A push for a World Series victory has sparked nostalgia in Medicine Hat, the former residence of the Blue Jays’ farm team and a previous stop for the world championship squads in the early 1990s. The games remain legendary in the local community, recalling the era when the city hosted a minor league farm club and welcomed major league teams to southeast Alberta.
Among those reminiscing is Greg Morrison, who vividly remembers when baseball icons like Paul Molitor and Roberto Alomar visited his hometown in 1994. Rather than watching from the stands, Morrison was on the field, playing alongside a group of highly touted amateur prospects tasked with challenging the top team in baseball.
“The Blue Jays truly resonated with me because you look up to the players you idolize as a child,” Morrison reflected, revealing his shift in allegiance from the Boston Red Sox to the Blue Jays during the team’s successful era in the early 1990s.
Originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Morrison eventually signed with the Blue Jays. He excelled with the local “Baby Jays” in the Single-A Pioneer League, setting a home run record that remains unbroken. Following a successful 11-year career in independent leagues, Morrison returned to his roots and now owns the Medicine Hat Mavericks of the Western Canadian Baseball League, which was established after the Blue Jays departed in 2003.
Morrison views the Mavericks as a continuation of Medicine Hat’s rich baseball heritage, utilizing little league camps and academy programs to sustain the tradition. He emphasized the town’s excellent baseball environment, citing the top-notch facilities and favorable weather that contribute to its reputation as a baseball hub.
The baseball legacy in the region dates back to the 1920s, featuring barnstorming tours and amateur championships. In 1977, the minor leagues arrived with the Oakland A’s affiliate, later transitioning to a partnership with Toronto. Notably, the 1994 exhibition game at Medicine Hat’s Athletic Park drew a crowd of 9,000, creating a festive atmosphere and providing fans with a memorable experience.
Alberta saw an influx of minor league teams in the late 1970s, with the Pioneer League boasting teams in Lethbridge and Calgary. The province celebrated a Pioneer League title in 1982, showcasing future Blue Jays stars like Jimmy Key, Pat Borders, and David Wells. Subsequently, the Triple-A Calgary Cannons and Edmonton Trappers catered to players on the cusp of the major leagues before relocating to the U.S. following the Blue Jays’ move to Helena, Mont., in 2003.
The spirit of nurturing future baseball talents continues in the Western Canadian Baseball League, featuring teams like the Mavericks and Lethbridge Bulls. Morrison and McFarland emphasized the region’s history of hosting big league talent and producing exceptional players, highlighting the ongoing impact of baseball in Medicine Hat and its environs.