St. Marys – One reached base more times than any other player in the big leagues, while the other threw out more baserunners than any other American League catcher.
Yes, Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.) had outstanding seasons in 2015. But John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.), who recorded 25 saves; Brett Lawrie (Langley, B.C.), who established career highs in doubles, home runs, and RBI and Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) who broke the Canadian record for most stolen bases in the postseason, also enjoyed standout campaigns.
And while these Canadians were starring at the big league level, several others were shining in the minor-pro and international ranks. Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.), Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.), Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.) and Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) all performed well in the minor-pro ranks and Albers, Francis, Orr, O’Neill and Aumont were also part of the Canadian team that won gold at the Pan Am Games. Meanwhile, Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, Alta.) batted .533 for the women’s squad at the same tournament to help propel them to a silver medal.
So in a year with so many highlights, how do you choose which Canadian stood out the most?
That’s the dilemma the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame faces, and they would like your input to determine Canada’s top performer as they prepare to chose their 2015 James “Tip” O’Neill Award winner. This honour is given out annually to the player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.
The Hall encourages you to vote for the players you think are worthy of this award by midnight E.T. on Wednesday, November 25. You can e-mail your top three choices (please be clear on your first, second and third selections) to [email protected] or you can vote on the Hall’s website at www.baseballhalloffame.ca.
Fan votes will be one of the criteria the Hall will take into account when selecting the winner, which will be announced on December 4.
Here’s a summary of the prime contenders in alphabetical order. (The Hall also welcomes write-in votes for players not on this list):
John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.)
Co-winner of the 2011 Tip O’Neill Award, Axford returned to the closer’s role in 2015 and recorded 25 saves for the Colorado Rockies. This moved him past Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.) into second-place on the all-time Canadian saves list. The right-handed Axford allowed just one earned run in his first 15 games this season and finished with 62 strikeouts in 55-2/3 innings.
Traded to the Oakland A’s prior to the 2015 campaign, this sparkplug infielder suited up in a career-high 149 games and set new personal bests in at bats (562), doubles (29), home runs (16), RBI (60), total bases (229) and sacrifice flies (4). He also supplied solid defence at second and third base for his new club.
Adam Loewen (Surrey, B.C.)
When this 6-foot-6 left-hander took the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies on August 10, he became the first big leaguer to debut as a pitcher, then become a
This talented 25-year-old played second base and batted .533 (second best in the tournament) for the Canadian women’s team that captured the silver medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto this summer. Luchanski’s .800 slugging percentage (first), six RBI (second) and four runs (ninth) also ranked amongst the tournament leaders.
Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.)
After signing a five-year contract with the Blue Jays prior to the 2015
After capturing the National League batting title in 2014, this three-time Tip O’Neill Award winner was limited to 49 games with the Rockies in 2015 by a neck injury and recurring concussion symptoms. In limited action, Morneau batted .310 and posted a .363 on-base percentage. He finished the season on a strong note, batting .338 in 18 games in September.
Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.)
This muscular, 20-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in the Seattle
Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.)
This versatile veteran batted .303 and stole 15 bases in 103 games
Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.)
After starting the season with the Blue Jays, Pompey was sent to the
Jamie Romak (London, Ont.)
Signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the off-season, Romak socked 27 home
Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.)
Limited to 62 games in 2014, Votto rebounded to enjoy one of his finest big league seasons. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman led the
Albers, Aumont, Francis, James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) and Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) also appeared in the big leagues in 2015.
The Hall’s Tip O’Neill Award is named after Woodstock, Ont., native James “Tip” O’Neill, who was one of Major League Baseball’s first legitimate stars. With the American Association’s St. Louis Browns in 1887, O’Neill set big league records in hits, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases, while compiling a major league record .492 batting average. Walks were counted as hits in 1887, but if O’Neill’s average was calculated by today’s standards, it would be .435, the second highest in big league history to Hugh Duffy who hit .440 in 1894.
Past winners of the James “Tip” O’Neill Award:
1984 – Terry Puhl
1985 – Dave Shipanoff
1986 – Rob Ducey
1987 – Larry Walker
1988 – Kevin Reimer
1989 – Steve Wilson
1990 – Larry Walker
1991 – Daniel Brabant
1992 – Larry Walker
1993 – Rob Butler
1994 – Larry Walker
1995 – Larry Walker
1996 – Jason Dickson
1997 – Larry Walker
1998 – Larry Walker
1999 – Jeff Zimmerman
2000 – Ryan Dempster
2001 – Corey Koskie
2001 – Larry Walker
2002 – Eric Gagné
2002 – Larry Walker
2003 – Eric Gagné
2004 – Jason Bay
2005 – Jason Bay
2006 – Justin Morneau
2007 – Russell Martin
2008 – Justin Morneau
2009 – Jason Bay
2010 – Joey Votto
2011 – Joey Votto
2011 – John Axford
2012 – Joey Votto
2013 – Joey Votto
2014 – Justin Morneau
2015 – ____________________