February 12, 2025

Official Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame News Release

St. Marys, Ont. – The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s class of 2025 will consist of six new inductees. 

Former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista will be inducted alongside ex-big-league left-hander Érik Bédard (Navan, Ont.) while Canadian Junior National Team head coach Greg Hamilton (Toronto, Ont.) will be inducted in the Coaches/Officials category. Longtime Women’s National Team star Amanda Asay (Prince George, B.C.) will also be inducted posthumously.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee has also elected former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League legend Arleene Noga (Ogema, Sask.) and Gerry Snyder, the Montreal city councillor who played a crucial role in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada. Noga and Snyder will be inducted posthumously.  

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class will be honoured in a ceremony at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ont., on June 7.

"We are proud and excited to celebrate the outstanding careers of this year’s inductees in St. Marys this June," said Jeremy Diamond, chair of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s board of directors. “Each of them, in their own distinct way, has had a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in our country.”

José Bautista

Born on October 19, 1980 in Santo Domingo, D.R., Jose Bautista developed into one of the greatest players in Toronto Blue Jays’ history during his 10 seasons with the club from 2008 to 2017.  

Following brief tenures with the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals to begin his big-league career, Bautista suited up for parts of five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates before he was traded to the Blue Jays in a lopsided deal for catcher Robinzon Diaz on August 21, 2008. 

After serving as a part-time player in 2009, Bautista worked with Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston and hitting coach Dwayne Murphy to adjust his swing and he enjoyed a breakout season in 2010. That campaign he set a new franchise record with 54 home runs. That total also topped the American League and earned him his first of six consecutive All-Star Game selections. He was also named the American League’s Hank Aaron Award winner as the league’s top hitter. 

He followed that up with his best all-around season in 2011 when he hit .302 and topped the AL in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.608), OPS (1.056), walks (132) and OPS+ (182). For his efforts, he earned his second straight Hank Aaron Award. 

Over the next six seasons with the Blue Jays, Bautista continued to be one of the game’s most feared sluggers. He had 30-home run, 100-RBI seasons in 2014 and 2015, and in the latter year, he helped propel the Blue Jays to their first division title in 22 years. He then cemented his legacy as a clutch performer with four postseason home runs. 

His most memorable playoff homer, of course, is simply known as the “bat flip” to Blue Jays’ fans. In the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre, Bautista stepped to the plate with two outs with Josh Donaldson and Ryan Goins on base in front of him. The game was tied 3-3. On a 1-1 count, Bautista launched a three-run home run into the left field bleachers and celebrated with a bat flip. The Blue Jays went on to win the game 6-3 and advance to the American League Championship Series. 

The following campaign, Bautista helped the Blue Jays to another postseason berth. He would play one more season with the Blue Jays before ending his 15-season major league career with short stints with the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies in 2018. 

In all, in parts of 10 seasons with the Blue Jays, Bautista played 1,235 games. He ranks near the top in many of the club’s all-time offensive categories, including first in WAR (38.3), second in home runs (288), runs (790) and walks (803). He also ranks third in total bases (2,210), RBIs (766) and slugging percentage (.506). 

For his efforts, his name was added to the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence at Rogers Centre on August 12, 2023. 

“My years in Toronto were the best of my career. Taking the field every day and representing an entire country that so passionately supported us back was truly amazing," said Bautista after being informed of his Canadian ball hall honour. "I am deeply humbled and honoured by this announcement of being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and joining many other greats. I cannot wait to share it with you all in St. Marys this summer.”  

Érik Bédard 

Born on March 5, 1979 in Navan, Ont., Érik Bédard grew up in Orleans, Ont., where he honed his pitching skills and helped lead the Orleans Little League Junior Red Sox to a Canadian championship in 1992. After being named a Junior College All-American at Norwalk Community Technical College in 1999, the Canadian left-hander was chosen in the sixth round of the MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He quickly developed into one of the best pitching prospects in the O’s organization and was selected to play in the MLB Futures Games in 2001 and 2002. In the latter year, Baseball America named him the Eastern League’s best pitching prospect. 

In 2004, Bédard joined the Orioles’ starting rotation. Two years later, he enjoyed a breakout season when he set career-highs in wins (15), starts (33) and innings pitched (196 1/3). He followed that up with his finest big-league campaign in 2007 when he went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and registered 221 strikeouts in 182 innings in 28 starts. That strikeout total remains the highest in a major-league season by a left-hander born in Canada. His 10.929 strikeouts per nine innings that season led all American League starting pitchers. For his efforts, he finished fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting.  

