Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun makes his picks of the Canadian baseball's top 100 and there are some folks from the Marlins organization on the list.
First up:
14. Claude Delorme, VP stadium development, Florida Marlins (11).
The Marlins will open 2012 in their new stadium. The Sturgeon Falls, Ont., resident was responsible for getting approval, hiring a contractor for the stadium and the countdown to opening of stadium, owned by Miami-Dade County, went under the 500-day mark on Dec. 16. The new yard, with a retractable roof, natural grass and 37,000 seats, including approximately 3,000 club seats and 60 private suites, sits on 17 acres of the 42-acre Orange Bowl site in the Little Havana section of Miami.
The number in the brackets represents, last year's ranking.
Next:
87. P.J. Loyello, vice-president, Marlins (70).
The Montrealer in his ninth season as senior vice-president of communications and broadcasting. He’s spending a lot of time in Cooperstown, N.Y. overseeing matters: Andre Dawson this year and broadcaster Daven Van Horne next July. Loyello spent 15 years with the Expos and triple-A Ottawa.
Not sure this one counts, but it is included anyway.
98. Fred Wray, agent, Octagon.
The Calgary resident represents Mississauga’s Chris Leroux of the Pirates and Welland’s David Davidson, who is trying to make a comeback. Working out of Octagon’s Chicago office, alongside McGill grad Jamie Murphy, his highest pick in 2010 was James Madison University all-American closer, Kevin Munson, who received a $243,000 bonus. Wray also has former No. 1 picks Jason Castro of the Astros, Matt Mangini of the M’s, Garrett Richards of the Angels, Kellen Kulbacki of the Padres and Marlins prospect Logan Morrison.
In the honourable mention category: (Yes, that is the Canadian spelling of "honorable".)
Mike Kozak, Toronto, assistant trainer, Marlins
John Silverman, Montreal, equipment manager, Marlins
While I knew, of course, Loria owned the Expos before acquiring the Marlins and most came with him. I didn't know we had so many Canadian citizens in the organization. Nothing wrong with having some, or all, for that matter. I just found it interesting.
Congratulations to all who were recognized, your country is quite proud of you. As we are too.
Oh, in case you were wondering, Joey Votto was number one.