The Greatest Canadian

Ok, hopefully I'll get this thread started...

To me Fergie Jenkins is the greatest Canadian.

Simply because of the numbers he put up during his career along with the facts that he was the first Canadian to win the CY Young and was the first and only Canadian in the HOF to date.

Doc,

Wayne Gretzky is the greatest Canadian - don't you know anything about sports Just kidding. Here is a list I found on the Internet and it looks pretty complete. Looking over the list, Fergie Jenkins is very tough to beat. Just so your thread does not die with this one name, I am going to pick Eric Gagne off the list. I did not even realize he was Canadian. There are some other good ones on there.

Alexander, B -played 1955-57 - Robert Somerville Alexander Born August 7, 1922 - Vancouver British Columbia
Atkinson, B - played 1976-79 - William Cecil Glenn Atkinson Born October 4, 1954 - Chatham, Ontario

Aucoin, D - played 1996 - Derek Alfred Aucoin Born March 27, 1970 - Lachine, Quebec
Bahr, E - played 1946-47 - Edson Garfield Bahr Born October 16, 1919 - Rouleau, Saskatchewan
Balaz, J - played 1974-75 - John Lawrence Balaz Born November 24, 1950 - Toronto, Ontario
Barton, V - played 1931-32 - Vince David Barton Born February 01, 1908 - Edmonton, Alberta
Bay, J - played 2003 - Present - Jason Bay Born September 30, 1978 - Trail British Columbia
Bedard, E played 2002 - present - Eric Bedard Born Mar 6, 1979 Navab Ontario
Boucher, D - played 1991-94 - Denis Boucher Born March 7, 1968 - Montreal, Quebec
Bowsfield, T - played 1958-64 - Edward Oliver Bowsfield Born January 10, 1935 - Vernon, British Columbia
Burgess, T - played 1954-62 - Thomas Roland Burgess Born September 1, 1927 - London, Ontario
Butler, Ri - played 1997-98 - Rich Butler Born May 1, 1973 - Toronto, Ontario
Butler, Ro - played 1993-97 - Rob Butler Born April 10, 1970 - Toronto, Ontario
Buxton, R - played 1938-49 - Ralph Stanley Buxton Born June 7, 1911 - Wyburn, Saskatchewan
Calvert, P - played 1942-51- Paul Leo Emile Calvert Born October 6, 1917 - Montreal, Quebec
Clapp, R - played 2001- Richard K ( Stubby) Clapp Born February 24, 1973 - Windsor Ontario
Clarke, N - played 1905-20 - ( Nig ) Jay Justin Clarke Born December 15, 1882 - Amherstburgh, Ontario
Cleveland, R - played 1969-81 - Reginald Leslie Cleveland Born May 23, 1948 - Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Coleman, F - played 1942-47 - Frank Lloyd Coleman Born March 2, 1918 - London, Ontario
Congalton, B - played 1902-07 - ( Bunk ) William Millar Congalton Born January 24, 1875 - Guelph, Ontario
Cook, E - played 1941 - Earl Davis Cook Born December 10, 1908 - Stouffville, Ontario
Cormier, R - played 1991-2000 - Rheal Paul Cormier Born April 23, 1967 - Moncton, New Bruswick
Craig, P - played 1964-66 - Peter Joel Craig Born July 10, 1940 - LaSalle, Ontario
Currie, Clarence - played 1902-03 - Clarence Franklin Currie Born December 30, 1878 - Glencoe, Ontario

