St. Marys - For the first time in its 18-year history, the vote resulted in a tie for the 2001 James "Tip" O'Neill Award, presented annually by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to the highest ideals of the game of baseball. The co-winners are NL Batting Champ Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies and slugger Corey Koskie of the Minnesota Twins.

The eight-time winner Walker, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, is the only player to win the Tip O'Neill Award more than once. He is also the only Canadian to win a batting title since O'Neill led the majors in hitting with his .492 average in 1887, the highest single-season average ever recorded. O'Neill's feat was accomplished when bases on balls were counted as hits, but even when his average is computed according to today's standards, he batted .435, the second highest of all-time behind Hugh Duffy (.438 in 1894). Walker, who batted .351 in 2001, along with 38 homers and 123 RBI, was named to the NL All-Star team for the 5th time, and was awarded his 6th Gold Glove. "Again, I am honoured and proud to be selected by the Canadian Hall of Fame for this award," said Walker upon being told the news this morning. "My hope is that this award in a small way helps promote baseball in Canada."

Koskie, of Anola, Manitoba, became the first AL third baseman ever to hit more than 25 homers, steal more than 25 bases, and knock in more than 100 runs. The only other third baseman to accomplish that feat was the Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones in 1999. Koskie (26 HRS, 27 SB, 103 RBI), in hearing the news this morning, said, "Anytime someone mentions my name along side of Larry Walker, I am thrilled. I just hope that I can continue contributing to my team in a similar fashion for years to come."

"We had the unique and very pleasant problem of deciding which Canadian to honour when, truly, a solid case could be made for any of the top five finalists," said Tom Valcke, President/CEO of the CBHFM. "It took more than a century for the second Canadian to win a batting title, so we would have been remiss not to have Larry's name on this trophy." Valcke added, "At the same time, Corey helped carry a small market club through August in a pennant race, and his numbers are impressive for any major leaguer, Canadian or not."

The Toronto Blue Jays' Pitcher of the Year, Paul Quantrill (London, ON), who was 11-2, 3.04 ERA, with 80 appearances, finished third in the voting. The Texas Rangers' closer Jeff Zimmerman (Kelowna, BC), with 28 saves, and the Florida Marlins' starter Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC), with 15 wins, rounded out the top five.

Walker and Koskie will be presented their awards at SkyDome and/or Olympic Stadium during the 2002 season.