Born April 19, 1868 in London, England, Joe Page earned the title of “Father of Baseball” in Quebec through his nearly 60 years of involvement with the sport. He was involved with Montreal’s first 19th century professional team and helped bring the first incarnation of the Royals to the city. His founding of the Montreal Baseball League in 1897 prompted his French-speaking competitors to respond the next year by forming the Quebec Provincial League. Page used his connections and promotional skills to direct the 1934 tour of the Babe Ruth All-Stars to Japan. Prior to that, he had organized the investment group that brought International League baseball back to Montreal with the formation of the second iteration of the Royals in 1928. Joe Page later worked as a scout and journalist, and served as an advisor to the Provincial League. He was also employed as editor of the Canadian edition of the Spalding Guide and became an honorary member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and helped bring the National Association Convention to Montreal in 1930 and 1936. Page died April 3, 1947 in Montreal.
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