Calgary Retires #34
For only the third time in team history the Calgary Pioneers are retiring a player’s number and this time it is the beloved #34. For 17 seasons, Calgary fans watched #34 run like a gazelle in the outfield at the old park. We of course are talking about the legend himself, Johnnie Iraq.
Iraq, voted into the BBA Hall of Fame in 2018 and Calgary’s Hall in 2022 is one of the most beloved players in team history. While he played on many great teams and made several trips to the playoffs, the one goal that eluded him was playing on a Landis winning team. He was selected to 7 all star teams and won the Zimmer Award 3 times.
“I can’t tell you what an honor this is. I never dreamed that my jersey would be up in the rafters here,” Iraq said.
Iraq joins Bombo Vadabonceur and Hector Cano as the only other players to have their numbers retired by Calgary.
Iraq played in Calgary from 1992-2009 in 2093 games. He finished his career with a .307 AVG and a .898 OPS. He amassed 2498 hits, scored 1469 runs, drove in 1389 and stole 598 bases. He still ranks among the team’s all time leaders in most batting categories.
After his playing days were finished, Iraq returned as a coach for the organization. He started as the manager in 2017 in Rookie ball and worked his way up to manage AAA St. Paul in 2021. After 6 seasons there, he took over the reigns in Calgary in 2027. He only managed the team for 4 seasons and made the playoffs 3 of them. Iraq abruptly retired 2 games into his 5th season at the helm in Calgary.
A career that stretched from 1992-2031 with one organization. Iraq gave most of his life to the fans of Calgary. Today they remembered.
Links will be added tomorrow.
Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
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Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
Kevin
Calgary Pioneers 2004-
BBA Landis Champs 2018, 21
FL Champs 2018, 21, 39
FL Pacific Champs: 2016, 19, 21, 34
FL Frontier Champs 2039
FL WC 2018, 26-29, 31-32, 35
JL WC 2040, 41, 44
FL MOY 2019, 34
JL MOY 2044
Calgary Pioneers 2004-
BBA Landis Champs 2018, 21
FL Champs 2018, 21, 39
FL Pacific Champs: 2016, 19, 21, 34
FL Frontier Champs 2039
FL WC 2018, 26-29, 31-32, 35
JL WC 2040, 41, 44
FL MOY 2019, 34
JL MOY 2044
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Re: Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
Nice, that's awesome. I haven't retired in a number in a few years, but it doesn't look like anyone will be deserving of it anytime soon.
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Re: Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
hernandez was a great one, underrated in a sense.
Randy Weigand
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Re: Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
Iraq eased the subject of one of the first Media Guide articles.
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Re: Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
congrats to Johnnie Iraq!
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Re: Trail Droppings 2045-26 Calgary Retires #34
Remember which year? I don't remember it.
Kevin
Calgary Pioneers 2004-
BBA Landis Champs 2018, 21
FL Champs 2018, 21, 39
FL Pacific Champs: 2016, 19, 21, 34
FL Frontier Champs 2039
FL WC 2018, 26-29, 31-32, 35
JL WC 2040, 41, 44
FL MOY 2019, 34
JL MOY 2044
Calgary Pioneers 2004-
BBA Landis Champs 2018, 21
FL Champs 2018, 21, 39
FL Pacific Champs: 2016, 19, 21, 34
FL Frontier Champs 2039
FL WC 2018, 26-29, 31-32, 35
JL WC 2040, 41, 44
FL MOY 2019, 34
JL MOY 2044
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