Father’s Day At The Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame

Father’s Day weekend has passed us and I would have to say that I was one of the lucky one’s on Saturday.

This past year “The GM’s Perspective” has had a tremendous year to say the least.

Our viewership is growing steadily every month, and I have getting the opportunity to meet some amazing baseball minds, people who have taken the time help me improve my skills in my writing and others that have, on their own, allowed me to witness their world from an insider’s perspective (no pun intended).

Maury Brown of the Business of Sports Network gave me my break, allowing me to become a part of his network, doing research, editing, organizational reports, then onto minor league, college, and indy league news.  Without Maury’s vision and patience, I do not think I would have started my own site.

Bob Elliott, of the Canadian Baseball Network has also allowed my writings to appear on his site, a site dedicated to giving the Canadian baseball scene a voice if its own.

Now onto the Vancouver Canadians, the minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

I have been in contact, with them, specifically, the new GM Jason Takefman, for approximately three years now.  His words of encouragement are ones that I will always remember.  Recently, Mr. Takefman introduced me to Assistant GM, Mr. Rob Fai.

Mr. Fai hosts Canadians Game Day on TEAM1040.

I was invited onto their show to talk a little baseball, they gave me a special made label pin from Pincious, to have a memory of the moment.  Admittedly, I was somewhat nervous, being my first time on the radio, however the Canadians said some real nice things about myself and my site.  It was a great experience and I can’t thank you enough for the chance.

Originally I was talking about the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

In December I received an email from Mr. Tom Valke, President and CEO of the Hall.

Mr. Valke and I shared a few emails regarding the Canadians Baseball Awards Banquet and Fundraiser held in Toronto, this past January.  He mentioned that it was and event every fan should attend.

At the ceremony I was privileged enough to shake hands with Mr. Paul Beeston, Mr. Alex Anthopolous, Mr. Justin Morneau and several other “big wigs” in the Canadian baseball world.

At the banquet I took my dad, who has been a lifelong baseball fan and  introduced the game to me when I was a kid.  The earliest memory I have is picking apples off the tree and crushing “massive jacks” with those apples, courtesy of a wiffle ball bat (good times)!

At the banquet myself and my dad were seated with St. Mary’s Mayor Mr. Jamie Hahn and Canadian Hall Director of Operations Mr. Scott Crawford.  They informed us about the inductions that take place in St. Mary’s every summer and that we should come down for the upcoming 2010 ceremony.

So, this past weekend, as not only a father’s day treat, but as two lifelong baseball fans, we traveled to St. Mary’s for the weekend.  One side note, my new acquisition of a GPS saved us from numerous arguments during the car ride…Thank you Garmin!

If you are a fan of baseball in general, St.Mary’s and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is the place for you.

From the moment we got there, there was a buzz in the air, all visitors had a smile on their face, and the weather could not have been more perfect.

Newest inductees included longtime executive Calvin Griffith and statistician Allan Roth who were elected posthumously, with reliever Paul Quantrill and arguably the greatest second basemen the game has ever seen, Roberto Alomar.

In a town with a population hovering around 6,300, you would have thought it was mecca of the universe.

In what other place could you rub shoulders, with some of the most important people in Canadian baseball; Mr. Pat Gillick, Paul Beeston, Alex Anthopolous, and Mr. Ferguson Jenkins!!

There were people from all over to enjoy this three-day weekend, and as I told my dad, “this is a perfect day”.

Baseball seems to have this effect on everyone it touches.  Nostalgia, stories, pictures, memorabilia, hot dogs, hamburgers, and beer; sounds like a recipe for success to me!

The speeches by inductees, family and friends, could not have been done with more class.  To top that, Olympic Gold Medalists Ice Dancers, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were in attendance as well.

I would also like to mention MC Rod Black.  Longtime favorite and one of the most well-known, well-respected broadcasters, delivered one of the most ra-ra, inspirational introductions I have ever heard.

Mr. Black, if you ever read this, “I Believe”.

I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of the growth and improvement of The GM’s Perspective.

Thank you to Mr. Valke, Mr. Craword and Mr. Hahn, for allowing me to show my dad the true meaning of Father’s Day and this great game we all love; Baseball.

Devon Teeple is an author for the Business of Sports Network, which includes the Biz of Baseball, the Biz of  Football, the Biz of Basketball and the Biz of Hockey.   He is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies. Devon is also available for hire or freelance opportunities.

Devon is a former student within Sports Management Worldwide’s Baseball General Manager Class. Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective and is a intern with The Football Outsiders and contributor with the Plymouth River Eels.

Currently, Devon is a Branch Manager at a financial institution in Southern Ontario Canada.  He can be reached at devon@thegmsperspective.com , thegmsperspective@yahoo.com or devon@businessofsportsnetwork.com