Dunedin, Fla. — Like the good ol' Canadian boy that he is, Matt Stairs tried to get himself into top condition for baseball camp with the Toronto Blue Jays by playing hockey.
"I think that's why I did a lot more extra skating this season to get in better shape," said the 38-year-old slugger who could be used as the Jays' fourth outfielder and backup designated hitter if he secures a roster spot.
The Saint John native is a 14-year veteran and a non-roster invitee to the Blue Jays' camp. He played most of last season with the Kansas City Royals before being dealt to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. He was later claimed on waivers by the Detroit Tigers.
Stairs was the Tigers' designated hitter in the 14 games he played with them, helping Detroit secure the American League wild-card berth, but he was not eligible for postseason play.
He made his first spring-training appearance as a Jay yesterday.
"Coming back home to Canada, signing with Toronto when I did, I was kind of hoping spring training would start right away," said Stairs, whose career numbers include 220 home runs and 751 runs batted in. "It was nice to get down here and get out of the cold weather and get out of the hockey rinks . . . and get into the swing of things."
Stairs calls Bangor, Me., home. After the 2006 baseball season, he headed back there and coached a high-school hockey team and played hockey himself in what he referred to as "a gentlemen's league."
Stairs is the only Canadian-born player in the Blue Jays' camp. If he makes the team, he would be the first Canadian on the roster since 2005 (Corey Koskie of Anola, Man.).
In total, 12 Canadians have suited up for the Blue Jays over the 30-year history of the franchise.
