A Nanaimo ball player’s path toward the big leagues was the best-read sports story of the year.
The News Bulletin is carrying on a tradition of noting the top 10 most-clicked sports articles on www.nanaimobulletin.com during the year.
For 2019, local sports fans were most interested to read ‘Nanaimo pitcher chosen in Major League Baseball draft’ on June 4, an article about Josh Burgmann, a former Nanaimo Pirates standout.
The Washington Huskies right-hander was taken taken in the fifth round, 162nd overall, by the Chicago Cubs and was the top British Columbia player taken in the draft. Burgmann was previously drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 30th round, 916th overall, in 2016, but chose the U of W at that time with the hopes of being re-drafted.
Articles about the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards are consistently among the year’s best-read on our site. ‘Finalists announced for Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards,’ Feb. 18, was the runner-up most-clicked sports article in 2019 and ‘Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards announce winners,’ Feb. 22, was seventh.
A national championship was third-most-read, with ‘VIU Mariners men’s team takes 2019 national basketball title’ on March 16 garnering a lot of page views. The story detailed a great game, as the Mariners squeaked out an 85-82 win over the Sheridan Bruins at the Langley Events Centre to take home the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association crown.
A couple of recent sports news stories filled the next two slots on the top 10. ‘First Snuneymuxw Fight Night to be held at community gym’ on Dec. 10 was the fourth-most-clicked sports story on our website, as the News Bulletin interviewed boxer Eli Wyse who had been training to main-event the card on his nation’s territory.
Then came ‘Nanaimo Clippers name 24-year-old as new GM of hockey team’ on Dec. 18, about Tali Campbell taking on a hockey operations role with the city’s BCHL club, as well.
Sixth on the list was ‘Nanaimo powerlifters set B.C. records, personal bests’ on Nov. 22, about athletes from Dolly’s Gym.
Eighth was ‘Wrestling legend ‘The Hitman’ to bare heart at talk in Nanaimo’ Sept. 12 after pro wrestling hall-of-famer Bret Hart spoke to the News Bulletin.
‘New kids’ basketball program will take to the court in Nanaimo’ on June 27 came in at No. 9, and ‘Vancouver Canucks alumni will play for Loaves and Fishes in Nanaimo,’ published March 2, rounded out the top 10.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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