ST. Jonny Evans Red Jersey . MARYS, Ont. -- Cincinnati Reds slugger Joey Votto was named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fames Tip ONeill Award on Friday. The honour is presented annually to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseballs highest ideals. "Joey Votto is not only a superstar on the field, but hes also an inspiration and a difference-maker away from the ballpark," said Scott Crawford, the Halls director of operations. "There was a very strong field of candidates this year, but Joey deserves this honour for his tremendous contributions both on and off the field." Votto, from Toronto, is the first player to win the award four years in a row and is one of only two players to have won it on more than three occasions. The other is Larry Walker, a native of Maple Ridge, B.C., who won the award nine times. Votto hit .305 this past season and was selected to his fourth straight all-star game. He hit 24 home runs, drove in 73 runs, and led the National League in walks (135) and on-base percentage (.435). To determine a winner, the Hall considers each candidates on-the-field performance, contributions to their team, community and charitable endeavours and support in fan voting. "Its an honour to be recognized again by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame," Votto said in a release. "It is very flattering to be mentioned in any discussion that includes Larry Walker, who represented our country with such dedication and professionalism during his major-league career. I have to thank the Baseball Hall of Fame for its efforts in promoting our great game in Canada." Several players were considered for this years honour, including Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., and Pittsburgh Pirates sluggers Russell Martin of Toronto and Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C. Votto, who shared the award with John Axford in 2011, will be presented with the award in a pre-game ceremony in Cincinnati early next season. Darren Fletcher manchester united jersey . The pitchers agent, Bob Garber, confirmed the decision and said Oswalt would go to work for his agency, RMG Baseball. Oswalt will be vice-president of baseball operations. Michael Carrick Red Jersey . The 38-year-old became an unrestricted free agent in July after spending a little over a year with the Calgary Flames.SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joe Pavelski jumped into the team points lead after scoring twice and assisting on two other goals. Not that he was paying much attention. Pavelski scored two power-play goals, helping the San Jose Sharks remain unbeaten at home with a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday night. "There are three, four, five guys like that here," Pavelski said. "Its so early in the season for that." Brent Burns, Scott Hannan, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture also scored for the Sharks, who have won their first five at home. "We have a great comfort level here," Sharks captain Joe Thornton said. "We come out strong, heavy and jump on teams. Were aggressive from the drop of the puck." Sean Monahan, Mikael Backlund and Jiri Hudler scored for the Flames, who lost their second straight after opening the season 4-0-1. "This is by far the best team we have played," Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. "At the same time it was the worst game weve played. We made some bad decisions that cost us some goals. We made bad decisions and went to the box for unnecessary reasons and there was a little bad luck." Antti Niemi stopped 16 of 19 shots to record his 11th career win over the Flames, his most against any team. It was also his 100th as a Shark. Karri Ramo, making his first start since the season opener, made 30 saves. "Five goals, you cant be happy about that," Ramo said. "I felt like I was a little bit behind. When you keep giving them power plays, they are going to hurt you." The Sharks were 3 of 9 on the power play and have scored 11 times over their last 36 chances. "The power play was huge," Thornton said. "Especially in the third period, when they got two quick goals on us. It was good to respond." Burns gave the Sharks, who are 8-2-1 against Calgary in their past 11 meetings, the early lead with an easy tap from in front of the net. Shinji Kagawa Red Jersey. Pavelski beat Kris Russell to a puck in the corner and fed a wide-open Burns less than a minute into the contest. "Its always fun scoring on the first shift," Pavelski said. Hannan made it 2-0 in the final minute of the first period with a long shot. Monahan put the Flames on the board with a power-play goal early in the second period. Sven Baertschi fed him the puck from behind the net, making it easy to beat Niemi. Pavelski and Marleau, who has a goal in five straight games, each scored on power plays -- both getting an assist on the others score -- to give the Sharks a 4-1 edge heading into the third period. "The first one I kind of set up in front of the net and Pavey gave me an outstanding pass through the box," Marleau said. The Flames scored twice in the first four minutes of the final period to pull to 4-3. Lee Stempniak took a shot that bounced off Niemis pads directly to Backlund, who notched the short-handed goal before the Sharks goalie cold recover. Hudler scored two minutes later after taking a nice crossing pass from Monahan. Pavelski redirected Coutures shot for a power-play goal midway through the third period to put the Sharks on top 5-3. "Pav was in a great spot," said Couture, who wore the A on his uniform for the first time. "Weve worked on that play with the puck coming off the board and I just tried to get it to him." Couture added an empty-netter with 1:22 remaining to play. NOTES: Burns missed a penalty shot in the first period as Ramo made a stick save on the near post. ... San Jose F Bracken Kearns was assigned to Worchester of the AHL. ... The Sharks scored in the first minute for the fourth time in their first eight games. ... Hannan recorded his 200th career point with his goal. ... Hudler has a point in each of the Flames seven games. ... Monahan has scored in six of seven games. ... Pavelski recorded his 20th career multi-goal game. ' ' '