Daly, Tom - played 1913-21 - Tom Daly Born December 12, 1891 - New Brunswick

Daviault, R - played 1962 - Raymond Joseph Robert Daviault Born May 27, 1934 - Montreal, Quebec
Dempster, R - played 1998-2000 - Ryan Dempster Born May, 3, 1977 - Sachelt, British Columbia
Dickson, J - played 1996-2000 - Jason Royce Dickson Born March 30, 1973 - London, Ontario
Ducey, R - played 1987-2000 - Robert Thomas Ducey Born May 24, 1965 - Toronto, Ontario
Dugas, G - played 1930-34 - Augustin Joseph Dugas Born March 24, 1907 - St Jean de Matha, Quebec
Emslie, B - played 1883-85 - Roberts Daniel Emslie Born January 27, 1859 - Guelph, Ontario
Erautt, J - played 1950-51 - Joseph Michael Erautt Born September 1, 1921 - Vibank, Saskatchewan
Fisher, H - played 1951-52 - Harry Fisher Born January 3,1926 - Newbury, Ontario
Ford, G - played 1905 - Eugene, Wyman Ford Born April 16, 1881 - Milton, Nova Scoria
Ford, R - played 1909-15 - Russell William Ford Born April 25, 1883 - Brandon, Manitoba
Fowler, D - played 1941-52 - Richard John Fowler Born March 30, 1921 - Toronto, Ontario
Francis, J played 2005 present - Jeff Francis Born January 8, 1981 Vancouver British Columbia
Frobel, D - played 1982-87 - Douglas Steven Frobel Born June 6, 1959 - Ottawa, Ontario
Gagne, E - played 1999- Eric Gagne Born January 7, 1976 - Montreal, Quebec
Gardiner, M - played 1990-95 - Michael James Gardiner Born October 19, 1965 - Sarnia, Ontario
Gibson, G - played 1905-18 - George C Gibson Born July 22, 1880 - London, Ontario
Gladu, R - played 1944 - Roland Edouard Gladu Born May 10, 1911 - Montreal, Quebec
Gorbous, G - played 1955-57 - Glen Edward Gorbous Born July 8, 1930 - Drumheller, Alberta
Graney, J - played 1908-22 - Jack Graney Born June 10, 1886 - St. Thomas, Ontario
Green, J - played 2000 - David Jason Green Born June 05, 1975 - Port Hope, Ontario
Green, S - played 2001 - Steve Green Born January 01, 1978 - Longueil, Quebec
Harden Rich - played 2003 - Rich Harden Born Born November 30, 1981 Victoria, British Columbia
Handrahan, V - played 1964-66 - James Vernon Handrahan Born November 27, 1938 - Charlottetown P.E.I.
Harkness, T - played 1961-64 - Thomas William Harkness Born December 23, 1937 - Lachine, Quebec
Harris, B - played 1957-59 - William Thomas Harris Born December 31, 1931 - Duguaville, New Brunswick
Harrison, T - played 1965 - Thomas James Harrison Born January 18, 1945 - Trail, British Columbia
Heath, J - played 1936-49 - John Geoffrey Heath Born April 1, 1915 - Ft. Williams, Ontario
Hiller, J - played 1965-80 - John Frederick Hiller Born April 8, 1943 - Toronto, Ontario
Hodgson, P - played 1980 - Paul Joseph Denis Hodgson Born April 14, 1960 - Montreal, Quebec
Hooper, B - played 1950-55 - Robert Nelson Hooper Born May 30, 1922 - Leamington, Ontario
Horsman, V - played 1991-95 - Vincent Stanley Joseph Horsman Born March 9, 1967 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Irwin, A - played 1880-94 - Arthur Irwin Born February 14, 1858 - Toronto, Ontario
Jenkins, F - played 1965-83 - Ferguson Arthur Jenkins Born December 13, 1943 - Chatham, Ontario
Johnson, M - played 1997-2000 - Michael Keith Johnson Born October 3, 1975 - Edmonton, Alberta
Jones, M - played 1890 - Michael Jones Born July 6, 1865 Hartland, New Brunswick
Jones, W - played 1911-12 - William Dennis "Midget" Born April 8, 1887 Hartland, New Brunswick
Judd, O - played 1941-48 - Thomas William Oscar Judd Born February 14, 1908 - London, Ontario
Kellum, W - played 1901-05 - Winford Ansley Kellum Born April 11, 1876 - Waterford, Ontario
