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Vancouver Canadians: Hall of Fame Week 3

Comments 46 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Thanks to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, I’ve been able to send 20 people to Vancouver Canadians games this summer and profile some inspirational hall of fame inductees (Week 1), (Week 2).

With BC Place Stadium re-opening this gall, the BC Sports Hall of Fame will have a newly remodeled home and they will continue to celebrate the achievements of British Columbians in sport throughout history. Today’s featured Hall of Famer is Arnold Hallgren who was the first BC baseball player to make the 40-man roster of a major league ball club.


Photo courtesy BC Sports Hall of Fame

Before Ted Bowsfield, Larry Walker, and, more recently, Jason Bay, it was Arnie Hallgren’s trail around the bases that BC’s Little Leaguers wished to follow…

…In February 1953, Hallgren, age 19, was invited to attend the Boston (later Milwaukee and now Atlanta) Braves spring training in Florida. He was extended $6 per day meal money and $25 per week for expenses. Yep, times were a little different then. Ted Williams was in the twilight of his career; Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays were on the rise. And the American and National Leagues comprised 16 teams, not the 32 of today’s watered down, 8-figure annual salary that bears little resemblance to the baseball of yesteryear.

…Hallgren returned to his hometown in 1954, when the Braves loaned him to Vancouver of the Western International League, where he played outfield for the pennant-winning Capilanos. In 1955, with Boise of the Pioneer League he won the league’s batting championship, hitting .348 with 171 hits and 139 runs batted in. He followed that up with another batting title in 1958 in the Northwest League. Read more about Arnold Hallgren…

I have one more giveaway in this series so here’s how you can enter to win 10 tickets as well as the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday, August 15th when the Canadians take on the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

  • Leave a comment on this blog (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://ow.ly/5Te4l

    I will draw one winner on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 10:00am. The winner will need to confirm their attendance within 24 hours to ensure all arrangements can be made.

    You can read and learn about amazing sports pioneers and stars on the BC Sports Hall of Fame website and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

    Individual Canadians game tickets in the reserved grandstand start at just $12.50.

    Update The winner is Val!

    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 »

    46 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. AlakittenTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 9:35am PDT

      We’ve been going to the games! It’s a lot of fun and would be great to win a prize pack!!

    2. CaitlinTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 9:41am PDT

      I haven’t seen enough baseball this summer.. must.win.contest!

    3. taniaTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 11:00am PDT

      a baseball game would be so fun!

    4. AndrewTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 12:03pm PDT

      Go Canadians Go!

    5. John MahTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 12:38pm PDT

      what a nice summer activity to watch !

    6. ValTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 12:59pm PDT

      My little girls and I want them to throw out the first pitch & win 10 tickets to see the game!

    7. AlessaTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 1:11pm PDT

      Have my fiancée’s family in town for the wedding, would love to take them all to a game! They’ve never been to one, or to Canada!

    8. DrewTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 1:17pm PDT

      take me out to the ballgame!

    9. RobTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 1:34pm PDT

      Heeeyyy – batter, batter, batter, batter, batter.

      Got to get back to the Nat

    10. auTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 3:16pm PDT

      love to be in the game, thnx miss604!

    11. HayleyTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 5:19pm PDT

      this is so cool!

    12. MariaTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 10:06pm PDT

      I just love baseball!

    13. CarlyTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 10:58pm PDT

      Awesome!

    14. GinaTuesday, August 2nd, 2011 — 11:24pm PDT

      This would be awesome 🙂

    15. Dennis SatoWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 12:29am PDT

      My son is getting really into baseball. I just bought him
      A new glove. He would love this! Can he throw the pitch ?

    16. Nathaniel waiWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 10:07am PDT

      This would be amazing for my softball team – almost won our league this year: consolation prize? Thanks for the post 🙂

    17. KateWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 11:17am PDT

      I’ve sung the anthem at Nat Bailey, but have never actually seen the Canadians play. I think it’s about time!

    18. DarcyWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 3:25pm PDT

      My boyfriend would die!!!!!

