SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s Andrew Albers had quite the Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on Tuesday night for the Minnesota Twins in Kansas City.
It’s not just what he did Tuesday night, but his journey to get there that has Saskatchewan proud.
The southpaw used to suit up for the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets in 2004 and nine years later, the kid from North Battleford is pitching in the big leagues.
“He was a quiet, confident young man with a great sense of humour, but a very very competitive spirit on the mound,” said Rye Pothakos, Yellow Jackets president and general manager.
“He knew what he wanted to do, he had his eye on the prize and it just attributed again to all his hard work and perseverance,”
Albers is only the second Yellow Jacket to suit up for a MLB game. He is the eighth Saskatchewan born player and the first since Terry Puhl retired in 1991 to play in the majors.
The 27-year-old was drafted by San Diego in 2008.
His career was sidetracked after he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during spring training in 2009, which required Tommy John surgery.
The Padres released him and he signed with the Twins in 2011.
His 8 1/3 scoreless innings, four hits allowed and two strike outs have his hometown and province proud.
“Residents are very much aware of the accomplishment and I know that thousands were following it, live streaming or whatever last night, following his performance and the buzz, you can feel it, it’s really quite electric in town right now,” said Ian Hamilton, Mayor of North Battleford.
Albers is expected to make his second MLB start on Sunday afternoon in Chicago against the White Sox.
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