hits and drove in the game-winning run in Vancouver’s Game 2 victory over Spokane in the Northwest League Championship Series on September 11.
Back with Vancouver again for 2025, Coffey belted his first home run just two games into the season to help the C’s win their first game of the season at Tri-City on April 5. His two-run shot highglighted a two-hit, one walk effort in a win against Eugene on April 17 to mark three straight games with two knocks. He ended the month with three more multi-hit efforts, including another dinger in a win at Everett on April 27.
Highlights in May included Coffey driving in the winning run with a two-run double as part of a 3-for-4 game in a victory against Hillsboro May 3, and he had another 3-for-4 effort with the GWRBI and a stolen base versus Everett on May 13.
The month of June has seen Coffey heat up with three-run home runs on June 6 and June 7 in victories at Tri-City to start an 11-game hitting streak to end the first half of the season. His most prolific game in that stretch was a 4-for-6 night in a triumph at Eugene on June 17 that included two doubles. Coffey clearly enjoys hitting in June as he is batting well over .300 heading into the final week of the month. It was last June when Coffey slashed .300/.391/.638 for the month with Greenville.
C’s Plus Baseball chatted with the 21 year-old Coffey during the team’s homestand against Spokane. This interview has been edited for clarity.
COFFEY
C’s Plus Baseball – You were part of the Boston Red Sox organization and then the trade deadline comes around, you find out you were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. How did you find out about it?
Cutter Coffey – It was actually during the game, so I was actually pulled from the game and then just had to leave the game pretty much, packed all my things and ended up leaving like the next day, so it was all pretty quick and just happened very quickly.
CPB – It must have been a blur for you. You said all your goodbyes, so you must have had a lot of emotions running through you.
CC – Yeah, I had a lot of buddies on the team, obviously my roommate, my best friend, so we were pretty sad about that, but you know, I was excited for a new chapter and see what was to come.
CPB – Who got a hold of you from the Blue Jays? What did they tell you when they first got a hold of you?
CC – It was the farm director, so my agent ended up calling me, telling me that I was traded. It was actually the Red Sox farm director who first initially told me that I was traded, so I heard from him first and then Joe Sclafani, the Blue Jays farm director. He called me and welcomed me and just told me the plan on everything, that I’ll be coming to Vancouver.
CPB – So you find out you’re coming to Vancouver. How was that process, kind of getting used to a whole new set of teammates? From what I gather, last year was a really good clubhouse and I’m sensing the same thing here this year, but I guess they kind of really made you feel welcome off the bat?
CC – Yeah, I’m a pretty quiet guy, so I was pretty quiet last year. But I’ve become more comfortable this year around the guys, just getting to know them through spring training and everything. Spending those two months with them, which helps a lot, It’s a very good group of guys.
CPB – How has it been playing here at Nat Bailey Stadium? Was it anything compared to what you’ve been through before?
CC – Yeah, we got a pretty good crowd usually with the Red Sox high team, so I mean, I was used to it. But I mean, this atmosphere is just a whole lot better, like the fans are more into it, and I feel like the seats are just right on top of you, so it makes it a lot better.
CPB – You had your one home run here at Nat Bailey Stadium. I’m sure it took a bit of getting used to, but what do you remember about that?
CC – Yeah, I got off to a slow start here, but I mean, I got a hold of that one, which was nice in front of a good crowd too, so that was a good feeling, but I didn’t really end the season the way I wanted to.
CPB – But you certainly made some contributions during the postseason run. I know the end result wasn’t what you wanted, obviously not what anybody wanted here for Vancouver, but you helped out in that game two victory, so at least in a way, the season did end on a bit of an up note for you.
CC – Yeah, there was a good experience going to the playoffs, just a great experience playing here in front of all those fans. It was sold out, I’m pretty sure, so that was just a great experience overall.
CPB – You’re playing Spokane here for the first time since the Northwest League final. I’m sure it brings back a lot of memories. What stands out to you when you look back on it?
CC – I’d say it’s like some of the same team, but a lot of new faces I see. I feel like that our team now as a whole, we’re playing good ball right now, which is really good to see, and it’s really fun in the clubhouse.
CPB – So you complete your first year with the Blue Jays, what did they tell you to focus on the offseason?
CC – Just like a power development program, stuff like that. Just improving my power, bat-to-ball skills, stuff like that. Use weighted bats in the offseason, things like that to help my bat speed, so I’ve been doing that for the past year, I’d say, which I think has helped my game a lot.
CPB – The Player Development Complex, what were your impressions when you first walked in there?
CC – That place is beautiful, it’s all brand new. Beautiful place for sure, definitely an upgrade from the Red Sox complex. Even though the Red Sox complex is nice, this one’s just the best in baseball.
CPB – I have heard of the Trajekt machine. How has it helped you become a better ball player?
CC – Yeah, I do like the Trajekt, just being able to see the pitcher, his arm motion, things like that, from a full distance of what you would see in the game, so it’s the best simulation for a real game experience.
CPB – Are you a big analytics guy? Do you pay attention to stuff like launch angle, or exit velocity?
CC – Not really, I mean, exit velocity here and there, just because sometimes you like to see how hard you hit the ball, but other than
that, not really.
CPB – You had a really good power surge last year (before arriving in Vancouver), I believe it was home runs in five or six straight games, what do you remember about that stretch, and what was working for you then?
CC – I’m not sure what it was, I was just seeing the ball really well that week, just getting good spin on the ball. Good launch angle, like you said. That was just a really good week for me overall.
