St. Marys – Orlando Hudson said he would join Larry Walker at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum on Sunday, January 15th, and despite being traded by the Toronto Blue Jays since then, he's still coming. The snazzy Gold Glover known as "O'Dog" will participate in a Meet & Greet fundraiser with Larry Walker and Jim Fanning beginning at 6:00pm at the St. Marys Community Centre (Arena).
"Knowing there was less incentive for Orlando to fulfill his promise, we would have understood if he had backed out," said Hall president & CEO Tom Valcke. "But he's a classy guy who was brought up by a first class organization, and we're hoping Blue Jays fans will take advantage of this opportunity to come and say thanks for the memories."
Orlando Hudson, traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Troy Glaus, has been the star second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays the past four seasons. He is renowned around the Major Leagues for his fielding prowess, known for making spectacular lunging catches and diving stabs at grounders. He also batted .271 with 10 homeruns and 63 RBI in just 131 games last season.
Larry Walker, a nine-time winner of the Hall's Tip O'Neill award for individual achievement while adhering to the highest ideals of baseball, leads all 221 Canadian major leaguers throughout history in virtually every offensive category. He amassed a .313 career batting average, including 2160 hits, 383 homeruns, 1311 RBI and a .565 slugging percentage. The Maple Ridge, BC native is truly a five tool star, adding 230 stolen bases, 3976 put outs and 213 assists. He won the National League MVP award in 1997, three batting titles, was a five-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove award winner, and a three-time Silver Slugger award winner. Walker was also awarded Canada's Lou Marsh Trophy in 1998. His performance in 1997 is regarded as one of the best all-round seasons in Major League history, batting .366 with 49 homeruns, 130 RBI, 33 stolen bases and 409 total bases (the most in 50 years).
Fanning, the former field manager and general manager of the Montreal Expos, now serving as the Canadian Ambassador for the Toronto Blue Jays, originally signed Walker in 1984. He was inducted into the Hall in 2000.
Fans from all over are welcome to drop in for an autograph, a handshake, photograph if wanted, and a group question and answer period. The atmosphere will include hot dogs and baseball snacks along with a cash bar. Individual tickets can be purchased for $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets are available by calling the Hall of Fame (519-284-1838) or dropping by the administration office (140 Queen St. E.) or by emailing baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca. As the Hall of Fame does at its annual Induction Ceremony, extra autographs can be obtained for a $20 donation per item. Proceeds from the fundraiser go towards St. Marys Minor Ball for youth programming and facilities.
