ST. MARY'S, Ont. - The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum's class of 2024 will consist of six new inductees, including a legendary Golden Hawk.

Ashley Stephenson (BA, '05), a four-time OUA champion, a former All-Canadian and nationals MVP with the Golden Hawks women's hockey team, and a Laurier Golden Hawks Hall of Famer, will be inducted alongside former Toronto Blue Jays all-stars Russell Martin and Jimmy Key, national team pitching legend Rod Heisler, onetime Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey and longtime Toronto Leaside baseball executive Howard Birnie. 

"This is the biggest honour of my baseball or hockey career," said the 41-year-old from Mississauga. "I've had a lot of really great moments on the ice and on the field but, for me, this is the biggest honour because it's the best of the best."

In a release, Jeremy Diamond, chair of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's board of directors said, "Each member of this year's class has had a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in Canada."

The Laurier alum will be inducted with the group of inductees in a ceremony at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ont., on June 15.
 

Martin, Key, Stephenson, Heisler, Godfrey, Birnie to be inducted into Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum https://t.co/b5oQF1tSQF pic.twitter.com/a3zXpZRDSz

— Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ?????? (@CDNBaseballHOF) February 6, 2024

Having to keep the news secret for the past nine days, Stephenson recalled the moment when she got the call from the Hall. 

"I hung up the phone and it was an instant adrenaline rush," she said with a laugh.

After letting it sink in, her thoughts drifted to the important people in her life.

"I think the biggest thing is you think about people you're appreciative of. I'm proud of myself and the recognition, but so many people have helped me get here." 

"For others to recognize the hard work you've put in ... is special."

The lone woman of the six inductees, who was a member of the first Women's National Team in 2004 and a standout player for 15 seasons, is convinced that "there will be more women coming."

"There are a lot of deserving teammates and friends who I know will be in (the Hall of Fame) next year and the year after that," Stephenson said who, with her former teammates, won silvers at the WBSC Women's World Cups in 2008 and 2016 and at the Pan Am Games in 2015. 

She won four bronze medals at the World Cup (2004, 2006, 2012, 2018) and was named Women's National Team MVP twice (2005, 2008).  

Referring to her induction and the more recent excitement for the PWHL's inaugural season - because of her deep ties to hockey - sheemphasized how "it's so important for young girls to be able to see people who look like them to have success in things that they love."

Until induction day, Stephenson will head to Florida for the start of spring training and then to BC, as she returns for a second season with the Toronto Blue Jays as a position coach for the Vancouver Canadians, the team's Class A short-season affiliate.

"To be a woman and have little girls see me as a potential role model is pretty cool. I've never thought of myself like that but, as I get older and more opportunities come my way, it's nice that maybe I can clear a couple paths along the way."

-with files from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum