Wray Morrison: Raines in under the wire

I realize I echo what most of Canada is thinking, but I’ll say it anyway: It was great to see Tim Raines be inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

Ironically, when I think back to Raines’ playing days, there isn’t a particular play or instance that I vividly recall. Raines was just one player of many great players that I followed on Canada’s national league team.

At a time prior to all sports networks, when we were starved for baseball, we got a Wednesday night game Expos game on TV in the 1980’s.

The first batter up in the bottom of the first inning at Olympic Stadium was always Tim Raines. One didn’t dare turn off the TV or walk away. He made things happen with bat in hand. Once he was on base, he was always a threat to steal.

In a word: dynamic. 

It’s hard to believe it took the full ten years to get Raines in to the Hall of Fame.