St. Boniface Legion 43 Legionaires 1982 Canadian Junior Champions

In 1982 St. Boniface Legion 143 Legionaires won the Manitoba, Western Canada, and Canadian junior championships.

St. Boniface downed the pennant winning St James As 3 games to 1 in playoffs for the provincial title. Then they captured the Western Canadian crown at a tournament in Transcona. They advanced to the Canadian Junior championships at Niagara Falls, and edged out Quebec 5–4 in the game for the gold medal.

The Plum Coulee Pirates were a prominent team in southern Manitoba in the 1950’s, but their best year was probably 1955. They won tournaments at Winkler, Vita, Carman, St. James, Plum Coulee and two in Manitou. They also won the Southeastern Manitoba League championship with a pair if 1-0 wins in a best of three series against Miami (Miami took game 2, 2-0.

The Plum Coulee Pirates were a great tournament team and were well known and respected. They won 7 tournaments in 1955, and in 1956 was equally as good, especially when pilot Mound picked the two best teams to play at their fair day. Belmont from the west and Plum Coulee from the east. plum Coulee won 6-4, in a tremendous game.

The Pirates were a very well balanced team with great speed, good pitching and strong hitting.

The Carman Goldeyes won six consecutive Red-Boine League crowns, 1983-88 inclusive. In five of those years they beat out Western Manitoba teams for the Frank Richardson Trophy, emblematic of Manitoba’s senior chamionship. The Goldeyes won the silver medal at Western Canadian championship tourney in Red Deer, 1984.

Wimpy Williamson played 25 years with the Belmont A’s as a right fielder and terrific power hitter. Wimpy played 2-3 tournaments a week in North Dakota, southern Manitoba, and southeastern Saskatchewan. He won July 1st tournaments in both Neepawa and Morden. Wimpy was part of the Belmont team that won the Central Manitoba Baseball Association (8 leagues) championship in 1952. He played against touring teams, including Muskogee Cardinals. Wimpy loved baseball and roll-your-own cigarettes.

Tony Tascona played as an under age player at midget and juvenile levels, then played junior with Elmwood Giants and St. Boniface Native Sons. Tony was with the Brandon Greys in 1948 when they won the Manitoba Senior Baseball title, and then for the next season went to Winnipeg Reos. Tony was a good fielder, hitter, and excellent bunter. Tony was also a strong hockey player, but he left sports as a young man to pursue a career in art. Tascona has received many awards for artistic endeavors. Tony became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996.

Gerry Shumanski was a tremendous shortstop for the Dauphin Redbirds for 20 years. Gerry was MSBL’s 1st team all-star 6 times, 2nd team all-star 4 times. Gerry was a key part of teams that won MSBL championship in 1961 as well as the prestigious Birtle July 1 tournament in 1963, 65 and 66. Shumanski was always a strong lead-off hitter, and led MSBL in walks in 1968, and hit .432 in 1970. Gerry was an excellent base runner, had good range, and a strong throwing arm from short. Gerry was also well known in curling circles.

Bob was a catcher with Elmwood Giants for 10 years, and won the Manitoba Juvenile crown in 1951. Bob umpired in Winnipeg midget, juvenile, and junior leagues. President of Manitoba Junior Baseball League, 1962-65. Picken acted as the Chairman of national junior tournament in Winnipeg in 1965, was a member of the 1967 Pan Am Games Baseball Committee and broadcasted the Pan Am medal games over Metropolitan Radio Network. Bob also Broadcast the Winnipeg Whips games in the International League in 1969 for CJOB. Bob was Manager of the 1999 Pan Am Games baseball committee, and media section.

Walter Mueller can truly be called Manitou’s Mr. Baseball. Walter spent 25 years as player/manager for the Manitou Braves, and has been associated with the team for 40 years. Walter was picked up by Morden or Pilot Mound to pitch in many provincials. Mueller was named several times to the Border League all-star team, and coordinated Manitou Minor Baseball Association for 25 years; convened Manitou Sports Day for many years; and convened two provincial Senior B championships. Walter was very involved with the Central Regional Sports Association (founding member), and with the Pembina Hills Recreation Commission, in hockey and golf. Walter was on Manitou Town Council for 35 years, for the last 10 years as Mayor. Mueller was elected to the MBA Honour society in 1996.

Terry Moore was an outstanding southpaw pitcher and hard hitting first baseman. Terry played with Fort Garry, Riverview, and Isaac Brock on championship teams in Little League, Pony League, Bantam, Midget, Junior. Terry won 5 provincial senior crowns with the Transcona Atomics and was on another provincial finalist with Ste. Agathe Bisons. Moore played in the Saskatchewan Senior League with Melville and Moose Jaw. Highlights of Terry`s baseball career included; 1956 Canadian Pony League championship, back to back no-hitters at Notre Dame tournament, 21 strikeouts in 7 innings at Notre Dame tournament, beating Washington State in finals of tourney at Lacombe, Alberta, being part of 1969 Summer Games, signing with St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Maple Leafs in same year.

Claude Lambert started playing senior ball at age 14 in St. Laurent, which had two senior teams at the time. In 1975 Claude joined Warren in Winnipeg Senior League. In seven inning games he had one with 17 strikeouts and another with 16. Claude was the winning pitcher in the All-star game, and the winning pitcher over Quebec in national junior tournament in Winnipeg. Lambert was signed by the Houston Astros, he played pro baseball in Bradenton, Fla., Salisbury, N.C., Lexington, Ky. Claude pitched against Nolan Ryan. Pro career cut short by torn rotator cuff. In 1968 he played outfield with St. Lazare in MSBL, won the home-run crown, batting title, and was named to the all-star team. In 1969 Claude played with Transcona, representing Manitoba at the first Canada Summer Games in Halifax. Lambert returned to play several seasons with St. Laurent, who won several Interlake Senior League championships.