CPB – What is your approach when you step into the batter’s box? What are you looking to do?
CC – I’m looking to just drive the fastball the other way, and then just kind of put the off-speed, like pull side, really. I mainly like to sit on the off-speed pitches more, and just react to the fastball, just because my hands are pretty quick, I can usually tend to get to those fastballs. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but I just stick to my plan.
CPB – Have you found it a big difference from the High-A level in Boston to High-A here? Have you noticed a huge difference in terms of the quality of play?
CC – I don’t think so. I think a lot of the guys in this league, I feel like are older over here, compared to the eastern leagues. I’m not sure why, maybe just because those teams over there draft younger guys, maybe things like that, less college guys. But I mean, overall, the competition, I’d say, is equally the same.
CPB – The team has been hitting a lot of home runs lately, but at the start of the year, most of the home runs are coming on the road. What has it been like hitting here at Nat Bailey Stadium?
CC – It’s definitely a good place to see the ball, a great batter’s eye obviously, but you know the ball doesn’t fly as well as other places. It’s a pretty big park, so you really got to pull it as a righty to get it out of here.
CPB – You go from the opposite in Nat Bailey Stadium where it’s hard to hit one out, to Everett, where it seems like any fly ball’s got a chance to go out of the yard. How does that impact your approach as a hitter?
CC – I think it’s good for me because the short porch is in right field, so I’m not like trying to just pull everything, so I mean for me, I think trying to go opposite field works best for me.
CPB – Defensively, we’ve seen you at third base, we’ve seen you a little bit at short, we’ve seen you a bit at second, do you have a preference?
CC – No, not at all. I kind of like to just bounce around positions, it doesn’t really matter where I play, so wherever I’m in the lineup, that’s where I take my reps at that day, and usually feel pretty comfortable at every position.
CPB – What are the big responsibilities for getting ready when you know you’re going to be at a certain position that day?
CC – Yeah, I mean the good thing is I grew up playing all these positions, so it’s not like I’m new to all of them. Usually just during BP, like live reps while the guys are taking batting practice is what helps the most. Just getting live reps from each spot.
CPB – How have you found the field here, after it was revamped (during the off-season)? Have you noticed a big difference as far as you’re playing?
CC – Yeah, this surface is unbelievable. It’s a great field, probably the best I’ve played on in minor league baseball. It’s unbelievable, these guys do a great job over there, so it’s really good to be able to play here.
CPB – Compared to other surfaces, I know in Everett they have the artificial turf, how big an adjustment is that playing you know from grass to turf?
CC – It really is, like usually on Tuesdays, when we first get there, we’ll be taking ground balls, things like that, balls are bouncing a lot differently. Guys are just missing balls, but it just takes a couple of reps to get used to it. Other than that, it’s not that big of a difference.
CPB – Would you consider Everett in a way to be the Fenway Park of the Northwest League?
CC – Yeah, I would, a little bit. Yeah, I could see that for sure, definitely a pretty big wall with a short fence, so I could see that.
CPB – I know the answer will be Nat Bailey Stadium to your favourite park in this league, but would you say you have a second favourite park in the Northwest League?
CC- Second favorite in the Northwest League? Yeah. Let’s see, it’s probably Spokane. Okay. Spokane’s pretty nice, probably the second best, yeah.
CPB – Speaking of other ball parks, what would you say has been the nicest one before you came here?
CC – The Red Sox Hi-A, the Greenville Drive, (Fluor Field) is like a replica of Fenway. It’s beautiful.
CPB – Getting drafted in the second round, what do you remember about your draft day experience?
CC – Oh, that was a crazy day. Just had my family over, a couple of friends, nothing too big, but it was definitely a good, crazy experience. Obviously, not going to college was a big decision, but at the end of the day, I think it was best for me.
CPB – Did you have a favorite major league team growing up or a favorite player?
CC – I was actually a Red Sox fan growing up. I was a big Dustin Pedroia fan.
CPB – Final question I want to ask. All the different uniforms that the Canadians have—white, red, black, blue, gray, lumberjack, do you have a favourite?
CC – I honestly really like the blue ones. I feel like a lot of guys don’t just because they’re a little smaller, but my jerseys are kind of on the
CUTTER COFFEY FILE
Born – May 21, 2004, in Bakersfield, California Height/Weight – 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
Bats/Throws – Right/Right
Uniform Numbers – Wore number 41 with the Florida Complex League Red Sox in 2022, wore number 5 with the Low-A Salem Red Sox in 2023, wore number 3 with the Greenville Drive in 2023 and 2024. Wore number 21 with the Vancouver Canadians in 2024. Professional Debut – August 9, 2022, for the FCL Red Sox at FCL Pirates. Drew a walk against Alessandro Ercolani in his first plate appearance. First Professional Hit – August 20, 2022, for the FCL Red Sox at FCL Twins. Singled against Wilker Reyes. First Professional Home Run – June 7, 2023, for the Salem Red Sox at Columbus Fireflies against Ben Kudrna.
C’s Debut – July 31, 2024, versus the Tri-City Dust Devils. Hit by pitch on the first pitch he faced from Chris Clark. Later walked in second at-bat against Clark and had RBI single against Dylan Phillips.
First C’s Home Run – August 20, 2024, versus the Everett AquaSox. Homered against Marcelo Perez.
