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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Port Hope, Ontario’s Paul Quantrill is only the third pitcher in the history of Canadian baseball (and the first in 25 years) to rank in Canada's top-10 in wins (84), innings pitched (1255.7), strikeouts (725) and saves (21).

He has pitched in the Major League Baseball All-Star game and has taken to the mound in several playoff appearances, establishing himself as one of the finest pitchers ever to come out of Canada.

A true Canadian workhorse, he has also pitched in more major league games than any other Canadian pitcher - his mark of 841 eclipsing the previous record of 664 games pitched by Hall-of-famer Ferguson Jenkins.

However, despite all of the accolades he has received over his 14-year Major League career, Quantrill has never represented Canada in international competition – until now.

The 37-year old, who announced his retirement from the majors this week will be making his first appearance on a Canadian national team at the first-ever World Baseball Classic, which begins for Canada March, 7 against South Africa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Contrary to current practice, professional players of any kind were not eligible to play in international competition as Quantrill worked his way up the minor league ranks. For him, the World Baseball Classic came just in time.

“I think this will always hold a special place in my heart because there’s nothing you can do in professional baseball that puts you in a position where you’re truly representing your country,” said Quantrill. “I’ve always taken great pride in being loyal to my team and representing my club, but when you’re representing your country and all of the people in Canada, that’s something that’s a world apart.”

“I would certainly hope that anybody would want to participate in a tournament like this at some point and usually you would get a chance earlier, but that just didn’t work out for me,” he added. “This is something that I’ve always wanted to do.”

One of Team Canada’s strengths is undoubtedly the amount of international experience its players bring to the table – a combined 79 International Baseball Federation sanctioned tournaments.  Although Quantrill does not factor into that equation, his experience and leadership will surely be useful on a club which features 10 players who were born in the 1980s.

“It’s great because all you can do is pick his brain and learn through a pitcher like him,” said 22-year-old Phillies prospect Scott Mathieson. “He’s been around for a while and he’s got a lot more knowledge than us young guys do so that can only help.”

Quantrill, stressed Canadian manager Ernie Whitt, will also lead by example. He’ll be capping off a tremendous career by wearing his heart on his sleeve and the word “Canada” across his chest – a well deserved moment for a true Canadian baseball hero.