Fun Canadian Baseball Facts

History: It’s been said that the first recorded baseball game was played in London, Ontario on June 4, 1838 - a year before Abner Doubleday supposedly invented the game in Cooperstown, New York.

A Long Drive: To drive from AT&T Park in San Francisco, California to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, the average car requires 105.6 gallons of gasoline, or roughly 399.7 liters!

Derby Success: Justin Morneau is the only Canadian player to win the Home Run Derby.

A National Slugger: Between 1936 and 1949, Ontario's Jeff Heath held the league record of most career home runs by a non-American player.

Gagne's Dominance: In 2003, Eric Gagné became both the first pitcher to record 50 saves in more than one season and also the fastest pitcher to ever reach the 100-save plateau.

A Landmark Shot for The Babe: Babe Ruth’s first home run was hit in Hanlan’s Point, a small area outside Toronto, Ontario. It's believed the ball is still in the lake.

Translation: In French, the word batter, translates to ‘frappeur,’ while pitcher translates to, ‘lanceur.’

Cy Young to Canada: Ferguson Jenkins and Eric Gagné are the only two Canadian pitchers to win the Cy Young Award.

Axford Conversion: In 2012, John Axford’s fastball averaged at 96.2 miles per hour; that’s roughly 154.8 kilometres per hour.

A Legend: Prior to breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson started at second base for the Montreal Royals, a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team in Quebec.

Perfection: On October 8, 1908, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Naps pitched a perfect game, only the second in major league history. Canadian Nig Clarke was the catcher in the game.

Votto Bomb: Joey Votto’s longest home run hit in 2012 was hit on April 29th, measuring 451.0 feet, or 137.5 metres.

Canadian Heat: The hottest game ever recorded was on August 26th, 1988 in Arlington, Texas and featured Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays at 109.10 Fahrenheit. That’s 42.83 Celsius.

What is your favorite Canadian baseball fact? Add yours in the comment section below!