Damon Topolie's success and longevity on the ball diamond have been recognized by the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
Topolie will be inducted through one of the two induction ceremonies taking place in May.
At a very early age, Damon Topolie spent many hours following his dad to a ball field and came to realize how much he enjoyed the sport of baseball. While he played other sports such hockey, football and basketball, it was baseball at which he excelled from an early age and this led to an outstanding amateur career in the sport.
After excelling at the sport as a member of the North Bay Baseball Association, Topolie moved on to Tusculum University where he was a starter for three years, and was named an associate coach, and was an all-state third baseman. His 24-year career (and counting) in the Inter-County Baseball League (IBL) commenced in 1996 with the Stratford Hilliers where he hit .320 and was runner up in the rookie of the year voting.
In 1999, he moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and over a 19 year career he has 3 championship rings, was voted the 2002 playoff MVP, was an 8 time IBL all-star, is one of only four players to have amassed over 700 hits, and hold team records in hits, RBI’s and games played.
See related: Topolie continuing to leave his mark on Toronto baseball
Upon the 100th anniversary of the league, he was named as one of the top 100 players in the history of the league. Since 1997, he has assumed both the field manager and general manager roles with the Maple Leafs. In addition to his playing career, Topolie has been the lead catching instructor for the Ontario Blue Jays Elite Baseball program, which has produced 10 catchers who have gone on to the Major Leagues or to Team Canada. He has also served as coach of the Team Canada women’s baseball team to a silver medal at a tournament in Australia.
At the local level, Topolie has been the recipient of the Al Knapp Award for contribution to baseball and the Britt Jessup award as the top Male Athlete in 1994.
Topolie is being inducted as an athlete in the sport of baseball. Topolie will be formally inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 7, at the 40th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner to be held at the Davedi Club.
Tickets are available from the following Executive Members: Dave Saad 705-472-7041, Larry Tougas 705-303-8104 or any Hall of Fame Board Member. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190.
Those interested in searching for past inductees are invited to explore the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame website at http://www.northbaysportshalloffame.ca