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Rubbing Elbows with Brooks Robinson

In the prime of his Hall-of-Fame career and fresh off a World Series championship, Brooks Robinson was serving up baseball stories in southern Alberta.

The mainstay of the Baltimore Orioles was a guest speaker in Lethbridge at a Kinsmen dinner banquet on Feb. 4th, 1967, along with teammate Dave McNally.

The third baseman was a few years removed from his American League (AL) Most Valuable Player campaign and in a few more seasons he would claim World Series MVP honours.

The Second Debut

After more than 1,000 days away from a Major League Baseball mound, Michael Soroka made his return with the Atlanta Braves.

Enduring a battle with injuries, the Calgary product went six innings, allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

More importantly, he was able to walk off the field on his own accord.

Clawing His Way Back

Erik Sabrowski knew he wasn’t going to be on the lineup card when the Minor League Baseball season started.

That didn’t stop him from showing up early to Spring Training, looking to see what kind of progress he’s made since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery since 2018.

The Edmonton product is hoping to get back on the mound in the Cleveland Guardians’ system this summer.

Alberta’s 2023 Pro Connections

With the 2023 Major League Baseball season now underway, it was only a matter of time before each organization started setting up its affiliate rosters for the coming year.

While things can and will change, we thought we’d scour as many minor league rosters for Alberta connections to get you updated on where everyone is.

Champagne & Styrofoam Cups

There are proper sendoffs and there are forgettable exits.

Sometimes the buildup for a final moment, a last chance at glory, produces the perfect moment.

On other occasions, even when the end is inevitable, the final out is less than magical. Like it was for Ken Forsch of the Calgary Cannons, it was just… over.

Reds Rover

Matt Lloyd vividly remembers how his 2022 baseball season came to an unexpected end.

The Calgary native was patrolling first base for the Chattanooga Lookouts in a May 3 game against Rocket City, when a hard-hit ball was relayed back to him.

Trying to simultaneously catch the ball and dive and tag the runner, he felt a pop, that led to a surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.

Signed, Healed, Ready to Deliver

It’s been a tough couple of years for Calgary’s Mike Soroka.

The Atlanta Braves ace has torn his Achilles tendon twice, requiring three surgeries, all while navigating the restrictions around COVID-19.

He got back onto the field in 2022, albeit briefly, and believes he’s finally in line for a “normal” off-season heading into the new year.

Reinventing the Abbott

Jim Abbott has served as inspiration in the baseball world for decades.

Born without a right hand, he persevered to become a college, Olympic and MLB pitcher who threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993.

Abbott once again inspired fans with an improbable comeback in 1998 that included five appearances with the Calgary Cannons.

Alberta’s 2022 Pro Connections

The 2022 baseball season is officially underway.

Scouring the rosters of all Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams, there is certainly no shortage of connections to Alberta on the field.

We’ve compiled a list of players who were born here, trained here or played here with the Western Canadian Baseball League.

OPINION: The Steroid Era in Cancel Culture Times

The Steroid Era is front and centre during this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot decision.

Do the juicers belong?

Here’s our take …