2024 Program 5

OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS

Q&A WITH C’S CATCHER

2024 SEASON - ISSUE 5

JACKSON HORNUNG

DON’T MISS WHITE SPOT

FAMILY FUN SUNDAY

APRIL 14

CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANT GIVEAWAY JUNE 16

FATHER’S DAY TRAVEL MUG GIVEAWAY AUG 11

APRIL 28

MAY 12

MASCOT PUZZLE GIVEAWAY

MOTHER’S DAY TRAVEL MUG GIVEAWAY

JUNE 30

DRAWSTRING BAG GIVEAWAY

CAR FLAG GIVEAWAY

AUG 25

JULY 21

MASCOT SOCKS GIVEAWAY

LUNCH BAG GIVEAWAY

JUNE 2

FOAM GLOVE GIVEAWAY AUG 4

HELMET BOWL GIVEAWAY SEPT 8

PENCIL CASE GIVEAWAY

GATES OPEN AT NOON. FIRST PITCH 1:05 2 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

GIVEAWAYS ARE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDER

MARK STEFFENS/FOTOGUY PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTENTS

9 GET TO KNOW YOUR CANADIANS FRONT OFFICE STAFF

Meet the team behind our team as we feature those who work around the clock to ensure your best ballpark experience.

14 2024 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

This is your chance to map out the entire summer using our vibrant and colourful Promo Schedule that shows you every single moment this season. A great tool to plan out the games you absolutely HAVE to see this season.

17 ROAD TO THE SHOW

Climbing through the Blue Jays system.

18 TEAM ROSTERS

22 MEET THE 2024 VANCOUVER CANADIANS

This year’s squad is looking to bring home Northwest League Championship #5! Let’s meet this year’s ‘Boys of Summer’!

30 CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

A list of alumni who have gone to 'The Show'

34 Q & A WITH JACKSON HORNUNG

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians catcher Jackson Hornung.

44 TODD HELTON SHOWCASED A HALL OF FAME WORK ETHIC OVER 17 BIG LEAGUE SEASONS

Beyond the .316 career batting average, five All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger Awards, dozens of small interludes helped define Todd Helton’s 17-year tenure with the Colorado Rockies.

52 MEET OUR MASCOTS!

The Canadians feature not one, not two, but seven amazing mascots all with their own claim to fame! Take a look at the colourful characters that keeps fans smiling all summer long.

54 KIDS FUN PAGE

Fun kids activities

32 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME A Scorekeeping 101.

The Souvenir Program is published by the Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission of Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club is prohibited. Copyright 2024 Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club. 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V5V 3H4. Phone: 604-872-5232 Fax: 604-872-1714 Email: staff@canadiansbaseball.com Web: www.canadiansbaseball.com

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 3

VANCOUVER CANADIANS, WE’VE GOT THEM COVERED. Get the scoop on your favourite players and team.

READ NOW theprovince.com/baseball

4 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2017 2024

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 5

8,000,000+ Kilometers | 500,000+ Passengers Every year | We're going your way Whatever the event, no matter how large, Universal has the experience and the fleet to make it happen in comfort and style. From customer shuttles, team buses, student transportation, to major conventions and multi-departure tour programs, we do it all.

FRIDAYS

Gates Open at Noon. First Pitch 1:05 BUY TICKETS 7 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2019

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 7

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball League is looking for your help this season. Your assistance will help more than 300 local children between the ages of 6-11 learn a number of life skills on the diamond including teamwork, fair play and how to develop confidence and pride.

If you would like to make a donation to Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, please go to www.vancouverfoundation.ca/vancouvercanadians and click on the donate button.

THANK YOU for supporting the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and Vancouver Canadians Baseball League. Because of your generosity, we can move forward and bring a summer of fun and memories to children from right here in our own neighbourhoods.

8 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

FRONT OFFICE STAFF JAKE KERR

CHAIR OF VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL Born and raised in Vancouver, Jake Kerr attended the University of British Columbia before completing his MBA in Economics and Finance at the University of California at Berkeley. A Canadian business icon, Mr. Kerr has been the recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia for his remarkable contributions to both our country and province.

Taking ownership of the Canadians back in 2007, Mr. Kerr has led the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club to eight (8) franchise attendance records, multiple Larry McPhail Awards for excellence within the Northwest League, and Minor League Baseball’s most coveted accolade - the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, awarded to MiLB’s most complete franchise.

ALLAN BAILEY

GENERAL MANAGER Allan Bailey has been with the Vancouver Canadians since 2007 and was appointed General Manager on September 5th, 2018 after spending the previous seven seasons as the organization's Assistant General Manager.

Allan has led several departments during his tenure with the C's including the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office and its ticket operations as well as his more recent efforts in the Team Operations handling everything from player housing and travel right through to Information Technology (IT).

Born in Victoria, B.C., Allan was raised on the North Shore and up on the Sunshine Coast. Allan completed his education at McGill University while playing five seasons with the McGill Redbirds baseball program. Prior to university, Allan played for the North Shore Twins of the B.C. Premier League.

JEFF MOONEY

CHAIR OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL FOUNDATION In addition to his valuable contributions to the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney is Chairman Emeritus and a major shareholder of A&W Food Services of Canadians Inc. Today, A&W is a strategy-driven organization that has grown to over 1,000 locations across Canada. A&W has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada for the past 10 consecutive years, and in 2008, it was honoured to become an official member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club.

Mr. Mooney is an alumnus of both the University of Saskatchewan and Harvard University Graduate School of Business. In 2003, Mr. Mooney received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Medal and three years later was inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame(2006). In 2016, Mr. Mooney was inducted into the B.C. Business Laureates Hall of Fame and this year received the Order of Canada

STEPHANI ELLIS

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER 2024 is Stephani’s tenth season with the Vancouver Canadians. She was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager in 2019 and was the recipient of the 2019 Northwest League Female Executive of the Year for her work with the C's.

Stephani has led the Canadians Group Sales, Social Media, and Community platforms during her time out at historic Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

After a standout collegiate softball career at California University of PA where Stephani played for the Vulcans, the Prince of Wales Secondary graduate and former Team BC member began her marketing career with the Canadians.

Stephani works in concert with group leaders who expect the Canadians to provide an excellent ballpark experience with each visit to The Nat. Even with the demands that come with that responsibility alone, Stephani still lends her time to the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and its fundraising efforts.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 9

WALTER COSMAN

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING With more than 20 years of Sales & Marketing experience here in Vancouver, Walter decided to put those skills to work in the sport he's most passionate about, baseball.

Steamworks Brewing.

With a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick, Walter has worked with Proctor & Gamble, Molson Canada, Granville Island Brewing and

With a longstanding corporate partnership with the Canadians prior to his arrival in May of 2019, Walter joined the organization fully aware of the standard that has put the C's among the best in Minor League Baseball.

BRENDA CHMILIAR

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Brenda enters her 16th season at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and her sixth as Financial Controller for the Canadians. She spent the first 10 of those years with Aramark Food Services in the company's financial division, dividing her time between the ballpark and Rogers Arena.

Her knowledge of stadium operations thanks to her time with both Aramark and the Canadians have proven to be invaluable during her tenure.

Brenda is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations and is right at home here at The Nat; much of her childhood was spent on local baseball fields up in Kamloops.

JACOB NAKHLEH

MANAGER, TICKET OPERATIONS Jacob returns for his eighth season with the C’s and his first as Manager, Ticket Operations.

He first joined the club for the 2016 season, when he began his time with the C’s in the Box Office. Jacob was first hired as a member of the game day staff, then promoted to Box Office Assistant before joining the sales team at the conclusion of the 2021 season. After spending the last couple of years working in sales and community relations, Jacob is excited to be back at home in the Box Office.

Prior to joining the C’s in a full-time role, Jacob graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).

When Jacob’s away from The Nat, you can find him watching Blue Jays baseball, Seahawks football, or dreaming about ice fishing in Saskatchewan.

10 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

ROSEMARY ALBERTS

COORDINATOR, MARKETING SERVICES Rosemary enters her first year with the Canadians as a Marketing Services Coordinator. She recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with her Bachelor of Arts in May 2023 and her Master of Management in December 2023.

Born in Richmond, Rosemary was raised in Victoria, B.C. where she grew up playing volleyball. Her previous work experience includes being the Communications & Administrative Coordinator for Athletics for Kids and a Varsity Game Day Statistician for UBC Athletics. She is excited to help the C’s organization in any way she can.

When Rosemary is not at the Nat, she enjoys her time watching the Canucks, kickboxing, or spending time with family and friends.

CHARLENE YAROSHUK

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR Charlene is excited to be entering her sixth season with the Vancouver Canadians as their Accounting Coordinator. In 2020 she graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Growing up in the Vancouver area she spent most of her free time practicing martial arts and currently has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

TYLER ZICKEL

MANAGER OF BROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS 2024 is Tyler’s fourth with the Canadians, seventh within the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 10th in Minor League Baseball.

Before the C's, Tyler served as the Director of Promotions & Entertainment and Radio Broadcaster for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Over the course of three seasons in Manchester, he oversaw the entire ingame presentation and promotions departments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. He has especially fond memories of the 2018 campaign, when he worked alongside current Jays (and former C’s) skipper John Schneider and the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Jordan Romano.

He began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communications intern for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm in the California League. He made his professional baseball radio debut with the Storm in 2015 and handled the middle innings of road games for the rest of his tenure.

Tyler, his wife Kate and dog Rosie make their offseason home in Portland, OR, where they play copious amounts of pickleball and obsess over the University of Texas Longhorns football season each fall. Born and raised in San Diego, Tyler is a lifelong Padres fan and will always “Keep The Faith.

