Jeff Francis Will be Inducted Into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Wednesday, 2 February 2022 11:26

Former Rockies ace Jeff will join the star studded 2020 class which includes Justin Morneau, John Olerud, Duane Ward and Jacques Doucet at an induction ceremony in St. Mary's this June.

Former Colorado Rockies ace Jeff Francis will be inducted in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Francis will join 2020 inductees Justin Morneau, John Olerud, Duane Ward and Jacques Doucet at the induction ceremony in June.

The ceremony will take place at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys on June 18. Francis enjoyed a fantastic career in the MLB, most notably as a starting pitcher with the Colorado Rockies. The lefty was born in Vancouver in 1981 and played in the MLB for 11 years with the Rockies, Royals, Reds, A's, New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. His best seasons was in 2007 when he set career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched and helped the Rockies to the National Pennant. Francis started game 1 of the World Series, the first Canadian ever to do so.

Chair of the Canadian Baseball hall of Fame's board of directors Jeremy Diamond says Francis is one of the greatest left handed pitchers to ever come out of Canada.

"Jeff Francis is one of the greatest left-handed pitchers to come from Canada. He was the ace of the Colorado Rockies on their National League pennant-winning team in 2007 and is considered one of the best pitchers in Rockies’ history. He has also answered the call to play for his country whenever he has been available and is a wonderful ambassador for baseball in our country."

Francis finished his career with 72 wins, the second most by Canadian left hander. Among all Canadian major league pitchers (left-handers and right-handers), he ranks fifth in starts, seventh in wins and eighth in strikeouts and innings pitched.

He also proudly wore the Maple Leaf when his country needed him, competing on several Canadian National teams, including the gold medal-winning team at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Francis is excited to come to St. Marys for the induction ceremony.

"I was so excited to get the news from the Hall of Fame of my induction. 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."