Posts in Sandlots
Antonacci: Humble Heisler now a Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer

“Rod Heisler saw his photo hanging inside the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and did a double-take.

“What’s that guy doing there?” Heisler remembers thinking.

It was induction day in St. Marys, and despite wearing the maple leaf in international competition more times than any other Canadian ballplayer, Heisler still could not believe he was about join former Blue Jays Russell Martin, Jimmy Key, and the rest of the class of 2024.

“It’s overwhelming for me to be inducted along with these folks, at the same time as Buck is being honoured. It’s a thrill,” Heisler said, referring to Jack Graney Award winner Buck Martinez.”

Read More
Newmarket Hawks, Thornhill Reds pay tribute to Daniel Lehmkuhl

“On a night where the last thing on everyone’s mind was a ball game, the Newmarket Hawks and Thornhill Reds locked horns in Greater Toronto League action at Don McKnight Field in Newmarket.

Newmarket scored an 8-1 win, but the game offered an opportunity for players, coaches and fans to remember good friend and teammate Daniel Lehmkuhl.

Prior to the game last night, the teams held an on-field ceremony to pay tribute to Lehmkuhl’s life.”

Read More
SandlotsBob Elliott
Martin, Key, Stephenson, Heisler, Godfrey, Birnie to be inducted into Canadian ball hall on Saturday

Six new members will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in a ceremony on the Hall of Fame grounds on Saturday.  Former Toronto Blue Jays all-stars Russell Martin (East York, Ont.) and Jimmy Key will be inducted alongside national team infielder and trailblazing coach Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, Ont.) and national team pitching legend Rod Heisler (Moose Jaw, Sask.). Onetime Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey, who played a significant role in bringing Major League Baseball to Toronto, and longtime Toronto Leaside baseball executive Howard Birnie will also be honoured. 

Read More