Kerr, M - played 1925 - John Melville Kerr Born May 22, 1903 - Souris, Manitoba
Kilkenny, M - played 1969-73 -Michael David Kilkenny Born April 11, 1945 - Branford, Ontario
Klassen, D - played 1998-2000 - Danny Klassen Born September 22, 1975 - Leamington, Ontario
Korince, G - played 1966-67 - George Eugene Korince Born January 10, 1946 - Ottawa, Ontario
Koskie, C - played 1998-2000 - Corey Koskie Born June 28, 1973 - Anola, Manitoba
Krakauska, J - played 1937-46 - Joseph Victor Krakauska Born March 28, 1915 - Montreal, Quebec
Laforest, P - Played 2003 - Pete Laforest Born Jan 27, 1978 - Hull Quebec
LaForest, P - played 2003 - present - Pete LaForest Born Jan 17,1978 - Hull Quebec
LaForest, T - played 1945 - (Ty) Byron Joseph LaForest Born April 18, 1917 - Edmundston, New Brunswick
Lake, F - played 1891-1910 -Frederick Lovett Lake Born October 16, 1866 - --Nova, Scotia
Landreth, L - played 1976-77 - Larry Robert Landreth Born March 11, 1955 - Stanford, Ontario
Law, R - played 1969 - Ronald David Law Born March 14, 1946 - Hamilton, Ontario
Lawrence, J - played 1963 - James Ross Lawrence Born February 12, 1939 - Hamilton, Ontario
Lines, D - played 1966-67 - Richard George Lines Born August 17, 1938 - Montreal, Quebec
Lisi, R - played 1981 - Ricardo Patrick Lisi Born March 17, 1956 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
MacKenzie, E - played 1955 - Eric Mackenzie Born August 29, 1932 - Glendon, Alberta
MacKenzie, K - played 1960-65 - Ken Mackenzie Born March 10, 1934 - Gore Bay, Ontario
Maranda, G - played 1960-62 - George Henri Maranda Born January 15, 1932 - Levis, Quebec
Marchildon, P - played 1940-50 - Phillip Joseph Marchildon Born October 25, 1913 - Penetanguishene, Ontario
Maysey, M - played 1992-93 - Matthew Samuel Maysey Born January 8, 1967 - Hamilton, Ontario
McCaskill, K - played 1985-96 - Kirk McCaskill Born April 9, 1961 - Kapuskasing, Ontario
McCabe, R - played 1946 - Ralph Herbert McCabe Born October 21, 1918 - Napanee, Ontario
McGovern, A - played 1905 - Arthur John McGovern Born February 27, 1882 - Saint John, New Brunswick
McKay, D - played 1975-82 - Dave McKay Born March 14, 1950 - Vancouver, British Columbia
McKeever, J - played 1884 - Jim McKeever Born April 19, 1861 - New Brunswick
Mead, C - played 1943-45 - Charles Richard Mead Born April 9, 1921 - Vermilion, Alberta
Miller, D - played 1910-14 - ( Doc ) Roy Oscar Miller Born February 4, 1883 - Chatham, Ontario
Morneau, J - played 2003 - present - Justin Morneau Born May 15, 1981 - New Westminster British Columbia
Mountroy, B - played 1883-85 - William R Mountjoy Born 1857 - London, Ontario
Myette, A - played 1999 - 2000 - Aaron Myette Born September 26, 1977 - New Westminster, British Columbia
Nicholson, K - played 2000 - Kevin Nicholson Born March 29, 1976 - Surrey, British Columbia
O'Halloran, G - played 1994 - Gregory Joseph O'Halloran Born May 21, 1968 - Toronto, Ontario
O'Hara, B - played 1909-10 - William Alexander O'Hara Born August 14, 1883 - Toronto, Ontario
O'Neill, H - played 1922-23 - Joseph Henry O'Neil Born February 20, 1897 - Ridgetown, Ontario
O'Neill, T - played 1883-92 - ( Tip ) James O'Neill Born May 25, 1858 - Woodstock, Ontario
O'Rourke, F - played 1912-31 - James Francis O'Rourke Born November 28, 1894 - Hamilton, Ontario
Oxley, H - played 1884 - Henry Havelock Oxley Born January 4, 1858 - Covehead, Prince Edward Island
Pagan, D - played 1973-77 - David Percy Pagan Born September 15, 1949 - Nipawin, Saskatchewan
