Left-hander Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.) and first baseman Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.) played for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

March 10, 2023

By George Farelli

Canadian Baseball Network

A look at Canada’s World Baseball Classic rosters through the years ... by the numbers:

Team Canada Roster summaries

2006 WBC roster

600 at bat seasons: None

100 games played seasons: Matt Stairs (9), Corey Koskie (6), Jason Bay (2), Justin Morneau (1), Peter Orr (1).

100 hit seasons: Matt Stairs (6), Corey Koskie (6), Jason Bay (2), Justin Morneau (1).

20 home run seasons: Matt Stairs (5), Corey Koskie (2), Jason Bay (2), Justin Morneau (1).

100 RBI seasons: Matt Stairs (2), Corey Koskie (1), Jason Bay (1).

Average age: 28 years, 3 months.

Average number of years of MLB experience: 2.4 years

Pitchers

25 or more starts in a season: Rheal Cormier (2), Paul Quantrill (2), Erik Bedard (1), Jeff Francis (1), Chris Reitsma (1).

50 or more appearances: Rheal Cormier (7), Paul Quantrill (7), Chris Reitsma (3), Jesse Crain (1).

10 or more wins in a season: Paul Quantrill (2), Rheal Cormier (1), Jesse Crain (1), Jeff Francis (1).

Five or more saves in a season: Paul Quantrill (2), Chris Reitsma (2).

Average age: 27 years, 6 months.

Average number of years of MLB experience: 3.4 years

*Numbers reflect Major League stats up to end of 2005 season. The 30-man roster included 16 position players and 14 pitchers.

At 38 years old, Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) was the oldest player Canada’s 2006 World Baseball Classic roster.

Oldest player on roster - Matt Stairs (38 years, 1 month)

Youngest player on roster - Chris Robinson (21 years, 10 months)

Number of players with NO MLB experience - 10

Team Canada 2006 WBC Record - 2-1 in pool play, did not advance, due to run differential.

Highlights for Team Canada - OF Adam Stern led tournament with .667 Average (6-for-9)

* * *

2009 WBC roster

Position Players

600 at bat seasons: Justin Morneau (1).

100 games played seasons: Matt Stairs (12), Corey Koskie (6), Jason Bay (2), Justin Morneau (4), Mark Teahen (4), Russell Martin (3), Peter Orr (1), Joey Votto (1).

100 hit seasons: Matt Stairs (7), Corey Koskie (6), Jason Bay (5), Justin Morneau (4), Mark Teahen (4), Russell Martin (3), Joey Votto (1).

20 home run seasons: Matt Stairs (6), Jason Bay (5), Justin Morneau (4), Corey Koskie (2), Joey Votto (1).

100 RBI seasons: Justin Morneau (3), Jason Bay (3), Matt Stairs (2), Corey Koskie (1).

Average age: 28 years, 8 months

Average number of years of MLB experience: 3.7 years

Pitchers

25 or more starts in a season: None

50 or more appearances: Jesse Crain (3)

10 or more wins in a season: Jesse Crain (1)

Five or more saves in a season: None.

Average age: 26 years, 9 months

Average number of years of MLB experience: 1.4 years.

*Numbers reflect Major League stats up to end of 2008 season, 28-man roster included 15 position players and 13 pitchers.

Langley Blaze and Junior National Team alum Brett Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) was only 19 when he was named to Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster in 2009. Photo: Baseball Canada

Oldest player on roster: Matt Stairs (41 years, 1 month)

Youngest player on roster: Brett Lawrie (19 years, 2 months)

Number of players on roster with NO MLB experience: 11.

Team Canada 2006 WBC Record: 0-2 in pool play, did not advance

* * *

2013 WBC roster

Position Players

600 at bat seasons: Justin Morneau (1).

100 games played seasons: Justin Morneau (6), Joey Votto (5), Peter Orr (2), Michael Saunders (2), Brett Lawrie (1).

100-hit seasons: Justin Morneau (7), Joey Votto (5), Brett Lawrie (1), Michael Saunders (1).

20 home run seasons: Justin Morneau (4), Joey Votto (4).

100 RBI seasons: Justin Morneau (4), Joey Votto (2).

Average age: 28 years, 4 months

Average number of years of MLB experience: 2.3 years

Pitchers

25 or more starts in a season: None

50 or more appearances: Jesse Crain (7), John Axford (3).

10 or more wins in a season: Jesse Crain (1).

5 or more saves in a season: John Axford (3).

