Elliott: RIP Don Welke, longtime Toronto Blue Jays scout
From SABR member Bob Elliott at the Canadian Baseball Network on September 21, 2018:
There are only a few games remaining at the Rogers Centre.
If you take in a home game take a moment to look at the banners hanging from the rafters in centre field and remember the late Don Welke. Welke, who was hired to scout for the Blue Jays in 1977, had a lot to do with banners from 1985, 1989 and 1991, as well as the 1992-93 World Series
Hopefully, beside Robbie Alomar’s retired No. 12 you will also see Roy Halladay’s retired No. 32 rather than part of the name Halladay and a No. 2 as fans saw last week during Tournament 12, as a hinge came undone causing the banner to fold.
Along with Bobby Mattick, Bob Engle, Al LaMacchia, Tim Wilken, Ellis Dungun, Chris Buckley, Wayne Morgan, Gordon Lakey and Wilbur (Moose) Johnson, Welke was one of the most reliable, trustworthy scouts in Pat Gillick’s inner circle.
Welke was involved in evaluating and scouting Dave Stieb, Pat Hentgen and John Olerud, who all wound up as major contributors to the Blue Jays. He died two days shy of his 76th birthday. He was with the Jays from 1977 until 1996.
Read the full article here: https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/canadian-baseball-network-articles/vu1j5hxd2y10973fclygwrtpo8zn6g
Originally published: September 24, 2018. Last Updated: September 24, 2018.