Vern Handrahan monument in Victoria Park 'a no-brainer'

A P.E.I. man is asking Charlottetown council to erecta monument atMemorial Field to honour the latebaseball proVern Handrahan, the only Islander to ever play in the Major Leagues in the 20th century.

Greg Stapleton, founder of the Charlottetown Cannons baseball club, wants to see Handrahan recognized, and says the field in Victoria Park makes the most sense.

• Vern Handrahanremembered as 'model for any athlete'

Stapleton said the monument doesn't have to be expensive, but should recognize the significant role of Handrahan, who died last fall.

"I feel like it's kind of ano-brainerto have something like this to honourVern," he said. "To have something there for future ballplayers in Charlottetown, to have a place to pay their respects to a guy who meant a lot to the sport and the game of baseball here in Charlottetown, in P.E.I. and right across Canada."

Council to consider proposal

Handrahanpitched in 1964 and 1966for the Kansas City Athletics.He played two seasons with the A's, with no wins and one loss in 61.1 innings, mostly in relief.

Handrahanwas sent the minors in 1967, and after a few more years of AAA he returned to Charlottetown, where he coached kids and played in an old-timers league.

He died in November at age 79.

Coun.Terry MacLeod is meeting with Stapleton this week to explore setting up a committee to discuss the possibility.

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