Proud to support the

AVAILABLE ON THE CONCOURSE AND at THE 3RD BASE CRAFT ZONE

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 11

LEVI WEBER

HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER Levi―the 2023 Northwest League Groundskeeper of the Year―is no stranger to this circuit, with prior experience as the Head Groundskeeper for the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium. His talents have also taken him to the desert, where he was the Field Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Spring Training facility in Arizona.

The Colton, WA native graduated from Washington State University with a Double Major in Turfgrass Management and Vegetable Management and two minors in Horticulture and Agricultural Systems.

In his time away from the ballpark, you can find him on the golf course, weight training or enjoying time with family and friends.

LIAM GUERRIERO

CO-ORDINATOR, SALES 2024 is Liam’s second season with the C’s, and first as a Sales Coordinator.

The 24-year old graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from their four-year program.

A native of Waterloo, Ontario, Liam grew up playing competitive hockey for the Waterloo Wolves. He loves playing and watching hockey, baseball, golf and football. He’s a fan of the Boston Bruins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Browns and Rory McIlroy.

COOPER MISIC

IZZY DINO

A former Langley Blaze star pitcher who took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston College and Central Washington University, Cooper graduated from CWU with a degree in Sports Management with a Specialization in Business.

A native of North Vancouver, Izzy grew up playing competitive softball in both Vancouver and Richmond. She went on to log five NCAA Division I seasons between the University of Hawaii and Seattle University. In her spare time, she coaches youth softball pitchers on the North Shore.

Izzy’s hobbies include watching and playing softball, yoga, going to the beach, and travelling to new places.

CO-ORDINATOR, SALES Cooper enters his third season with the Canadians and his second season as Coordinator, Sales. He is excited to take on more responsibilities during the 2024 season.

When Cooper’s away from The Nat, you can find him enjoying even more baseball, playing golf, or trying out every new restaurant in town.

SALES ASSOCIATE Izzy joins the C’s as a Sales Associate for the 2024 season. She recently graduated from Seattle University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media Studies.

DREW HOWSON

ZACH MAHAFFY

SALES ASSOCIATE 2024 marks Drew’s third season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and second full season in Vancouver. This season will be his first in an office role as a Sales Associate.

After graduating St. Clair College with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and interning with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Drew began his career in professional baseball as a member of the Canadians Grounds Crew. He would go on to gain experience with the Toronto Blue Jays Facility Department, assisting with the renovation and clean-up of Rogers Centre before returning to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Drew is a baseball junkie. He played and coached at many levels in his hometown community of Windsor, Ontario, most notably with the Tecumseh Rangers. In his off time, you’ll usually find him hiking, playing his guitar, or cheering on the Detroit Tigers and his beloved Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

12 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

SALES ASSOCIATE Zachary returns to The Nat for his third season with the Canadians and his first in sales. He spent the previous two seasons as Box Office Assistant for the club.

Strategic Analysis.

In April 2023, Zachary graduated with a BBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, concentrating in Marketing and

A native of Surrey, Zachary played rep hockey with Semiahmoo MHA from U15 to U18, while also playing one season in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with the White Rock Whalers and Port Moody Panthers. During the baseball offseason, Zachary officiates hockey, from U15 all the way up to the Pacific Junior Hockey League. He achieved his Member High Performance certification with Hockey Canada in December 2023.

STADIUM OPERATIONS

GROUNDS CREW

ADAM HAUXWELL

BROOKS PRIMO

TRAVIS PORTER

CAMERON CARELSE

JUNE 16 | 1:05

CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY WITH US! PLUS

TRAVEL MUG GIVEAWAY FIRST 500 Dads

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 13

2024 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

SHOP THE TEAM STORE

OR ONLINE AT CANADIANSBASEBALL.COM

14 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

ASK ABOUT BiRTHDaY'S AT The NaT COME TO THE GAMES YOU WANT TO SEE WITH

10,15 OR 25 VOUCHER NATPACKS!

SEATS AS $ LOW AS

HOME 7:05 START HOME 1:05 START AWAY GAME

EUG - EUGENE (SAN FRANCISCO) EVE - EVERETT (SEATTLE) HIL - HILLSBORO (ARIZONA) SPO - SPOKANE (COLORADO) TRI - TRI-CITY (LA ANGELS) VAN - VANCOUVER (TORONTO)

16

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Great savings over single game ticket prices • Flexibility to pick the games you want.

• Redeem your vouchers online with your ‘My C’s Tickets’ account

PLAN A GROUP OUTING $ WITH SEATS STARTING AT 17 BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Great savings over single game ticket prices • Personalized service from your Canadians representative • Flexibility to attend any game you like, based on availability • Reserved seating so your group enjoys the game together

• Promotional materials to assist you in organizing your event • Special group welcome on C's Diamond Vision • Each group leader receives an invite to the 2024 Group Leader Appreciation Night

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 15

I

L O C E C

S E R F D

T F A R C

R E E HB

R E N R CO

D E T A LOC

E H IN T

T R U O C D O O F E S A B D 3R -

PROUDLY SERVING

16 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

ROAD TO THE SHOW

The Canadians are a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The C’s are a High A affiliate of the Blue Jays.

That means they are in the middle of the Toronto farm system, slightly higher than the Dunedin Blue Jays (Low A) and the Gulf Coast Blue Jays (Rookie). Baseball players work their way up through the organization in hopes of getting to the big leagues. Toronto is in the American League and pulls its talent from these teams.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (MLB) | TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (416) 341-1000 | BLUEJAYS.COM DON MATTINGLY

JOHN SCHNEIDER MANAGER

MARK BUDZINSKI

LUIS RIVERA

FIRST BASE COACH

GIL KIM

PETE WALKER

BENCH COACH

HUNTER MENSE

THIRD BASE COACH MAJOR LEAGUE HITTING STRATEGIST

MANAGER

BENCH COACH

HITTING COACH

JEFF WARE

ASSISTANT HITTING COACH

ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, BULLPEN

ADAM YUDELMAN

ALEX ANDREOPOULOS

DAVE HUDGENS

FIELD COORDINATOR

GUILLERMO MARTINEZ

PITCHING COACH

MAJOR LEAGUE COACH

DAVID HOWELL

ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, STRATEGY

LUIS HURTADO

BULLPEN CATCHER

BULLPEN CATCHER

BUFFALO BISONS (AAA) | BUFFALO, NEW YORK (716) 846-2000 | BISONS.COM CASEY CANDAELE

HITTING COACH

DONNIE MURPHY

PITCHING COACH

RYAN LONG

POSITION COACH

DREW HAYES

BULLPEN COACH

JUSTIN ECHEVARRIA

ANTHONY GOMEZ

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATS (AA) | MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 641-2005 | NHFISHERCATS.COM MANAGER

BENCH COACH

CESAR MARTIN

HITTING COACH

JAKE MCGUIGGAN

PITCHING COACH

MITCH HUCKABAY

POSITION COACH

JOEL BONNETT

BULLPEN COACH

GEORGE CARROL, DELTA CLEARY JR.

ERIC YARDLEY

VANCOUVER CANADIANS (HIGH A) | VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (604) 872-5232 | CANADIANSBASEBALL.COM BRENT LAVALLEE

DEIFERSON BARRETO

MANAGER

ROB SHIFRIN

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

RYAN WRIGHT

BENCH COACH

KATIE REYES

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

HITTING COACH

BAILEY FORST

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX ZANE HUNT

HEAD S&C COACH

ASHLEY STEPHENSON

PITCHING COACH

ALEXIS MAIER

ASST S&C COACH

CARSON PHILLIPS

POSITION COACH

BULLPEN COACH

RAUL PIMENTEL

DIETITIAN

CRISTIAN CORDOVA

MENTAL COACH

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (LOW A) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 733-9302 | DUNEDINBLUEJAYS.COM MANAGER

JOSE MAYORGA

BENCH COACH

MATT VON ROEMER

HITTING COACH

PITCHING COACH

NASH KNIGHT

CORY RIORDAN

POSITION COACH

BULLPEN COACH

PETR STRIBRCKY

YOEL HERNANDEZ

GULF COAST BLUE JAYS GULF COAST LEAGUE (ROOKIE) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 734-8007 MANAGER

ANDY FERMIN

BENCH COACH

CHRIS SCHAEFFER

HITTING COACH

PAUL ELLIOTT, FRED LANDERS

PITCHING COACH

ANTONIO CACERES, ALEX KACHLER

DEVELOPMENT COACH

ALEX KACHLER

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE BLUE JAYS DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (DSL) | BOCA CHICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MANAGER

DANNY CANELLAS

BENCH COACH

ASHLEY PONCE

HITTING COACH

RICARDO NANITA

PITCHING COACH

ROBELIN BAUTISTA

BULLPEN COACH

RAFAEL MONSION

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 17

PITCHERS HT WT 30 Alex Amalfi 6-1 185 35 Lazaro Estrada 6-0 200 11 Pat Gallagher 6-0 200 3 Ryan Jennings 6-0 190 25 Conor Larkin 6-1 215 28 Johnathan Lavallee 6-4 240 26 Chris McElvain 6-0 205 40 Josh Mollerus 6-3 215 17 Connor O’Halloran 6-2 195 32 Rafael Ohashi 6-1 185 4 Naswell Paulino 5-11 205 18 Carson Pierce 6-3 215 23 Rafael Sanchez 6-1 215 34 Grayson Thurman 6-3 205 10 Anders Tolhurst 6-4 190 36 Geison Urbaez 6-1 185 20 Chay Yeager 5-11 180

CATCHERS (3) HT WT 22 Robert Brooks 5-9 215 38 Jose Ferrer 5-11 200 19 Jommer Hernandez 5-11 205 31 Jackson Hornung 6-2 215 5 Kekai Rios 5-10 205

INFIELDERS (6) 21 Jean Arnaez 15 Jamari Baylor 1 Nick Goodwin 14 Estiven Machado 5 Glenn Santiago 7 Jeff Wehler 44 Peyton Williams OUTFIELDERS (4) 8 Jace Bohrofen 6 Dasan Brown 27 Dylan Rock 24 Jaden Rudd

