‘This is truly special’: Windsor, Ont.’s Stubby Clapp inducted to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Stubby Clapp of Windsor, Ont. stands in the plaque room at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame as a 2026 inductee in St. Marys Ont. on June 20, 2026. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

Stubby Clapp never imagined he’d be standing in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (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.”

The Windsor, Ont. native 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.”

Joining Clapp in the 2026 class of inductees is Toronto Blue Jays legend Devon White, 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.

White began his career with the California Angels, but his life changed forever when he was traded to the Blue Jays.

However, it wasn’t his first time 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.

“Just playing for the country, it’s not just the city or the province of Ontario, it’s just the whole country.”

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.

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 personnel.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said White.

“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.”

Like Clapp, he said a spot in a hall of fame is something he never imagined as a young player.

“This is awesome,” added White, who won seven gold glove awards, three World Series titles, and was named an all-star three times.

“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.”

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.