Former Blue Jays stars Jimmy Key, Russell Martin to be inducted into Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Key was part of franchise’s 1st World Series champion in 1992
Former Blue Jays stars Jimmy Key and Russell Martin to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame | Radio-Canada Sports Key was part of the franchise’s first World Series champion in 1992.The Canadian Press ·
Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jimmy Key throws out the first pitch before Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Center on October 19, 2016 in Toronto. Jimmy Key and Russell Martin, former Toronto Blue Jays stars, will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this spring.
The 2024 class also includes former women’s national team member Ashley Stephenson, former Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey, former national team pitcher Rod Heisler and longtime manager Toronto Leaside baseball player Howard Birnie told the Hall on Tuesday.
“Each member of this year’s graduating class has made a tremendous impact on baseball in Canada,” Hall general manager Jeremy Diamond said in a press release. “We look forward to celebrating their outstanding careers at St. Marys this June.”
An induction ceremony is planned for June 15 on the Hall of Fame grounds in the southwestern Ontario city, about a half-hour drive from London. Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Key helped solidify Toronto’s starting rotation for seven seasons.
The lefty won a World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992. Russell Martin catches a ball during a Blue Jays game in 2018.
The Canadian was born in Toronto. (Fred Thornhill/ Canadian Press) Martin helped end the Jays’ playoff drought He earned his first all-star selection in 1985 after posting a 14–6 record and a 3.00 earned run average.
Key, drafted by the Blue Jays in 1982, was named the American League Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News in 1987 after going 17-8 with an ERA-best 2.76 ERA. AL.“I would like to thank the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and its executive committee for this great honor,” said Key. “This recognition crowns nine great years spent in Toronto for the Blue Jays organization.
“Being part of Canada’s first professional baseball world championship team is the highlight of my career. »Key spent 15 years in the major leagues. He also played for the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
Originally from Toronto, Martin spent parts of 14 seasons in the Majors and played for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
He signed with the Blue Jays before the 2015 season and helped the club end a slump after 22 years of playoff drought.
Martin played for the Blue Jays until 2018 before finishing his career with a season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team where he spent his first five years in the major leagues.
A longtime politician in his native Toronto, Godfrey helped lay the groundwork for the city to get an MLB franchise in 1976 and was involved in the project that led to the creation of the Sky Dome (now Rogers Centre), which opened in 1989. named president and CEO of the Blue Jays in 2000 and remained with the team until 2008. Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Stephenson was part of the first women’s national team in 2004 and spent 15 seasons with the team.
She has won silver at the Women’s World Cup twice and bronze four times. She currently serves as the position coach for the Vancouver Canadians High-A.
Originally from Moose Jaw, Sask., Heisler has participated in a record 14 international competitions for the men’s national team. She started Canada’s first game at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and also played at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
Originally from Toronto, Birnie has been involved in baseball in his hometown for more than 70 years as a player, coach and umpire. He received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012 in recognition of his 50 years of volunteer service to amateur baseball.