Walkup Music – “The Way I Are” by Timbaland Twitter – @cuttercoffeyInstagram – @cuttercoffey
39 Edinson Batista 6-2 210 R/R 22 – 05/19/02 Santiago, DOM Asheville (HOU) Trade w/HOU, 04/01/25
25 Bo Bonds 5-11 200 R/R 24 – 01/10/01 Live Oak, FL DUN, VAN 13th, ’22, Louisiana-Lafayette
4 Irv Carter 6-4 210 R/R 22 – 10/09/02 Fort Lauderdale, FL DUN, VAN 5th, ’21, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
15 Colby Martin 5-11 195 R/R 24 – 04/02/01 Lititz, PA DUN 16th, ’24, Southeastern (FL)
43 Chris McElvain 6-0 205 R/R 23 - 09/15/00 Thompson Station, TN Dayton (CIN) Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24
5 Aaron Munson 5-10 180 L/R 23 - 03/15/02 San Antonio, TX DUN, VAN 19th, ’23, Angelo State
26 Connor O’Halloran 6-2 195 R/L 22 - 09/01/02 Mississauga, ON DUN, VAN 5th, ’23, Michigan
45 Julio Ortiz 6-3 175 R/R 24 - 12/30/00 San Pedro de Macoris, DOM FCL, DUN MiLB FA, 07/21/23
37 Fernando Perez 6-3 180 R/R 21 - 02/12/04 Rivas, Nicaragua DUN INT FA, 01/15/22
30 Kai Peterson 6-1 195 L/L 22 - 08/14/02 Roseville, CA DUN, VAN 20th, ’23, Sierra College Kendry Rojas 6-2 190 L/L 21- 11/26/02 Ciego De Avila, CUB Dunedin INT FA, 10/14/20
38 Yondrei Rojas 5-10 180 R/R 22 - 11/22/02 San Juan de los Morros, VEN DUN INT FA, 02/10/21
3 JJ Sanchez 5-11 175 L/L 25 - 09/08/99 Los Fresnos, TX DUN, VAN ND FA, 07/20/23
22 Gage Stanifer 6-3 205 R/R 21 - 11/18/03 Indianapolis, IN Dunedin 19th, ’22, Westfield HS (IN)
27 Khal Stephen 6-4 215 R/R 22 - 12/21/02 Williamsport, IN College 2nd, ’24, Mississippi State
33 Jonathan Todd 6-6 225 L/R 23 - 08/21/01 Reidsville, NC DUN 15th, ’24, Western Carolina
41 Jackson Wentworth 6-1 210 R/R 22 - 08/08/02 Urbandale, IA College 5th, ’24, Kansas State
20 Chay Yeager 5-11 185 S/R 22 - 09/11/02 Gainesville, GA VAN 12th, ’23, Pasco-Hernando State JC
NO. CATCHERS HT WT B/T AGE – DOB HOMETOWN ’24 CLUBS ACQUIRED
26 Nicolas Deschamps 5-11 190 L/R 21 - 08/25/02 Quebec City, QC Dunedin ND FA, 08/16/21
35 Hayden Gilliland 5-11 175 L/R 23 - 10/29/01 Maryville, TN College ND FA, 07/21/24
6 Aaron Parker 5-9 200 R/R 22 - 01/17/03 Los Altos, CA College, DUN 6th, ’24, UC Santa Barbara
NO. INFIELDERS HT WT B/T AGE – DOB HOMETOWN ’24 CLUBS ACQUIRED
8 Bryce Arnold 5-10 180 R/R 23 - 07/24/01 Grimsby, ON DUN, VAN, BUF NDFA, 07/20/23
28 Cutter Coffey 6-1 190 R/R 20 - 05/21/04 Bakersfield, CA GVL (BOS), VAN Trade w/BOS, 07/27/24
7 Nick Goodwin 6-1 205 R/R 23 - 09/06/01 Overland Park, KS VAN 7th, ’23, Kansas State
21 Sean Keys 6-2 225 L/R 21 - 05/26/03 Centerport, NY DUN 4th, ’24, Bucknell
18 Arjun Nimmala 6-1 175 R/R 19 - 10/16/05 Tampa, FL FCL, DUN 1st (20th ovr.), ’23, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)
1 Adrian Pinto 5-8 170 R/R 22 - 09/22/02 Caucagua, VEN FCL, DUN, VAN Trade w/COL, 07/09/22
NO. OUTFIELDERS HT WT B/T AGE – DOB HOMETOWN ’24 CLUBS ACQUIRED
2 Victor Arias 5-11 180 L/L 21 - 08/24/03 Maracay, VEN DUN, VAN INT FA, 08/24/19
16 Carter Cunningham 6-4 215 L/R 24 - 11/06/00 Haymarket, VA College, DUN 10th, ’24, East Carolina
19 Eddie Micheletti Jr. 6-1 220 L/R 23 - 12/29/01 Wilmington, DE DUN 8th, ’24, Virginia Tech
24 Je’Von Ward 6-2 195 L/R 25 - 10/25/99 Long Beach, CA KCO (Indy), VAN MiLB FA, 06/15/24
22 Jacob Wetzel 5-10 220 L/L 25 - 03/26/00 Walkersville, MD MB, SB (CHI) Rule 5 (CHI), 12/11/24
TORONTO SYSTEM: AAA - Buffalo; AA - New Hampshire; A+- Vancouver; A - Dunedin ^Development List
PRONUNCIATIONS: Yondrei – YAWN-dray | Khal Stephen – Cal Steven | Yeager – YAY-ger | Yesavage – yuh-SAV-ij | Deschamps – day-SHAWM
Arjun Nimmal – ar-jin ni-MAUL-uh | Arias – AH-ree-us | Micheletti – mick-uh-LET-ee | Mayorga – my-OR-guh | von Roemer – von ROW-mer Robelin – RO-be-lean | Petr Stříbrcký – Peter stree-BRICK-ski | Holemo – ho-LEH-mo | Cardona – car-DOUGH-nuh | Tavel – rhymes with gavel
FIELD STAFF
17 Manager: Jose Mayorga
13 Bench Coach: Matt Von Roemer
29 Pitching Coach: Eric Yardley
34 Bullpen Coach: Robelin Bautista
12 Hitting Coach: Ryan Wright
14 Position Coach: Petr Stříbrcký
Athletic Trainer: Katie Reyes
