The Winnipeg Goldeyes have announced that Major League Hall of Famer, and arguably the best Canadian to play the game of baseball, Ferguson Jenkins, will highlight the events prior to the 2014 American Association All-Star game which will be hosted in Winnipeg this upcoming season.
Jenkins will speak at the all-star luncheon, throw out the first pitch at the game, and sign autographs for fans during the game.
Jenkins, who was born and raised in Catham Ontario was originally signed to a contract by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965. He spent 19 seasons in the majors, spending time with the Boston Red Sox (1976-1977), and spent two different stints with the Chicago Cubs (1966-1973 & 1982-1983), and the Texas Rangers (1974-1974 & 1978-1981.)
In 1987 he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, and became the first ever Canadian inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1991. He holds a career win-loss record of 284-226 with a 3.34 ERA, and 3,192 strikeouts. He was the first to win the Lou Marsh award, which is given annually to the best Canadian athlete. He's also a Member of the Order of Canada and is one of just four pitchers to record more than 3,000 strikeouts while pitching less than 1,000 walks.
During his career, Jenkins appeared in three MLB All-Star Games (1967, 1971, 1972) he won the NL Cy Young award in 1971, AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1974, and he's had his number 31 retired by the Chicago Cubs.
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