Hazel Mae Named 2025 Jack Graney Award Winner by Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame has named Hazel Mae the 2025 recipient of the Jack Graney Award - a well-earned recognition for a trailblazer whose voice has become synonymous with baseball coverage in Canada.
Mae, a fixture on Sportsnet’s Blue Jays broadcasts, has long been one of the most respected and recognizable reporters in the game. Whether she’s delivering in-game insights or sitting down with players for revealing interviews, her work consistently adds depth, humanity, and clarity to the broadcast. And while her presence on screen is a staple for fans, her impact stretches far beyond the dugout.
“For many years, her in-depth player interviews and in-game insights have often been the highlight of Sportsnet’s Blue Jays coverage,” said Scott Crawford, director of operations at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. “But her impact on baseball in Canada reaches far beyond her work on the field. She has been a tremendous ambassador for baseball across the country.”
Mae’s journey to this moment is a story of persistence, talent, and passion for the game. Born in the Philippines and raised in Toronto, she got her start in broadcasting at York University’s campus radio station. From there, she quickly found her footing in the sports media world, joining Sportsnet in 2001 as the morning anchor for Sportsnet Central and host of Jzone, a weekly Blue Jays-focused show.
But her reach wasn’t limited to Canada. Ahead of the 2004 MLB season, Mae took her talents to Boston, joining NESN as the lead anchor and host of The Ultimate Red Sox Show. That year, the Red Sox broke their 86-year championship drought - and Mae was right there, part of the broadcast team chronicling a historic run.
Her career kept climbing. In 2008, Mae became the first on-air hire for the newly launched MLB Network.
She worked on MLB Tonight, which would go on to win an Emmy, and hosted Quick Pitch, the network’s nightly highlight show. She also served as a sideline reporter for Thursday Night Baseball, bringing her signature blend of insight and poise to national audiences.
Mae returned to Sportsnet in 2011, anchoring the 6 p.m. edition of Sportsnet Central. By 2015, she stepped into her current role as the in-game reporter for Blue Jays broadcasts - a position she’s made her own.
Whether it’s an on-the-fly update from the dugout or a thoughtful conversation with a player, Mae brings a level of professionalism and warmth that resonates with fans and players alike. She also regularly hosts Blue Jays Central and has become Sportsnet’s go-to for in-depth interviews during the season.
Her work has also extended to the national stage in recent years, serving as an in-game reporter for TBS during MLB postseason coverage. And off the field, she’s given her time to countless charitable events as an emcee, using her platform to uplift communities across the country.
Upon receiving the award, Mae shared a heartfelt message of gratitude:
“Joining the distinguished group of Jack Graney Award winners leaves me feeling deeply humbled and profoundly grateful,” she said.
“This group includes incredible writers, broadcasters and storytellers whom I have long admired, been inspired by, and proudly call colleagues and friends. While each of us reached this milestone through our own very unique path, we all share a common passion and unwavering love for the game, and for this great country.
Words cannot begin to express how honoured I am by this recognition.”
The Jack Graney Award is given annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada. It’s named after Jack Graney, a native of St.
Thomas, Ontario, who carved out a unique legacy in the sport. Graney was the first batter to face Babe Ruth in a major league game in 1914, the first player to wear a number on his uniform in 1916, and later became the first former player to transition into the broadcast booth - calling Cleveland games from 1932 to 1953.
Hazel Mae now joins a distinguished list of past recipients that includes legendary voices like Tom Cheek, Jerry Howarth, Dan Shulman, and Buck Martinez. It’s a fitting honor for someone who’s not only chronicled the game but helped shape how Canadians experience it.
Details about the award presentation will be announced in the coming months.