Taking a look at the impact that Alomar, Gillick, and Van Horne made in profesional baseball.
The third greatest weekend in the history of Canadian baseball will take place a mere 308 kilometres from our nation's capital in Cooperstown, New York as the game celebrates its rich heritage with the 2011 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The greatest player to ever wear a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, the man who built the Jays franchise from the ground up to a pair of World Series titles, and the rich voice of the original Montreal Expos radio and television broadcasts.
(Let me preface my opening statement to say that those two October weekends in 1992 and 1993, when the Jays won their back-to-back World Series titles, will always top the list. It's why the game is played; to win the final game of the season. It's team aspect of the game. The Hall of Fame honours individual excellence.)
Sorry, I'm climbing down off my soapbox.
For Roberto Alomar, he becomes the first player whose plaque will be adorned with the hat of the Blue Jays. That alone makes this induction very special for anyone who has followed this franchise since the beginning. Toronto was neither Robbie's first stop (San Diego Padres) nor his last (Chicago White Sox) and he displayed his vast skills for four other teams (Orioles, Indians, Mets and Diamondbacks). But it was in Toronto where he made his name and led his franchise to its greatest accomplishments. And we tend to forget his stay was only five seasons.
But from 1991-95, Alomar thrilled the 17.8 million fans that poured through the turnstiles at the SkyDome during his Toronto career. Whether it was a dazzling defensive display, home runs from either side of the plate, or stealing a base to get in scoring position, Alomar seemed to be one of the game's greats. Both his father and brother (both named Sandy) were also Major Leaguers, and young Roberto was always around the diamond.
Pat Tabler tells an excellent story from when he played Winter Ball in Puerto Rico -- back when players were on the field throughout the entire year to hone their skills and make some extra cash. Tabby's teammate was Sandy Sr. and Robbie was the batboy. Then for two seasons starting in 1991, Pat and Robbie both played on the Blue Jays. I can tell how much this weekend will also mean to Tabby as Robbie and Bert Blyleven become Hall of Famers.
For Pat Gillick, it's recognition for a long life in baseball. As a left-handed pitcher, he was a member of the 1958 U.S.C team that won the College World Series, and he spent five seasons in the minors with the Orioles. Arm injuries cut his playing career short, but it led to a career in the field of player development beginning in 1964 as the assistant farm director with Houston. Eleven years later he joined the New York Yankees as scouting director and helped them build into a perennial playoff contender. But his hiring to help build the Blue Jays in their infancy, acting as their general manager until 1994 really allowed Gillick to show his genius, highlighted by the two World Series titles. He then went on to help the Orioles (1996-98), Mariners (2000-03) and finally the Phillies (2006-08) where he built his third World Series champion. Gillick, who turns 74 in August, is still considered one of the game's top talent evaluators.
For Dave Van Horne, it's the highest honour a broadcaster can receive, named the winner of the Ford C. Frick award. Van Horne spent 32 years behind the mic for the Expos, beginning in their inaugural season in 1969. His signature call -- 'El Presidente, El Perfecto' -- of Dennis Martinez's 1991 perfect game was, perhaps, his best known call. Van Horne's voice is one many will always remember as the soundtrack of the Expos for their 36 seasons in Montreal. Van Horne has been doing play-by-play for the Florida Marlins since 2001. I was lucky enough to have done stats for Van Horne on a handful of occasions in the mid-1990s.
I'm very thankful for modern technology as I will be forced to PVR the ceremony on Sunday, with the Blue Jays being out of town in Texas. But I will be in attendance on July 31, as Roberto Alomar gets the ultimate Blue Jays honour by having his No. 12 raised to rafters. Alomar's jersey will be the first number (next to Jackie Robinson's) to be retired in Toronto. While I won't be able to enjoy the Hall of Fame induction in person, I'll definitely settle for the second ceremony. Hopefully a sold out Rogers Centre can say the same.
