Chas-ing Glory

“You have to stick with it, even when things don’t go your way.”

While Edmonton’s Chas Wheatley might be offering that advice to young baseball players, it’s hard not to think he has uttered those words to himself occasionally over the last few years.

The University of Iowa pitcher has seen more than his fair share of adversity while chasing his baseball dreams.

Fernandomania North

There were few things left for Fernando Valenzuela to achieve in baseball by the time the 1990s rolled around.

His resumé included a Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year honours, a pair of Silver Slugger nods, a Gold Glove, a couple of World Series rings, and six National League (NL) All-Star selections.

Not bad for the man from little-known Etchohuaquila, Mexico.

In The Cards: 1981 Edmonton Trappers

The 1981 Edmonton Trappers had plenty of Major League Baseball (MLB) talent on its roster, but the team lacked true star power in its introductory campaign.

Who cares when you look this good though, right? Sporting lids that look like they could melt in the acid rain (it was a thing in the 1980s, you can look it up) and pin-striped uniforms that might just be the sharpest looking pyjamas you’ve ever seen, the Trappers had that Leo Chavalier look of a winner.

Learn more in our latest installment of In The Cards …

Fielder’s Choice

The lights will stay on at RE/MAX Field in Edmonton. It just remains to be seen who will play under them.

After a couple of years of speculation, rumours and proposals, Baseball Edmonton Inc. has announced it has been granted a 10-year lease to operate the ballpark.

After that announcement, the Edmonton Prospects announced they would be moving to Spruce Grove for the 2022 season.

But what does this all mean for the Western Canadian Baseball League in the capital?

Dutch Treat

He wasn’t here for a long time, but Bert Blyleven did appear to have a good time during his brief stay in Alberta.

It was an unlikely pit stop for the Hall of Fame pitcher, who made two starts for the Edmonton Trappers in May of 1992.

The third-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1969 was playing his final pro season when he arrived in the provincial capital.

Ready For The Warhawks

It wasn’t planned, but Tylor Jans managed to pack a spring worth of college baseball highlights into a matter of days.

From a strong start to the season with Cloud County College to the abrupt end with the COVID-19 pandemic to signing his Letter of Intent with the University of Louisiana Monroe, it’s safe to say March 2020 is a month the Edmonton native won’t soon forget.

We talked about that and more in a recent conversation on Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

Day At Renfrew

If there was a Mount Rushmore of Negro League baseball players, Leon Day would like be among the four faces you would see.

Not only was he an excellent pitcher, but he was a great hitter and could play almost every position.

Near the end of his baseball career, Day became a popular addition to the new Edmonton Eskimos of the Western International League.

But he was gone before the season came to an end.

Capital Gains

“It’s a relief for sure.”

The Edmonton Prospects headed into the off-season with a cloud of uncertainty surrounding its future at RE/MAX Field.

But a deal for 2020 has been signed and now, head coach and assistant general manager Jordan Blundell says they can now focus on the “fun stuff” heading into the summer.

Stand Up Double

Ellie Jespersen’s 2019 season can be summed up in one word: incredible.

After pacing Alberta at the national championships in Okotoks, the 16-year-old was named to Baseball Canada’s National Women’s Team, contributing in major ways.

She put the wraps on the year by being named to two major Baseball Alberta awards in November.

From Student To Teacher

It was a long road from the initial concept of the Edmonton Collegiate Trappers to actually becoming a franchise in the Canadian College Baseball Conference.

From folding to being a probationary team to finally taking part in real games in 2019, Ty Wagar was there every step of the way.

The senior reflected on his time with the Trappers in Episode #29 of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast and here is that Q&A.