Topolie to be inducted into North Bay Sports HOF

Damon Topolie will join the late Jack Dominico in the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame, who was inducted in 2013. Photo: @LaRussaGastro

April 15, 2022

By Ryan Eakin

Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club

TORONTO -- Damon Topolie, Toronto Maple Leafs vice-president of baseball operations and manager, will be inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame on May 7.

Topolie, 46, was born and raised in North Bay. He graduated from Chippewa Secondary School before heading to Tusculum College in Tennessee.

The manager of the Maple Leafs since 2013, Topolie was named one of the top 100 players in Intercounty Baseball League history in 2018.

The longtime catcher, who began his IBL career with the Stafford Hilliers in 1995, ranks second all-time in hits with 848 and has hit 50 career home runs.

A three-time champion as a player (1999, 2002 and 2007), Topolie's career highlight from an individual perspective came in 2002 when he won playoff MVP honours.

An eight-time All-Star, Topolie has made it to the finals twice as a manager, first in 2016 and then last season in 2021.

The legendary IBL player was also the manager of the Canadian Women's Baseball Team which won Silver at the 2002 World Baseball Championship.

Topolie said it is an honour to be inducted into his hometown's sports Hall of Fame.

"I am truly honoured to be inducted into my hometown Sports Hall of Fame. Even though a lot of my recent baseball accomplishments were not in North Bay, I was born and raised in North Bay and it will always be home to me.” said Topolie. “To be going in the same year as my sister Stephanie makes it even more of a special moment as we will be joining my father Peter who was inducted in 1992.

"I would also be remiss if I did not mention Jack Dominico, who was inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame back in 2013."

With his sister Stephanie also being inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame, the Topolies will become the first father-son-daughter trio to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.