So I guess most of you have heard the big news... but for those who haven't, I signed with the Blue Jays. Yes, the Toronto Blue Jays. They found me at the WBC, and seemed to like how I threw, so the next day after we got eliminated by the USA I got a phone number delivered to me at breakfast on the ripped off corner of a newspaper. It was the number to one of the top scouts in the Jays organization, they liked how I threw and wanted to sign me. I promptly agreed with everything they had to say and my life changed in that moment. Now instead of heading back to Holland for year 3 of my Dutch baseball career, I'm in minor league spring training camp with the Jays here in Dunedin, Florida. Not sure what team I am to be assigned to after spring training, but just to be here is an honor, and I am planning on making the most of all this.
Shorty (my wonderful wife) is here with me for another 5 days, and then flying back to her home in Oklahoma to get the car, and meet up with me where ever I am going to be assigned.
Life's moving very fast now, and has changed drastically. I will continue to blog (more often once I am here by myself) and add some pictures here and there. I do apologize for the lack of recent blogs but, like I said I've been quite busy with getting settled in here, and the craziness of the Netherlands team making it to the second round.
Anyways, time for a new chapter to begin...
Quick Bio
- LB 44
- I am a right handed pitcher, born and raised Canadian with a recently aquired Dutch passport, enabling me to play for the Netherlands national baseball team in all international events such as... Beijing Olympics 2008, 2009 WBC, World Cups in 2007 + 2009. My beautiful wife 'Shorty' and I are following the career wherever it takes us, this year... New Mexico, Vancouver, New Hampshire, Florida, Holland, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Oklahoma, France and everywhere in between.
17 comments:
Congratulations on both the Nederland victories over DR twice to make it to the second round and the signing with the Jays!! What a way for a Dutch-Canadian to make it into the Jays organization eh. Great story, and I wish you all the best, will be cheering for you man!
Congrats on the contract signing and opportunity to be in the Bigs. I watched you pitch in the WBC games and am a Jays fan, so I will be cheering for you! Good luck!
Congrats again... ripped off corner of a newspaper, eh? Nice. Right out of a movie script or something.
That's great picture as your banner. #44, and 404' to center field.
Very cool, congrats Leon.
During the WBC I was saying to my buddy that the Jays need to get a hold of you and I was pumped when I heard that they did in fact sign you.
Anyways, good luck Leon and hope to see you in Toronto soon.
Congratulations Leon! I sincerely hope and believe you will succeed in pro ball.
Regards, Loet
You SOOOOO deserve this Leon...enjoy the ride! You better believe we are all very proud of you!!!
Hi Leon,
I wish you the best for your baseball career. Enjoy Springtraing and give all you got and you will deserve the best you can get. Hopefully in the Advanced A or maybe in AA so you can make the jump to the big league in a few years. Who knows what will come, just put enormous effort in it and you wil make it. My son is also in Springtraining and he has the best time of his life. Good luck and don't ever forget us in The Netherlands. We will follow you!
Congrats Leon....we are so excited for you & cannot wait for the next chapter. Thinking of you...
the Caplans in Seattle
Congratulations Leon! A great story and a very good indication that baseball is an International sport and anyone can succeed!
Quick question...who is your agent?
It was great seeing you pitch on tv finally, and well worth it!
I'd have prefered for the Red Sox to call you, but I'll just have to hate the Jays a little less now!
If you end up in New Hampshire, I might be able to go see you pitch, and make Nadine a little jealous!
I wish you health all season.
Cheers,
Jacques Filippi
Hi Leon,
You did a great job in the WBC, now show your fellow Canucks what you're all about! Good luck this season, enjoy this opportunity;)
grtz Rob van Mil (Loek's brother)
Hi Leon. Great show at the WBC. I watched nearly every inning of all of the Dutch games. You pitched extremely well, and certainly deserve a chance at the big leagues.
Just keep pitching like you did in the WBC and you will do great. All the best,
Uncle Gerry
We're rooting you on Leon!
At John McDonald's Cabinet we'll follow you all season long! http://www.johnnymaccabinet.blogspot.com
We'll keep people posted!
Relish this opportunity!
Hi Leon,
Wishing you all the best at the Blue Jays, but already missing you in the pinestripes of Neptunus.
Congratulations on your team's performance at the WBC and big congrats on getting signed! I heard some really nice comments about you by the ESPN broadcasters. I kept checking this blog for news, hoping to hear that some team wanted to sign you. Very cool, keep up the great work!
LS (a fan in NY)
Congrats, and best of luck! Your fans in Europe will be pulling for you.
I LOVE new chapters!!! You know how much support and love is coming from our North Vancouver household. Just remember it if/when it gets tough.
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