Clapp, the 5’8”, 175-pounder, whose trek to the big leagues is legendary in itself, was called up by the St. Louis Cardinals on June 18, 2001 to replace the injured J.D. Drew. The gritty middle-infielder, known for his hustling style of play as well as his traditional pre-game backflip when taking the field, was optioned back to Triple-A in August, but then was called back to St. Louis for the September pennant race, and the Cardinals won the National League Wild Card spot on the final day of the season. The Cardinals, with mighty Mark McGwire unable to contribute due to a nagging knee injury, were edged by the eventual World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Windsor, Ontario native, a fan favourite everywhere he has played, compiled a .200 batting average in 23 games with the Cardinals, and is headed to Spring Training looking like a solid candidate for the Cardinals 2002 roster. Clapp became a household name when he knocked in the game winning-run in extra innings as Team Canada defeated Team USA in the 1999 Pan Am Games held in Winnipeg.

John Paul II secondary school (London) on Monday, Jan. 21 at 9:00AM

South secondary school (London) on Monday, Jan. 21 at 10:30AM

Jeanne Sauve Catholic School (Stratford) on Tuesday, Jan.22 at 9:30AM

Stratford Northwestern secondary school on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 10:30AM

Clapp, who is also planning to visit the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum while here, is in the area to be a head table guest at the London Sports Celebrity Dinner & Auction to benefit Thames Valley Children’s Centre on Monday night (Jan. 21), and the St. Thomas Sports Spectacular to benefit Special Olympics on Thursday night (Jan. 24).

“In hindsight, my reports on Stubby were always too conservative,” said Tom Valcke, President/CEO of the CBHFM, who scouted Clapp as a youngster. “I often said how much I wish I could inject a pint of his blood in some of the bigger, stronger, prototypical body types that were being drafted into the Major Leagues back then. He is the kind of guy that everyone wants for their son. Nothing ever deterred Stubby from pursuing his dream, and he is the ultimate example of what dedication and desire can achieve. When the going gets too tough for the rest of us, it is just right for Stubby Clapp.”

For more details, please contact:

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum -- (519) 284-1838

Email: baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca or:

Gary Clarke, Principal, John Paul II (London) SS -- (519) 457-3440
Dave Brent, Principal, South (London) SS -- (519) 452-2860
Don Farwell, Principal, Jeanne Sauve (Stratford) Catholic School -- (519) 273-3396
Deb McNair, Principal, Stratford Northwestern SS -- (519) 271-9740