Average age: 27 years, 8 months.

Average number of years of MLB experience: 2.3 years

*Numbers reflect Major League stats up to end of 2012 season, the 29 man roster included 15 position players and 14 pitchers.

Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.) was 33 when he played for Canada at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which made him the oldest player on the team. Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP

Oldest player: Peter Orr (33 years, 9 months)

Youngest player on roster: Jameson Taillon (21 years, 9 months)

Number of players on roster with NO MLB experience: 12.

Team Canada 2013 WBC Record: 1-2 in pool play, did not advance.

Highlights for Team Canada: OF Michael Saunders named to 2013 All WBC Team

* * *

2017 WBC roster

Position Players

600 at bat seasons: Freddie Freeman (1), Justin Morneau (1).

100 games played seasons: Justin Morneau (8), Freddie Freeman (6), Peter Orr (2).

100 hit seasons: Justin Morneau (9), Freddie Freeman (6).

20 home run seasons: Justin Morneau (5), Freddie Freeman (4).

100 RBI seasons: Justin Morneau (4), Freddie Freeman (1).

Average age: 28 years, 6 months.

Average number of years of MLB experience: 3.0 years

Pitchers

25 or more starts in a season: Ryan Dempster (7).

50 or more appearances: Eric Gagne (4), Ryan Dempster (3), Jim Henderson (1).

10 or more wins in a season: Ryan Dempster (6).

5 or more saves in a season: Eric Gagne (6), Ryan Dempster (3), Jim Henderson (1).

Average age: 30 years, 8 months

Average number of years of MLB experience: 3.6 years

*Numbers reflect Major League stats up to end of 2016 season on the 28 man roster included 14 position players and 14 pitchers

A 41-year-old Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) pitched for Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Photo: Baseball Canada

Oldest player on roster - Eric Gagne (41 years, 2 months)

Youngest player on roster - Josh Naylor (19 years, nine months)

Number of players on roster with NO MLB experience - 12

Team Canada 2017 WBC Record: 0-3 in pool play, did not advance.

Pre-tournament late roster changes - LHP Ryan Kellogg (replaced Adam Loewen), C Mike Reeves (replaced Kellin Deglan) and RHP Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (replaced John Axford).

* * *

2023 WBC roster

Position Players

600 at bat seasons: Freddie Freeman (4).

100 games played seasons: Freddie Freeman (11), Tyler O’Neill (1).

100 hit seasons: Freddie Freeman (11), Tyler O’Neill (1), Abraham Toro (1).

20 home run seasons: Freddie Freeman (9), Tyler O’Neill (1).

100 RBI seasons: Freddie Freeman (3).

Average age: 25 years, 1 month.

Average number of years of MLB experience: 2.0 years

Pitchers

25 or more starts in a season: Cal Quantrill (1).

50 or more appearances: John Axford (9).

10 or more wins in a season: Cal Quantrill (1).

5 or more saves in a season: John Axford (6).

Average age: 29 years, 0 months

Average number of years of MLB experience: 2.1 years.

*Numbers reflect Major League stats up to end of 2022 season on 30 man roster includes 13 position players and 17 pitchers.

Right-hander John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) is the oldest player on Canada’s 2023 World Baseball Classic roster. He will turn 40 on April 1. Photo: Baseball Canada

Oldest player on roster: John Axford (39 years, 11 months)

Youngest player on roster: Mitch Bratt (19 years, 8 months)

Number of players on roster with NO MLB experience: 16

TEAM CANADA - 2023 WBC Roster

Number Of Seasons Active In Majors

Position Players (13): 27

Pitchers (17): 37

Total for all 30 players: 64

Number Of Games In Majors

Position Players (13): 2,415

Pitchers (17): 875

Total for all 30 players: 3,290

Number Of Home Runs Hit In Majors

Position Players (13): 387

All Star Teams

Freddie Freeman 7

First Base (2018), named to NL All Star Team at first base

Six Times (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

Gold Glove Awards

Freddie Freeman (1B - National League 2018)

Tyler O’Neill (OF - National League 2020, 2021)

World Series Rings

Rob Zastryzny - Chicago Cubs 2016

(Not On Active Roster For World Series, but awarded ring by team, appearing in eight games)

Freddie Freeman - Atlanta Braves 2021

(Appearing in 159 games)

*Numbers reflect cumulative career totals in the majors, for all members on the 2023 Team Canada WBC roster, in the specific categories.

Farelli: Comparing Team Canada's rosters over WBC events