Liam Hicks becomes first Canadian catcher to hit HR in World Series

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rays' Liam Hicks becomes first Canadian catcher to hit HR in World Series

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 9:40 PM ET

Liam Hicks came into the 2026 World Series for the Tampa Bay Rays as the first Canadian-born catcher to start a World Series game since Larry McLean did for the New York Giants in 1913.

But he achieved an even greater milestone in Game 2 by becoming the first Canadian catcher to hit a home run in the World Series.

Fans were likely expecting power-hitters such as Junior Caminero or Yandy Diaz to smoke the first home run of the World Series, but baseball is full of surprises.

The Toronto-born catcher blasted the first bomb of the World Series, and it came in the top of the first inning, providing Tampa with an early 4-0 lead. The two-run blast came off a cutter thrown by right-handed starting pitcher Logan Henderson of the Milwaukee Brewers, and it went 411 feet deep into right field.

Canadian-born hitters to homer in the #WorldSeries: - George Selkirk - Larry Walker - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And now, Liam Hicks: https://t.co/T9hLRGrT3z
— Zach Worden (@Worden_Zach) October 25, 2026

Liam Hicks' dominance in Game 2 makes history in various ways

The 27-year-old left-handed hitter has become the latest and fourth Canadian-born player to hit a homer in the World Series, joining elite company with George Selkirk, