Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

HALL OF FAMER ERNIE WHITT

Scott — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:28:58 +0000

After being selected from the Boston Red Sox in the 1976 expansion draft, Ernie Whitt evolved into one of the most popular players in Toronto Blue Jays history. From 1977 to 1989, the beloved Jays mainstay toiled in 1,218 games for the club, the fourth most in franchise history.

A reliable defensive catcher, the Michigan native established himself as an offensive threat in 1982, when he belted 11 home runs, the first of eight consecutive seasons in which he slugged more than 10 homers. The nine-time Jays’ Opening Day catcher enjoyed one of his finest seasons in 1985, when he blasted 19 homers, was named to the all-star team and helped propel the club to its first division title. Another career highlight occurred on September 14, 1987, when Whitt slugged three home runs in a contest that saw the Jays set a major league record with ten round-trippers. In his 12 seasons playing in Toronto, Whitt collected 888 hits, socked 131 homers and drove in 518 runs. He finished his playing career with the Atlanta Braves in 1990 and Baltimore Orioles in 1991.

Read more HERE.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION

Scott — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:10:31 +0000

The Administrative Assistant position is a part-time maternity leave position, beginning in August 2013 and continuing until approximately January 2015. For most of the year, the hours will be 15 hours per week but those hours will increase to 30 hours for the months of May, June and July of 2014. The position is responsible for clerical, financial and customer service activities. The right player will have relevant office experience, computer proficiency, exceptional communication skills and a passion for community service.

Read more HERE.

LONDON SALUTES CANADIAN BASEBALL – JUNE 28

Scott — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:10:46 +0000

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum along with Lerners Lawyers and the London Convention Centre are hosting the 3rd annual London Salutes Canadian Baseball breakfast on Friday, June 28 from 7:30am to 9:00am at the London Convention Centre.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear from these four special guests; George Bell the only Blue Jay to win the MVP award, Tim Raines a Montreal Expos legend, Fergie Jenkins the greatest Canadian pitcher ever and 2011 Inductee and the best closer in Toronto Blue Jays history Tom “The Terminator” Henke. Other guests include Inductees Rob Ducey and Jim Fanning.

Click HERE to purchase tickets or HERE for more information or call 519-284-1838.

THREE CANADIAN HISTORIC MOMENTS

Scott — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:08:23 +0000

Russell Martin (East York, ON) became the 9th Canadian to hit 100 career homeruns when he belted a homerun on Saturday, June 8.

Homerun leaders:

Larry Walker 383

Matt Stairs 265

Jason Bay 219

Justin Morneau 206

Jeff Heath 194

Joey Votto 143

Corey Koskie 124

George Selkirk 108

Russell Martin 100

Ryan Dempster (Sechelt, BC) became just the second Canadian to strikeout 2000 career hitters as he accomplished the feat on June 9 vs the LAA.

Strikeout leaders:

Fergie Jenkins 3192

Ryan Dempster 2001

Erik Bedard 1090

John Hiller 1036

Kirk McCaskill 1003

Erik Bedard (Navan, ON) became just the sixth Canadian to start 200 career games on June 8 vs the KC Royals

Games started:

Fergie Jenkins 594

Ryan Dempster 335

Kirk McCaskill 242

Jeff Francis 213

Reggie Cleveland 203

Erik Bedard 200

HALL OF FAMER JACK GRANEY

Scott — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:55:17 +0000

Jack Graney’s road to the big leagues began in St. Thomas, Ontario, where he was discovered and recommended to the Chicago Cubs by fellow Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, Bob Emslie. After a season in the Cubs organization, Graney was sold to the Cleveland, where he would evolve into a steady, dependable outfielder.

His big league resume boasts a number of firsts. When Graney walked to the plate in a game against the Red Sox on July 11, 1914, he became the first batter to face Babe Ruth. Almost two years later, on June 26, 1916, he would be the first major leaguer to bat wearing a number on his uniform. A scrappy leadoff hitter, Graney would lead the American League in walks twice (1917 and 1919) and in doubles once (1916). The speedy Canuck also finished in the top 10 in triples in 1913 and 1916, with 12 and 14 three-baggers respectively. He was also a member of the World Series-winning Indians squad in 1920.

Read more HERE.

