SPORTS FLASHBACK 2006: Vassar brothers slated for Baseball Hall of Fame

Nine Cote brothers from the Vassar area, who made their mark on baseball diamonds in the region from the 1940s to the 1970s, will be inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, June 2, 2007 in Morden.

The announcement of inductees was made at a Baseball Hall of Fame press conference in Winnipeg this week. Also ushered into the Hall next June will be Steve Derewianchuk of Vita, a contemporary of the Cote brothers.

Being inducted in a special category, the Cote family is being ushered into the Hall with the Ingram family of Winnipeg.

The Cote family was synonymous with baseball in the Vassar area for four decades. There was a time when they all played for Vassar during the same time as the Cote nine fielded their own team in some tournaments.

Lucien, the oldest, who pitched and played infield, possessed a ferocious passion for the game. James was an excellent right fielder with a strong arm and was a good hitter. James and Lucien were often recruited by Minnesota teams for tournaments.

Aime played second or shortstop and provided inspiration with his constant chatter. Denis pitched left-handed and had very good control. Ovide, a left-handed hitting catcher, with a solid physique, had a strong arm.

Robert, an outfielder, had an excellent batting eye, which allowed him to draw many walks and had the skill and ability to steal bases. Emilien, a switch-hitting pitcher, was a gifted player and a powerful home run hitter. Emile, a speedy centre fielder, was small in stature, but had great range and was a good base runner.

Louis, the youngest, was a right-handed hitter and utility infielder. Louis and Emilien died together in a car accident in their early 20’s, in August 1968, in a crash near Sandilands.

Derewianchuk to be inducted

Vita’s Steve Derewianchuk was a catcher for more than 30 years, beginning in 1951. Derewianchuk was a catcher with the Vita Cubs, Tolstoi Jets, Winkler Royals, Rossburn and Melita Beavers. He was an all-star catcher in the United States Dominion League and later in the Southeast Border League.

He helped Vita win the Dominion League championship in 1955, and Tolstoi the following year. In 1959, Derewianchuk was the MVP as Vita won the Southeast Border League championship.

A total of 11 individuals, four teams and two families in the Special category will be inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame 11th induction banquet and ceremony on Saturday, June 2, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Morden Recreation Centre.