Phillips, B - played 1879-88 - William Phillips Born May 01, 1857 - St Johns, New Brunswick
Piche, R - played 1960-66 - Ronald Jacques Piche Born May 22, 1935 - Verdun, Quebec
Pladson, G - played 1979-82 - Gordon Cecil Pladson Born July 31, 1956 - New Westminster, British Columbia
Puhl, T - played 1977-91 - Terry Stephen Puhl Born July 8, 1956 - Melville, Saskatchewan
Quantrill, P - played 1992-2000 - Paul John Quantrill Born November 3, 1968 - London, Ontario
Radmanovich, R - played 1998 - Ryan Radmanovich Born August 9, 1971 - Calgary, Alberta
Raymond, C - played 1959-71 - Joseph Claude Marc Raymond Born May 7, 1937 - St Jean, Quebec
Reimer, K - played 1988-93 - Kevin Michael Reimer Born June 28, 1964 - Macon GA - Father on military assignment
Riley, J - played 1921-23 - James Norman Riley Born May 25, 1895 - Bayfield, New Brunswick
Robertson, S - played 1940-52 - Sherrard Alexander Robertson Born January 1, 1919 - Montreal, Quebec
Rosen, G - played 1937-46 - ( Goody ) Goodwin George Rosen August 28, 1912 - Toronto, Ontario
Roy, JP - played 1946 - Jean-Pierre Roy June 26, 1920 - Montreal, Ontario
Rutherford, J - played 1952 - John William Rutherford May 5, 1925 - Belleville, Ontario
Selkirk, G - played 1934-42 - George Alexander Selkirk January 4, 1908 - Huntsville, Ontario
Shank, H - played 1970 - Harvey Tillman Shank July 29, 1946 - Toronto, Ontario
Sheilds, V - played 1924 - Vincent William Shields November 18, 1900 - Fredricton, New Brunswick
Shipanoff, D - played 1985 - David Noel Shipanoff November 13, 1959 - Edmonton, Alberta
Siddall, J - played 1993-98 - Joseph Todd Siddall October 25, 1967 - Windsor, Ontario
Sinclair, S - played 1998-99 - Stephen Sinclair August 2, 1971- Vistoria, British Columbia
Sketchley, B - played 1942 - ( Bud ) Harry Clement Sketchley March 30, 1919 - Virden, Manitoba
Smith, P - played 1880-91 - ( Pop )Charles Marvin Smith October 12, 1856 - Digby, Nova Scotia
Spencer, S - played 1999 - Stanley Spencer August 7, 1969 - Vancouver, British Columbia
Spoljaric, P - played 1994-2000 - Paul Nikola Spoljaric September 24, 1970 - Kelowna British Columbia
Stairs, M - played 1992- Matthew Wade Stairs February 27, 1968 - St John New Brunswick
Stewart, A - played 1997 - Andy Stewart December 5, 1970 - Oshawa, Ontario
Steele, B - played 1916-19 - Robert Wesley Steele January 5, 1894 - Cassbum, Ontario
Taylor, R - played 1962-72 - Ronald Wesley Taylor December 13, 1937 - Toronto, Ontario
Upham, J - played 1967-68 - John Leslie Upham December 29, 1941 - Windsor, Ontario
VanBrabant, O - played 1954-55 - ( Ozzie ) Oscar Camille VanBrabant September 28, 1926 - Kingston, Ontario
Wainhouse, D - played 1991-99 - David Paul Wainhouse November 7, 1967 - Toronto, Ontario
Walker, L - played 1989- Larry Kenneth, Robert Walker December 1, 1966 - Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Ward, P - played 1962-70 - Peter Thomas Ward July 26, 1939 - Montreal, Quebec
Watkins, B - played 1884 - William Henry Watkins May 5, 1858 - Brantford, Ontario
Wilkie, L - played 1941-46 - ( Lefty ) Alson Jay Wilkie October 30, 1914 - Zealandia, Saskatchewan
Wilson, N - played 1993-96 - Nigel Edward Wilson January 12, 1970 - Oshawa, Ontario
Wilson, S - played 1988-93 - Stephen Douglas Wilson December 13, 1964 - Victoria, British Columbia
Wingo, E - played 1920 - Edmund Armand Wingo October 8, 1895 - St Ann de Bellevue, Quebec
Zimmerman, Je - played 1999 - 2000 Jeff Zimmerman August 9, 1972 - Kelowna, British Columbia
Zimmerman, Jo - played 1999 - Jordan Zimmerman April 28, 1975 - Kelowna, British Columbia

