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Vancouver Canadians: Hall of Fame Week 1

Comments 53 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Even though Vancouver is a hockey town, there is a strong history of baseball that runs deep. From the Asahi at the Powell Street Grounds to our Little League World Champion participants and of course, the legendary Nat Bailey Stadium where Babe Ruth once visited.

Nat Bailey Stadium

I admit, it wasn’t until I married a man from Iowa that my passion for baseball grew. He took me to my first Vancouver Canadians game, Seattle Mariners game, and to see the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 80% humidity on a steamy midwest afternoon. We’ve even played catch at the Field of Dreams.

Thanks to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, I’ve been able to learn more about baseball history and some of the great British Columbians who have played the game over the last few decades. Each week, for the next three weeks, I’ll be featuring a Hall of Fame Inductee and their contributions to baseball. Today’s featured BC Sports Hall of Fame baseball inductee is Larry Walker


Courtesy BC Sports Hall of Fame

Hometown: Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Inducted: 2009
Biography: Larry Walker is one of the greatest Canadian-born ballplayers of all time. Larry played 17 major league seasons from 1989-2005. Walker established himself as one of the most feared combinations in all of baseball fusing blanket fielding with a monster bat. Over the course of his 17-year career with the Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, he would win seven Golden Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and was named to five All-Star Games.

His career season came in 1997 with the Rockies, where he hit .366 with 49 homers, 130 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases earning the National League MVP, the first Canadian-born player ever awarded this honour. A year later, Walker won the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s most outstanding athlete.

With each profile, I will also be hosting a series of giveaways that include 10 tickets as well as the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. I’ll be drawing one winner each week who will be able to bring their own cheering section with them, using all 10 tickets.

Here’s how you can enter to win for the game Monday, June 20th at 7:05pm against the Yakima Bears.

  • Leave a comment on this blog post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
    • I want to throw out the first pitch & win 10 tickets to see @VanCanadians thanks to @BCSportsHall & @Miss604 http://bit.ly/kM6ZY8

    I will draw one winner on Thursday, June 16th at 9:00am 3:00pm.

    Vancouver Canadians Baseball HatFresh off Stanley Cup fever, Vancouverites can enjoy ‘Nooners at the Nat and warm summer evenings at the ballpark starting June 17th as the Vancouver Canadians begin their season.

    With individual game tickets in the reserved grandstand starting at just $12.50, it’s an ideal destination for families, and even fun night out with someone special (with a dog ‘n a beer).

    Update Thanks to Rich at Patterson Brands we also have a Vancouver Canadians cap to give away with this prize package (value $25).

    Update The winner is Josh!

    Current Contests on Miss604
    *All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

    53 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. Jonathan ReimerMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 2:34pm PDT

      Fantastic article, and timely with the season opener this weekend. The Canadians are now the short-season single-A affiliate of the Blue Jays. I hope this will be the start of efforts to bring a Canadian-wide interest to baseball and focus BC baseball attention on the Blue Jays.

      If for no other reason, attend a Canadians game to see Aaron Sanchez pitch. He’s a rising star in the Jays’ system.

    2. CarlaMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 2:43pm PDT

      I already have tickets for that game, I just want to throw out the first pitch. If I win, I’ll give all ten tickets to Kids Up Front. Go Cs Go (applies to both Vancouver teams!).

    3. KrissyMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 3:10pm PDT

      I am entering for my son Haiden whos 7 and already the biggest sports fan. He would be thrilled to win tickets to see the C’s play.

    4. shaunaMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 3:28pm PDT

      i am entering my son brody he is 6 and would love a chance to throw the ball at the game he has never seen real game a baseball and loves to play the game

    5. ValMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 3:33pm PDT

      I’m entering for my daughters, Megan (12) and Erica (9), both play with Little Mountain Baseball and would wear their uniforms to throw out the first pitch. They would invite their teammates to join them at the game.

    6. KristiMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 3:56pm PDT

      My kids all play baseball and can’t get enough of it!! It is the best way to spend time together as a family. One of our summer traditions is to go to a C’s game for Canada Day and watch some great ball and fireworks!

    7. AndrewMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 4:09pm PDT

      The Canadians have been great filling the baseball void for my family and I ever since we moved from Toronto in ’94. I’ve loved going to The Nat every season since but I can’t say I’ve ever thrown out a first pitch (and that would be a thrill!). Fingers crossed.

    8. ChristineMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 4:30pm PDT

      Love the C’s!

    9. LauraMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 4:37pm PDT

      sounds like a good time!

    10. Odyssey AlesMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 5:12pm PDT

      I would like to point out that the Nat has the best beer selection of a BC sports stadium, and is the best place for a summer afternoon pint in the sun.

    11. TeresaMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 5:59pm PDT

      Pitcher!

    12. RobertMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 6:18pm PDT

      Always been more of a belly itcher, but would love to try being a pitcher for once!

