In southern Ontario lies the picturesque municipality of Chatham-Kent, a rural area teeming with history. In addition to having been the northern terminus of the Underground Railroad in the 19th Century, it was also home to one particularly famous baseball player.
Born in Chatham and known locally as “Fergie”, Ferguson Jenkins was a prominent figure in the Chatham athletic community before getting his big break in the major leagues. Competing in track and field, ice hockey and basketball throughout his youth, it was baseball that became his ultimate love. With a career that spanned nearly 20 years in Major League Baseball, Fergie spent most of his time with the infamous Chicago Cubs. Throughout his career he amassed three all-star seasons, led both the National League and American League in wins, had over 3,000 strikeouts and was the first Canadian pitcher to win the Cy Young award.