Mr. Speaker, the Brantford Red Sox, steeped in tradition dating back to the start-up of the Canadian baseball league in 1911, celebrated its 100th anniversary last Friday.
Fans gathered to pay tribute to the players and teams who were the heroes to many in my community, including this MP.
The highlights are many. From 1949 to 1954, many of the players came from the disbanded Negro baseball leagues after Jackie Robinson broke the race barrier. The great Satchel Paige pitched against the Red Sox at Cockshutt Park.
The team won five consecutive post-war championships from 1958 to 1963.
The Red Sox hosted the only American league versus national league all-star game held outside the borders of the United States.
Yes, baseball has deep roots in Brantford.
I thank the Red Sox for baseball excellence over its first 100 years.