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Jeff Francis is heading to St. Marys!
The 2015 Pan Am Games gold medalist and 11-year big leaguer will be formally inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on June 18th the hall announced today.
The North Delta, BC native is the lone inductee elected to the Class of 2022 but the ceremony in June will also feature the Class of 2020 including fellow former Canadian big leaguer and BC product Justin Morneau along with a pair of Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series champions in John Olerud and Duane Ward and legendary French-language broadcaster Jacques Doucet.
“I was so excited to get the news from the Hall of Fame of my induction,” said Francis in a Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame news release. “When I see the list of people and players that I will be joining on the walls in St. Marys, I’m honoured and humbled to be considered to be on that level. This is not something that is ever in an athlete’s mind during his or her playing days, but in the time since my last days of playing, I’ve become proud of what I accomplished in baseball. I consider this not just a recognition of my achievements in the game, but of the coaching, mentorship, and support I’ve received from so many other people.”
“On behalf of Baseball Canada and its provincial members, I’d like to congratulate Jeff and his family on this wonderful achievement of enshrinement into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “Jeff realized a dream of many young Canadian ball players in reaching the major leagues while also representing his country on the international stage including a memorable gold medal performance at the 2015 Pan Am Games. It is terrific news and richly deserved that Jeff’s career will be honoured in St. Marys."
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies ninth overall in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of British Columbia, Francis made his big league debut just two years later in 2004 and so began an 11-year career in the bigs highlighted by a trip to the World Series in 2007 where he started game one at Fenway Park in Boston.
Francis had two stints with the Rockies (2004-20010, 2012, 2013) that made up eight of his big league seasons while also spending time with the Royals, Reds, A’s, Yankees and Blue Jays.
As an amateur, Francis was part of the Junior National Team program in 1999 along with fellow inductee and 2006 American League MVP Justin Morneau.
With Morneau heading into professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins’ organization following the 1999 MLB Draft, Francis took the school route and was part of Canadian baseball history three years during the early stages of the 2002 draft. With Surrey, BC’s Adam Loewen selected fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Francis when five picks later to the Rockies making it the first, and only time to date, that two Canadian players were selected in the top ten.
Internationally, Francis competed for Canada at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, but it wasn’t until nearly a decade later that he had the opportunity to once again represent his home and native land which came during his final pro season at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.
Starting the event in Manager Ernie Whitt’s bullpen, Francis earned saves in the opening round against the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
When Canada landed in the gold medal contest against the United States, Whitt tabbed the left-hander as his starter and Francis delivered with a seven-inning effort as Canada went on to win the contest in thrilling fashion in extra innings.
Francis along with members of the team were inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017 while in 2016, he was honoured with a spot on Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence presented by RBC Wealth Management.
In his post playing days, Francis spends his time with his young family in London, Ontario and has also served as a coach with the Junior National Team program.
For more information on the induction ceremony in June, please click here.
