The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced the names of four new inductees for the class of 2023. The players ready to have their name cemented in St. Mary's, Ontario are Denis Boucher, Jesse Barfield, Rich Harden, and Rheal Cormier.
Jesse Barfield was a standout right fielder during the '80s and early '90s, and his time with the Toronto Blue Jays was undoubtedly the highlight of his career. Barfield played for the Blue Jays from 1981 to 1989 and quickly established himself as one of the best outfielders in the league. Known for his cannon-like arm and his ability to hit for power, Barfield was a key part of the Blue Jays' success during this period.
Dennis Boucher represented Canada at the 1987 Pan American Games. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Boucher played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, and Montreal Expos.
Rich Harden and Rheal Cormier are two former Canadian pitchers who had successful careers in majors. Harden played for several teams during his career, including the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, and was twice named an All-Star. Cormier, was a left-handed pitcher who played for six different teams during his 16-year career in the majors. He also had the distinction of being the first player from New Brunswick to play in the major leagues.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, located in St. Marys, Ontario, is a national museum and archive dedicated to preserving Canada's rich baseball heritage. The museum boasts an impressive collection of baseball artifacts and memorabilia, including items from some of Canada's most famous baseball players, as well as exhibits highlighting the history of baseball in Canada and its impact on Canadian society.
The induction ceremony for the class of 2023 will take place on June 17, 2023. They will also be honouring the 2020 inductees John Olerud and Jacques Doucet.