In February 2008, he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners where he’d record a tidy 3.31 ERA and fan 249 batters in 255 1/3 innings in 46 starts over parts of three seasons prior to being dealt to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline in 2011. He completed his major league career with one-season stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2012), Houston Astros (2013) and Tampa Bay Rays (2014). In all, Bedard finished with 71 wins and a 3.99 ERA in 241 major league appearances (230 starts).  

Bédard remains the leader among Canadian big-league left-handers in starts, innings pitched (1,303 2/3) and strikeouts (1,246). He also ranks in the top 10 among all Canadian major league pitchers in several statistical categories, including third in strikeouts, fourth in starts, sixth in innings pitched, seventh in WAR (17.4) and 10th in wins. 

On the international stage, Bedard pitched for Canada at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Greg Hamilton 

Born on July 26, 1965 in Toronto, Ont., and raised in Peterborough, Ont., Greg Hamilton has served in prominent leadership roles with Baseball Canada for more than three decades. During that time, he has overseen the most successful era in the history of the national teams program.  

A Princeton University graduate, Hamilton was named the pitching coach of Canada’s Senior National Team in 1992. He held that post through 1995 until he became the head coach of the Junior National Team the following year.  

Hamilton continues to head the junior team today, while doubling as director of men’s national teams. Under his guidance, the Junior National Team has won three medals: a silver at the U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2012 and bronze medals at the same event in 1997 and 2006. Among the players Hamilton has coached on the junior squad are major league all-stars Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, Michael Soroka, Josh Naylor, Russell Martin and Michael Saunders.  

As Senior National Team GM, Hamilton assembled the Canadian squads that captured gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games – the first two golds ever won by the Canadian senior team. Hamilton also put together the rosters for the Canadian teams that competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and in all five World Baseball Classics. 

Prior to joining Baseball Canada, Hamilton worked as an assistant coach with Princeton University for two years then as the pitching coach of the French National team in 1994. 

In 2022, Hamilton was a recipient of Baseball America’s Tony Gwynn Award, for his lifetime contributions to baseball. The ensuing year, he was inducted into the Baseball Ontario Hall of Fame. 

“Having grown up in the Canadian baseball system and spent the vast majority of my professional baseball career working for Baseball Canada, it is an absolute honour to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame," said Hamilton of the honour.

Amanda Asay 

Born on May 16, 1988 in Prince George, B.C., Amanda Asay joined the Women’s National Team in 2005 and became one of its finest and longest tenured players. In 2006, in her first Women’s Baseball World Cup, she earned All-Tournament honours at first base and was named the Women’s National Team MVP.   

Ten years later, she captured the same honour but this time it was for her dominance on the mound. At the Women’s Baseball World Cup in 2016, she tossed a complete game to propel Canada to a 2-1 win over a powerful Chinese Taipei squad and into the gold medal contest. She also contributed at the plate, batting .333 to help Canada to silver at the tournament. 

Two years later, she had another star performance at the Women’s World Cup when she recorded two wins and posted a 1.58 ERA, while also batting .500, to lead Canada to a bronze medal. In total, in her decade-and-a-half with the national team, she was on teams that captured five Women’s World Cup medals. She was also a member of the silver medal-winning squad at the 2015 Pan Am Games.  

A multisport athlete, Asay also played hockey and softball for Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island from 2006 to 2009 and at the University of British Columbia, while earning a master’s degree in Science and a PhD in Forestry. 

She passed away on January 7, 2022 at the age of 33. In 2024, she was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame posthumously. 

“I think of Amanda everyday so it was with tremendous pride to learn that she will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame," said Amanda's mother, Loris Asay. "She would be, as I am, thrilled to know of this recognition of her commitment to the sport of baseball.” 

Asay's father, George Asay, was equally proud.

“Amanda's induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is an incredible honour," he said. "Baseball Canada and the Hall have done Amanda so proud, much as she has, and continues to, make us her proud parents. It is truly hard at this point to process it all. To be included with baseball legends the likes of Russell Martin, Wayne Norton, Rusty Staub, Fergie Jenkins, Dave Stieb, Andre Dawson, Justin Morneau and Ashley Stephenson – one just can't list all the baseball giants enshrined. It is, and will continue to be, a source of pride for the entire Asay family. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Selection Committee. Being a longtime fan of the Expos, Jays and National Teams I feel unbelievably privileged to have our daughter, Amanda, included with such an amazing collection of hugely talented athletes.” 

Veterans Committee Inductees 

Arleene Noga 

Born on January 1, 1924 in Ogema, Sask., Arleene Noga was an outstanding Senior A softball player in Regina when she was scouted and signed by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) in 1944.  

The right-handed hitting infielder joined the Fort Wayne Daisies for 15 games in 1945 prior to being dealt to the Muskegon Lassies. The sure-handed infielder proceeded to establish a league record for best fielding percentage (.942) by a third baseman and help lead the Lassies to a pennant in 1947.  

