Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

We start off the episode by recapping the MLB debut of St. Albert's own Erik Sabrowski, who went 1+ inning of shutout baseball in relief for the Cleveland Guardians in a 4-1 loss to Kansas City. We then take a look at some of the other major storylines, before we catch up with former MLB slugger and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame member Matt Stairs, who was recently named a hitting coordinator with Dawgs Academy in Okotoks.

It was another crazy week for baseball in Alberta, highlighted by Erik Sabrowski being called up by the Cleveland Guardians. We recap the week in news, then are joined by Baseball Canada 18U National champion Jake Brooks of the Red Deer CarStar Braves, 16U Girls National silver medalist Claire Hingley and Edmonton Riverhawks veteran Tylor Jans to talk about their summers and more.

4:56 - Jake Brooks

21:08 - Claire Hingley

33:59 - Tylor Jans

It's an action-packed episode of the podcast as we have five guests joining us this week as well as a new sponsor announcement and a contest to win a Michael Soroka autographed baseball. Joe sits down with long-time Okotoks Dawgs infielder Aidan Rose while Ian takes us along for his family trip through Saskatchewan to chat with Cory Wouters of the Saskatoon Berries, Takao Cookson of the Moose Jaw Miller Express and Marcus Graham of the Swift Current 57s. We wrap up the episode back in Medicine Hat where Ian caught up with Sportsnet broadcaster Jamie Campbell.

4:39 - Aidan Rose

21:05 - Cory Wouters

27:30 - Takao Cookson

33:59 - Marcus Graham

41:11 - Jamie Campbell

Ashley Stephenson's name is synonymous with Baseball Canada's Women's National Team. A member of the squad from 2004-2018, she played in everything from World Cups to Pan-Am Games and everything in-between. She was also a two-time winner of the Jimmy Rattlesnake Award for her on-field accomplishments, team spirit and leadership. That award was later renamed in her honour. After Stephenson's playing career came to a close, she joined the national team's coaching staff then took over as head coach, hitting the field for the first time in her new role this summer in the Canada-US Friendship Series. She's a trailblazer, and recently added to her list of accomplishments by being named the first woman to hold a coaching position at the Canadian Futures Showcase, formerly known as Tournament-12. We recently caught up for a candid conversation about baseball, coaching philosophies, life and much more.

The Calgary International Film Festival will have a baseball flavour to it this year (September 22-October 2). “It Ain’t Over” takes a look at the life and times of New York Yankees great and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. Famous for his on-field play as well as his wit, humour and “Yogi-isms”, Berra was also misunderstood. Director Sean Mullin tries to set the record straight by chatting with Berra’s granddaughter Lindsay as well as former teammates, sports writers and admirers like Billy Crystal. Our Ian Wilson wrote a story recently about his chat with Mullin, and here now is that conversation.

Every college player dreams of making an impact with their summer baseball league. Braden Desonia did more than that in his first season with the Medicine Hat Mavericks. The 6’1”, 165-pound centrefielder was a terror for opposing pitchers and defenses, hitting .348 with five home runs and 42 runs batted in while stealing a Western Canadian Baseball League record 42 stolen bases, 15 more than anyone else. Desonia was also a WCBL All-Star, taking part in the festivities in Okotoks, stealing the show at the Home Run Derby, not with his power, but with the storyline of a last-minute request to have his dad, who was flying in from Mead, Washington, be his pitcher. It was a heartfelt moment in a season to remember for the Desonia family. Near the end of the regular season, our Ian Wilson recently chatted with them both about the opportunities and experiences of baseball north of the 49th parallel.

There was already a lot of buzz around Edmonton’s Michael Yusypchuk before he joined Team Alberta for this year’s Canada Summer Games in Ontario. Last year’s Baseball Alberta 15U “AAA” Player of the Year has been spectacular with St. Albert Minor Baseball Association teams over the years, is heading to Dawgs Academy in Okotoks, and has already committed to Missouri State. Well, he added to that legacy during the summer games with a no-hitter in the semi-final against BC, striking out seven and was a walk away from the perfect game in a 4-0 victory. Alberta went on to win silver in the tournament, and once the dust settled, we caught up with Yusypchuk to talk about the performance, his baseball journey and what he believes his ceiling might be, as the Canadian Baseball Network has him listed as a top-5 Canadian to be chosen in the 2024 MLB Draft.

It was quite the spectacle in Toronto recently as the Blue Jays marked the 30th anniversary of their 1992 World Series championship. Fans were able to re-live those memories as the stars like Joe Carter, Dave Winfield and Devon White came back to town to celebrate the occasion. That team also had a few connections to its Pioneer League affiliate that won its first title a decade earlier. This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Medicine Hat Blue Jays taking home what would become its only championship. Pat Borders, David Wells and Jimmy Key were among those who were with the Baby Jays that season. On this week's episode, we take a trip down memory lane with a couple of key members of that team: Keith Gilliam and Kash Beauchamp.

The countdown is on to the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Four cities will host the tournament from March 8th-21st. Canada will be in tough in Pool C with the defending champion United States along with Mexico, Columbia and one of four qualifier teams. There will be two qualifier tournaments, with Pool “A” in Germany from September 16th-21st, and Pool “B” in Panama from September 30th-October 5th. There will be some Alberta talent in Pool “B” with Amar Mahmood. The Edmonton product has been named to the roster for Pakistan, which is where his parents are from. He’s a rising star from AHP Academy, having already committed to De Anza College in the California Community College Association. The 18-year-old took some time this past week to chat with us about his baseball journey, his love of the game and what it means to represent his roots.

2022 will be remembered as the first season with the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League. In the ultra-competitive North Division, the Riverhawks made a push for the second half pennant, falling just short during the final weekend, finishing with an overall record of 25-28. Several hometown products were able to crack the roster, including outfielder Clayton Loranger. The Sherwood Park native was outstanding, hitting .365 with two home runs, 30 RBI, and 27 stolen bases in 47 games en route to being named a WCL First Team All-Star. We caught up with the 5-11, 195-pound Stephen F. Austin State University senior recently to talk about his summer and what it meant to be a part of the inaugural season as a hometown hero.