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Ernie Whitt was a Canadian baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on June 13, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Canada. Whitt started his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1972, playing for the Kinston Eagles, a Class A team in
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Ernie Whitt was a Canadian baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on June 13, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Canada. Whitt started his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1972, playing for the Kinston Eagles, a Class A team in the Carolina League. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1972 but was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.
Whitt made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays on September 13, 1976, and played for the team until 1989. He was known for his defensive skills as a catcher and was a fan favorite in Toronto. Whitt was also a reliable hitter, with a career batting average of .249 and 134 home runs. He was a two-time All-Star, in 1985 and 1987, and won a Silver Slugger award in 1985.
In 1989, Whitt was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he played for one season before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 1990. He played for the Orioles for two seasons before retiring in 1991. Whitt was known for his durability, playing in over 100 games in 11 seasons and catching over 100 games in 10 seasons.
After retiring from playing, Whitt became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also served as a coach for the Canadian national baseball team and was the manager of the team that won the gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Whitt was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Overall, Ernie Whitt had a successful career as a catcher in the MLB, known for his defensive skills and reliability as a hitter. He played for various teams during his career, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles, and was a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger award winner. After retiring from playing, Whitt continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and manager in the minor leagues and for the Canadian national team.
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Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles - Radio Broadcast / On Friday, September 19, 1980, the Baltimore Orioles faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium. The Orioles sent their ace, Jim Palmer, to the mound, while the Blue Jays countered with their own starter, Gary Todd. At this point in the season, the Orioles were in a tight race for the American League East title, while the Blue Jays were struggling to stay out of the division basement. The 1980 season was also notable for the rise of young stars in the league, with players like Rickey Henderson making waves with their performances.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to hold onto a lead for long. The Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead, but the Orioles fought back, with a key home run from Al Bumbry in the 3rd inning. The Blue Jays, however, were able to respond with a home run of their own from Dave Hodgson in the 6th inning. The Orioles' bullpen, led by Dennis Martinez, was able to keep the game close, despite the Blue Jays' offense showing signs of life.
The game turned into a seesaw battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times. In the late innings, the Orioles' offense came alive, with key hits from Ken Singleton and Doug DeCinces. The Orioles' bullpen was able to hold off a late rally from the Blue Jays, with Tippy Martinez picking up the win in relief.
The Orioles' 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays was a key win in their push for the postseason. However, despite this victory, the Orioles would ultimately fall short of the playoffs, finishing second in the American League East. The 1980 season was a memorable one for the Orioles, with Eddie Murray having a standout year and finishing second in the MVP voting. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays continued their struggles, finishing last in the division. Despite their struggles, the Blue Jays had some bright spots, with Lloyd Moseby establishing himself as a future star.