Assistant Athletic Trainer: Dalton Holemo
Strength & Conditioning: Joe Cardona
Assistant S&C: Noah Or Dietitian: Stephanie Tavel
Tech Assistant: Owen Ruddock
Freuddy
Farmelo L-R 6-2 205 2009-09-04 Centreville VA
(A) –
2023 19 Carson Jones L-L 6-2 205 09/29/00 Glen Allen, VA Modesto (A) – 2024 15th Round 2023
7 Tai Peete L-R 6-2 195 2008-11-05 Tyrone, GA Modesto (A) – 2024 1st Round 2023
4 Curtis Washington Jr. R-R 6-2 180 05/22/00 West Memphis, AR Modesto (A) – 2025 19th Round 2022
SEATTLE SYSTEM: AAA - Tacoma; AA - Arkansas; A+ - Everett; A - Modesto
PRONUNCIATIONS: Freuddy Batista (fre-YOU-dee); Charlie Beilenson (BEE-LEN-son); Matt Carasiti (care-uh-SET-ee); Josh Caron (Karen); Jurrangelo Cijntje (SAIN-jah); Anthony Donofrio (doe-NAW-free-oh); Brandon Eike (rhymes with 'Nike'); Jonny Farmelo (far-MELLOW); Hecmart Nieves (heckmart nee-YEV-es); Charlie Pagliarini (pag-lee-uh-REE-NEE); Nick Payero (pie-YAIR-oh); Shaddon Peavyhouse (SHAD-un PEE-VEE-house); Milkar Perez (MILL-car); Stefan Raeth (stef-AWN RAY-th); Allan Saathoff (SAT-off); Luis Suisbel (SWEES-bell) … Nico Tellache (tella-shay) … Zach Vincej (vince-EE)
FIELD STAFF
18 Manager: Zach Vincej
34 Hitting Coach: Jordan Cowan
11 Pitching Coach: Matt Carasiti
21 Bench Coach: Hecmart Nieves
Head Athletic Trainer: Stephanie McLain Strength & Conditioning Coach: Max Miller Player Development Intern: George Casey
FIELD STAFF
JOSE MAYORGA
17 MANAGER
Mayorga has been managing in the Blue Jays system since 2022. He spent two seasons at the helm for the FCL Blue Jays then managed Single-A Dunedin to a 69-61 record in 2024, the club’s best mark since 2019. This won’t be his first stop at The Nat; the Pueblo Nuevo, Panama native was the bench coach for the C’s in 2018. Mayorga brings a championship pedigree to Vancouver, leading the Federales de Chiriqui to back-to-back Panamanian Professional Baseball League titles in 202223 and 2023-24. The latter squad went 5-1 in the 2024 Caribbean Series and placed third in the tournament. He also skippered Panama in the WBSC Premier12 tournament last year, where former C’s bench coach Ashley Ponce and pitcher Abdiel Mendoza joined him. As a player, Mayorga was a catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies system from 2010 to 2015.
MATT VON ROEMER
BENCH COACH
13
Matt von Roemer, Bench Coach – von Roemer takes on his largest role as a professional coach since joining the Blue Jays as an intern in 2019. He has rapidly ascended the organizational ranks, first as Technology Operations Coordinator then as Double-A New Hampshire’s development coach in 2023 before making his bench coach debut on Mayorga’s staff with Single-A Dunedin last year. The Kendall Park, NJ native played collegiately at Kenyon College from 2015 to 2018, slashing .366/.416/.503 with a .919 OPS in 147 games played across four seasons with the Lords (now known as the Owls).
ERIC YARDLEY
PITCHING COACH
29
Eric Yardley, Pitching Coach – Yardley assumes the role of pitching coach for the first time as a professional following a three-year big league career with the Padres and Brewers. A native of Richland, WA, the former right-handed reliever posted a career ERA of 3.52 in 53.2 innings of work across 51 MLB games. Yardley, 34, also logged Triple-A innings with the Cubs and Blue Jays in 2022. He joined the coaching ranks last season and served as Double-A New Hampshire’s bullpen coach.
RYAN WRIGHT
12 HITTING COACH
Ryan Wright, Hitting Coach – Wright is the team’s hitting coach for the fifth consecutive season. The Boise, ID native’s mentorship of Blue Jays prospects Peyton Williams, Jace Bohrofen and Dasan Brown last year had all three among the Northwest League’s top hitters. He has overseen the offensive evolutions of big leaguers Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, Addison Barger and Leo Jimenez during their respective tenures with the C’s and contributed to the rapid development of Alan Roden and Josh Kasevich as potential Major Leaguers in 2025.
