Former Jays Martin headlines the weekend baseball hall

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is making final preparations for its induction weekend on June 15, and Scott Crawford is already looking forward to the big day.

This year’s inductees include former Toronto Blue Jays Russell Martin and Jimmy Key, Ashley Stephenson of the Canadian Women’s National Team, Rod Heisler, Paul Godfrey and Howard Birnie. Crawford believes this is one of the gym’s more well-rounded starting classes, with a good mix of big names and game builders alike.

“You’ve got guys like Russell, Jimmy and Paul who are names everyone knows, but Ashley is the first woman in our national team to be included and that’s a big thing,” he said. “And Howard has been around the game for 70 years and seen so many changes. All of this year’s entrants deserve this honor.”

Martin has been a favorite among Blue Jays fans for his work in helping the team return to the postseason, and Crawford believes he belongs in the conversation of the greatest catchers of his time.

“I grew up watching Russ when he played with the Dodgers and then with Pittsburgh, and he’s definitely a fan favorite,” he said.

For Stephenson, being part of the women’s team has been an important part of her life, and being able to compete at the highest level of her sport has given her gifts beyond the game.

“I’ve met incredible people and traveled the world, getting to develop and grow as a person and a player while doing something I love – it’s been incredible,” she said. “It’s hard for me to pinpoint just one or two memories because I have 20 years of amazing experiences…they helped shape me and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

She thinks about standing on the foul line in Edmonton at the 2004 World Cup and hearing Canada’s national anthem played before the game and how emotional she made it. A lot of things went through his mind at that moment, including the people who played a role in reaching that peak. It was just one of the many things that crossed his mind as he thought about then and now.

“A lot of things go through your mind when you’re in a moment like that,” she said. “I thought about the people who helped me get there, all the hard work it took to stay there. I had a sense of pride that I had never had before. When you work so hard for something and then it becomes a reality, you get to experience a feeling unlike most things.”

When it’s time for him to step up to the podium and accept his honors at St. Marys on June 15, Stephenson will stay true to who she is when it comes to offering advice to the next generation of baseball players who look up to her as an inspiration.

“If you work hard, you can’t lose. I love baseball — to practice, to play, to compete,” she said. “Because of that love I always worked hard and even though I didn’t always get the result I wanted, I never felt like I lost. I have had so many opportunities in life because of baseball and the work I put in to be the best player and coach I could be. It was rarely easy, but it was always worth it.”

Crawford sees the importance of Stephenson joining the gym and believes it will have long-lasting effects.

“Having Ashley as the first member of that team to step into the gym will really help the women’s program,” he said. “Girls will look up to her and see that she’s a celebrity and know that they can do that too.”

Introduction Day is set for Saturday, June 15, with festivities starting at 11 a.m. for the public. The ceremony will begin at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame at 1 p.m