December 6, 2019

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Ken Fidlin was recently voted the Jack Graney media award winner, Mike Soroka was selected as the Tip O'Neill award winner Dec. 4 as top Canadian and voters have another task on their hands in picking the latest round of inductees for next year.

We're talking here about the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, located this year in a newly renovated museum in St. Marys, Ont.

Dec. 1 was the deadline for nominations for inductees for 2020 and the announcement on the newest members will take place around Feb. 1 so it's always a neat time to suggest who might be on the honour roll. It's the kingpin event on the Hall of Fame's stellar list of programs as hundreds and hundreds of people show up each June to honour those inducted.

We do know of a number of individuals, who have been nominated. Former Expos pitchers Bill Lee, Steve Renko and Bryn Smith are among the group along with former Baseball Canada president Cas Pielak, former Blue Jays scout Wayne Morgan and former Expos/Baseball Canada official Bill MacKenzie.

I also understand former Expos reliever Jeff Reardon and former Blue Jays/Expos catcher Darrin Fletcher have been suggested. I also was told by friend Michael Murray that he nominated Blue Jays legend Jesse Barfield. It's only fitting that Barfield be considered because he was part of a dynamic outfield trio that included Lloyd Moseby and George Bell, both members of the St. Marys shrine.

I've long been saying that Jays pitching alumnus Jimmy Key is overdue for induction. It's an injustice. He posted an exemplary 116-81 record over nine seasons with the Jays. It's time he's entered the door at St. Marys. It's time for voters to right this wrong.

One other former Jay, who just recently became eligible for consideration is a lock for induction some day. His name: Vernon Wells. There are others too numerous to mention but there is no shortage of candidates for induction. What about Eric Gagné and former Expos pitcher and administrator Bill Stoneman?

This past June, there were no former Expos or Jays players inducted, although long-time Blue Jays GM Gord Ash got the nod along with fellow Canadians Jason Bay, Ryan Dempster and Rob Thomson.

And while we're talking of the Hall of Fame, don't forget to participate in the silent auction taking place until Dec. 16. There is an amazing collection of memorabilia and other prizes up for grabs.

There are jerseys signed by Moseby, Larry Walker, Dennis Martinez, Randal Grichuk, Danny Jansen, Teoscar Hernandez and Nathan Mackinnon.

There are baseballs signed by Soroka, Walker, Joey Votto, Gary Carter, Cito Gaston, Ralph Kiner, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bower, Dick Allen, Pinball Clemons, Bob Izumi and Donovan Bailey.

There are bats signed by Walker, Gaston, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Gaylord Perry, Jimmy Wynn and Bill McKinney. There are many other prizes and one stood out: a free dinner with Thomson.

While you're in the Christmas spirit, think of purchasing a Hall of Fame membership. Various price ranges are available. Contact director of operations Scott Crawford for more details or click on baseballhalloffame.ca.