ROBELIN BAUTISTA
34 BULLPEN COACH
Robelin Bautista, Bullpen Coach – Bautista will handle the Vancouver relief corps in 2025 after two seasons as the pitching coach for the DSL Blue Jays. Originally from El Seibo, DR, Bautista graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2019 and joined the Blue Jays as Player Development Intern later that year.
PETR STŘÍBRCKÝ
14 POSITION COACH
Petr Stříbrcký, Position Coach – Stříbrcký makes his High-A debut after serving in the same role for Single-A Dunedin last season. The Blansko, Czech Republic native has played and coached all over the world, including an eight-year stint as the director of the Portuguese Baseball Academy. Stříbrcký joined Toronto’s organization as the hitting coach of the DSL Blue Jays in 2019 and returned to that role in 2021 before arriving stateside as the development coach of the FCL Blue Jays in 2022. He first joined the Dunedin staff as development coach in 2023.
2025 ROSTER
EDINSON BATISTA
PITCHER
HT: 6-2 WT: 210
B/T: R/R DOB: 05/19/02
HOMETOWN: Santiago, DR ’24 CLUBS: Asheville (HOU)
ACQUIRED: Trade w/HOU, 04/01/25
CHRIS McELVAIN 43
HT: 6-0 WT: 205
B/T: R/R
DOB: 09/15/00
HOMETOWN: Thompson Station, TN ’24 CLUBS: VAN AQUIRED: Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24
KAI PETERSON 30
PITCHER
HT: 6-1 WT: 195
B/T: L/L
DOB: 08/14/02
HOMETOWN: Roseville, CA
’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: 20th, ’23, Sierra College
BO BONDS 25 PITCHER
HT: 5-11 WT: 200
B/T: R/R
DOB: 01/10/01
HOMETOWN: Live Oak, FL ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: 13th, ’22, LouisianaLafayette
AARON MUNSON 5 PITCHER
HT: 5-10 WT: 180
B/T: L/R DOB: 03/15/02
HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 19th, ’23, Angelo State
KENDRY ROJAS
HT: 6-2 WT: 190
B/T: L/L
DOB: 11/26/02
HOMETOWN: Ciego de Avila, CUB
’24 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: INT FA, 14/10/20
IRV CARTER 4 PITCHER
HT: 6-4 WT: 210
B/T: R/R
DOB: 10/09/02
HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL
’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: 5th, ’21, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
CONNOR O’HALLORAN 26
PITCHER
HT: 6-2 WT: 195
B/T: R/L
DOB: 09/01/02
HOMETOWN: Mississauga, ON ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: 5th, ’23, Michigan
YONDREI ROJAS 38
HT: 5-10 WT: 180 B/T: R/R
DOB: 11/22/02
HOMETOWN: San Juan de los Morros, VZ ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: INT FA, 02/10/21
JULIO ORTIZ 45 PITCHER
HT: 6-3 WT: 175
B/T: R/R
DOB: 12/30/00
HOMETOWN: San Pedro de Macoris, DR ’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN
ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 07/21/23
JJ SANCHEZ 3
PITCHER
HT: 5-11 WT: 175
B/T: L/L
DOB: 09/08/99
HOMETOWN: Los Fresnos, TX
’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: ND FA, 07/20/23
COLBY MARTIN 15
HT: 5-11 WT: 195 B/T: R/R
DOB: 04/02/01
HOMETOWN: Lititz, PA
’24 CLUBS: DUN
ACQUIRED: 16th, ’24, Southeastern (FL)
FERNANDO PEREZ
PITCHER
HT: 6-3 WT: 180
B/T: R/R
DOB: 02/12/04
37
HOMETOWN: Rivas, Nicaragua ’24 CLUBS: DUN
ACQUIRED: INT FA, 01/15/22
GAGE STANIFER
HT: 6-3 WT: 205
B/T: R/R
DOB: 11/18/03
HOMETOWN: Indianapolis, IN
’24 CLUBS: Dunedin
ACQUIRED: 19th, ’22, Westfield HS (IN)
KHAL STEPHEN 27
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
B/T: R/R
DOB: 12/21/02
HOMETOWN: Williamsport, IN
’24 CLUBS: College
ACQUIRED: 2nd, ’24, Mississippi State
HAYDEN GILLILAND 35
CATCHER
HT: 5-11 WT: 175
B/T: L/R
DOB: 10/29/01
HOMETOWN: Maryville, TN
’24 CLUBS: College
ACQUIRED: ND FA, 07/21/24
SEAN KEYS
INFIELDER
HT: 6-2 WT: 225
B/T: L/R
DOB: 05/26/03
HOMETOWN: Centerport, NY
’24 CLUBS: DUN
ACQUIRED: 4th, ’24, Bucknell
JONATHAN TODD 33 PITCHER
HT: 6-6 WT: 225
B/T: L/R
DOB: 08/21/01
HOMETOWN: Reidsville, NC
’24 CLUBS: DUN
ACQUIRED: 15th, ’24, Western Carolina
AARON PARKER
CATCHER
HT: 5-9 WT: 200
B/T: R/R
DOB: 01/17/03
HOMETOWN: Los Altos, CA
’24 CLUBS: College, DUN
ACQUIRED: 6th, ’24, UC Santa Barbara
6
JACKSON WENTWORTH 41 PITCHER
HT: 6-1 WT: 210 B/T: R/R
DOB: 08/08/02
HOMETOWN: Urbandale, IA
’24 CLUBS: College
ACQUIRED: 5th, ’24, Kansas State
CHAY YEAGER 20 PITCHER
HT: 5-11 WT: 185
B/T: S/R
DOB: 09/11/02
HOMETOWN: Gainesville, GA ’24 CLUBS: VAN
ACQUIRED: 12th, ’23, PascoHernando State JC
BRYCE ARNOLD 8
HT: 5-10 WT: 180
B/T: R/R
DOB: 07/24/01
HOMETOWN: Grimsby, ON 23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin, New Hampshire
AQUIRED: ND FA, 07/20/23
ARJUN NIMMALA
INFIELDER
HT: 6-1 WT: 175
