Leader's Dean Mathison is set to be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as a player Aug. 16 at the museum in Battleford.
Mathison was born June 3, 1948, in Cabri. A few years, he later moved to Leader where his father was employed as a mechanic. He was not the biggest or strongest boy in Leader, but he willed himself to become an athlete.
Mathison started playing baseball in his teen years, and soon was admired for his smooth athletic ability on the diamond. He lived across the street from the Leader Elementary School and would throw and field golf balls against the brick wall of the school auditorium.
In 1964, Mathison played midget baseball with Leader. He played his first year of senior baseball with the Leader Barons in 1965. Mathison played second base in 1965 and '66. He was like a human vacuum on the field, always batting better than .300. He played third base and was nicknamed "Pigpen" because his uniform was always dirty, torn and bloody from diving for every ball hit his way at the hot corner.
Mathison was one of the finest third-baseman in the history of the Sask Alta League, with a quick glove, strong accurate arm and fielding skills of a major leaguer. He was proficient hitter. His fielding skills made him stand out with few errors, fielding hard hit balls down the third base with ease.
In 1957, Dean hit a home run off Dave Pagan in Prince Albert during a 2-1 loss to Pagan's team.
After attending and graduating from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, he remained in Calgary for a couple of years before moving back to Leader. While in Calgary, Mathison drove to Leader every Friday night with his girlfriend - his now late wife, Valerie - to play in weekend tournaments and travelled back to Calgary Sunday night.
Mathison played with the Leader Barons almost continuously from 1965 until 1983 when the team disbanded. His Barons' career batting average was .388. Statistics also record Mathison as having 502 hits in 1,295 at bats, including 49 home runs, 14 triples, 108 doubles and 331 singles. He was a player with the powerful Leader Barons, winning the League Championship in 1966, '68, '71-'75, '78, '79 and '81.
He won the 2008 Sask Alta Baseball League Grant Ehnisz Memorial Trophy for outstanding dedication and sportsmanship.
Mathison was also active in hockey, softball and football in Leader. Living in Chestermere, Alta. and as a member of the Lions Club, he was voted the 2007 Lion of the Year. He still swings a golf club and can also be seen cruising the streets and highways on his motorcycle.
He has now returned to live in Leader.
