Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame: Justin Morneau, John Olerud highlight 2020 inductee class

Jace Mallory

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Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame: Justin Morneau, John Olerud highlight 2020 inductee class image

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame family will be getting a little bigger as four people — Justin Morneau, John Olerud, Duane Ward and Jacques Doucet — were announced Tuesday as members of the Class of 2020.

Three players and one commentator make up the soon-to-be-inducted class with two players spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays at some point in their careers.

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Of the three players announced, Olerud had the longest tenure in the big leagues, playing for 17 years across five franchises. He spent the most time with the Blue Jays, eight seasons from 1989 to 1996. Olerud was first drafted in 1986 by the New York Yankees but did not sign. Instead, he raised his draft stock and three years later, moved up 24 rounds into the third and was selected by Toronto.

During his career north of the border, the Seattle, Wash., native recorded 910 hits in 920 games, making for a .293/.395/.471 split. He is first all-time in team history with a .395 on-base percentage and only Carlos Delgado was ever intentionally walked more than Olerud in a Blue Jays uniform.

“When I heard that I was going to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, I was very surprised. It was so unexpected,” said Olerud. “I am very honoured to be selected.”

Morneau, a New Westminster, B.C., native, spent 14 years in MLB with the majority coming with the Minnesota Twins, who drafted him in the third round of the 1999 draft. He won the league MVP in 2006 when he scored 96 runs, recorded 190 hits and batted .321 on the season. A four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger award winner, Morneau established himself as a source of production with the bat. He tied Larry Walker's single-season Canadian record of 130 RBIs in the 2006 season.

“When I heard the news that I would be enshrined in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame I was honoured,” said Morneau. “When I learned of fellow inductees,  John Olerud, Duane Ward and Jacques Doucet, I was at a loss for words. To think that I would be joining these distinguished members that had such a lasting impact on baseball in Canada is truly humbling.” 

MORE: Hall of Famer Larry Walker talks induction and Canadian roots

Pitching for the Blue Jays from 1986 to 1993 (and then just four games in 1995), Ward spent all but 10 games of his career with the Blue Jays; the other 10 came with the Atlanta Braves in his rookie season before he was traded to Toronto. Ward, selected ninth overall in the 1982 MLB draft, became a model of consistency starting in 1986. He appeared in at least 64 games every season from '88 to '93, recorded five consecutive seasons with over 100 innings pitched and had a career-best 1.95 ERA in 1992. Ward was born in Park View, N.M.

“I can’t state enough how deeply honoured I am to be a part of the 2020 class of inductees to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame," Ward said. “I want to thank all of my teammates, coaches, and everyone who helped me through the years. And to my family and friends who supported me unconditionally, saying thank you will never be enough. To my fellow inductees, ‘Congratulations.’” 

Doucet made his impression on baseball by calling games from the press box, working over 5,500 at the major league level, in fact. He was the beat reporter for the Montreal Expos from 1968 (their inaugural year) to 1971. In '72, he switched to French broadcasting where he served in that role for 33 years. He was recognized for his contributions to baseball in Canada when he won the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award in 2004.

“I am deeply honoured to be admitted into the Canadian Baseball Hall Fame," Doucet said. "Although I had won the Jack Graney Award in 2004, I could not, in all honesty, say that I was a full-fledged member of the Canadian HOF. . . . I want to thank all the partners whom I had the privilege to work with during all the years and who made this possible. I want to thank the members of the selection committee of the HOF for making this day possible.”

These four men will be inducted into the Canadian ball shrine on June 20 at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ont. There are currently 124 individuals in the Hall, as well as other special inductees such as the 1991 Team Canada National Youth Team and Canadian-born All-American Girls Professional Baseball League players. For a complete list of the members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, click here.

Jace Mallory