B/T: R/R
DOB: 10/16/05
HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL
18
’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN ACQUIRED: 1st (20th ovr.), ’23, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)
HT: 5-8 WT: 170
B/T: R/R
DOB: 09/22/02
HOMETOWN: Caucagua, VZ
’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: Trade w/COL, 07/09/22
NICOLAS DESCHAMPS 26
HT: 5-11 WT: 190
B/T: L/R
DOB: 08/25/02
HOMETOWN: Quebec City, QC
23 CLUBS: Dunedin
AQUIRED: ND FA, 08/16/21
CUTTER COFFEY
INFIELDER
HT: 6-1 WT: 190
B/T: R/R
DOB: 05/21/04
28
HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, CA
’24 CLUBS: GVL (BOS), VAN
ACQUIRED: Trade w/BOS, 07/27/24
VICTOR ARIAS 2
OUTFIELDER
HT: 5-11 WT: 180
B/T: L/L
DOB: 08/24/03
HOMETOWN: Maracay, VZ ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN
ACQUIRED: INT FA, 08/24/19
NICK GOODWIN
INFIELDER
HT: 6-1 WT: 205
B/T: R/R
DOB: 09/06/01
7
HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS
’24 CLUBS: VAN
ACQUIRED: 7th, ’23, Kansas State
CARTER CUNNINGHAM
INFIELDER
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
B/T: L/R
DOB: 11/06/00
HOMETOWN: Haymarket, VA
’24 CLUBS: College, DUN
ACQUIRED: 10th, ’24, East Carolina
EDDIE MICHELETTI JR.
OUTFIELDER
HT: 6-1 WT: 220
B/T: L/R
DOB: 12/29/01
HOMETOWN: Wilmington, DE
’24 CLUBS: DUN
ACQUIRED: 8th, ’24, Virginia Tech
JE’VON WARD
OUTFIELDER
HT: 6-2 WT: 195
B/T: L/R
DOB: 10/25/99
HOMETOWN: Long Beach, CA
’24 CLUBS: KCO (Indy), VAN ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 06/15/24
JACOB WETZEL
OUTFIELDER
HT: 5-10 WT: 220 B/T: L/L
DOB: 03/26/00
HOMETOWN: Walkersville, MD ’24 CLUBS: MB, SB (CHI) ACQUIRED: Rule 5 (CHI), 12/11/24
HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
2025 TRANSACTIONS
APRIL
4/2 – Blue Jays announce C’s Opening Day roster
4/4 – UTL Jackson Hornung, C Hayden Gilliland placed on Development List
4/15 – RHP Connor O’Halloran placed on 7-Day IL
4/18 – UTL Jackson Hornung activated from the Development List, UTL Carter Cunningham placed on the Development List
4/19 – RHP Edinson Batista transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver, wearing #39
4/25 – UTL Jay Harry transferred to Double-A New Hampshire, UTL Carter Cunningham activated from the Development List
4/29 – OF Jacob Wetzel placed on 7-Day IL, C Hayden Gilliland activated from the Development List
MAY
5/6 – RHP Irv Carter placed on Development List, RHP Yondrei Rojas transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver wearing #38
5/8 – OF Victor Arias placed on 7-Day IL
5/12 – C Alex Stone transferred to Double-A New Hampshire, C Nic Deschamps #26 transferred from Double-A New Hampshire to Vancouver, OF Gabriel Martinez #8 transferred from Double-A New Hampshire to Vancouver
5/13 – UTL Brennan Orf placed on the 7-Day IL
5/16 – UTL Adrian Pinto placed on the 7-Day IL
5/20 – RHPs Kevin Miranda, Grant Rogers and Juaron Watts-Brown transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire, RHP Irv Carter activated from the Development List, OF Victor
Arias activated from 7-Day IL, RHPs Trey Yesavage #15, Khal Stephen #27 and Gage Stanifer #22 transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver
5/28 – C Hayden Gilliland transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire
JUNE
6/3 – C Hayden Gilliland #35 transferred from Double-A New Hampshire to Vancouver
6/4 – OF Gabby Martinez transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire
6/7 – RHP Chris McElvain #43 activated from the 7-Day IL
6/12 – RHP Trey Yesavage transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire
6/20 – RHP Colby Martin #32 transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver
6/23 – RHP Pat Gallagher, UTL Jackson honrung transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire, INF Bryce Arnold #8 transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver
JOE CARDONA
NOAH OR ASST. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
STEPHANIE TAVEL NUTRITION
Robin Roberts was one of several young stars who powered the Phillies to the 1950 National League pennant. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
THEY’RE STILL THE WHIZ KIDS
75 years after winning the NL pennant, Philadelphia’s 1950 heroes remain legends.
Dubbed the “Whiz Kids” because of the youth of their key players, the upstart 1950 Philadelphia Phillies remain memorable 75 years later despite being swept by another iconic club of the era, the star-studded New York Yankees, in the Fall Classic.