HALL OF FAMER PETER WIDDINGTON

Scott — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:53:54 +0000

One of the most respected executives in Toronto Blue Jays history, Peter Widdrington graduated from Pickering College and Queen’s University, prior to obtaining his MBA from Harvard. Starting as a salesman with Labatt’s in 1955, the Toronto native rose through the ranks to serve the company in several executive posts, before being elevated to president from 1973 to 1989.

An avid sportsman, Widdrington joined the Blue Jays board of directors in 1976, eventually becoming the board chair in 1991, a post he would hold through the Jays’ two World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. At various points in the ’90s, he chaired Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Licensing & Marketing Committee and MLB’s Trust Advisory Committee. He also acted as MLB’s interim CAO and as an advisor to the commissioner. Widdrington also played a key role in establishing TSN, Canada’s first all-sports TV station, in 1984, resulting in an increased TV profile for the Blue Jays.

Read more HERE.

SLEEPOVER AT THE HALL OF FAME ON INDUCTION NIGHT

Scott — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:49:12 +0000

Sleepover at the Hall of Fame!

Enjoy a night at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum with your parents or bring along the whole family for a night of baseball fun.

Schedule includes:

- BBQ dinner

- Ball game on the premier diamond

- Museum tour

- Q & A with inductee

- Baseball Movie on the big screen

- Breakfast in the morning

All for the low cost of $30 per person.

Contact the Hall of Fame by email at baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca or call 519-284-1838.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS HONDA INSTRUCTIONAL CLINIC – JUNE 29

Scott — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:25:11 +0000

Join the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys on Saturday, June 29 for two amazing events!

Kick off your day by attending the 2013 Induction Ceremony at 11am for Toronto Blue Jays legend George Bell, Montreal Expos icon Tim Raines, 19-year professional Rob Ducey, Blue Jays legendary broadcaster Tom Cheek and British Columbia baseball hero Nat Bailey. For more information about Induction Weekend click HERE.

After the Ceremony enjoy our famous BBQ lunch and then join the Toronto Blue Jays Honda Instructional Clinic starting at 2pm. You MUST pre-register so don’t miss this great opportunity to learn from the best! Register HERE.

DRAW – JUNE 15 – WIN TWO CHANCES TO PLAY BALL IN THE TEAM BELL VS TEAM RAINES CELEBRITY GAME

Scott — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:23:51 +0000

Celebrity Softball game on Thursday, June 27 at 7pm on Rotary Field at the Hall of Fame.

In 2009 Larry Walker took one deep over the right field fence and just two years ago Tony Fernandez slashed a double and scored on the next base hit. Imagine rounding the bases with Larry Walker or driving in Tony Fernandez with a single

Purchase a ticket for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Draw Date: Saturday, June 15 at 4pm at the Hall of Fame

Prizes:

1st- play with celebrity team of your choice
2nd- play with other celebrity team
3rd – Two 2nd row seats at the Induction Ceremony
4th – Two 2nd row seats at the Induction Ceremony
5th – autographed Tim Raines baseball

Info or tickets: 519-284-1838 or baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca

Tickets also available: Hall of Fame office (140 Queen St) & Baseball Museum (386 Church St. S.), Hall of Fame Board Members, Dunny’s Source for Sports & M&M Variety in St. Marys.

Tickets: $10 each or 3 for $20. ONLY 200 TICKETS!

Celebrities include 2013 George Bell, Tim Raines and Rob Ducey, plus Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Steve Rogers, Jim Fanning, and former Major League Baseball players Paul Spoljaric, Billy Atkinson, Derek Aucoin, John Upham, Bruce Hood (NHL) and Miss Canada International. Plus many more to come.

HALL OF FAMER JIM MCKEAN

Scott — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:21:00 +0000

Though he took a circuitous route to the big leagues, Jim McKean evolved into one of the most respected umpires of his generation. After graduating from Montreal’s Monklands High School, where he claimed top athlete honours, McKean became a quarterback with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was named the league’s outstanding rookie in 1963 and was part of the Riders’ Grey Cup-winning squad in 1966.

A superb all-around athlete, McKean would also serve as a junior hockey referee and as a basketball coach at Concordia University, before focusing on umpiring. He began calling games at the minor-pro level in 1970 and worked his first big league game in 1974. During his 28-year major league career, he would oversee seven no-hitters, three all-star games (1980, 1982, 1993) and three World Series (1979, 1985, 1995). He also served as the third base umpire in Len Barker’s perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 15, 1981.

Read more HERE.