He may not be the greatest, Hes got a influence on me and I gotta go with Larry Walker. Its debatable that his numbers are bigger because of coors field but then you gotta look at the things he did himself, never got any help when he won 6 gold gloves. What about the young canadians that are up and coming could any of them be a threat of becoming the greatest canadian baseball player. Harden has amazingly unhittable stuff when hes on and if he stays healthy who knows.

yaya,

I looked over the list too quickly. I also agree with Larry Walker. bbscout thinks he is a hall of famer.

CD First of WOW that's quite the list, I think that list is every Canadian that ever played MLB. It's funny over the years when I talk to people mainly about sports and actors I get the same response that you said about Gagne.

yaya I agree that Walker is right up there, an amazing talent, regradless of where he played. Harden could deffinately become on of the Greats once he gets everything going and as you said stays healthy, I think Jason Bay might do the same, he's had 2 great banner years.

I was watching sportsnet during the world series and they had ken rosenthal on there. I guess he is one of the many journalists that vote who goes into the hall of fame and he said that walker wouldnt get his vote because of the fact that he played at coors field. That kinda sucks but hopefully others wont think that way

Oh and CD CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) did a show called the Greatest Canadian, voted upon by viewers and you'd be surprised to see just where the "Great One" wound up

The Greatest Canadian

It's too bad that writer's will look at that and make the arguements of well he played in Coors, what about if Bonds or whoever played there etc. etc.

But simply where someone played shouldn't have an effect as to how great of a player they actually are.

Like this year the offensive numbers in Coors were at a all time low I know at the least in HRs. Coincedence I think not, no one this year really had an outstanding year that played at Coors. Walker was amazing before he went there.

That's fascinating Doc. The list wasn't limited to sports figures though. If you did that... Just like in this country, I suppose Abraham Lincoln outranks Babe Ruth.

I believe Justin Morneau is one to keep your eye on. He struggled this year after he was beaned. I think he may develop into quite the player.

Very true CD, I was amazed that they actually let the Country vote on it, and not leave it up to a pannel of judges.

Morneau is another good young guy as well, I haven't really seen him play much, and the times I have he had bad days, so that's why I never really gave him much thought.

I think as a whole right now just in a generalization the West Coast is producing Canada's best up and commer's.

My favorite Canadian was the Mountie, Sargent Preston, and his dog Yukon King.

One story about Sargent Preston. We used to ride our sleds standing up on the back and steering with the rope in order to emulate Sargent Preston and his sled dogs.

Funny thing though, I figured you to be more of a Dudley Dooright guy Fungo

OK Dudely Dooright I can relate to, can't say I've ever heard of Sgt. Wilson and Yukon King until tonight

CD care for a chat?

I can for a few. I'll meet you over there.