Few teams captured the spirit of their era better than the team that nearly brought the city’s National League franchise its first World Series title.
The Phils had trouble winning almost from their start as a National League member in 1883. Rarely finishing a campaign with a winning record, the team more often than not found themselves in the second division of an eight- or 10-team loop and posted 30 losing seasons in 31 years from 1918-48. But the tide was turning by the late 1940s, a positive change most often credited to new ownership, a front office shakeup, a midseason change at manager and an influx of young talent.
Along with the Junior Circuit’s Philadelphia Athletics, the two Philly teams shared the same ballpark, Shibe Park, since midseason 1938. While the A’s under longtime manager and owner Connie Mack had periods of success over the decades, including most recently three straight World Series appearances and two titles between 1929 and ‘31, their NL counterparts had never won a world championship while only winning one pennant when the 1915 aggregation was led by future Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 31 victories.
Under the stewardship of Bob Carpenter, who acquired the Phillies in 1943, and the shrewd front office leadership of Herb Pennock, the onetime southpaw for the A’s who made his name as a Yankees hurler in the 1920s and named general manager of the franchise in December 1943, the groundwork was laid and the future looked bright. By 1949, the team, at 81-73, had their first above .500 mark since 1932.
Led by skipper Eddie Sawyer, who replaced Ben Chapman in July 1948, the Phillies had a youth movement taking place on the diamond, supported by a few important veteran leaders, as the 1950 season got underway. Unfortunately, Pennock wouldn’t live to see it, as the man who had acquired most of the team’s talent passed away in 1948, the same year he would be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
After an inauspicious start, the 1950 Phillies won 11 of 13 in early May to place them above .500 – where they would remain for the rest of the season – but also gave them their first taste of first place among the eight NL teams. Overall, they would spend 113 days during the ‘50
campaign in the top spot, an unfamiliar spot for this franchise.
Despite this unprecedented success, baseball writers persisted in referring to them as the “Phutile Phils.” Their prior Modern Era history, which included finishing in last place 17 times, almost demanded it.
The colorful moniker, the “Whiz Kids,” was apt for this team, with most of their roster aged 25-or-younger, including third baseman
Willie “Puddin’ Head” Jones (24), shortstop Granny Hamner (23), outfielders Del Ennis (25) and Richie Ashburn (23), and starting pitchers Robin Roberts (23), Bob Miller (24), Bubba Church (25) and Curt Simmons (21).
They had a combination of youth and experience, though, with veteran contributions coming from first baseman Eddie Waitkus (30), second baseman Mike Goliat (28), outfielder Dick Sisler (29), catcher Andy Seminick (29) and relief ace Jim Konstanty (33).
“They call this team the ‘Whiz Kids,’” said 35-year-old reserve outfielder Bill Nicholson. “But me … Jim Konstanty – we’re the ‘Was Kids.’”
In particular, the youthful starting mound crew benefited greatly from both Konstanty, who would set a then-MLB record with 74 appearances while winning 16 games and saving 22 more, and Seminick, whose knowledge of opposing hitters helped the young staff and whose bat, which walloped 24 home runs, provided needed power.
After a wait of 35 years for something to cheer about, no one blamed the fans for being enthusiastic. For only the second time in their history, the Phillies went over the one million-mark in attendance, 1,217,035. Even sheet music of a marching song, “The Fightin’ Phils,” became a bestseller in the city.
The Phillies won the flag on the last day of the season in dramatic fashion. Two weeks after holding their largest lead, 7½ games on Sept. 20, they faced the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on Oct. 1 in the final game of the regular season with a one-game lead on Brooklyn. The Phillies had lost five in a row entering the game.
Hoping to avoid a playoff, the Phils were tied with the Dodgers, 1-1, going into the ninth inning. The game remained even when Brooklyn’s Cal Abrams was thrown out at the plate by Ashburn after Duke Snider singled with two on and no outs. Roberts then escaped the jam without allowing a run.
The next inning, in the top of the 10th, Sisler clubbed a three-run homer to deep left field off Don Newcombe to give Philadelphia a 4-1 lead it would not relinquish. Sisler, who had three hits in the game prior to his heroics, was the son of Hall of Famer George Sisler, who was a Dodgers front office executive at the time and sitting behind the Dodgers’ dugout when his son connected.
The 1950 Phillies won the pennant with a 91-63 record, a season after coming in third at 81-73, 16 games back of Brooklyn. It was the first time the Phillies had consecutive winning seasons since 191517.
“Build up a fellow’s confidence and you build up his ability,” is how Sawyer once explained his philosophy. “Knock him all the time, his confidence disappears and the battle is lost.”
Though they would be swept in the World Series, the Phillies were game throughout – losing the first three by one run each and the finale by three.
BBWAA Career Excellence Award honoree Shirley Povich, in a column from the day the World Series began, joked about the perceived mismatch: “I like the Yankees to win it, but I don’t possibly see how they can do it in less than four games.”
The star-studded Yankees included future Hall of Famers Casey Stengel, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Johnny Mize and Phil Rizzuto. Cooperstown-bound Phillies numbered Ashburn and Roberts.
Phillies southpaw Curt Simmons was not available for the Fall Classic, his National Guard unit activated just before the Series. He had finished the regular season with 17 wins and a 3.40 earned run average. The 1950 World Series was also a matchup of league Most Valuable Players: Rizzuto batted .324 and scored 125 runs, while Konstanty compiled a 16-7 record with a 2.66 ERA.
