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Ducey, Bell and Raines highlight CBHOF class of 2013

Source: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced today their 2013 class that will formally be inducted into the Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ontario on Saturday, June 29th, 2013.

St. Marys, Ont. – While George Bell was belting 47 home runs en route to the American League MVP award for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987, fellow left fielder Tim Raines was scoring a National League-leading 123 runs and serving as the catalyst of the Montreal Expos’ offence.

In the mid-to-late ’80s, many baseball pundits would’ve agreed that Canada’s major league teams boasted the top two offensive left fielders in the game. So it seems fitting that more than 20 years later, Bell and Raines will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame together.

Toronto-born outfielder Rob Ducey, who made his big league debut in 1987 and eventually played left field for the Blue Jays and Expos, will also be enshrined, along with Blue Jays broadcasting legend Tom Cheek and Vancouver baseball icon Nat Bailey, who will both be honoured posthumously.

“This year’s inductees represent a cross section of individuals who have both left their mark on baseball in Canada and enriched the game for all Canadians,” said Allan Simpson, chair of the Hall’s Selection Committee. “We will be honouring two of the most celebrated players in the history of the Blue Jays and Expos, the most influential voice in Canadian baseball history, a pioneer in the development of baseball at all levels in British Columbia and a Canadian who had a lengthy big league career and helped Canada become a respected international opponent.”

Scott Crawford, the Hall’s director of operations, also expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s class.

“I’m excited that we have such a diverse group of inductees,” he said. “When I was growing up, I remember being inspired by watching George Bell, Tim Raines and Rob Ducey on the field and being captivated by the way Tom Cheek called a baseball game on the radio. Nat Bailey’s contributions to baseball came before I was born, but I’ve learned a lot about the tremendously positive impact he has had on baseball in British Columbia.”

The induction ceremony will be part of a festival of events that will also include a celebrity slo-pitch game, a golf tournament and a Toronto Blue Jays baseball clinic for kids.

For more information on each of the inductees, please click here.


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