Hey Doc

Did you know that Waynes dad owned the Brantford Red Sox and that Wayne played on the team. They were big baseball people.

Bobble,

No I never had heard of that until today, that's reather interesting. I remember hearing that Wayne did play baseball though, I just never knew it was at that level.

Thanks for the FYI!

Larry Walker...

Former Expos
6 gold gloves
Still a good player

Eric Gagne

8? saved games
Never a reliever had a better season
98 mph
Cy young
QUEBEC

Cleveland Dad
Wait ...
Maybe Wayne was a great player but it's past...
Now there s a little boy coming SIDNEY!Very Great player, he is straight and really good with people (he played two years in Qc and he learned french) TOP PLAYER in the NHL and only 18 years old and he play (and live) with another big Canadian MARIO LEMIEUX!!!

Crosby is probably the next W Gretzky!

but oupps we are on a baseball website:P!!!

I'm not from canada and I know I am going to det some disputes on this one. What about the 2004 NL rookie of the year Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates? I'm not saying he is the best or anything but he is cerinally an exceptional baseball player. Or maybe I just think he is, me being a Pirate fan? But I just wanted to get his name out there.

Yeah hes a good player
but young and not a lot of big stats behind him because hes not in the league for a long time.
But I think that he is a good player to follow his evolution over the year and he's going to succeed in the big league Im sure of it. Good numbers last year but help me I dont remember... Did he played in the all star game? I'm not sure I think he is the only one to stay the whole game on the bench...

you dont need to be from CANADA to post here!!! OUr sOuth Neighbor are all our friends!!! So talk and post on the forum!

See ya
Franck

Hey Franck!

I'll give you Sydney Crosby. He is on ESPN almost everyday and he must be something very special indeed. I have one for you - his name is LeBron James. I believe if he stays healthy he will be better than Michael Jordan. I guess time will tell with both these players. Interesting topic. That is saying alot to say someone will be better than the great Gretzky at 18 years old. Thankfully he has Mario as a teacher. Wow, I know more about hockey than I thought I did

-xFK7x
Yeah Jason Bay was the only player to not play in the All-Star game. But there is a "reason" floating around Pittsburgh as to why he didn't play. McClendon (FORMER, thank god, Pirates manager) had a few words between him and LaRusa (might want to chect the spelling of LaRusa) An Tony was the NL manager. The two have argued back and forth over the years. There is a good example. During a game this year between the two teams, Jullian Tevarez(ex-pirate) was pitching and he had a forign substance on the bill of his cap. He must have done this when he was a pirate beacuse that is how McClendon knew, aside from the fact the he kept going to his cap, and McClendon told the umps about it they tossed Tavarez out of the game. After the game Tony had a few "choice words" for McClendon. That is just an example of a fight between the two though it has happened many times before.
To get back on topic, the "reason" is that this was Tony's immature way of getting back at the Pirates. By making Jason Bay the only player not to play in the All-Star game.

I personally don't believe it but that is what people were saying around Pittsburgh.

CD... Lebron he is just WOW. Very good player and he jump from HS to NBA didnot go to collegethats just proove how god he is! But Michael is MICHAEL but he will be a good player to folow during the years. Also I wrote that Sidney could be the next W Gretzky but I looked at the Greztky career and it will be hard but I m sure that Sidney will be a top player in the NHL

Wayne Gretzky --- 61 of the 150 records of the nhl (incredible!!!!) almost the half to one player!!!


And Catcher 41 thank you I now understand maybe why a good player like Bay did not play during the game and if it is the real reason... one thing MANAGER a lil' baby! That just a fight between both Manager and a player like Jason have to pay the price... that is really bad!!!

Definitely Jason Bay He grew up in a small town called trail BC in the rocky mountains. Played Ball in Gonzaga and then moved around the minors for a bit and he never stop trying he just kept goin in the minors until he got his chance and showed everybody what he could do. He may not have shown what he could do in the homerun derby hit none, but Hes gonna be a good player definitely.