HT WT 5-10 175 5-11 195 6-1 205 5-10 190 5-11 185 6-0 195 6-5 255 HT WT 6-2 205 6-0 195 6-0 210 5-11 190

B/T AGE R/R 23 R/R 25 R/R 23 R/R 24 R/R 25 R/R 24 R/R 23 R/R 24 R/L 21 R/R 21 L/L 23 R/R 22 R/R 24 R/R 25 R/R 24 R/R 23 S/R 21

B/T AGE R/R 25 R/R 25 R/R 23 R/R 23 R/R 26

B/T AGE R/R 21 R/R 23 R/R 22 S/R 21 R/R 23 R/R 25 L/L 23

DOB HOMETOWN 02/18/01 Ashland, MA 04/24/99 Havana, CUB 06/30/00 Leominster, MA 06/23/99 New Braunfels, TX 03/17/99 Royersford, PA 08/11/99 Simi Valley, CA 09/15/00 Thompson Stn, TN 10/06/99 Campbell, CA 09/01/02 Mississauga, ON 10/08/02 Mogi Guacu, BR 4/17/00 San Cristobal, DOM 09/10/01 Edmond, OK 08/22/99 Antilla, CUB 12/27/98 Lynch Station, VA 09/13/99 Santee, CA 07/05/00 Cabral, DOM 09/11/02 Fort Wayne, IN

DOB HOMETOWN 11/21/98 Marietta, GA 03/01/99 Carora, VZ 10/20/00 Puerto Plata, DOM 02/06/01 Ashland, MA 06/06/97 Kaneohe, HI

DOB HOMETOWN 08/22/02 Aguadulce, PAN 08/25/00 Richmond, VA 09/06/01 Overland Park, KS 10/04/02 Barlovento, VEN 12/14/00 Guanica, PR 01/10/99 St. Marys, PA 9/14/00 Johnston, IA

B/TAGE – DOB HOMETOWN L/R 22 10/19/01 Oklahoma City, OK R/R 22 9/25/01 Oakville, ON R/R 25 08/21/98 Sugar Land, TX L/L 21 08/16/02 Panama City, FL

TOR SYSTEM: BUF – AAA | NH – AA | VAN – A+ | DUN – A | FCL – R

‘22 CLUBS Dunedin Dunedin Dunedin, Vancouver Dunedin, Vancouver Vancouver Fort Myers (MIN) Daytona, Dayton (CIN) Dunedin College, Dunedin Dunedin Vancouver College, FCL, Dunedin Dunedin, Vancouver Dunedin, New Hampshire FCL, DUN, VAN DNP FCL, Dunedin

‘23 CLUBS FCL (TB) FCL, New Hampshire, Buffalo Vancouver College, Dunedin New Hampshire, Vancouver

’23 CLUBS Dunedin JS (PHI), ACL (COL), FRE (COL), SPO (COL) College, DUN, VAN Dunedin Vancouver, Dunedin College Dunedin, Vancouver ’23 CLUBS College, FCL, Dunedin Dunedin, Vancouver FCL, DUN, NH Dunedin

ACQUIRED MiLB FA, 07/26/22 INT FA, 01/04/18 11th, ’22, Connecticut 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State MiLB FA, 02/02/24 Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24 10th, ’23, Oregon 5th Rd, ’23, Michigan INT FA, 07/02/19 INT FA, 07/04/16 ND FA, 08/04/23 INT FA, 05/13/22 MiLB FA, 03/24/23 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont INT FA, 10/14/20 12th, ’23, Pasco-Hernando State JC

ACQUIRED MiLB FA, 06/07/24 INT FA, 07/02/17 MiLB FA, 09/08/21 16th, ’23, Skidmore Waivers (LAD), 12/7/22

ACQUIRED INT FA, 7/2/19 MiLB FA, 05/22/24 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State INT FA, 7/3/19 10th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR) ND FA, 6/9/23 7th Rd, ’22, Iowa

ACQUIRED 6th, ’23, Arkansas 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON) 8th, ’22, Texas A&M 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

PRONUNCIATIONS: Devereaux – dev-er-row | Leam – Liam | Pardinho – par-DEEN-yo | Naswell – NAZ-well | Anders – AND-ers Jommer – YOE-murr | Kekai – KAY-kai | Doughty – dough-dee | Kasevich – KASS-uh-vitch | Estiven – es-STEVEN | Wehler – WHALE-er Dasan – duh-SAWN | Angel – awn-hell | B. Lavallee – luh-VALLEY | Deiferson – DAY-fer-son | Bibens-Dirkx – BIB-ins DURKS | Stephenson – Stevenson MANAGER: 33 Brent Lavallee BENCH COACH: 13 Deiferson Barreto PITCHING COACH: 29 Austin Bibens-Dirkx HITTING COACH: 12 Ryan Wright POS. PLAYER COACH: 2 Ashley Stephenson BULLPEN COACH: XX Carson Phillips

18 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Bailey Forst ASSISTANT S&C: Zane Hunt ATHLETIC TRAINER: Rob Shifrin MENTAL COACH: Raul Pimentel ATHLETIC THERAPIST: Katie Reyes TECH ASSISTANT: Cristian Cordova

NO. PITCHERS 10 Blake Adams 9 Zach Agnos 12 Tyler Ahearn 35 Luis Amoroso 45 Anderson Bido 8 Braden Carmichael 50 Brayan Castillo 24 Chase Dollander 36 Caleb Franzen 43 Mason Green 25 Braxton Hyde 6 Victor Juárez 27 Davis Palermo 41 Felix Ramires 30 Sergio Sanchez 32 Carson Skipper 16 Connor Staine 22 Sean Sullivan 18 Carlos Torres

HT. 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-4

WT. 215 210 200 190 205 185 170 200 200 195 195 175 200 175 180 210 200 190 240

B-T R-R R-R R-R R-R R-R R-L R-R R-R L-L L-L R-R R-R R-R L-L R-R R-R R-R R-L R-R

DOB 9/11/2000 8/15/2000 8/25/1998 12/12/1999 5/7/1999 5/23/2000 9/11/2000 10/26/2001 6/10/2001 2/5/1999 6/6/2001 6/19/2003 12/16/1999 9/26/1999 1/13/2001 8/12/1999 1/12/2001 7/22/2002 5/3/2001

ACQUIRED 13th/2022 10th/2022 20th/2021 IFA/2017 IFA/2017 FA/2023 IFA/2017 1st/2023 12th/2022 12th/2021 14th/2022 IFA/2019 8th/2022 IFA/2017 IFA/2018 11th/2022 5th/2022 2nd/2023 20th/2022

LAST SCHOOL Kansas State East Carolina Florida State N/A N/A Oklahoma N/A Tennessee Portland Central Missouri Butler CC (KS) N/A North Carolina N/A N/A Auburn Central Florida Wake Forest Lehigh

HOMETOWN Springdale, AR Reston, VA Palm Beach Gardens, FL Valencia, Venezuela Las Matas de Farfan, D.R. Prosper, TX Santiago, D.R. Evans, GA Phoenix, AZ Lenexa, KS Liberal, KS Monterrey, Mexico Chapel Hill, NC Sabana de la Mar, D.R. San Cristobal, D.R. Birmingham, AL Clinton, NJ Boston, MA Ponce, Puerto Rico

PREVIOUS Spokane Fresno Spokane Spokane Spokane Fresno Spokane Tennessee Fresno Spokane Fresno Spokane Fresno Spokane Fresno Fresno Fresno Fresno Fresno

NO. INFIELDERS 15 Jack Blomgren 11 Dyan Jorge 4 Cole Carrigg 2 Kyle Karros 20 Jean Perez

HT. 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-5 5-10

WT. 180 170 200 220 180

B-T R-R R-R S-R R-R R-R

DOB 9/27/1998 3/18/2003 5/8/2002 7/26/2002 7/20/2002

ACQUIRED 5th/2020 IFA/2022 CB-B/2023 5th/2023 IFA/2019

LAST SCHOOL Michigan N/A San Diego State UCLA N/A

HOMETOWN Milton, WI Havana, Cuba Modesto, CA Los Angeles, CA Boca, Chica, D.R.

PREVIOUS Hartford Fresno Fresno Fresno Spokane

NO. CATCHERS 7 Bryant Betancourt 19 Jose Cordova 3 Jesus Ordonez

NO. OUTFIELDERS 44 Jesus Bugarin 14 Juan Guerrero 29 Robby Martin Jr. 1 Jake Snider

HT. 5-11 6-0 5-8

HT. 5-10 6-1 6-3 5-10

WT. 170 180 180

WT. 180 160 190 190

B-T L-R R-R R-R

B-T R-R R-R L-R L-R

NO. FIELD STAFF 37 Robinson Cancel - Manager 38 Blaine Beatty - Pitching Coach 21 Tom Sutaris - Hitting Coach 23 Joe Mikulik - Bench Coach Jacob Mathis - Physical Performance Maranda Briney - Trainer Joey Scott - Clubhouse Manager Connor Carroll - Video Coordinator

DOB 10/12/2003 1/11/2000 12/26/1999

DOB 12/2/2001 9/10/2001 8/17/1999 5/19/1998

ACQUIRED IFA/2021 IFA/2018 IFA/2019

ACQUIRED IFA/2018 IFA/2018 8th/2021 20th/2019

LAST SCHOOL N/A N/A N/A

LAST SCHOOL N/A N/A Florida State Louisville

HOMETOWN Valencia, Venezuela Guayana, Venezuela Coro, Venezuela

HOMETOWN Ciudad Piar, Venezuela San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. Tampa, FL Waterloo, IA

PREVIOUS Fresno Spokane Fresno

PREVIOUS Fresno Spokane Spokane Fresno

PRONUNCIATIONS: Luis Amoroso (AM-uh-ROH-soh), Anderson Bido (Bee-dough), Jesus Bugarin (Hey-soos Boo-guh-reen), Cole Carrigg (Care-igg) Chase Dollander (Dough-lander), Brayan Castillo (Brian), Dyan Jorge (Dee-on Hor-hey)

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 19

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 21

FIELD STAFF

BRENT

LAVALLEE

33

MANAGER • Entering his second year as Manager in Vancouver, coming off a 67-62 campaign...

