The best Canadian baseball players are an extensive list. Some are Hall of Famers, while others have won World Series or are recipients of baseball’s most prestigious awards. Canada put its place on the baseball map as early as 1887 when a Springfield, Ontario, native won baseball’s first Triple Crown. Now, modern-day players like Jordan Romano, Josh Naylor and Vladimir Guerreo Jr. have put Canada back in the baseball spotlight. To date, 262 Canadians have played major league baseball since 1871, including over 15 players currently on major league rosters.
As we continue our Best Players Series, here is a look at the country’s baseball players of all time.
We are using career WAR as a guide. However, we are considering other factors, including ERA, career accomplishments and statistics.
Best Canadian Baseball Players
George Selkirk
OF, 1934-1942
Huntsville, ON
Stats: 810 H, 108 HR, 503 R, 576 RBI, 49 SB, .290/.399/.483, 127 OPS+, 23.4 WAR
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 5x World Series Champion
George Selkirk was the best Canadian baseball player in the first half of the 20th century. Selkirk was on a New York Yankees roster that featured Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey and Lou Gehrig. He’s best known as the man who replaced Babe Ruth in right field and wore the Bambino’s iconic No. 3. Selkirk achieved plenty of success in his nine-year big league career, batting over .300 five times while driving in over 100 RBI twice. In his first World Series at bat in 1936, he belted a home run as the talented outfielder was part of five World Series championship teams, the most by any Canadian.
Jeff Heath
LF, 1936-1949
Fort William, ON
Stats: 1,447 H, 194 HR, 777 R, 887 RBI, 56 SB, .293/.370/.509, 140 OPS+, 37.8 WAR
Accolades: 2x All-Star
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Jeff Heath was one of the most promising power hitters in the AL. When Heath made his major league debut on September 13, 1936, it was overshadowed by Bob Feller, who struck out 17 batters in that game. The 1938 season saw him finish second in the AL batting race as he hit 21 home runs, 112 RBI and a league-leading 18 triples. Three seasons later, Heath became the first member of the 20-20-20 club, hitting 20 doubles, triples and home runs in the same campaign. Heath appeared in two All-Star Games with Cleveland, then spent time with the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Boston Braves.
James “Tip” O’Neill
LF, 1883-1892
Springfield, ON
Stats: 1,385 H, 52 HR, 879 R, 757 RBI, 161 SB, .326/.392/.458, 144 OPS+, 25.4 WAR
Accolades: 2x Batting Title, Triple Crown, 1886 World Series
Canada’s Babe Ruth made his major league debut as a pitcher on May 5, 1883. James “Tip” O’Neill had a career ERA of 3.39 before arm problems forced him to switch to the outfield. From there, O’Neill remains the only Triple Crown winner not enshrined in Cooperstown, setting big league marks in hits, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases. His hitting heroics helped the St. Louis Browns to four consecutive American Association Championships from 1885 to 1888. O’Neill’s legacy lives on today as the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame hands out the Tip O’Neill Award to the best Canadian baseball player.
John Hiller
RHP, 1965-1970, 1972-1980
Toronto, ON
Stats: 87-76, 2.83 ERA, 545 G, 43 GS, 125 SV, 1242 IP, 1,036 SO, 1.268 WHIP, 30.4 WAR
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1968 World Series, 1x MLB Saves Leader
John Hiller inked a contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1962. The southpaw went from being a starting pitcher to one of the most reliable relievers for the Tigers from 1967 to 1970. In 1971, Hiller suffered a heart attack that threatened to end his career altogether. But Hiller found his way back to the mound in 1972, where he got 10 wins with a 1.44 ERA, and 38 saves- a major league record then.
Jason Bay
LF, 2003-2014
Trail, B.C.
Stats: 1,200 H, 222 HR, 737 R, 754 RBI, 95 SB, .266/.360/.481, 121 OPS+, 24.8 WAR
Accolades: 3x All-Star, NL Rookie of the Year, 1x Silver Slugger
Jason Bay began his professional baseball career in the Montreal Expos organization. He made his big league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2003, months after being dealt to the New York Mets and then to the Padres in four months. However, Bay was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he found his footing. Bay took over left field duties in 120 games that season. He hit .282 and belted 26 home runs as he’s the first and only Canadian to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Bay continued his success with the Pirates over the next four seasons, but he wasn’t the same after stints in Boston, Seattle and New York. Following his retirement in 2014, Bay remains in the top 10 in most offensive statistical categories among Canadian major leaguers.
