Devon White’s life changed forever when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the California Angels. “You were playing for the country, it’s not just the city or the province of Ontario, it’s just the whole country,” said White, from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (CBHOF) in St. Marys, Ont. His move to the Blue Jays wasn’t the first time he was living in Canada. He spent parts of five seasons in Edmonton, Alta. as part of the Angels Triple-A affiliate. “In Edmonton, when I originally entered Canada, I just loved the atmosphere, loved the people, and then being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, it was mind blowing, especially winning,” said White. When he got the call to be elected from CBHOF director of operations Scott Crawford, White was surprised because he only played in Toronto for four seasons. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said White, who won seven gold glove awards, three World Series titles, and was named an all-star three times. He spent part of the morning looking at the plaques in the room realizing he was in the company of some great players and baseball people. “I got to walk around and look at everyone. I’m standing next to Felipe Alou here, which I played with his son (Moises) and is a great friend of mine. The other people that I’m seeing, I think it’s going to take a little bit to sink in,” he said. “You get a plaque up here and other people and players have come through and remember, you know, I remember him. Larry Walker – who I played against and admired the way he played – when I see him, we joke around, but he’s one of Canada’s best baseball players. This is awesome.” Joining White in the 2026 class of inductees is former National Team player and MLB infielder Stubby Clapp, Montreal Expos great Bill Stoneman, former MLB umpire Paul Rungee, Women’s National Team standout Kate Psota, and Jim Baba (posthumously) a longtime executive director of Baseball Canada. Clapp, a Windsor, Ont. native, never imagined he’d be standing in the CBHOF with his plaque on the wall. “You show up at Optimist Park playing for Windsor Central (Little League) one day and Guy Katrell is your coach and you’re playing with a bunch of your friends from around the park and then next thing you know It feels like a big whirlwind,” said Clapp before the induction ceremony in St. Marys, Ont. on Saturday. “I’m completely just caught off guard and humbled for the opportunity. To be considered anything like this is just truly special.” Clapp is currently a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals after playing professionally for 11 years. That time included a brief stint in the Major Leagues with the Cardinals in 2001. He’s most remembered for his time with the Canadian National Team which included a win over the U.S. in the 1999 Pan American Games, where he hit the game winning single. They would eventually win the bronze medal. He was also part of Team Canada in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and in 2006 played for Canada in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. It earned him the nickname “Captain Canada.” “I’d like to share that moniker, I guess, with Justin Morneau,” joked Clapp. “He’s probably more worthy for that for that moniker, but I appreciate it. I’m totally overwhelmed right now.” He recalled his best baseball memory, walking through the gates out to represent his country at the Olympics in Athens, Greece and the fans cheering him on. Now, he has a new favourite memory to share with his family. “Complete transparency right now, I’m actually looking around and it’s just hitting me,” said Clapp while looking at the plaques in his first ever visit to the CBHOF. “Looking around and seeing the plaques, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. To be able to be considered amongst all these people is truly humbling.” Hazel Mae was also recognized in St. Marys as the 2026 Jack Graney Award winner as the representative of the media who has made a significant contribution to the game of baseball in Canada through their life’s work, or for a singular outstanding achievement.
