SEATTLE -- In St. Mary's, Ontario, an easy drive from London, you will find a piece of baseball heaven. The unassuming little town is the home of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Our national base to the game's history shares much with the American equivalent in Cooperstown, New York; both are nestled into quiet communities a fair distance from a major highway. What the Canadian Hall lacks is adequate space, as only about 20 per cent of their collection is actually on display. Those who run the place, like tireless president Tom Valke, intend to change that in time, but he'll need a person - or sponsor - with generous hands.
This weekend, I was honoured to be called to St. Mary's as the master of ceremonies for the induction of four deserving men: the late Peter Widdrington, a man paramount to the success of the Toronto Blue Jays; Gladwyn Scott, the godfather of baseball in Manitoba, pitcher Bill Harris, a New Brunswick native and one-time Brooklyn Dodger, and Tony Fernandez, the finest shortstop to ever play for the Blue Jays.
In recent years, I've been critical of some of the inductees, assuming the Museum was leaning on a famous name to draw interest, even if that person's contributions to Canadian baseball seemed thin. As such, the decision to honour Tommy Lasorda in 2006 was puzzling, until I learned no pitcher performed longer - or more successfully - for the Montreal Royals then Lasorda. Joe Carter was inducted in 2003. One wonders if his inclusion came on the strength of one rather important home run. But that home run turned a country on its ear, so perhaps he's worthy too. And, at first glance, inducting Fernandez appears as if the Hall is grasping for a headliner. But one of the stipulations is that a non-Canadian nominee must have "done something significant in baseball in Canada." In that case, Fernandez' impact on Blue Jay fans country-wide is indisputable. Add in the fact his Canadian-based Foundation continues to charitably serve our nation, and Fernandez is worthy. Any doubt I had was erased when witnessing the many people attending the induction who personally thanked Fernandez for his competitive and entertaining play.
Clearly, induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is as much about service as it is about skill or accomplishment. Take the inclusion of 2008 Inductee Bill Harris. As a talented pitcher in the Brooklyn Dodgers system, he was competing for a job against men like Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres, and Sandy Koufax so, not surprisingly, his major league experience was a measly two games. But since he loved the game and was paid to play, the friendly Harris - who now runs a tavern in Kennewick, Washington - carved out a wonderful career in the minor leagues. Cooperstown doesn't acknowledge minor leaguers, but St. Mary's does.
My hope for the Hall is that they continue to tread carefully when including well-known non-Canadians; a 10-year career with the Blue Jays or Expos should not warrant induction. Still, the big names lure more people, and the Hall isn't exactly flush with cash right now. Luckily, Canadian baseball is in such good shape, the Hall will eventually welcome a steady flow of outstanding players - all of them born on our soil.
As always, your opinion is welcome.
