Haney wins All-Star Game MVP

By Lethbridge Herald on July 17, 2023.

WCBL PHOTO Lethbridge Bulls' Kalem Haney was handed his most valuable player award by former Major League Baseball all-star Matt Stairs at the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game on Saturday in Okotoks.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Bulls Kalem Haney played a pivotal point in Saturday night’s Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game in Okotoks, and as a result it earned him game MVP (most valubale player).

The Lethbridge product substituted into the game in fifth inning and hit a home run that brought in him and Bulls teammate Torrin Vaselenak in to tie the game 4-4, and ultimately helped Team West comeback to beat Team East 10-4.

He hit a single in the game and scored while on base from that hit.

“Yeah, it feels pretty cool,” said Haney.

“… (It )never even like crossed my mind thinking about MVP. It’s just kind of the all-star game, and then just enjoying it , and being around some of the guys, and meeting some of the new guys from different teams.  And then being around some of my good buddies, like Josh (Kabayama) and Torrin from the Bulls with me ,and just being there with them and kind of enjoying the moment was kind of cool for all of us.”

Haney said it was a lot of fun.

“From the Home Run Derby to the All-Star Game, it was just really well put together, and it was a blast getting to know some of the like best talent in the league from all different teams,” he said.

“And then just like becoming friends with each and every one of them, picking their brains about stuff and yeah it was cool.”

Haney said the whole team put really good swings on balls.

“We hits balls really hard,” said Haney.

“…Pitchers threw really well for us and bats were swinging. So yeah it was good.”

Haney learned to enjoy the moment.

“A lot of the guys were just like, Oh yeah enjoy the moment, like have fun” said Haney.

“It was still just playing a kids game. So like just have fun and it’s not as serious as it may seem on some days.”

On top of the home run, Haney thought it was special to have his parents and grandparents at the game.

The three local products of Haney, Vaselenak and Kabayama were also joined by pitchers Max Benton, Mason Chien and Devin Benavides from the Bulls.

Benavides replaced other Bulls pitcher Cole Bormann because of his injury.