
Russ Parker
Baseball BUilder - Inducted 2012
Russ Parker, also known as “Mr. Baseball” in Calgary, coached baseball and hockey in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1972-1975 he was the first commissioner of the Alberta Major (Senior) Baseball League. In 1977, he brought a professional baseball franchise to Calgary for the Pioneer Baseball League; the Calgary Cardinals which later became the Calgary Expos. In 1985, Russ purchased the Salt Lake City Gulls. They became the Calgary Cannons and played in Calgary until 2002.
In 1965, Russ was the coach/manager of the Alberta team that won Canadian Junior Baseball Championship. For more than three decades, very few individuals can match the highly successful record Russ has had in owning and operating both baseball and hockey franchises. He owned and operated highly successful hockey franchises in Canada and the United States at the Junior A, Major Junior and Minor levels, including the Kansas City Blades. Currently, he is the owner of the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League and a member of the Board of Governors of the WHL.
Russ Parker was named the 2005 Calgary Booster Club’s “Sportsman of the Year” for his many years of commitment and development of baseball, hockey and sport in Calgary.

