Former Blue Jays farmhand Roger Kahle remembered as a 'gentle giant'

At six-foot-four and more than 200 pounds, Stratford's Roger Kahle was an imposing presence on the mound while facing opposing hitters.

Article content At six-foot-four and more than 200 pounds, Stratford’s Roger Kahle was an imposing presence on the mound while facing opposing hitters in a career that peaked with a season in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. But the hard throwing lefty was a “gentle giant” off the field. Kahle, 66, died July 8 after a short battle with cancer.

“There was a warmth to his personality,” longtime partner Sandy McKay said. “He went out of his way to help anybody.” The pair met in 1985, a few years after an elbow injury ended Kahle’s big league dream.

McKay marvelled at Kahle’s stories, many of them about his one season in Medicine Hat, Alta. The young pitcher posted a 3.27 earned-run average in 13 games, four of them stars, for Toronto’s rookie ball affiliate that won a league title that season. Kahle struck out 7.40 batters per nine innings, right in between teammates David Wells and Jimmy Key, while other stats matched up with the decorated major leaguers.

“We just hit it off (and) we shared a lot of laughs,” McKay said. “He told me all of his baseball stories. I hadn’t left Stratford, and it was fascinating to me.

“He was a great guy.” It was evident early that Kahle was going to be a star. He formed a dominant duo with right-hander Steve Mulford that was often unstoppable during their time in Stratford minor baseball.

By the time he reached senior ball, Kahle would neutralize left-handed hitters aiming for the short right-field fence at National Stadium. “We had so much success because (Kahle) was so big,” former teammate Kevin Aitcheson said. “His stature was huge ... and he was a presence on the mound.”

Kahle’s ability to overpower hitters with a fastball that had natural movement caught the attention of Eastern Arizona University, where he attended school and faced the likes of Cecil Fielder. He also recommended the team bring in another player from Stratford, and Aitcheson landed at the school in 1979. “He kind of prompted me to look into furthering my baseball career and education, so I give him kudos for that,” the Stratford Sports Wall of Famer said.

“He was a very good mentor to me.” The two, both with big league aspirations, trained together one winter at the Stratford YMCA. “You always left there with a sore hand,” Aitcheson said.

“We made the best of what we had.” Before his career ended, Kahle pitched Ontario to a Canada Summer Games title in 1981, and he never strayed far from the game he loved. Kahle and McKay took summer road trips over the years to catch games in Boston, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Francisco and Cleveland.

He loved the sport’s history, which was overwhelming during a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. “His eyes lit up,” McKay said, “and he said, ‘I never thought I’d get here.’ He really enjoyed it.”

Family was also important to Kahle, who was “like a father” to McKay’s daughter and loved his grandkids, Cole and Zoey. “He was very proud of them,” McKay said. One friend paid tribute online to Kahle by calling him “one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.”

Another referred to Kahle as “a quiet, kind, gentle giant.” “I just think it confirms how we felt about him, too,” McKay said. “He was a kind, generous guy, and he was loved by many.

“He was a wonderful guy. He lived a full life. He just didn’t get a long one, unfortunately.”

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, July 18 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the W.G. Young Funeral Home reception centre.