James Paxton to be Honored at 22nd Annual Baseball Canada Benefit Banquet
Toronto, ON – Canadian baseball icon James Paxton will be celebrated at the Baseball Canada Benefit Banquet on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at the Toronto Marriott City Center Hotel, located within the Rogers Centre.The annual event, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key fundraiser for national team programs and player growth.
The banquet will formally induct Paxton as the 14th member of Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence, presented by RBC Wealth Management. This prestigious honor recognizes Paxton’s remarkable contributions to the sport, both on and off the field.
Born in Ladner, British Columbia, Paxton’s journey began with representing Canada at the 2006 world Junior Baseball Championship in Cuba. He then honed his skills at the University of Kentucky, quickly establishing himself as a premier Canadian pitching prospect. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2010, Paxton debuted in Major League Baseball in 2013, embarking on an extraordinary 11-year career that included stints with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Paxton’s legacy was cemented on May 8, 2018, when he achieved a historic no-hitter on Canadian soil in Toronto. This groundbreaking feat made him the first Canadian pitcher to accomplish such a milestone in his home country, solidifying his place among Canada’s all-time pitching greats. “It was a surreal moment, pitching in front of a home crowd and achieving something that had never been done before by a Canadian,” a senior official stated.
The banquet will also recognize current MLB players Denzel Clarke and Liam Hicks, rising stars from the junior national team Sean Duncan and Will Hynes, and veteran of the women’s national team Alli Schroder. the Toronto Blue Jays and their recently concluded historic season will also be honored.
A stellar lineup of special guests is expected to attend, including current MLB pitcher and 2019 All-Star Game participant Michael Soroka, former MLB star Michael Saunders, St. Louis Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp,Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame members Ernie Whitt and Jeff Franci,and Super Bowl champion and television personality Luke Willson,who also competed on the junior national team.
Attendees can look forward to a cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. (Eastern time), followed by the awards ceremony and a silent auction. Auction items include a spring training camp experience in arizona with former player Ryan Dempster, a Seattle Seahawks experience with Luke Willson, WestJet flights throughout North America, and a variety of autographed memorabilia.
Tickets are priced at $500 per person, with options for tables of eight or ten. As a registered charity, Baseball Canada emphasizes that all proceeds from the event will directly support national team programs and the development of future Canadian baseball talent.
For further facts or to purchase tickets,please contact Greg Hamilton,Director of National Teams,at 613-748-5606,ext. 225, or via email at [email protected]
