Bluebirds of a Feather

Duane Larson wanted to play an aggressive style of baseball.

Heading into the 1982 Pioneer League season, the Medicine Hat Blue Jays coach had high expectations.

His team, featuring a trio of future Toronto stars, delivered in a big way, winning the team’s only championship title.

Key to the Game

Jimmy Key put up some fantastic numbers in his short visit with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays in 1982.

A 2-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 31+ innings of work earned the young lefthander a promotion.

However, the move didn’t sit well with everyone, even if the team went on to win the Pioneer League championship.

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!

Familiar World Series MVPs

The World Series MVP award recognizes the most clutch performers in baseball.

Over the years, the winners of the award have included several players who once called Alberta home.

Here’s our look at some former Pacific Coast League and Pioneer League talents who saved their best play for the World Series.