In the Cards: 1994 Medicine Hat Blue Jays

When you leaf through old minor-league baseball cards, it’s common to wonder, “Who are these guys?”

If you’re looking through rookie-level sets, that feeling is often even more pronounced. “No really, who ARE these guys!?”

That’s what makes this 1994 In The Cards edition of the Medicine Hat Blue Jays special – it’s got true star power.

In The Cards: 2002 Medicine Hat Blue Jays

Welcome to a new archival series we’re introducing called In The Cards. The idea is simple: while images of most baseball cards can be found online, there are some gaps, especially when it comes to the minor-league cardboard cutouts.

To assist in this matter, and with an eye on Alberta-based teams and players, we will periodically be adding galleries of baseball cards to our website. We hope you enjoy!

First up to the plate, the 2002 Medicine Hat Blue Jays.

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: Calgary Cardinals

If Russ Parker’s middle name isn’t “Persistent”, maybe he should look at changing it.

After having been in discussions about bringing an affiliated team to Calgary for half a decade, he finally succeeded in 1977 with the Cardinals.

In our final installment of “The Pioneers”, we look back at Calgary’s involvement with the league and what it took for Parker to bring future stars through Foothills Stadium.

The Pioneers: Medicine Hat A’s

When the Pioneer League looked at expansion in 1975, they began looking at Medicine Hat.

It wouldn’t happen until 1977, but the love affair ended up lasting 25 years.

In the second of our three-part series, we look back at the Medicine Hat A’s and Blue Jays with a man familiar with sports in the city: Bob Ridley.

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.

Last Of The Baby Jays

Erik Kratz represents the end of an Alberta era. He is the last active player in Major League Baseball who spent time with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays.

He was part of the last Pioneer League team to come through Athletic Park in 2002.

We caught up with his old manager Rolando Pino to talk about Kratz and his improbable journey to baseball folk hero.

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.

Crowning Achievement

It was a season fit for a king – it was so good that Greg Morrison took not one crown, but three from it.

During 69 games with the 1997 Medicine Hat Blue Jays, Morrison hit .448, swatted 23 home runs and drove in 88 runs on his way to the Pioneer League’s triple crown. The home run record still stands.

“It was a magical year,” Morrison told Alberta Dugout Stories.