Served as a Manager for the first time in 2021 while with the FCL Blue Jays...Played at LSU Shreveport until 2009 and joined their coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant in 2010...Started as a full-time assistant in 2012 and was named the Head Coach in 2016...In three years, his teams produced with an overall record of 126-57 and claimed the last two conference championships.

• The North Delta, British Columbia, native played for LSU for five seaons, including a medical redshirt campaign...Played a total of 200 games and earned 2009 1st Team All-Canada while runner up for Canadian College Baseball Player of the Year.

22 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

DEIFERSON

BARRETO

13

BENCH COACH • Moving up to Bench Coach after spending the last two seasons as Position Coach for the DSL Blue Jays...Started his coaching career in 2018 with Advanced-A Dunedin by assisting the coaching staff...In 2019, was assigned as Assistant Pitching Coach at The Toronto Blue Jays Dominican Academy...That July, he transitioned to the infield coach for the J2 signed players...In 2020, served as Infield Coach for the Dominican Academy and was instrumental in assisting the club with the Venezuelan players who were unable to get back home because of the pandemic.

• Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in September of 2011....Played as an infielder in the Blue Jays system from 2012-2017, reaching as high as Triple-A Buffalo..

AUSTIN

BIBENS-DIRKX

29

PITCHING COACH • Officially retired in January and is entering his first year in professional baseball as a coach, taking on Bullpen Coach for Vancouver.

• The native of Salem, OR, was selected out of the University of Portland by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round of the 2006 draft...Eventually reached the Majors for 37 games while with Texas in 2017 and 2018...

Has also pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League, the Dominican Winter League, the Mexican League, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

RYAN

WRIGHT

12

HITTING COACH • Made his Minor League coaching debut in 2021, in his current role, after his debut with Class-A Lansing was cancelled in 2020...Began his coaching career at Capital High School in Boise, ID, from 2015-2016...

Was a Graduate Assistant at California State University Northridge in 2016...

Joined the organization from Montana State University Billings where he was on staff since 2017... Served as the Hitting Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at MSUB...Has also managed the Spearfish Sasquatch Baseball Club in Spearfish, SD (2018-2019), and the Kelowna Falcons Baseball Club in Kelowna, BC (2019).

• Played collegiately at the University of Utah, Treasure Valley Community College, and Oklahoma City University.

ASHLEY

STEPHENSON

2

POSITION COACH • 2024 is Ashley’s second season with the Blue Jays...Follows Jaime (Vieira) Lever as the second female coach in the organization...Coached with the Canadian Women’s National Team since 2018, leading to a Bronze medal at the COPABE Women’s Pan-American Championships in 2019, and was the first woman to manage the Women’s National Team when Canada played against USA in Thunder Bay in 2022...Was also the first woman to coach in the Canadian Futures Showcase, hosted by the Blue Jays baseball academy in Ottawa last year...Made history in November as she became the first woman to capture Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Elite Coach of the Year Award.

CARSON

PHILLIPS

37

BULLPEN COACH • Joins the Vancouver Canadians for his first season in the organization...Was working at the University of Arizona as a Graduate Assistant Pitching Coach.

• Played at Dixie State University where he completed a Bachelors in Exercise Science...

Also attended the University of Arizona.

• Was an original member of the Women’s National Team in 2004 and played for 15 years...Won four Women’s Baseball World Cup medals (three bronze, one silver), and a silver at the Pan American Games in 2015.

• 2024 Inductee into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 23

24 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

2024 ROSTER

CONOR

LARKIN

OHASHI

AMALFI

JOHNATHAN

32

NASWELL

HT: 6-1 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/08/02 HOMETOWN: Mogi Guacu, BR 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/02/19

30

LAZARO

28

CHRIS

4

CARSON

HT: 6-1 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 02/18/01 HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 07/26/22

25

HT: 6-1 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 03/17/99 HOMETOWN: Royersford, PA 23 CLUBS: Vancouver AQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

RAFAEL

ALEX

LAVALLEE

HT: 6-4 WT: 240 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/11/99 HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA 23 CLUBS: Fort Myers (MIN) AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 02/02/24

PAULINO

HT: 5-11 WT: 205 B/T: L/L DOB: 4/17/00 HOMETOWN: San Cristobal, DOM 23 CLUBS: Vancouver AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/04/16

ESTRADA

35

PAT

26

JOSH

18

KENDRY

HT: 6-0 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 04/24/99 HOMETOWN: Havana, CUB 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 01/04/18

McELVAIN

HT: 6-0 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/15/00 HOMETOWN: Thompson Station, TN 23 CLUBS: Daytona, Dayton (CIN) AQUIRED: Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24

PIERCE

HT: 6-3 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/10/01 HOMETOWN: Edmond, OK 23 CLUBS: College, FCL, Dunedin AQUIRED: ND FA, 08/04/23

11

RYAN

40

CONNOR

16

RAFAEL

GALLAGHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 06/30/00 HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA 23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 11th, ’22, Connecticut

MOLLERUS

HT: 6-3 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/06/99 HOMETOWN: Campbell, CA 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: 10th, ’23, Oregon

ROJAS

HT: 6-2 WT: 190 B/T: L/L DOB: 11/26/02 HOMETOWN: Ciego De Avila, CU 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

JENNINGS

3

HT: 6-0 WT: 190 B/T: R/R DOB: 06/23/99 HOMETOWN: New Braunfels, TX 23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

O' HALLORAN

17

HT: 6-2 WT: 195B/T: R/R DOB: 09/01/02 HOMETOWN: Mississauga, ON 23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin AQUIRED: 5th, ’23, Michigan

SANCHEZ

23

HT: 6-1 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/22/99 HOMETOWN: Antilla, CUB 23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: INT FA, 05/13/22

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 25

GRAYSON

THURMAN

34

ANDERS

38

JOMMER

15

NICK

HT: 6-3 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/27/98 HOMETOWN: Lynch Station, VA 23 CLUBS: Dunedin, New Hampshire AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 03/24/23

JOSE

FERRER

HT: 5-11 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 03/01/99 HOMETOWN: Carora, VEN 23 CLUBS: FCL. New Hampshire, Buffalo AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/02/17

JAMARI

BAYLOR

HT: 5-11 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/25/00 HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA 23 CLUBS: JS (PHI), ACL (COL), FRE (COL), SPO (COL) AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 05/22/24

TOLHURST

10

GEISON

19

JACKSON

1

ESTIVEN

HT: 6-4 WT: 190 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/13/99 HOMETOWN: Santee, CA 23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont

HERNANDEZ

HT: WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/20/00 HOMETOWN: Puerto Plata, DOM 23 CLUBS: Vancouver AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 09/08/21

GOODWIN

HT: 6-1 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/06/01 HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS 23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State

26 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

URBAEZ

36

CHAY

31

KEKAI

14

GLENN

HT: 6-1 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 07/05/00 HOMETOWN: Cabral, DOM 23 CLUBS: DNP AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

HORNUNG

HT: WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 02/06/01 HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA 23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin AQUIRED: 16th, ’23, Skidmore

MACHADO

HT: 5-10 WT: 190 B/T: S/R DOB: 10/04/02 HOMETOWN: Barlovento, VEN 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/3/19

YEAGER

20

ROBERT

5

JEAN

5

JEFF

HT: 5-11 WT: 180 B/T: S/R DOB: 09/11/02 HOMETOWN: Fort Wayne, IN 23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin AQUIRED: 12th, ’23, PascoHernando State JC

RIOS

HT: 5-10 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 06/06/97 HOMETOWN: Kaneohe, HI 23 CLUBS: New Hampshire, Vancouver AQUIRED: Waivers (LAD), 12/7/22

SANTIAGO

HT: 5-11 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/14/00 HOMETOWN: Guanica, PR 23 CLUBS: Vancouver, Dunedin AQUIRED: 0th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR)

BROOKS

22

HT: 5-9 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/21/98 HOMETOWN: Marieta, GA 23 CLUBS: FCL (TB) AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 06/07/24

ARNAEZ

21

HT: 5-10 WT: 175 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/22/02 HOMETOWN: Aguadulce, PAN 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/19

WEHLER

HT: 6-0 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 01/10/99 HOMETOWN: St. Marys, PA 23 CLUBS: College AQUIRED: ND FA, 6/9/23

7

PEYTON

WILLIAMS OUTFIELDER

44

HT: 6-5 WT: 255 B/T: L/L DOB: 9/14/00 HOMETOWN: Johnston, IA ’23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: 7th Rd, ’22, Iowa

JACE

BOHROFEN

8

HT: 6-2 WT: 205 B/T: L/R DOB: 10/19/01 HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, OK 23 CLUBS: College, FCL, Dunedin AQUIRED: 6th, ’23, Arkansas

DASAN

BROWN

6

HT: 6-0 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/25/01 HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON 23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

DYLAN

ROCK

27

HT: 6-0 WT: 210 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/21/98 HOMETOWN: Sugar Land, TX 23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, New Hampshire AQUIRED: 8th, ’22, Texas A&M

JADEN

RUDD

ROB

KATIE

BAILEY

ZANE

STEPHANIE

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

DIETICIAN

SHIFRIN

REYES

FORST

HUNT

RAUL

CRISTIAN

GLENN

COLE

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TECH ASSISTANT

HOME CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

VISITOR CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

PIMENTEL

CORDOVA

HALL

24

HT: 5-11 WT: 190 B/T: L/L DOB: 08/16/02 HOMETOWN: Panama City, FL 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

BOVILLE

HOWES

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 27

28 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 29

CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club has welcomed more than 800 players onto its rosters since 2000. That’s a lot of guys all striving to one day reach the bright lights of the Major Leagues. Here is a list of every one of our players who has arrived at the game’s highest stage and play in Major League Baseball.

