ICYMI, Kennedy: Hoynes wins BBWAA award, grandson of Kingston HOFer Bill Cook
Paul Hoynes, 74, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and then Cleveland.com, won the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Platinum Pen Award (renamed from Career Excellence Award) Tuesday in Orlando at the annual winter meetings. One other writer from Kingston, Ont,. was the first Canadian to win the award — but we forget his name. There could be more on the horizon: Richard Griffin (Kingston, Jamaica) and Jeff Blair (Kingston, Ont.). Last year, Patrick Kennedy wrote about Hoynes’ Canadian grandfather.
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Glew: Tong's "Vulcan" changeup helped him earn CBN's Norton Award
“Pitch long and prosper.
That might be the advice that Spock would offer young right-hander Jonah Tong.
You can picture the beloved Star Trek character following up these words with his Vulcan salute – his famous hand gesture in which his fingers (parted between the middle and ring fingers) are split into a V.
And Spock would likely be flattered that this gesture has inspired Tong’s best pitch – his “Vulcan changeup.”
It’s a pitch that helped Tong (Markham, Ont.) top all minor leaguers in strikeouts (179), ERA (1.43) and opponents’ batting average against (.148) in 2025.
It also earned him his first big league call-up from the New York Mets in late August, as well as the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2025 Wayne Norton Award, as the top Canuck minor league pitcher in the affiliated ranks. “
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Ottawa Titans re-sign Taylor Wright
The Ottawa Titans have re-signed utility player Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.).
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Gallagher: Canadian scout Morgan signed Jeff Kent for Jays
Canadian Baseball Network writer Danny Gallagher shares that it was Canadian scout Wayne Morgan (Kindersley, Sask.) that signed Jeff Kent for the Toronto Blue Jays back in 1989.
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Diamondbacks sign Soroka
Right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) has signed a one-year, $7.5-million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Winnipeg Goldeyes re-sign Bramasco
The Winnipeg Goldeyes have re-signed 2025 team MVP Ramón Bramasco.
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CBL's Kitchener Panthers re-sign Penalver
The Kitchener Panthers have re-signed import outfielder Yosvani Penalver.
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Former Blue Jay Kent elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame
Former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Jeff Kent has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Hall’s Contemporary Era Committee.
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ICYMI _ Elliott: Josh Naylor's parents knew early how good he was
This story has been among our top 10 reads every year — and it was 10 years old in June. It will make its 10th appearance when we run our 10 most popular reads from 2025.
It’s not that well written, but it’s been well read.
We run it again to honour Naylor winning his second Tip O’Neill award, presented by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys.
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BWDIK: Delgado, Jenkins, Molitor, Puhl, Stairs, Walker
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column discusses Carlos Delgado, Paul Molitor, Fergie Jenkins, Matt Stairs, Terry Puhl and Larry Walker.
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CBL's Guelph Royals sign Castillo
The Guelph Royals have signed outfielder Marcos Castillo.
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JNT grad Naylor wins second Tip O'Neill Award
“Baseball Canada is proud to congratulate Junior National Team alum Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) on being named the 2025 Tip O’Neill Award winner by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.”
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Ottawa Titans re-sign Inoa
The Ottawa Titans have re-signed infielder Cristian Inoa.
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Fitzpatrick: Skirrow wins Pelletier Award after dominant Atlantic League season
"After a dominant season with the Lancaster Stormers, Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.) was named the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2025 Claude Pelletier Award winner.
The award is presented each year to the top Canadian pitcher in the independent or foreign professional ranks."
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McFarland: Canadian Tofteland getting ready for Banana Ball
“It might be a while before “Dancin’ Dane” Tofteland is a nickname that sticks.
But don’t be surprised to see the Albertan from just outside Grande Prairie bust a move or two when he suits up in the brand new Banana Ball circuit next summer.
Selected in the seventh round of the league’s inaugural draft by the Loco Beach Coconuts, Tofteland is coming off a successful collegiate career at Indiana State University and a three-year run in the Pioneer League.”
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Baycats re-sign Rijo
The Barrie Baycats have re-signed infielder and designated hitter Ryan Rijo (Barrie, Ont.) to mark the first official player contract of the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) era.
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Josh Naylor wins Canadian ball hall's Tip O’Neill Award
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) has been named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2025 Tip O’Neill Award.
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Blue Jays sign Ponce to three-year, $30-million deal
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-hander Cody Ponce, who was the MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) last season, to a three-year, $30-million contract.
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Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae named winner of Canadian ball hall's Jack Graney Award
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae has been named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2025 Jack Graney Award.
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Elliott: Remembering Tim Harkness -- Updated
Former big leaguer and all-star storyteller Tim Harkness (Lachine, Que.) has passed away at the age of 87. Bob Elliott shares his memories of Harkness.
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