    19. RenfrewWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 3:39pm PDT

      My son is an East Van Little League player and would love this!

    20. LydiaWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 5:04pm PDT

      Loooove watching baseball and this prize would be such a great end to summer!

    21. JenniferWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 5:53pm PDT

      I would love to experience being in the crowd for a baseball game.

    22. Ginger GervaisWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 7:33pm PDT

      Wooo awesome contest! Count me in 🙂

    23. GregWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 8:46pm PDT

      Take me out to the ballgame!

    24. SharylinWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 8:48pm PDT

      We’ve talked about going to a game and going with a bunch of folks would be great fun!

    25. TracyWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 11:14pm PDT

      Sounds like a fun time!!

    26. LauraWednesday, August 3rd, 2011 — 11:41pm PDT

      Used to play baseball, haven’t in years. I should warm up my throwing arm so I don’t suck so much 😉

    27. AlyshaThursday, August 4th, 2011 — 12:00am PDT

      Ive ALWAYS wanted to go to a Canadians game…or any baseball game!

    28. Leanne M.Thursday, August 4th, 2011 — 12:21pm PDT

      I want to throw out the first pitch & win 10 tickets to see @VanCanadians thanks to @BCSportsHall & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/5Te4l

      Thought I’d post it here too 😉 … I’m new to miss604, very cool to find you and this contest!

    29. LaurenThursday, August 4th, 2011 — 3:34pm PDT

      This sounds like lots of fun! Thanks for the chance to win

    30. Michelle W.Thursday, August 4th, 2011 — 4:38pm PDT

      Take ME out to the ballgame! I’d LOVE to go!

    31. DorieThursday, August 4th, 2011 — 9:13pm PDT

      Love watching kids do the chicken dance and everybody singing during the seventh inning stretch! Go C’s Go!

    32. DimetriThursday, August 4th, 2011 — 9:21pm PDT

      Watched baseball, played baseball, coached baseball, umped baseball, met my wife on the baseball field, LOVE baseball! Baseball always! Baseball anytime!

    33. AnnaThursday, August 4th, 2011 — 9:35pm PDT

      My Dad’s always quizzing me, “What’s the 6 – 4 – 3?” And I get it right every time!!! That’s a double play Dad! Short to second to first….and they’re both OUT! Please chhoooose me so I can take my Dad to see the C’s win!

    34. VirginiaFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 12:51pm PDT

      Haven’t been to Nat Bailey (or whatever it’s called now!) for awhile. Would be fun to win!

    35. AngieFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 1:05pm PDT

      This would be so fun! Would love to win and throw the first pitch 🙂

    36. CarmenFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 1:08pm PDT

      would love to go!!, went to dog days and it was so much fun!

    37. HenryFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 2:45pm PDT

      Been to several of their home games. Love them!

    38. AndrewFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 4:08pm PDT

      There is nothing I’d rather do in Vancouver than to go watch a ballgame.

    39. lizFriday, August 5th, 2011 — 5:25pm PDT

      Way to go Arnie Hallgren!Loved reading his bio.Love the Vancouver Canadians and of course Bud’s special section at The Nat!!!

    40. MaeSaturday, August 6th, 2011 — 12:03pm PDT

      Love baseball.

    41. Ken TaylorSunday, August 7th, 2011 — 4:09pm PDT

      Would be so amazing to throw the first pitch at a game!! What a amazing prize!!!

    42. CharlesMonday, August 8th, 2011 — 8:51am PDT

      Baseball Woooo

    43. JoannaMonday, August 8th, 2011 — 10:27am PDT

      My softball team won our division last week, I would love to take the team to celebrate.

    44. Kathleen BeveridgeMonday, August 8th, 2011 — 10:51am PDT

      I’m arriving in Vancouver for my “big life” move in two days and this would be a fabulous way to start the new chapter of my life!!

    45. MikeTuesday, August 9th, 2011 — 2:43pm PDT

      This time for real. C’mon first pitch and go Canadians!

    46. Samantha ClarkSunday, August 14th, 2011 — 10:54pm PDT

      my dad would be so proud.

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