    13. JoshMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 7:47pm PDT

      I would love to throw the first pitch and would love to be able to take my boy down to the game with his cousins and a few friends. Hope I win!!! Go Canadians Go!!

    14. Emily HMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 8:54pm PDT

      I played softball for years and would love to throw the first pitch

    15. LouisaMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 9:10pm PDT

      10 tickets would be a dream come true!!

    16. Lori-Vancouver BCMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 9:21pm PDT

      what a great night it would be with 10 friends!

    17. DarcyMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 9:36pm PDT

      Pick me!

    18. ChrisMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 10:19pm PDT

      I can’t wait for the season to start! I’m wearing my Vancouver Canadians’ t-shirt as I type this, and I plan on throwing a gyroball if I get the ceremonial first pitch.

    19. CherylMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 10:48pm PDT

      The Nat’s the best bang-for-your-buck when it comes to sporting entertainment. I have a blast everytime.

    20. RebeccaMonday, June 13th, 2011 — 11:10pm PDT

      Could definitely have a great time with my friends at the game!

    21. robTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 12:11am PDT

      If you haven’t been to a Canadian’s game before, you should definitely make it out. So much fun even if you don’t enjoy baseball.

    22. MavTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 7:20am PDT

      I like baseball.

    23. VanessaTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 7:35am PDT

      What a great prize! Would love to go.

    24. ErinTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 9:22am PDT

      The Vancouver Canadians are one of the best things about summer!

    25. John MahTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 9:23am PDT

      Sounds like fun !

    26. MarinaTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 9:33am PDT

      My mom went into labour with me at a Cs game – I literally grew up at Nat Bailey! I’d love to win this package for her. 🙂

    27. Jessica R.FTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 9:40am PDT

      My boyfriend is a baseball player! That would be so awesome for him to throw the ceremonial first pitch!

    28. JTTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 10:00am PDT

      My softball team would really enjoy a day at the park!

    29. MarkTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 10:23am PDT

      Want to pitch a strike at the Nat!

    30. JordanTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 10:40am PDT

      10 tix to a summer baseball game would be sweet!

    31. BJTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 11:32am PDT

      These tickets would be a great way to treat my dad and brother!

    32. DeborahTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 12:22pm PDT

      I want to win please

    33. KristynTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 2:35pm PDT

      Sitting back in the sun with a beer and watching some Canadians baseball is a fav summer activity of mine, would love to throw an opening pitch!

    34. KellyTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 2:45pm PDT

      It would be fun to throw the first pitch or let my little brother do it, also Ive never been to a baseball game before

    35. MikeTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 4:33pm PDT

      I’d love to check a game this summer!

    36. Karol RosolskiTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 4:49pm PDT

      i hope i win!!!!

    37. CWTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 9:30pm PDT

      GO C’s!!

    38. Hiroshi NaitoTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 10:11pm PDT

      I would like to watch a Canadian’s game with my kids.

    39. MariaTuesday, June 14th, 2011 — 10:24pm PDT

      Baseball and summer. I’m love it!

    40. Timmy WongWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 1:07am PDT

      I want to win!

    41. Michelle W.Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 7:00am PDT

      My friends and I just said yesterday that we want to go to a game!!

    42. Peter (@polarisdotca)Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 3:32pm PDT

      Just about everyone from Trout Lake Little League will be there on June 20. I’d love to throw out the first pitch in front of my team, fellow coaches and parents! Go C’s!

    43. BradWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 3:43pm PDT

      Woohoo!

    44. Dominic CWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 7:05pm PDT

      7 years old. Play baseball and it’s cool. It’s fun hitting the ball and getting the other players “out”. It would be so awesome if my team could watch a game together. Go Bears!

    45. Dominic CWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 7:08pm PDT

      Baseball is awesome!

    46. sweet AlexisWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 8:29pm PDT

      I love the Vancouver Canadians and even if I do not win the 10 free tickets and get a chance to throw the first pitch …I will out to see the games. I always look forward to them. Hockey is over, Here comes BASEBALL…..

    47. RichardWednesday, June 15th, 2011 — 10:51pm PDT

      Nice win

    48. DerickThursday, June 16th, 2011 — 10:34am PDT

      Can’t wait to see the Vancouver Canadians play this year! Support them no matter what! It’s one of the best summer outings!

    49. AndreaThursday, June 16th, 2011 — 2:12pm PDT

      Go C’s!

    50. Scott perrieThursday, June 16th, 2011 — 2:19pm PDT

      My dad used to take me to the games when I was a kid. There’s nothing like spending an afternoon at the ball park. 🙂

    51. zeeThursday, June 16th, 2011 — 2:20pm PDT

      I’m happy to let someone else do throw the 1st pitch but I’d love to win tickets to the game!

    52. BrentThursday, June 16th, 2011 — 2:39pm PDT

      Would love to have the chance to throw the first pitch. Thanks for a shot at it

    53. lucyTuesday, June 21st, 2011 — 1:03pm PDT

      Would love to win.This is on my bucket list.

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