Wallach among inductees to Canadian Baseball HOF
Dodgers bench coach was standout for Montreal Expos as a player
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced four future inductees Monday, highlighted by Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach and Marlins radio voice Dave Van Horne.
Former Montreal Expos general manager Murray Cook and the late Jim Ridley -- a longtime scout and Team Canada manager -- also will be inducted on June 21 in St. Marys, Ontario.
Wallach played 13 of his 17 Major League seasons with the Expos, finishing as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, hits, doubles, RBIs and total bases. He was selected 10th overall by Montreal in the 1979 Draft.
"I'm both surprised and honored to be selected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame," Wallach said in a statement. "What a great thrill to be going in with such integral parts of the Montreal Expos for such a long time, and to join many of my old teammates and manager, along with so many people that meant so much to Canadian baseball. This is a great honor for my family and myself."
Wallach, a five-time All-Star who also played with the Dodgers and Angels, has been on the Dodgers' coaching staff since 2004.
Van Horne broadcasted Expos games for 32 years, beginning with their first game in 1969 through the 2000 season. He also called the Expos' final home game in 2004 from the visiting booth.
"This is a great honor," Van Horne said. "I had spent over half my adult life as the Expos radio and TV announcer, and it's very gratifying to know those years were appreciated and remembered."
Cook, now a cross checker for the Tigers, was Montreal's general manager from 1984-87 and drafted left-hander Randy Johnson and signed free-agent pitcher Dennis Martinez.
Cook has also worked in the Pirates, Yankees, Reds, Twins, Marlins and Red Sox organizations.
"I'm stunned, honored and humbled to receive such recognition from my homeland," Cook said.
Ridley, who died of cancer on Nov. 28, 2008, coached the Canadian junior national, Olympic and Pan Am Games teams. The Toronto native also scouted for the Blue Jays and Twins.
"This is something he would adore and really cherish," Jim's son, Shayne, said. "Basically a lifetime achievement award in all aspects from being a player and coach and helping his family, as well, in the game of baseball."