The Okotoks Dawgs have a big name backing them.
Former MLBer Matt Stairs, who holds the record for most career pinch-hit home runs with a whopping 23, came to Okotoks to once again show love to the Dawgs ahead of the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game on July 20.
"You're playing quality baseball out here," the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee said. "It's a baseball town, and they are curating some very good baseball players."
The 2024 MLB draft saw eight current and former Dawgs get selected, which Stairs says is a testament to the Okotoks baseball program's effectiveness.
"When you have that many people drafted from one program, it says a lot. That tells you right there what type of program they have. Players come in here, and they get their work done."
The 2008 World Series champion added that, thanks to teams like the Dawgs, the WCBL is attaining more recognition in Canada and beyond.
"I think Canada is starting to put a pretty strong name into players being drafted and signings because of programs like this that are helping out," he said. "Now you're starting to get scouts that are coming out, knowing that the program up here is tremendous.
"They're starting to learn about the league throughout Canada... this team is the one that I think is top of the line. You just get a chance to play and there's always going to be people watching."
Stairs has had a storied career: he played for 13 MLB teams from 1992 to 2011, had stints as hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres after retirement, and was officially inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, among other accomplishments and accolades.
"I might see different things than most people see because I've been a student of hitting for 30-some years now," said Stairs, who led a baseball clinic with over 90 youth prior to his interview with the Wheel.
Okotoks Dawgs program advisor John Milton said "it's a huge honour to have somebody of Matt's stature, who played the game at the professional level and international level, somebody that wants to give back to the game, coming to Okotoks and not just wanting to come and shake some hands and smile and all that, but actually want to get onto the field and work with the players."
Learn more about the Okotoks Dawgs, including the July 20 All-Star Game at which Stairs will be meeting fans and signing autographs, on the Dawgs website.
