Fergie Olver

Early life and baseball career

Fergie Olver was born on July 5, 1947, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and spent most of his youth in Moose Jaw. In Moose Jaw, he was an all-star high school baseball player and also played junior hockey as a member of the Moose Jaw Canucks in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. When Olver was 18 years old, his family relocated to Anaheim, California, where he continued to excel in baseball for the Western High School team. Olver began his minor league career in 1962 with the Harlan Smokies, a Class D affiliate of the White Sox. In his first professional season, he played 45 games and posted a batting average of .283, hitting 2 home runs, driving in 21 runs, and stealing 11 bases. The following year, he was promoted to the Class A level with the Sarasota Sun Sox, but his stint there was brief. After his release, Olver returned to Canada to continue playing, joining the Saskatoon franchise of the Western Canadian Baseball League, which marked the end of his organized professional baseball pursuit.

Broadcasting career beginnings

Following his baseball career, Fergie Olver entered the television industry, starting in a technical role as a cameraman at CFCN-TV in Calgary. After a short four-month assignment in Lloydminster, he moved back to Moose Jaw to work at CHAB radio and its television counterpart, CHAB-TV. He spent five years building his on-air experience in Saskatchewan before moving to a larger market in Regina. In 1969, Olver made a significant leap to CFCF-TV in Montreal, a major station in eastern Canada, though his tenure there lasted only four months before he moved to CFTO-TV in Toronto later that same year.

Olver's position at CFTO-TV, the flagship station of the CTV Television Network, lasted from 1969 until 1984. At CTV, he took on a variety of national broadcasting assignments that demonstrated his versatility. His early roles included calling the play-by-play for the Wrigley National Midget Tournament, a prestigious youth baseball event. He also served as a host for prominent horse racing events, including the Kentucky Derby and Canada's Queen's Plate, which laid the groundwork for his later involvement in the harness racing industry as an owner.

Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster

Fergie Olver's most enduring sports broadcasting legacy is his long association with Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays, beginning shortly after the team's inception. He initially served as a dugout reporter during Blue Jays game broadcasts, providing insights and interviews from field level. In 1984, Olver transitioned to the primary play-by-play announcer role for Blue Jays games on The Sports Network (TSN), a position he held through the 1989 season. His broadcasting style was characterized by a pronounced and enthusiastic homerism, openly cheering for the home team, which resonated with many fans during the club's rise in popularity. Olver became famous for his energetic catchphrase, "how about those Blue Jays," which he would often exclaim following a great play or a Toronto victory. After his run as the main play-by-play voice on TSN concluded, he continued as a reporter for Blue Jays broadcasts on CTV and later the Baton Broadcasting System. In recognition of his contributions to baseball broadcasting, Olver was nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award, presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in 2004.

Just Like Mom and children's television

Parallel to his sports career, Fergie Olver achieved widespread fame as the affable co-host of the children's game show Just Like Mom. The show aired from 1980 to 1985 and featured teams of children competing alongside their mothers in various fun and messy challenges. Olver's co-host was his wife, Catherine Swing, who was also the creator of the program. Their on-screen chemistry and the show's family-friendly format made it a staple of afternoon television for Canadian children throughout the early 1980s, and it remains a notable part of Canadian pop culture from that era.

Fergie Olver co-hosted the children's television game show Just Like Mom from 1980 to 1985 with his wife Catherine Swing. The success of Just Like Mom showed his ability to connect with an audience outside of sports. His role on the show involved engaging with young contestants and their families. This work alongside his sports commentary gave him a unique place in Canadian media.

Involvement in harness racing

Beyond broadcasting, Fergie Olver maintained a significant business interest in harness racing for many years. In the early 1970s, he owned his own stable of approximately 20 standardbred horses. His involvement in the sport grew substantially over the next decade as he partnered with two business associates to form a much larger racing operation. By 1984, the partnership had expanded their holdings to a stable of between 60 and 70 horses, making it a notable enterprise within Canadian harness racing circles.

