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The James “Tip” O’Neill Award is presented annually to the Canadian baseball player of the year. The winner is chosen by a committee that is organized by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The committee reviews that year’s statistics for all Canadian players and announces the winner in early December. The award is named in honour of James “Tip” O’Neill, a Major League Baseball (MLB) star from the 19th century who is often considered Canada’s Babe Ruth. Larry Walker, who first won the award as a 20-year-old in Double-A, received the award nine times — more than any other player. Joey Votto won it seven times, while Justin Morneau and Jason Bay won it three times and Eric Gagné received it twice. Daniel Brabant is the only amateur player to win the award.
Winners
1984 – Terry Puhl
1985 – Dave Shipanoff
1986 – Rob Ducey
1987 – Larry Walker
1988 – Kevin Reimer
1989 – Steve Wilson
1990 – Larry Walker
1991 – Daniel Brabant
1992 – Larry Walker
1993 – Rob Butler
1994 – Larry Walker
1995 – Larry Walker
1996 – Jason Dickson
1997 – Larry Walker
1998 – Larry Walker
1999 – Jeff Zimmerman
2000 – Ryan Dempster
2001 – Larry Walker and Corey Koskie
2002 – Larry Walker and Eric Gagné
2003 – Eric Gagné
2004 – Jason Bay
2005 – Jason Bay
2006 – Justin Morneau
2007 – Russell Martin
2008 – Justin Morneau
2009 – Jason Bay
2010 – Joey Votto
2011 – Joey Votto and John Axford
2012 – Joey Votto
2013 – Joey Votto
2014 – Justin Morneau
2015 – Joey Votto
2016 – Joey Votto
2017 – Joey Votto
2018 – James Paxton
2019 – Mike Soroka
2020 – Jamie Romak
2021 – Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
2022 – Jordan Romano
2023 – Josh Naylor
See also Canada’s Forgotten Baseball History.
