CARDINALS CELEBRATE “ECK” DAY AT DELAIR PARK

From Ken Keeley of the Abbotsford Cardinals:

April 17 was a special day for the Abbotsford Cardinals as they welcomed the Ontario Blue Jays to Delair Park as part of the Blue Jays Spring Training Tour.  The Blue Jays President and Cardinal Alumnus is Corey Eckstein.

The day was billed as a day to celebrate baseball in Abbotsford.  With Firefighters manning the concession grills to raise funds for the Challenger Baseball Program, 50/50 and raffle prize draws there were as many off field activities as on field.

In the afternoon  the Junior Cardinals played the Blue Jays 16u winning by a score of 6-1 and in the  evening game the Senior Cardinals defeated the Blue Jays 17u 7-1.

More importantly that the games was the ceremony between games celebrating baseball.  

Several teams were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2024 season--

Bantam Cardinals Western Canadian Champions, 13u AAA National Champions, 13u AA Western Canadian Champions, 13u A Provincial Champions

The Cardinals used this opportunity to recognize and thank Corey for his 15 years (2005-2020) as Director of Player Development for the Cardinals, owner of the Sandlot Baseball Academy and directorof the Baseball Academy at Yale Secondary. 

Under Corey’s leadership the Cardinals won BCPBL Championships in 2016 and 2018.

Corey was also an assistant coach with the Canadian Junior team and head coach of Team BC at Summer Games, Canada Cup and T-12 tournaments.

As part of the ceremony the Cardinals retired three numbers on the Delair Park outfield fence. 

42 honors Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the Major Leagues, and his tireless work for civil rights both on and off the field.

14 honors Sean Phillips and Cardinal player tragically killed in a car accident in 2007. . 

Annually  the Cardinals award the Sean Phillips Bursary to graduating players who demonstrate Sean’s strong work ethic, his good academic abilities and his community involvement..  

47 honors Corey Eckstein for his commitment to baseball with the Cardinals, the community of Abbotsford and the Province of BC.

As a memento, Cardinals President Brad Rosse presented Corey with two pairs of custom Nike cleats: one sporting #47 custom painted with the  Cardinals logo and the second Derek Jeter themed.