Dave Pagan – Athlete

Born in 1949, Dave Pagan grew up in Snowden dreaming of someday playing baseball in the Major Leagues.

With few, if any, Canadian‑born players on active Major League rosters Pagan knew that his chances were slim, but he held on to that dream and in 1970 was a starting pitcher with the New York Yankees’ farm team.

Pagan’s talents were first noticed when as a 16‑year‑old he helped the Snowden Spartans win almost every tournament they entered. The Prince Albert Bohemians, a senior men’s team, brought Pagan to the city and in 1968 he helped the Bohemians reach the Western Canadian championships. The following year, Pagan was instrumental in the Eston Ramblers’ appearance at the Canada Summer Games.

In 1970, Pagan achieved his lifelong dream when he was included in the New York Yankees’ farm team roster. Pagan played three seasons with that club and in 1973 he joined the parent team in New York. After two years in the Big Apple where he won one game and lost three while pitching in 93 innings and striking out 66 batters, Pagan moved to the Baltimore Orioles in 1976 and split the 1977 campaign with the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates. Two more years in the minors concluded Pagan’s professional career in 1979.

Back in Saskatchewan, Pagan played three years with the Saskatoon Patrick Liners where he helped that club advance to the national tournament in 1980 and ’81.

Pagan remains active in the sport as he umpires both softball and baseball games in his native Nipawin. The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome Dave Pagan into its shrine in the athlete’s category.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.