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.

The Pioneers: Lethbridge Expos

Southern Alberta’s love affair with baseball hit a fever pitch in the 1970’s.

After years of our own circuits and big league players barnstorming through, relationships were built to bring affiliated baseball to the masses.

In the first of our three-part look at the Pioneer League’s days in Alberta, we profile the lead-up to the first game at home for the Lethbridge Expos.

Alberta’s AL Dugout Connections

Major League Baseball (MLB) may feel like it is far removed from the ball diamonds of Alberta, but if you play a quick game of six dugouts of separation you’ll discover there are plenty of coaching connections between the majors and our province.

In our first of a two-part series exploring those connections, we look at the American League squads who have former Alberta players on the payroll.

Champagne Dreams to Beer Nightmares in Lethbridge

Lethbridge was on top of the Pioneer League world when the Dodgers won the championship in their first season. But a few short years later, a council decision led the franchise to hop out of town.