“The way I set it up in my mind,” Konstanty said, “every hitter I face is in a slump.”
Konstanty, who had pitched in relief all season, started Game 1 for Philadelphia and lost, 1-0, to Vic Raschi, while Robin Roberts, a 20game winner during the season, dropped a 2-1 game to Allie Reynolds when DiMaggio homered in the 10th inning. Game 3 was tied in the bottom of the ninth when Jerry Coleman won it with an RBI single off of reliever Russ Meyer. Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, only 21 at the time, started the clinching game and got the win.
For the Yankees it was their second straight title, their 13th in 17 chances, and another sweep added to the ones achieved in 1927, 1928, 1932, 1938 and 1939.
“Pitching was the story of this series,” said Sawyer, who spent time in the upstate New York area near Cooperstown – having attended Ithaca College and received his Master’s degree from Cornell University prior to managing in the minors with Binghamton and Utica. “Excepting for Raschi’s job in the first game, I don’t think their pitching was much better than ours, if any. But, as I said before, all our mistakes cost us.”
The five pitchers used by the Yankees in the World Series had a combined 0.73 ERA. Of the 16 total runs scored by both teams, only five were tallied by Philadelphia.
The Game 1 start by Konstanty, the bespectacled righty who later in life opened a sporting goods store in Oneonta, N.Y., a 20-minute drive from the Baseball Hall of Fame, was his first in the majors since 1946. With Simmons unavailable, Sawyer bypassed Roberts, who would have been working on just two days’ rest.
The rubber armed Konstanty, a control pitcher with a slider and palm ball, had pitched nine innings of relief against Pittsburgh on Aug. 25 and 10 relief innings in a 19-inning game against Cincinnati on Sept. 15.
“That slowball and the control and the confidence really does something to every batter in the league,” said Waitkus. “They sort of roll over and play dead. He pitches to them like they’re all off-balance – and I’m sure they are.”
Writing for the Philadelphia Daily News in 1986, Ashburn, who would go on to become a beloved broadcaster for the Phillies, tried to explain the hold the Whiz Kids had on the Philadelphia faithful.
“The Whiz Kids never should be confused with the Yankees of the late ‘20s, the Brooklyn Dodgers of the early ‘50s, the Milwaukee Braves of the late ‘50s or the Cincinnati Reds of the late ‘70s,” Ashburn wrote. “Those clubs were legitimate dynasties in baseball. The Whiz Kids were a young team that won a National League pennant one time and then proceeded to lose the World Series to the New York Yankees in four consecutive games.
“Despite this, the Whiz Kids have endured and seem to have endeared themselves in the hearts of Phillies baseball fans everywhere. Maybe it was the long dry spell of winning baseball in Philadelphia. The third place ’49 Phillies, led by manager Eddie Sawyer, signaled a stretch of some pretty good baseball at Connie Mack Stadium. Indeed, Sawyer called a meeting after the final game of that season and told the players, ‘We didn’t win this year, but we had the best team in the league the last half of the season.’
“He added: ‘Come back next spring ready to win.’”
Bill Francis is the senior research and writing 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.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
COME DRESSED AS YOUR FAVOURITE SUPER HERO
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Rich Harden P 2001 21-Jul Oakland
Neal Cotts P 2001 12-Aug Chicago (AL)
Mike Wood P 2001 21-Aug Oakland
2004 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Santiago Casilla P 2002 09-Aug Oakland
Nick Swisher OF 2002 03-Sep Oakland
Joe Blanton P 2002 24-Sep Oakland
2005 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Gregorio Petit INF 2004 18-May Oakland
John Baker C 2002 09-Jul Florida
Jeff Gray P 2005 08-Sep Oakland
2009 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
A.J. Griffin P 2010 24-Jun Oakland
Alexi Ogando P 2004 15-Jul Texas
2011 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Pedro Figueroa P 2007 21-Apr Oakland
Sean Doolittle P 2007 05-Jun Oakland
Dan Straily P 2009 30-Aug Oakland
2013 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Andy Burns INF 2011 09-May Toronto
Matt Dermody P 2013 03-Sep Toronto
2017 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Addison Barger INF/OF 2021 24-Apr Blue Jays
Brandon Eisert P 2021 17-Jun Toronto
Adam Kloffenstein P 2022 20-Jun St.Louis
Orelvis Martinez INF 2021 21-Jun Toronto
Steward Berroa INF 2022 23-Jun Toronto
Yosver Zulueta P 2022 25-Jun Cincinnati
Leo Jimenez INF 2022 4-July Toronto
Luis De Los Santos INF 2021 31-July Toronto
Griffin Conine OF 2018 26-Aug Miami
2025 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Alan Roden OF 2023 27-Mar Blue Jays
Mason Fluharty P 2022 01-Apr Blue Jays
Matt Svanson P 2022 17-Apr Cardinals
Paxton Schultz P 2021 20-Apr Blue Jays
Will Robertson OF 2021 12-Jun Blue Jays
extravaganza Fireworks postgame
PLUS South Asian heritage NIght
TUESDAY, MAY 27
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.
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.
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
Called Out on Strikes:
LEFT FIELDER CENTER FIELDER RIGHT FIELDER
FOUL BALL
FOUL TIP STRIKE OUT
BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS
TUESDAY, July 22 | 7:05
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 ROGERS 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.
FAMILY FUN SUNDAY +
WASABI
