Hall of Fame Inductee Day

 Today we found out the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame... 

What? We had that last week or a couple weeks ago? 

Aye, laddie... But this is the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.. 

Hall of Fame Inductee News

There are four inductees this year. Jesse Barfield, Rich Harden, Denis Boucher, and Joe Wiwchar. 

Induction into the Canadian Hall is slightly different than the one in Cooperstown. Inductees must be from Canada, or have made a significant contribution to baseball in Canada. There are many people, such as Joe Wiwchar, who are in that work on the amateur level to grow the game in their area. 

To go along with these inductees, John Olerud and Jaques Doucet are also being inducted from 2020. 

Jesse was drafted by the Jays in 1977. He made the jump to the majors in 1981. 

In 1985, he joined Willie Mays as the only players to have 20 HR, 20 SB, and 20 Outfield Assists. His 2 assists remains a Jays' record. 

He also spent some time with the Yankees..

Signed by the Jays in 1987 as an amateur free agent. (At the time, Canada was not part of the amateur draft like it is now) 

He made his MLB debut for the Jays in 1991, pitching for them until he was traded with Mark Whiten and Glenallen Hill to Cleveland for Tom Candiotti. 

In 1993 he was dealt to Montreal and made history as part of an all-Canadian battery with Joe Siddall. 

After his playing days he's been coaching at the National level, for team Canada both in international competition and in the WBC. 

He was originally drafted by the Mariners in 1999, but decided not to sign. He signed with the Athletics after they drafted him in 2000. 

He made his debut in 2003 and pitched until 2011 with the A's, Cubs, and Rangers. 

Joe Wiwchar

Joe made his mark in Manitoba as a player, coach, and administrator. He lead teams to provincial championships and medals at Canada Summer Games. 

He was part of a committee that founded the Manitoba Baseball Association in 1968. He was also a Baseball Canada executive in 1974-1975 and lead a group of five children to the World Childrens Baseball Fair in Japan. 

Most of the information here is from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame website. 

Check it out.. I put a link up top.