2003 POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

2010

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

2018

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Rich Harden Neal Cotts Mike Wood 2004

P P P

2001 2001 2001

21-Jul 12-Aug 21-Aug

Oakland Chicago (AL) Oakland

A.J. Griffin Alexi Ogando 2011

P P

24-Jun 15-Jul

Oakland Texas

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

Santiago Casilla Nick Swisher Joe Blanton 2005

P OF P

09-Aug Oakland 03-Sep Oakland 24-Sep Oakland

Justin Sellers Anthony Recker Corey Brown 2012

INF C OF

12-Aug Los Angeles (NL) 25-Aug Oakland 06-Sep Washington

2014 2014 2009 2013 2014 2014 2011

26-Jun 18-Aug 27-Aug 30-Aug 01-Sep 05-Sep 26-Sep

Toronto Toronto Toronto Detroit Toronto Toronto Toronto

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

MLB DEBUT

INF INF INF INF OF

2002 2001 2003 2000 2002

04-Apr 27-May 31-Jul 30-Aug 17-Sep

Kansas City Oakland Colorado Oakland Milwaukee

P P P

21-Apr Oakland 05-Jun Oakland 30-Aug Oakland

MLB DEBUT

Mark Teahen Dan Johnson Omar Quintanilla Freddie Bynum Nelson Cruz 2006

Pedro Figueroa Sean Doolittle Dan Straily 2013

POS C'S ALUMNI

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

POS C'S ALUMNI

Ryan Borucki Justin Shafer Murphy Smith Dawel Lugo Jose Fernandez Jonathan Davis Jon Berti 2019

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

John Rheinecker Andre Either Chris Mabeus Kurt Suzuki Jason Windsor Jeremy Brown Mark Kiger 2007

P OF P C P C INF

2001 2003 2001 2004 2004 2002 2002

22-Apr 02-May 29-May 12-Jun 17-Jul 03-Sep 13-Oct

Texas Los Angeles (NL) Milwaukee Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland

Ian Krol Kevin Pillar Max Stassi Michael Choice 2014

P OF C OF

2009 2011 2009 2010

05-Jun 14-Aug 20-Aug 02-Sep

Washington Toronto Houston Oakland

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

P P P OF P

2009 2012 2011 2012 2012

23-Mar 04-May 23-Jul 02-Sep 05-Sep

Arizona Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto

Travis Buck OF Jared Burton P Danny Putman OF Dallas Braden P Connor Robertson P Marshal McDougall INF Kevin Melillo INF Bill Murphy P 2008 POS

2005 2002 2004 2004 2004 2000 2004 2002

02-Apr 04-Apr 23-Apr 24-Apr 17-May 05-Jun 24-Jun 03-Sep

Oakland Cincinnati Oakland Oakland Oakland Texas Oakland Arizona

Bo Schultz Marcus Stroman Aaron Sanchez Dalton Pompey Daniel Norris 2015

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Miguel Castro P Roberto Osuna P Noah Syndergaard P Justin Nicolino P Dusty Coleman INF David Rollins P 2016 POS

2014 2012 2011 2011 2008 2011

06-Apr 08-Apr 12-May 20-Jun 03-Jul 04-Jul

Toronto Toronto New York (NL) Miami Kansas City Seattle

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

C'S ALUMNI

Gregorio Petit John Baker Jeff Gray 2009

INF C P

2004 2002 2005

18-May Oakland 09-Jul Florida 08-Sep Oakland

Andy Burns Matt Dermody 2017

INF P

2011 2013

09-May Toronto 03-Sep Toronto

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Andrew Bailey Landon Powell Tommy Everidge Brad Kilby Jeff Baisley

P C INF P INF

06-Apr 11-Apr 28-Jul 02-Sep 09-Sep

Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland

Dwight Smith Jr. Seth Frankoff Ian Parmley Franklin Barreto Taylor Cole Tim Mayza Jairo Labourt Carlos Ramirez Richard Urena Tim Locastro

OF P OF INF P P P P INF INF

18-May 09-Jun 23-Jun 24-Jun 09-Aug 15-Aug 01-Sep 01-Sep 01-Sep 29-Sep

Toronto Chicago (NL) Toronto Oakland Toronto Toronto Detroit Toronto Toronto Los Angeles (NL)

2002 2002 2002

2006 2004 2004 2005 2005

30 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

2010 2004 2005 2005 2007 2007 2007 2009

2012 2010 2013 2014 2012 2014 2014 2012 2014 2014

TEAM

P P P INF P OF INF

John Schneider MGR 2011/14-15 28-Mar Travis Bergen P 2015-17 29-Mar Cavan Biggio INF 2016 25-May T.J. Zeuch 2016 03-Sep Lane Thomas OF 2015 17-Apr Ryan McBroom INF/OF 2014 03-Sep 2020 POS C'S MLB

Toronto San Francisco Toronto Toronto St. Louis Kansas City

ALUMNI

DEBUT

Nate Pearson Dany Jiménez Patrick Murhpy Ángel Perdomo 2021

P P P P

2017 2017 2016 2015

29-Jul 23-Jul 18-Sep 18-Aug

Toronto San Francisco Toronto Milwaukee

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Josh Palacios Alek Manoah Riley Adams Tayler Saucedo Nick Allgeyer Otto López 2022

OF P C P P INF

2016 2019 2018 2015 2018 2018

09-Apr 27-May 08-Jun 17-Jun 02-Jul 17-Aug

Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Zach Jackson Zach Logue Christian Lopes Vinny Capra Danny Young Josh Winckowski Jake Fishman 2023

P P INF INF P P P

2016 2017 2012 2018 2015 2018 2017

9-April 19-April 20-April 1-May 9-May 28-May 31-July

Oakland Oakland Oakland Toronto Seattle Boston Marlins

POS C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Samad Taylor INF Spencer Horwitz OF Davis Schneider INF/OF Hagen Danner P Cam Eden OF Jose Espada P 2024 POS

2017 2021 2022 2021 2021 2018

18-Jun 19-Jun 4-Aug 11-Aug 21-Sep 24-Sep

Kansas City Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto San Diego

C'S ALUMNI

MLB DEBUT

TEAM

Addison Barger

2021

24-Apr

Blue Jays

INF/OF

TEAM

Supporting local charities in our community APRIL 10 SUPPORTING

JUNE 12

SUPPORTING

AUGUST 7 SUPPORTING

APRIL 24

MAY 8

SUPPORTING

MAY 29

SUPPORTING

JUNE 26

SUPPORTING

JULY 3

SUPPORTING

JULY 31

SUPPORTING

AUGUST 21 SUPPORTING

SUPPORTING

SEPT 4

SUPPORTING

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 31

HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL GAME Different fans have different methods of keeping a scorecard, and many use their own notations. But here's a simple method:

circle put the symbol of the play and/or the player that drove him in. For example, if the No. 5 hitter drives in two runs with a single, mark his single in the bottom right of his box and mark a circle with the number "5" in the boxes of the runners who score (Some people like to use uniform numbers here, so you can tell who did what, even after lineup changes).

For example, If the hitter grounds out to shortstop, for example, write in "6-3," which shows the shortstop threw him out at first base.

If the hitter flies out to left field, write a "7."

If the batter gets a hit, write in the hit according to which base he reached. Each corner of the box represents a base, with the lowerright corner being first.

At the end of each inning, total the hits and runs for that inning only.

At the end of the game you'll be able to add the innings total to get the game score.

If he singles, put a "-" in the lower right. If he doubles, write a "=" in the upper right, and so on. For a walk, use "BB" in the lower right. As the runner advances, mark the appropriate symbol in the appropriate corner.

If a runner scores, put a circle at the bottom of the box, and inside the

EXAMPLE SCOREBOARD

1ST INNING 1. SINGLED, ADVANCED ON NEXT BATTER'S WALK, TOOK 3RD ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, SCOREO ON NO. 4 BATTER'S DOUBLE 2. WALKED, LATER FORCED OUT, SHORTSTOP TO SECOND BASE 3. REACHED ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, ADVANCED TO 3RD ON NEXT BATTER'S DOUBLE, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 4. DOUBLED, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 5. SINGLED, ADVANCED TO 2ND ON NEXT BATTER'S SINGLE, STOLE 3RD BASE, THROWN OUT ON GROUNDER, SHORTSTOP TO CATCHER 6. SINGLED, STOLE 2ND BASE 7. REACHED 1ST ON FIELDER’S CHOICE 8. POPPED OUT TO 2ND BASE 2ND INNING 9. LEADOFF WITH DOUBLE 1. FLIED OUT TO CENTERFIELD 2. POPPED OUT TO SHORTSTOP 3. STRUCKOUT SWINGING

TEAM BATTING ORDER 1. CENTER FIELDER 2. SHORTSTOP 3. 1ST BASEMAN 4. 3RD BASEMAN 5. RIGHT FIELDER 6. LEFT FIELDER 7. DESIGNATED HITTER

SYMBOLS FOR PLAY

1

3 2 4 6-4 BB 3 5 FC = 5 SB 2 6-2 SB -

2 8 6 K

FC

8. 2ND BASEMAN 4 / 9. CATCHER = R H 3 4 0 1 TOTALS

Single: S or – Double: D or = Triple: T or = Homerun: HR or =

Passed Ball: Stolen Base: Double Play: Error:

Sacrifice: SH or SAC Walk: BB Strikeout: K Called Out on Strikes: K

PB SB DP E

Sacrifice Fly: SF Intentional Walk: IBB Foul Fly: F Force Out: FO Line Drive: L

Balk: BK Fielder’s Choice: FC Hit by Pitch: HP Wild Pitch: WP

Bunt: B Unassisted: U

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS BY THE NUMBERS 1 PITCHER 2 CATCHER 3 1ST BASEMAN 4 2ND BASEMAN 5 3RD BASEMAN 6 SHORTSTOP 7 LEFT FIELDER

8 7

9

6 5

4 1

3

8 CENTER FIELDER 9 RIGHT FIELDER

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS Umpires use a number of signals. Some of these are familiar and are associated with the Rules of Baseball, like safe, out, foul, etc. These are a few you are likely to see when scoring a game.

