OTTAWA – Baseball Canada is excited to learn that previous Ladies’ National Team standout and current coach Ashley Stephenson along with previous Major League Baseball All-Star Russell Martin and long-lasting Men’s National Team part Bar Heisler are part of the six inductees that will take their legitimate place in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Gallery in the not so distant future.
The class, set to be formally inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Historical center in St. Marys, Ontario on June fifteenth, 2024, also includes previous Baseball Canada and Baseball Ontario leader and umpire Howard Birnie, previous Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Godfrey and previous Blue Jays lefthanded pitcher Jimmy Key.
Ashley Stephenson, of Mississauga, who is as of now a coach with the Vancouver Canadians, the High-An affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, will be the primary individual from the Ladies’ National Team program inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
“I played baseball because I love the game,” said Stephenson in a statement. “Never in my most out of this world fantasies did I think I’d play for my nation and have a portion of the encounters and potential open doors I’ve had. I trust young ladies and ladies see this as an example of what you can accomplish through hard work, dedication and perseverance. The Hall of Fame is until the end of time. I’m so incredibly regarded to be a part of it!”
Stephenson, an original individual from the Ladies’ National Team in 2004, helped Canada to seven international medals, including silvers at the WBSC Ladies’ World Cups in 2008 and 2016 and at the Pan Am Games in 2015 while winning World Cup bronze medals in 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2018. She’s two times been named Ladies’ National Team MVP in 2005 and 2008 and in 2018 was respected with the naming of the Ashley Stephenson Award, handed out in her honor annually to an individual from the Ladies’ National Team.
After concluding her playing career, Stephenson became a coach and was part of the Ladies’ National Team staff that drove Canada to a bronze medal at the COPABE Ladies’ Pan-American Championships in 2019. Three years later, she became the main woman to manage the Ladies’ National Team during the five-game “Fellowship Series” against the US in Thunder Bay.
Stephenson would later make history again that November when she became the primary woman to capture Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Tip top Coach of the Year Award.
Previous Junior National Team part Russell Martin of Montréal originally addressed Canada in 2000 at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton as a 17-year-old prior to donning the Maple Leaf in 2003 where he assisted Canada with qualifying for the 2004 Olympics. He later played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and was a coach for Team Canada at the occasion in 2017 and 2023.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002, Martin made his major league debut in 2006 and so began a 14-year career in the major leagues with the Dodgers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and four seasons in his nation of origin with the Toronto Blue Jays.
A four time All-Star, Gold Glove (2007) and Silver Slugger Award (2007) winner, Martin was known as one of the top protective catchers of his era. He appeared in the postseason in ten of his 14 major league seasons.
“My most memorable idea when I heard the news was man, I should go downhill,” said Martin. “My next believed was what a distinction to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame alongside other greats. I’ve never played the game for awards and accolades, however this is darn special.”
Pole Heisler of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan addressed Canada in international rivalry on 14 occasions from 1978 to 1987 including the 1984 Olympic Games when baseball was a demonstration sport.
A left-handed pitcher, he also participated in three Pan Am Games occasions coming in 1979, 1983 and 1987.
A long-term umpire, coach and leader at the amateur level, Howard Birnie of Toronto has been involved in baseball for more than 70 years.
Birnie filled in as Leader of the Ontario Baseball Association in 1991 and 1992 where he was also a Baseball Canada board part.
As an umpire, Birnie worked six national championships somewhere in the range of 1979 and 1989, three international championships (1985, 1987, 1990) and two World Junior Championships (1986-87). On the coaching front, Birnie drove teams from Toronto Leaside for north of 30 years including a national championship in 1964.
Paul Godfrey was CEO and Leader of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2000 to 2008 and was a vital figure in the early days of the Toronto Blue Jays from helping lay the preparation of bringing a major league team to Toronto while also playing roles crucial roles in stadium improvements.
A five-time All-Star and double cross World Series champion, lefthanded pitcher Jimmy Key was an integral piece of fruitful Blue Jays’ teams from 1984 to 1992.
Key is best recollected by fans north of the boundary for earning two World Series wins when the Blue Jays won their first of two world championships in 1992.