St. Marys – Canadians shouldn't be nearly as shocked as our friends south of the 49th parallel over our 8-6 upset of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. National pride and baseball passion have been increasingly oozing out of both players and fans in each of the four host cities as the inaugural battle of the world's best players is gaining momentum, and the stars and stripes' faithful are quickly learning that the globalization of America's pastime is already well underway. Nobody but manager Ernie Whitt and his troops thought we had a chance to throw maple syrup on their parade.
Granted, the absence of Cy Young winning Eric Gagné, premier starter Rich Harden, 33-save man Ryan Dempster and three-time batting title and former MVP Larry Walker does help build the case for the 'David versus Goliath' analogy. But this team has heart, and Stubby Clapp's unrelentless energy and get-dirty approach can be contagious, especially when it comes down to one nine-inning game against anybody. Also, with Walker on the coaching staff, don't think any player is going to have the nerve to come into the dugout not having left everything they had out on the field, the way Walker did throughout his outstanding career.
Baseball Canada's front office deserves credit as well, as the integrity and credibility of their management team of Jim Baba, Greg Hamilton and Andre Lachance has given the Ottawa-based operation an unprecedented and deserving level of efficiency and respect. President Ray Carter oversees this very well-run ship that has had its share of rough seas in its evolution but is running on smooth under his leadership.
Coupled with this, unquestionably the biggest win in the 40 year history of Canada's national team program, our impressive performances at recent World Cups and the near miss of a medal at the Athens Olympics have spurred many media, fans, and budding national federations to ask what Canada is doing now to reach these new heights.
But the secret is only partly about what we're doing now. It is equally significant to understand what was happening in our country a decade or so ago, from the grass roots all the way up to the Major Leagues. The dropout rate for baseball players tends to peak when youngsters are in the neighborhood of being 12 years of age, which coincides with our roster of twenty-somethings currently busting out in Phoenix.
Chronologically, Canada hosted (Brandon, Manitoba) and won its first ever World Junior Championship in 1991, taking and keeping the National Junior program to new heights.
Also in 1991, Major League Baseball ownership decided to incorporate Canadians in their annual First Year Player draft, and in short order, scouts became so plentiful in Canada that it became impossible for a quality prospect to be overlooked.
In 1992, The Toronto Blue Jays brought the first-ever World Series title to Canada, and baseball was played as an official medal sport for the first time in the Barcelona Olympics. The Blue Jays repeated their amazing feat in 1993.
The Expos had baseball's best record when the 1994 season was cut short due to the strike.
Three national training centres were emerging, the National Baseball Institute in Vancouver, the Academy of Baseball Canada in Montreal, and the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta.
When the top of the sport's pyramid does well, it helps the foundation. And it works both ways. When more kids are recruited and retained, it gives the national team program a higher quantity and quality of players in the pool at selection time.
While baseball was booming during this period on so many fronts in the early-to-mid 90's, more kids signed up, more parents watched baseball on television, and more coaches committed themselves by researching their responsibilities and attended clinics, all contributing to strengthening the base. Baseball fever was never as hot in the north, and consequently, fewer youth quit baseball. It is now evident that the cream has surely risen to the top.
Canada placed 19 players in the Major Leagues last year, and not just roster-fillers, but impact players such as 2004 National League Rookie-of-the-year Jason Bay, rock-solid veteran Corey Koskie, Twins emerging slugger Justin Morneau, and the seemingly ageless masher, Matt Stairs. There have been a total of 221 Canadians to play in the Major Leagues.
Our starting line-up versus the USA made a total of $6.6 million dollars in the majors last summer, while the USA starters earned $74 million dollars. Would we have beaten them in a best-of-seven series? Unlikely. But that is the beauty of baseball, and the power of the Maple Leaf when it gets placed on the chests of our best players.