Russell Martin
C, 2006-2022
East York, ON
Stats: 1,416 H, 191 HR, 803 R, 771 RBI, 101 SB, .248/.349/.397, 101 OPS+, 38.9 WAR
Accolades: 4x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove Award, 1x Silver Slugger
A 17th-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002, Russell Martin spent the first five and final seasons in Dodger blue. Martin played for four teams across 14 major league seasons. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent ahead of the 2015 season, one of the biggest free agent signings in franchise history. Martin represented his hometown team as an All-Star, hitting 66 home runs with a .336 OPS in 447 games. When Martin retired in 2022, only three other Canadian-born players recorded a higher career bWAR.
Justin Morneau
1B, 2003-2016
New Westminster, B.C.
Stats: 1,603 H, 247 HR, 772 R, 985 RBI, 5 SB, .281/.348/.481, 120 OPS+, 20.0 WAR
Accolades: 4x All-Star, AL MVP, 2008 Home Run Derby Champion, 2x Silver Slugger, 1x Batting Title
The Minnesota Twins drafted Justin Morneau as a catcher in 1999. Morneau converted to first base in the minor leagues before his major league debut in 2003. He held that position throughout his 14-year career and quickly became a feared hitter alongside teammate and catcher Joe Mauer. From 2005 through 2010, the lefty-swinging Morneau averaged 25 home runs and 100 RBI each season. He even hit .289/.362/.513 with a 131 OPS+ during that span. That includes his 2006 MVP season, where he narrowly beat Derek Jeter. That season, he hit 34 home runs and 130 RBI while hitting .321/.375/.559. Morneau retired in 2018, hitting 247 career home runs with a lifetime batting line of .281/.348/.481 to go with four All-Star teams and two Silver Slugger Awards.
Joey Votto
1B, 2007-Present
Toronto, ON
Stats: 2,093 H, 342 HR, 1,145 R, 1,106 RBI, 80 SB, .297/.412/.513, 145 OPS+, 64.3 WAR
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 2010 NL MVP, 2010 NL Hank Aaron Award, 1x Gold Glove Award
Joey Votto is the best pure hitter to come out of Canada. Votto recently surpassed Larry Walker as the leader in most games played by a Canadian. Even though he’s never won a World Series, Votto did win the 2010 NL MVP Award when he led the league in both on-base and slugging percentage. In addition, he hit 37 home runs while driving in 113 runs and 16 stolen bases.
Larry Walker
OF, 1989-2005
Maple Ridge, B.C.
Stats: 2,160 H, 383 HR, 1,355 R, 1,311 RBI, 230 SB, .313/.400/.565, 141 OPS+, 72.7 WAR
Accolades: 5x All-Star, 1997 NL MVP, 7x Gold Glove Award, 3x Silver Slugger, 3x Batting Title, 1997 NL Home Run Leader, 2020 Hall of Fame Inductee
Larry Walker is the only Canadian hitter in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Walker is Canada’s all-time leader in home runs with 383, batting average, RBI and stolen bases. He also won a Canadian-record seven Gold Gold Glove Awards. Walker captured the NL MVP in 1997 thanks to an incredible 1997 season with the Colorado Rockies. He racked up 49 home runs, 130 RBI and 33 steals, which were career highs. Walker won all three of his batting titles i
Fergie Jenkins
RHP, 1965-1983
Chatham, ON
Stats: 284-226, 3,34 ERA, 664 G, 594 GS, 37 GF, 267 CG, 7 SV, 4,500 2/3 IP, 3,192, 1.142 WHIP, 84.1 WAR
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1971 NL Cy Young Award, 2x Wins Leader, 1969 NL Strikeout Leader, 1991 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee
The greatest pitcher in Canadian history went up against household names in his career. However, Jenkins won 20 or more games for six consecutive seasons, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 1971. The Chatham, Ont. native had a great year in 1973, leading the majors with 29 wins and 25 complete games while finishing second in AL Cy Young voting. Jenkins put together 284 wins and 267 complete games, as his 3,192 strikeouts are a Canadian record. He became the first Canadian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
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Players mentioned:
Jordan Romano, Josh Naylor, George Selkirk, Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Jeff Heath, Bob Feller, Tip O’Neill, John Hiller, Jason Bay, Russell Martin, Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Derek Jeter, Joey Votto, Larry Walker, Fergie Jenkins
