EDITORIAL: Five Years Later

It all started at the tables of Calgary pubs as conversations about baseball’s days of yore in Alberta.

The Expos, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Trappers and Cannons featuring names like Dawson, Sax, Moseby, Valenzuela and Edgar.

Here we are, five years later since the start of Alberta Dugout Stories. We’re here to say thank YOU for your tremendous support.

Ten Books for Alberta Baseball Fans

It’s a great time to find a comfy chair, sit back, crack a book and get lost in it for a few hours.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 10 books that are of interest to Alberta baseball fans. These titles include biographies, historical studies, movie-inspiring tales and first-person accounts of experimental baseball projects.

So, in no particular order, here are the books and authors that have captivated our attention …

In the Cards: Ian’s All Stars

In a pre-internet world, baseball cards served as a fantasy baseball type of resource that connected fans with players.

They provided stats, factoids, interesting graphic designs and photos that ranged from fantastic to hilarious. On occasion, the packs of cardboard collectibles even provided mouth-scraping gum that was capable of losing flavour faster than a card in bike spokes could drop its value.

Of course, baseball cards are still around – they’re even available in mobile app form – but the popularity of the memorabilia is nowhere near what it was in the sports card boom of the 1990s and before that era.

Here at Alberta Dugout Stories, we love our collectibles, so we’ve decided to unveil a baseball card-themed All-Star Team!

Taking Flight

In many ways, Andre Dawson embodied all that was possible for a community that opened its arms to affiliated minor league baseball.

Dawson made his professional baseball debut with the new Lethbridge Expos of the Pioneer League in 1975.

He also wore #42 in Lethbridge, a number made famous by Jackie Robinson and a baseball tournament held in Dawson’s name is held every February as part of MLB’s recognition of Black History Month.