FOUL TIP

DOUBLE

TRAPPED BALL/SAFE

DELAYED DEAD BALL

TIME/DEAD BALL

COUNT

HOLD UP PLAY

HOME RUN

PLAY BALL

INFIELD FLY

FAIR BALL

FOUL BALL

STRIKE OUT

32 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

WE ARE YOUR CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY. Come along with us as we uncover what matters to Metro Vancouver.

START YOUR FREE TRIAL vancouversun.com/canadians

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians catcher Jackson Hornung.

JACKSON HORNUN The athletic exploits of the Ashland, Massachusetts native will not soon be forgotten at the high school and collegiate levels. A three-sport athlete at Ashland High School with hockey and football on his resume, Hornung led the Clockers to the sectional final in all three sports during his senior season of 2019. He scored 45 goals in his three years of hockey as a defenceman and played quarterback and free safety in football.

Baseball was where Hornung really excelled as he compiled a career batting average of .418 by hitting .419, .449 and .429 over his last three seasons.

High school would not be the last time Hornung sported a .400-plus batting average. He went to Division III Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. His freshman season only lasted seven games and 25 atbats in 2020 due to the pandemic but he still hit .524 with a home run, two doubles and four runs batted in.

In 2021, Hornung batted .313 with a .918 on-base-plus-slugging percentage over 15 games before taking his game to a new level. The 2022 season saw him slash .460/.539/.760 with 27 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases and was a three-time Liberty League Performer of the Week winner and its Player of the Year. That was among the six awards Hornung collected in his breakout campaign.

34 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE OF C’S PLUS BASEBALL

MARK STEFFENS/FOTOGUY PHOTOGRAPHY

N NG VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 35

He joined the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in the summer of 2022 and put together a banner campaign that saw him bat .363 with 25 extra-base knocks to earn an All-Star selection.

After a sensational 2022 season, Hornung followed up with another stellar showing with Skidmore in 2023. He boasted a careerbest 1.363 OPS which featured an insane .560 OBP, .803 slugging percentage and a .379 isolated power mark. He had to make more room in the trophy case by bringing home another half-dozen awards, including another Liberty League Player of the Year trophy and being named Skidmore’s Outstanding Senior Athlete Award.

Two more stints of summer college ball followed with Hornung joining the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League and the North Shore Navigators of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

He was set to join the Kansas State Wildcats in 2024 but those plans changed when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Agreeing to a signing bonus of $150,000, Hornung reported to Dunedin and collected an RBI single in his first professional plate appearance at Tampa on July 29. His first professional home run came on August 25 against St. Lucie and that helped his good friend, high school teammate and current C’s teammate, righthander Alex Amalfi earn the victory.

After a 17-game introduction into pro ball with Dunedin, Hornung was named to the Opening Day roster for the Vancouver Canadians and collected his first Northwest League hit along with two walks at Spokane on April 7. He authored a seven-game hitting streak to round out the month of April which included belting his first home run of the season against Spokane as part of a two-hit night on April 24.

In May, Hornung stretched his on-base streak to 13 games that began on April 12. His home run at Tri-City proved to be the winning run in a victory at Tri-City on May 3. He launched another long ball in a win at Spokane on May 17 that was part of a nine-game on-base streak.

A three-hit night that included a game-winning RBI single and an 36 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

RBI double came against Tri-City on May 30, ending the month with a six-game streak of reaching base safely. That brought his on-base mark to .370 for May and over the .350 mark heading into June.

C’s Plus Baseball talked with the 23-year-old Hornung during the team’s homestand against Everett back in May. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – You were drafted last year by the Blue Jays. Talk about what your drafting experience was like.

Jackson Hornung – Well, it was a little stressful. I was living with one of my buddies from summer ball, and we were on the way to a game. I got a call to be ready and then I just ended up seeing my name on the draft tracker. We were already in the car and stuck in traffic so I ended up just staying with them and going to the game.

I didn’t play, just kind of sat in the bullpen talking to the guys and responding to a lot of texts and phone calls from a lot of family and friends just congratulating me so it was a really cool experience. I was over the moon, it was a really cool moment for me, you know, something I’ve been working for the past four years. Just to get that call and have a team really want me and it was just an unreal experience.

CPB – Do you remember who your signing scout was?

JH – Pete Holmes, same as, I think, Patty Gallagher and Alex Amalfi, too.

CPB – What’s it like having that Massachusetts connection on this year’s roster?

JH – Having Patty, not from just down the road, I worked out with him all offseason. It was really cool to be around him the whole year and get to catch his (bull) pens and kind of pick his brain about what he wants to take into the season just so I can be as much of a help to him as possible. And then Alex, growing up together, playing Little League together and everything and then going to pro ball was an unreal experience. Every time we go into the game together, we think about that and how we used to do it in high school and when we were 10 years old so it’s a really cool part of the game.

CPB – Talk about your road to baseball that eventually led to

Skidmore College. How did you get started in baseball?

JH – Baseball is kind of in my family. My Dad loved baseball, he always coached me when I was in Little League and everything and I just really loved it. Funny enough, I actually wanted to play hockey in college for most of my life. And then, my sophomore year of high school, I almost went to a private school for hockey and then decided in my best interest it probably wasn’t the right decision. So I stayed in Ashland and then decided to focus more on baseball. I started looking at schools and going into my junior year, one of my friends was going to play soccer at a Liberty League school and told me about Skidmore. So I went to a scout camp there and then they offered me (a spot). I fell in love with the school. It was a great spot, 30 minutes from my grandparents which was really cool so they got to see me play a bunch. It was just the right fit and I’m very glad I picked that school. I have a lot of friends that I still talk to all the time from there.

My coaches were great, so it was a really good experience.

CPB – Just going to do a bit of a sidebar. You mentioned hockey, and I’d be doing it a service here in Canada where hockey is a religion here. I just wanted to ask, what position did you play?

JH – I was a defenseman. I played defense my whole life. Got a couple games at forward. Could never figure it out. I was more just, you know, the D guy. I like scoring goals, though, so I still take the puck up.

CPB – Was there a favourite hockey team or player you had?

JH – Yeah, I am a big Rangers fan. I know Canadians won’t really love that, but yeah, I’m a huge New Yorker. The Rangers are one of my favorite teams in all of sports so I love watching them play. And because of that, Henrik Lundqvist was my favorite player. I know he’s a goalie. I always wanted to be a goalie but it didn’t end up working out for me. Lundqvist was always my favourite player and I still follow him and everything. He had his retirement ceremony last year or two years ago, which was really cool to watch. And then because of him, my little sister’s a goalie.

CPB – Nice. Getting back to Skidmore College, you put up tremendous numbers, almost video game-like numbers. What was it like playing in Division III baseball where you have some Division III people

already on the roster, Ryan McCarty and Grayson Thurman?

JH – Hearing stories from guys, you know, at the Division I level, I don’t think it’s all that different. I think it’s just a matter of getting on the field and being able to play and show your stuff. But it was awesome. The guys were great and they took baseball really seriously which is awesome. And our team ended up doing really well. I had four years there so it was really cool to play with those guys and learn from older guys when I was a freshman. COVID kind of ruined that season, but I’m pretty close with those guys which is nice. It was a really cool experience just to meet other guys. Seeing Ryan, Thurman and Alex here, who also played Division III here. I know my junior year, I was stat-watching Ryan, and I’m like, ‘Wow, this kid’s really good. I got to try to compete with him.’ Even before I knew him, I’m like, ‘All right, this guy’s pushing. I need to go to be even better.’ So that’s really cool. And then getting to play with these guys and see them compete at this level like everybody else.

You wouldn’t even know that they’re Division III players which is really cool. I think there’s a lot of talent in that pool. And I think it’s being seen more nowadays and it’s really cool just to see how many guys come from Division III and can still do it.

CPB – When did you first become a catcher?

JH – I had always been a catcher when I was younger. I think that kind of stems from wanting to be a goalie in hockey but never being able to. So I think I just thought it was the most entertaining position. You get to catch the ball every play and be the kind of like the captain of the team, just controlling everything. And then I got to high school and we had a couple of stud catchers above me when I was a freshman. So I ended up playing infield. I played second base my freshman year and then shortstop my sophomore year. And then my senior year, I got called on to be a catcher again. And I always knew I wanted to play catcher in college. So that was a big thing for me, you know, being able to do that at the next level. It kind of went away from it for a little while but then I found my way back to it.

CPB – I notice when there’s no runners on base, you stretch out your right leg.

JH – I know that’s a pretty new style in pro ball. I think it came in four

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 37

or five years ago when it really started taking a big role in the game.

And then my college coach and I talked to him about it and asked if it was something I could explore. And he was awesome about it. He let me try it out. I think there’s a couple games where he was like, ‘Yeah, maybe this isn’t going to work.’ And he’s like, ‘Just keep working on it.’ So I’d work on it and then I think about my junior year, I started doing it pretty much full time. So then I got to really try to hone in my craft with it there. And then here, it’s awesome getting to get a little bit more hands-on coaching with specific catching guys which is great and trying to like learn how to do it to the best of my abilities. I feel like it’s come a long way so it’s been going good.

CPB – There are so many responsibilities as a catcher. You have to know your pitchers. You have to play well defensively. What is it that you enjoy the most about being a catcher?

