VOTTO,EDWARD ROGERS, ZAIDI, WOLFE LEAD MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST

By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network

You may have read once or twice about Joey Votto’s work ethic.

Or how he has a batting eye able to tell if a pitch is outside … even by the width of a hummingbird’s beak.

In grade 12 (2000-01) and grade 13 (2001-02) he took batting practice, then hit off the tee and then he hit some more inside Bob Smyth’s Etobicoke facility. His hard work and his explosive swing made him a second round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2002, after he was spotted at a Florida showcase by Cincinnati Reds scout John Castleberry.

Read more HERE.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum connections

Inductees: Larry Walker (6), Greg Hamilton (9), Fergie Jenkins (10), Pat Gillick (11), Paul Beeston (23), Stubby Clapp (26), Matt Stairs (34), Doug Melvin (42), Allan Simpson (45), Dave McKay (46), Paul Quantrill (48), Murray Cook (68), Charles Bronfman (70), Bill Humber (74), Denis Boucher (95)

Tip O’Neill winners: Joey Votto (1), Larry Walker (6), Russell Martin (7), Ryan Dempster (20), Justin Morneau (55), Jason Dickson (79), Rob Butler (110)

Jack Graney winners: Jerry Howarth (32), Allan Simpson (45), Jacques Doucet (65), Richard Griffin (91)

Board member and staff: Adam Stephens/Scott Crawford (85)

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