At one point, Noga played over 300 consecutive games, which garnered her the nickname “Iron Lady.”  In all, she competed in 354 AAGPBL games, which is the eighth-most among Canadians who played in the league. She also ranks ninth among Canadian AAGPBL players in at bats (1,119), RBIs (91) and stolen bases (123) and 10th in hits (183) and runs (103). 

Following her AAGPBL career, Noga returned to Regina where she played and coached softball for close to three decades and was part of nine provincial championship-winning teams and five Western Canadian champions. But she never lost her connection with the AAGPBL. She served as a member of the board of directors of the AAGPBL Players Association for 12 years and was a spokesperson for Canadian AAGPBL women.  

In the early 90s, she was brought on board as a technical advisor for Penny Marshall’s film “A League of Their Own” which told the story of the AAGPBL. On set, she worked with many of the actors and taught Rosie O’Donnell the nuances of playing shortstop and Madonna how to slide. 

Noga was also a tireless promoter of women’s baseball across the country, speaking at school assemblies and banquets and assisting at baseball clinics for girls. For her efforts, she was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame the following year. In October 2004, she was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.  

Noga passed away on March 14, 2017 in Regina, Sask. 

“I was surprised and honoured to learn that my mom, Arleene Johnson Noga, was to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this year. I was surprised because I had no idea that this was in the works, but I feel honoured because she dedicated most of her life to baseball and empowering women in sport as a player, coach, mentor, and ambassador. Thank you for the recognition of her accomplishments and her passion," said Noga's daughter Carol Lee (Noga) Scott, of her mother's honour.

Gerry Snyder 

Born on February 14, 1920 in Montreal, Que., Gerry Snyder played a crucial role in bringing Major League Baseball to Canada. As a city councillor and passionate sports ambassador, Snyder worked tirelessly to secure a big-league franchise for Montreal. He first met with MLB commissioner Ford C. Frick in 1962 but the meeting lasted just 10 minutes after he admitted to the commissioner that Montreal didn’t have a viable big-league stadium.

Snyder left the meeting dejected but pressed on, and after the National League announced in 1967 that it planned to expand by two teams, Snyder started travelling to National League meetings to ensure that Montreal was on the radar for their expansion plans. Along the way, Snyder befriended Dodgers’ owner Walter O’Malley who could vouch for Montreal as a strong market because the Dodgers had maintained a successful Triple-A affiliate in the city until 1960.

Snyder also convinced Seagram owner Charles Bronfman to come on board as a financial backer and eventually as the club’s primary owner. The relentless Montreal politician’s efforts were finally rewarded when the National League announced that the city of Montreal would be awarded Canada’s first major league franchise on May 27, 1968.

Just 10 days later, the MLB draft took place and without time to hire a general manager, Snyder, with help from part-owner Johnny Newman and Montreal Gazette sportswriter Ted Blackman, would make the first draft selections in Expos’ history.

Another of Snyder’s excellent decisions was convincing John McHale to leave his post as MLB’s deputy commissioner to become the Expos’ first president. The much-respected McHale became the architect of the Expos, transforming them from bottom-dwellers into perennial contenders during his 18-year tenure as an executive with the team.

After the Expos began play, Snyder returned to his role as city councillor for the district of Snowdon, a capacity he’d serve in for 25 years.

Throughout his political career, he continued to be a tireless sports ambassador for Montreal and helped the city land the 1976 Olympics and a Formula One Grand Prix race in 1978. Snyder was also enlisted by the Toronto Blue Jays to assist them in finding a spring training home in 1976 and he recommended Dunedin, Fla., to Blue Jays president Peter Bavasi.

In 1977, Snyder was named one of the first recipients of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, which is awarded to Canadians who have made significant contributions to their fellow citizens, their community or to Canada.

Snyder passed away on November 26, 2007 in Montreal.

"We have always been so proud of our dad for everything he did, but bringing the Expos, the first Canadian major league baseball team ever to Montreal, Quebec, in Canada, we all agree must have been one of the proudest moments of our lives, our mother's, and his," said Arlene Kenrik, Gerry Snyder's daughter, on behalf of the Snyder family.

"Our dad would have been so very happy to have received this phenomenal news! He was determined that whatever it took to achieve his dream of promoting Canadian baseball, he would do. I'm sure he never thought that he would receive this important recognition from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He loved his sports and was extremely passionate about promoting baseball in Canada. Thank you on behalf of a man who believed in perseverance being a pathway to success. To all his friends, colleagues, journalists, players and fans who knew and supported him, thank you from the entire Snyder family."