JH – That’s a tough question because there’s a lot of things that I enjoy about it. I like it because you got to be tough to play it. A lot of the guys here, they joke around. When I get a foul ball off the leg and I got a huge bruise on me, they’re like, ‘Oh, I could never be a catcher.’

I’m like, ‘I love that, it’s awesome.’ Getting hit by a ball, you’re like, ‘All right, it hurts.’ But you’re like, ‘All right, now I’m in the zone. Now I’m in the game and you’re ready to go.’ I think I’ve always just kind of liked that part of it. It’s just so much fun. And it’s the best position out there. I tell all the little kids, ‘Be a catcher. It’s awesome!’

CPB – You began your pro career with Dunedin last year. What was that like your first pro experience with the D-Jays?

JH – It was awesome. The coaching staff was great and the guys were great. To make a lot of good friendships there early on was really cool to just pick people’s brains that come from everywhere.

You got guys from the SEC, you got guys from Latin America and to talk to them about their experience and what they do to try to get better in the game was really cool. I think I took a lot from that and it’s helped me, especially in the off season, being able to talk to some of my friends about what they’re doing and what they’re doing to just get better and hone in their craft. And it was in down in Dunedin. It’s awesome. I’ve never been to Florida for longer than a week in my life. And then getting to kind of live down there and play baseball. It was unreal, you know, playing six games a week.

Just being around the guys in the bullpen when I’m not playing. It was a great experience. I loved it.

CPB – Was there anything specifically you worked on the off season knowing that now that you know what pro ball is like and what to expect coming into 2024?

JH – Yeah, I worked on my swing a lot. I think that was something I early on was in my head about, seeing velo a little bit more consistently. There’s a couple of guys we faced back in college that were flamethrowers but just on a consistent basis, getting used to it. I just kind of tried to work on that in the off season, just kind of honing that in and try to hit the ball hard as hard as possible whenever I can and I think it’s definitely helped. I had a great hitting coach back at home. He was one of my coaches in the summer a couple of years ago and a great guy. He worked with me every single day. It was awesome. He always show up for me, even when he was sick. He’d just come in and it was great. I appreciate everything from him.

CPB – Speaking of hitting the ball hard, your first home run here cleared the center field fence. I’m sure you knew you got ahold of it right away but what do you remember about that at-bat?

JH – It was a great couple at bats before me getting guys on base, 38 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

in a close game. And then I got up there, I remember swinging at a terrible pitch in the dirt. Then taking the time and just kind of flushing it, taking it one step back and just trying to do my job. And then he gave me the pitch I wanted and I just hit it. I didn’t think it was getting over the fence because it’s kind of a shot to center field here. And then just being able to run those bases and trying to get the team back in the game, it was awesome. And all the guys rallied around me, which is great. And just the energy I felt was awesome.

The guys here are great so it was just an unreal experience.

CPB – Your other home run was also a straight shot to center. How do you describe hitting approach?

JH – I would say try to stay up the middle or oppo. I try to just keep the swing there because I know the pull side will come with that when the (pitchers) start to miss their spot. It’s something I’ve changed throughout the years. In college, I would say I was definitely more of a pull hitter and never really went backside. To be able to work with some guys here and being able to unlock that part of my game has been great.

CPB – You’re down at the Player Development Complex in Dunedin.

There are so many, bells and whistles, so many hitting statistics?

Any statistics that you can pay attention to?

JH – Not entirely. When I was in college, I think I looked at them a little bit more just because it was something I was like, ‘All right, I need to have certain stats or something tto get to where I want to be.’ But now that I’m here and talking to guys about how they go about it, it’s not something I try to pay attention to at all. I try not to look at it because, you know, you can hit a ball 105 (miles per hour) and it gets caught. And then you could hit that 70 miles an hour and it just squeaks in (for a hit). It’s not a true number that I really care about. I care more about the wins and losses. I could go 0-for-4 for a day as long as the C’s get a win, it’s a good day. Then you’ll have a couple of 4-for-4 games and the C’s get a win. It’s great to not be able to focus on that and just focus on playing your game.

CPB – When you’re starting a game, take us through what your routine is leading up to game day.

JH – I do early work prep, just get the body feeling right, trying to get loose. And then obviously BP and just trying to get the swing locked in and then kind of go into catcher mode and try to come out here early get my pregam routine done and try to get the arm feeling good. And then just get ready for my pitcher and try to be whatever he needs me to be. I’ll try to do that for him and try to get the best out of him.

CPB – Your favourite major league team or player?

JH – I don’t think I can say the favorite major league team. When I was growing up, we’ll just go back to New York. We’ll say that.

My favourite major league player? That’s a tough one. I loved Yadi Molina growing up being a catcher back then. I really liked Aaron Judge and his swing and tried to always watch his videos on his approach and how he kind of focuses on his swing and everything and I tried to take that into my game. So I’d say he’s probably my favourite player.

CPB – Last question. The Canadians have five uniforms – red, black, white, blue and gray. Do you have a favourite?

JH – That’s a tough one because they’re all sweet and they’re all cool in their own ways. But I like the blacks the most, I think, unless it’s 75 degrees on a day game, then it’s a little tougher but I’ll go blacks.

And the classic whites are nice too.

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Todd Helton spent his entire 17-year big league career with the Colorado Rockies. (Brad Mangin/ MLB Photos)

44 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

BY JERRY CRASNICK

TODD HELTON SHOWCASED A HALL OF FAME WORK ETHIC OVER 17 BIG LEAGUE SEASONS Beyond the .316 career batting average, five All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger Awards, dozens of small interludes helped define Todd Helton’s 17-year tenure with the Colorado Rockies.

Maybe it was saving a teammate an error with an adroit scoop at first base or eyeing a slider off the black before driving the next pitch to right-center field for one of his 592 career doubles. Helton grinded through injuries for much of his career, and three-hit games were routinely preceded by four hours of treatment courtesy of the Rockies’ training staff. His competitiveness and focus were seemingly surpassed only by his pain threshold.

For Rockies fans who regard Helton as the face of the franchise, two images resonate the most. Both came late in the 2007 season, when Colorado won 14 of its last 15 regular-season games en route to the franchise’s first World Series appearance.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 45

On Sept. 18, Helton launched a 1-2 slider from Takashi Saito into the Coors Field seats to give the Rockies a 9-8 win and a doubleheader sweep over the Dodgers. He capped off his trip around the bases by vaulting into a crowd of teammates at home plate. About a month later, Helton bent to catch a throw from shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for the final out of Colorado’s pennant-clinching victory over Arizona and raised his arms in celebration. On both occasions, Helton flashed a side of himself that he rarely shared between the lines.

“Those were two iconic moments for me, to see a man in his element, representing an entire city and a franchise,’’ said Clint Hurdle, Colorado’s manager in 2007 and a longtime friend of Helton.

Helton rarely if ever entertained thoughts of personal glory. But glory found him, in much the same way all those line drives found refuge in the Coors Field gaps.

On Jan. 23, in his sixth appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot, Helton was elected to Cooperstown with 79.7 percent of the vote. He thought of his late father, Jerry, who set the bar high and established the standards that drove Helton to a perpetual state of mind that he once described as “comfortably miserable.’’

“My dad was very hard on me,” Helton said. “But when I would do bad, which was 1-for-3 when I was little, he’d say, ‘One-forthree will get you into the Hall of Fame.’’’

Since the Rockies’ inception in 1993 and Coors Field’s debut two years later, the stigma of hitting at altitude was a drag on the ambitions of potential Hall of Famers. All those 11-8 games in Denver obscure the physical toll of playing 81 games a mile above sea level, and the constant adjustments required of hitters who see pitches move in a completely different manner at home and on the road.

Then former teammate Larry Walker was elected to the Class of 2020, and Helton’s candidacy kept gaining momentum. He enters Cooperstown as Colorado’s franchise leader in most offensive categories and is one of only four players in MLB history with a .300 batting average and at least 350 home runs, 550 doubles and 2,500 hits. The other three: Hank Aaron, Miguel Cabrera and Stan Musial.

Helton cleaned up against elite pitchers. He hit .417 against John Smoltz, .393 off Tom Glavine and .364 vs. Greg Maddux, and slugged over .700 against Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavy and Curt Schilling.

He went 12-for-18 with an OPS of 1.825 off 200-game winner and four-time All-Star Tim Hudson. He also finished his career with more walks (1,335) than strikeouts (1,175) — a rarity for any hitter, much less a career .500 slugger called upon to produce runs from the middle of the order.

“I think he probably embraced that one-on-one confrontation between pitcher and hitter as much as anybody I’ve ever met,’’ Hurdle said. “The closest comparison I have to him as a hitter was George Brett, and I always held George Brett at the top of my list. If he’s No. 1, Helton is 1(a).’’

Helton’s road to the Hall began in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn., 46 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

where he established himself as a two-sport threat in football and baseball. As a Tennessee Volunteer, he spent his freshman and sophomore years as the backup quarterback to Heath Shuler, a Heisman Trophy finalist and eventual first-round draft pick. Helton eventually got an opportunity to start, but a knee injury and the arrival of a talented freshman named Peyton Manning hastened his transition to baseball. Their early encounters in the quarterbacks room were telling. “[Peyton] came in raising his hand and answering questions,’’ Helton said. “He knew the offense better than I did, and I had been there three years. I realized real quick that I wasn’t going to be an NFL quarterback. Football was paying my way to college, but I definitely focused on baseball.’’

In his junior year, Helton won the Dick Howser Award as the nation’s top collegiate player for his performance at the plate and on the mound. The Rockies selected him with the eighth pick in the 1995 draft and sent him to their Class-A farm club in Asheville, N.C. Rockies manager Don Baylor tossed out a Don Mattingly comparison and had only one request when the Rockies sent Hurdle, their roving minor league hitting instructor, to Asheville for a look: Don’t mess with the kid’s swing.