Fergie Olver owned a harness racing stable of about 20 horses in the early 1970s. He later formed a large stable with business partners and by 1984 owned 60 to 70 horses. He had also served as a host for the Kentucky Derby and Queen's Plate horse races. Olver sold his stable by 1986, concluding his direct ownership in the industry.

Career timeline and key roles

Fergie Olver's career in television and sports spanned several decades. He began as a cameraman at CFCN-TV in Calgary before working at CHAB radio and CHAB-TV in Moose Jaw. He joined CFTO-TV in Toronto in 1969 and served as a national broadcaster for CTV. He was the play-by-play announcer for Toronto Blue Jays games on TSN from 1984 to 1989 and co-hosted the game show Just Like Mom.

• 1970s: Served as a national broadcaster for CTV. Hosted the Kentucky Derby and Queen's Plate. Owned a harness racing stable.
• 1980 to 1985: Co-hosted the children's game show Just Like Mom with his wife Catherine Swing.
• 1984 to 1989: Primary play-by-play announcer for Toronto Blue Jays games on TSN.
• Post-1989: Continued as a reporter for Blue Jays broadcasts on CTV and Baton Broadcasting until 1996.
• 2004: Nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

His career included work across local radio, national sports, and children's entertainment. He was known for his homerism and the catchphrase "how about those Blue Jays" during Blue Jays games. He also co-hosted the children's game show Just Like Mom. In 2004, he was nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award for his baseball broadcasting.

Questions about Fergie Olver

What was Fergie Olver's involvement in horse racing?

Fergie Olver was actively involved in harness racing as an owner. In the early 1970s, he owned a stable of about 20 horses. He later went into partnership and expanded the operation to own between 60 and 70 horses by 1984. He sold his stable by 1986. His interest in the sport was complemented by his earlier work as a television host for the Kentucky Derby and the Queen's Plate.

What is Fergie Olver best known for?

Fergie Olver is best known as a Canadian former sportscaster and game show host. His most prominent roles were as a play by play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays on TSN from 1984 to 1989 and as co host of the 1980s children's television game show Just Like Mom. He was also a reporter and dugout reporter for Blue Jays games on CTV and later Baton Broadcasting System until 1996. Olver was known for his enthusiastic homerism and his catchphrase 'how about those Blue Jays'. His broadcasting career also included hosting major horse races like the Kentucky Derby and Queen's Plate for CTV.

Did Fergie Olver play professional baseball?

Yes, Fergie Olver played professional baseball in the minor leagues. He signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox organization in August 1961. In 1962, he played 45 games for the Class D Harlan Smokies, batting .283 with 2 home runs and 21 RBI. The following season he played 13 games for the Class A Sarasota Sun Sox, getting 8 hits in 45 at bats for a .178 average.

Who was Fergie Olver's co-host on Just Like Mom?

Fergie Olver's co-host on Just Like Mom was his wife, Catherine Swing. Catherine Swing was also the creator of the children's television game show. Together, they co hosted the program for its entire run from 1980 to 1985. The show was a notable part of Olver's broadcasting career alongside his work in sports. This collaboration highlighted a unique family partnership in Canadian television during that era.

What broadcasting awards was Fergie Olver nominated for?

Fergie Olver was nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award in 2004. This award is presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to honour excellence in baseball broadcasting. The nomination recognises his significant contributions as a sportscaster, particularly his long tenure covering the Toronto Blue Jays. His career included play by play announcing, reporting, and hosting for major networks like CTV and TSN over several decades.

Where did Fergie Olver begin his television career?

Fergie Olver began his television career as a cameraman at CFCN TV in Calgary. After a brief four month stint in Lloydminster, he moved to work at CHAB radio and CHAB TV in Moose Jaw. He spent five years there before relocating to Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1969, he joined CFCF TV in Montreal but left after only four months for CFTO TV in Toronto, where he remained until 1984, establishing the foundation for his national broadcasting career.

Sources and further reading

• Fergie Olver (Wikipedia)
• Fergie Olver was a 1980s TV fixture as sportscaster and ... (leaderpost.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-02.