OTTAWA - Baseball Canada held its eighth edition of the National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser on January 16 at Toronto’s Renaissance Hotel at Rogers Center and the event was once again a complete success.
"Once again, we were quite fortunate to celebrate Canadian Baseball excellence with so many committed alumni, MLB and Corporate Partners and Friends who have directly and indirectly contributed so much to the growth and development of our National Teams Program," says Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada's Head Coach and Director of National Teams.
"Baseball excellence in Canada continues to impact the game on a global scale and as such we are honored to have the support of so many of our country's key contributors."
Baseball Canada also recognized its past, present and future with the annual awards presentation.
Highlighting the awards portion was Justin Morneau who was honoured as the second inductee on Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence, presented by David Vander Voet of RBC Wealth Management.
In seven mostly All-Star caliber Major League seasons, Morneau’s offensive accomplishments have been rivaled by very few in the game. He has appeared in 867 games, has amassed a .280 average with 163 home runs, 623 RBI, 893 hits, 190 doubles, 13 triples and a .501 slugging percentage.
The Wall of Excellence will be added to his mantle which already includes the 2006 American League MVP Award and the Lionel Conacher Award for Male Athlete of the Year in 2008.
Adam Stern was winner of the World Cup Team MVP Award after posting a .333 average with 14 runs scored, nine RBI’s and three doubles in 13 World Cup games, leading them to a historic bronze medal at the 2009 World Cup. His energy level and athletic confidence was also instrumental in uniting a young and talented Canadian team which came together and competed with a confidence beyond its years.
Darren Kolk of Duncan, BC was named the Junior National Team MVP, presented by Al Schlazer of Disney’s Wide World of Sports, after playing his final season with the team. He led the team in most all offensive categories during the team’s Summer Exhibition series versus the USA Collegiate National Team and the Cuban Junior National Team posting a .333 BA (12-for-36) with six RBI’s, six runs scored and five stolen bases over the teams 11 game international schedule.
The Stubby Clapp Award was presented to Rene Tosoni of Coquitlam, BC, presented by Dave Bartlett of Mizuno Canada. Tosoni had a season to remember after battling injuries his first two professional seasons. He was selected to the XM All-Star Futures Game where he became the first Canadian to win the game’s MVP Award after a pinch hit RBI double in the seventh broke a 5-5 tie and scored the insurance run that gave the World Team a 7-5 win over Team USA.
Upon the conclusion of a stellar minor league season, he joined Team Canada for the 2009 World Cup and led the team, hitting .357 with three home runs, five doubles, three triples, 16 RBI and scored a tournament high 16 runs. He competed with an energy level and competitive spirit symbolic of the person for whom this award is named.
Mike Saunders was the recipient of an Alumni Award, presented by Larry Pearson of the L.J. Pearson Foundation. After a late start to the season as a result of offseason shoulder surgery, the Seattle Mariners prospect got started with a bang as he hit a three-run home run in his first at-bat of the year in late April. He went on to hit .310 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 64 games in Triple-A, before getting the call from the Mariners on July 25th , making his Major League debut against the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 46 games with the big club, hitting .221 with a double, three triples and four RBI.
A Special Recognition Award was presented to John Axford of Simcoe, Ontario after he made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Brewers as a September call-up. He made seven appearances for the Brewers, posting a 3.52 ERA and recorded his first Major League save on October 4th against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was able to accomplish the feat after having to undergo Tommy John surgery after his sophomore year at the University of Notre Dame and played one season in the non-affiliated Western Major Baseball League.
Finally, Chris Robinson was given a Special Achievement Award after he put together a career year at the plate in his first Triple-A season posting a career high .326 batting average, 22 doubles and 48 RBIs in 90 games. His accomplishments were recognized by his peers and rewarded when he was voted the starting catcher for the Pacific Coast League at the Triple-A All-Star Game and the Iowa Cubs team MVP.
At the conclusion of the season, he joined Team Canada for the 2009 World Cup in Europe where he continued his torrid pace at the plate, hitting .379 with a double and six RBIs in eight games to help Canada earn a bronze medal.
The evening also included check presentations from Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Royal Bank of Canada to Baseball Canada at a value of $50,000, $25,000 and $15,000 respectively.
“I can’t say enough about the support we’ve received from our sponsors,” says Baseball Canada President Ray Carter. “They continuously show a vested interest in promoting the sport in Canada, both at the grassroots level and at the elite level."
Baseball Canada would like to thank everybody who made the eighth annual National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser a night to remember.
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