Problem was, Helton was running on fumes after a long and demanding junior year at Tennessee. He hit .254 in his professional debut, with one homer in 227 plate appearances.

“His bucket was empty,’’ Hurdle said. “He was hitting with a kid named Derrick Gibson, who was launching 450-foot homers, and we needed to get him out of that group and not focusing on right field.

I told him, ‘Hey, you look tired. You look worn out.’ To this day, Todd would never tell you he was tired and worn out. He just said, ‘Yes sir, yes sir,’ kind of agreeing with me and taking in the conversation. I said, ‘All I’m asking you to do the rest of your time here is show up, do the work you need to be a good teammate and just hit the ball hard where it’s pitched.’’

It was a solid foundation for a Hall of Fame career. Helton tore it up in his subsequent minor league stops. And after a late call-up to Coors in 1997, when he hit .280, he reeled off 10 straight seasons with a batting average of .300 or better. In his signature season of 2000, he flirted with .400 into early September and won the batting title with an average of .372.

Helton’s arrival in Denver was complicated. Andrés Galarraga, a Colorado fan favorite and original member of the Blake Street Bombers, was in his free agent walk year in ’97, and he had earned too much respect for Baylor to sit him for a newcomer — even a hotshot, first-round draft pick. So Helton grabbed an outfield glove and mixed in 15 games of cardio in left and right field between cameos at first base.

At one point, when Helton was besieged with questions about replacing Galarraga during a dugout TV interview, veteran shortstop Walt Weiss intervened on his young teammate’s behalf.

“The swing was beautiful,’’ Weiss said. “He was just one of those pure hitters. But he was also very intense and very, very hard on himself.

That’s the way it is with a lot of the great ones. There’s an old saying that you’d rather have to pull in the reins than crack the whip. Todd was definitely one of those guys where you had to pull in the reins.’’

By Helton’s 30th birthday, Hank Greenberg was his closest career comparable on Baseball-reference.com, and he looked like a firstballot Cooperstown lock. But persistent back problems sapped him of his power, and he underwent hip surgery in 2012. After averaging 37 home runs a year from 1999-2004, Helton hit 20 homers only once over his last nine seasons.

“There were days when he got to the ballpark and he literally couldn’t walk, and he ended up playing,’’ said former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd. “He was the definition of a person who loves the game of baseball and competed at a high level no matter how he was feeling physically. There just aren’t many players wired that way in our game.’’

When Walker, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla and the other Blake Street Bombers moved on, the Rockies were reshaped in Helton’s image. He set the tone with tough love and leadership by example, and Matt Holliday, Tulowitzki, Carlos González, Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado were among the players who flourished on his watch.

“He wasn’t a big ‘rah-rah, let’s all go out to eat and talk about how cool baseball is’ kind of personality,’’ Blackmon said. “He was more the, ‘I’m going to go about my business and do what I need to do,’ guy. I would watch and observe, and in certain situations I could ask him questions. If he was in a good mood that day, he would hand out some advice and I was always quick to snatch that up.’’

If Helton seemed less than approachable at times, it stemmed from his quest for perfection in a game where 1-for-3 is a mark

of excellence. He kept a book on opposing pitchers years before analytic information was so readily available and took martial arts classes in the offseason to improve his flexibility. While his skills inevitably declined, his expectations never waned.

“I remember walking down the hallway and Todd would be coming out the back door after games,’’ O’Dowd said. “He could have gone 4-for-4, and he would be saying, ‘What does it look like, man? I feel terrible at the plate. I’ve got to get better than this.’ And I would be thinking, ‘Man, you’re the least of our problems.’’’

Two decades later, Helton received his validation for all those challenges in the form of a phone call from Cooperstown and a celebration with family and friends at his home in Knoxville. He could take gratification in the knowledge that he did it his way, true to himself and the old-school values he held dear.

“Todd wasn’t out there to make friends,’’ Hurdle said. “He already had enough friends. You might get a smile during the game. But it was going to come after a win, and it was going to be short and quick and he was going to move on. His joy came in beating your [butt].’’

After three decades as a baseball writer, Jerry Crasnick currently works as a senior adviser for the MLBPA.

Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum receive free admission to the Museum, as well as access to exclusive programs, such as the Voices of the Game Series. Additionally, members receive a subscription to the Hall of Fame's bi-monthly magazine, Memories and Dreams, the annual Hall of Fame yearbook and a 10% discount and free shipping on retail purchases. For information on becoming a member, please visit baseballhall.org/join or call 607-547-0397.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 47

NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

1 2 3 4 5

Who is the only player in history with at least 200 homers and fewer than 300 strikeouts?

A. Bill Dickey B. Wade Boggs C. Joe DiMaggio D. Tony Gwynn

a i v Tri

S

ince 1939, the Hall of

Fame has served as the

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ HOF Class of 2024

keeper of baseball’s history, preserving the majesty of The Game for

Who was the first pitcher to strike out at least 100 batters in 20 straight seasons?

A. Cy Young B. Dizzy Dean C. Don Sutton D. Randy Johnson

future generations.

Who is the only player in history to play at least half their games at third base while totaling at least 3,000 hits and 450 home runs?

A. George Brett B. Eddie Mathews C. Mike Schmidt D. Adrián Beltré Who was the first major leaguer to compile both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs?

A. Lou Gehrig B. Hank Aaron C. Ted Williams D. Babe Ruth Which pitcher won a record 16 straight Gold Glove Awards?

A. Jim Kaat B. Bob Gibson C. Mike Mussina D. Bobby Shantz 1: A: Bill Dickey; 2: C: Don Sutton; 3: D: Adrián Beltré; 4: B: Hank Aaron; 5: A: Jim Kaat

Connect with Cooperstown at

48 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

baseballhall.org | @baseballhall

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BY LINA SETAGHIAN

MEET OUR MASCOTS

THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS HAVE AN ARMY OF MASCOTS THAT ARE ALL DESIGNED WITH ONE COMMON GOAL – ENSURE EVERYONE OUT AT HISTORIC SCOTIABANK FIELD AT NAT BAILEY STADIUM HAS FUN! FROM A LOVEABLE BEAR TO A TRIO OF SUSHI THAT ARE READY TO ROCK – NOT TO MENTION A CONDIMENT AND UTENSIL? THE CANADIANS MASCOTS ARE TRULY ONE OF A KIND!

BOB BROWN BEAR

Debut: 2007 Occupation: Canadians’ official mascot Favourite Pastime: Meeting fans, giving high fives and hugs, posing for photos About BBB: Makes more than 150 local community appearances every year and named after Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball, Bob Brown who dedicated his whole life to the game we love so dearly.

MR. KAPPA MAKI

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Staying cool, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Attending birthday parties, winning races Make-Up: Few slices of cucumber wrapped in rice and then rolled in a piece of dried seaweed. Sleek and light - Mr. Kappa Maki is always a tough competitor.

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CHEF WASABI

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Chef, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Running, cooking Make-Up: Whether you buy wasabi in root form or as a green powder, there is one thing that is for sure - Chef Wasabi is one spicy addition to our Sushi Race!

SADAHARU SOY

Debut: 2015 Occupation: Pot Stirrer, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Cooking, meeting fans, running Make-Up: Known to add a little saltiness to any meal, Sadaharu Soy was named after the legendary baseball slugger Sadaharu Oh who’s legend is global. Sadaharu is both physical and a little trickly during the sushi races!

MS. BC ROLL

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Pageant queen, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Beating Chef Wasabi in Sushi Races and hanging out at the ballpark Make-Up: Combination of barbecue BC smoked salmon and fresh cucumber with a little mayonnaise to keep her rollin'.

CHOP N’ STIX

Debut: 2018 Occupation: Hand Tools, Professional Racers Favourite Pastimes: Helping people, racing Make-Up: Renewable, reusable and environmentally friendly! Chop & Stix come to the ballpark to keep the peace between the super competitive sushi and sauce. Connected at the top, Chop & Stix have a few challenges to iron out during the race – but they always get an A for effort.

KIDS FUN PAGE

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 55

Baseball BC is the recognized governing body for baseball in British Columbia.

Through its programs and leadership, Baseball BC in cooperation with its affiliates, supports the development of baseball and aspirations of its members, by offering activities that are non-discriminatory and value-based.

To learn more about playing baseball in your neighbourhood contact Baseball BC

www.baseball.bc.ca 604-586-3310

Baseball BC is proud to present the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Buddies Program, where a youth baseball team gets to take a position on-field for the National Anthems.

Reserve your team’s spot by calling the Vancouver Canadians at 604-872-5232.

BUCK MARTINEZ SEPT 3

PACIFIC TOYOTA DEALERS VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 57

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

THURSDAY

JUNE 27 PRESENTED BY FORTISBC

JULY 20 PRESENTED BY BCLC

AUGUST 1

GET TICKETS

GET TICKETS

GET TICKETS

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

PRESENTED BY SLEEMAN BREWING

PRESENTED BY NÜTRL

PRESENTED BY SLEEP COUNTRY

GET TICKETS

GET TICKETS

GET TICKETS

AUGUST 8 AUGUST 22 58 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024

PRESENTED BY ENCORP

SEPT 7

2024 CANADA CUP JUNE 28 - JULY 7

VISIT THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CANADA CUP AT SOFTBALL CITY WITH 12 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS, INCLUDING TEAM CANADA. VISIT

CANADACUP.COM FOR MORE INFO

SURREY 2024 ISC MEN’S WORLD TOURNEY AUGUST 10-17

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS THE ISC MEN’S FASTPITCH WORLD TOURNAMENT IS BACK ON THE WEST COAST. COME AND WATCH THE BEST MEN’S FASTPITCH PLAYERS IN THE WORLD COMPETING FOR THE WORLD TITLE. VISIT

ISC24.SOFTBALLCITY.BC.CA TO GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2024 / 59