Interesting controversy earlier in the week concerning Team Canada as the guy supposed to be the squad’s No. 1 starter Scott Richmond was called up to the big leagues by the Blue Jays. Check out this rip in the Globe and Mail:

It’s still difficult to wrap your head around the Toronto Blue Jays’ calling up Richmond on the eve of the Beijing Olympics, effectively tossing a grenade into Canada’s pitching plans. He is no prospect, this native of North Vancouver, B.C., and former Vancouver dockworker who honed his pitching talents in the independent leagues. Surely the Blue Jays could have waited longer to get a read on him - September, maybe - and surely there must be some other right-hander in the organization available. The Blue Jays can say they’re still in the wild-card race even if they’re not and it’s okay to send the fans messages that you’ll still be competitive, but bringing up Richmond accomplishes neither.

There are a couple of interesting names on the Team Canada roster this time around. First is 41-year-old Rhéal Cormier of New Brunswick, who as recently as 2006 pitched pretty well for the Phillies. Cormier had shoulder problems after signing a minor league contract with the Braves in 2007 and retired, but after a year of rehab he’s reportedly throwing pretty well.

The other name is a tad obscure, Richard “Stubby” Clapp from Windsor, Ontario. Clapp’s entire MLB career was all of 25 ABs for the Cardinals, but was a fan favorite in the minors where he posted a career .268/.369/.405. He had his number retired by the Memphis Redbirds in 2006 and is currently a hitting instructor in the Astros organization.