Two hits by Justin Morneau moved the Royal City’s favourite son into second place all-time among Canadian-born major league baseball players.
The veteran Colorado Rockies first baseman entered play Tuesday with 1,468 career hits, one more than Canadian pioneer ballplayer George Wood, who made his major league debut with the Worcester Ruby Legs back in 1880.
Morneau smacked a pair of singles, knocking in one run and scoring another in a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday to pass Wood in the All-Canadian hits standings.
The 33-year-old lefthander added a double in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the Giants, but still needs more than 690 hits to match the all-time leader and former Rockies great Larry Walker.
“Any time you’re second to him in anything, it’s special,” Morneau said in a MLB press release. “Especially being a Canadian guy that I looked up to as a young guy. It’s pretty cool, but I’ve got a long way to go.”
While growing up, Morneau identified closely with Walker, who won a MVP award in 1997.
Morneau earned an American League MVP with the Minnesota Twins in 2006. The four-time AL all-star also won the Home Run Derby in ’08.
Morneau made his Major League debut in 2003 against Walker and the Rockies.
“He was the guy for us growing up, who really let us know that we could play in the big leagues and let us know we can do well,” Morneau said.
The Canadian duo formed a relationship over the years. Walker used to send Morneau bats and coached him in the World Baseball Classic. The two also shared the same agent.
Morneau has also worn Walker’s No. 33 since his high school baseball and junior hockey days.
“Kind of surreal to think sometimes that we’re playing for the same franchise wearing the same number,” Morneau added. “Not too many people get to do that. I like to compare it to everyone who grew up and played basketball and watched Michael Jordan and wanted to wear No. 23. For me it was the same kind of thing for baseball.”
– with files from MLB
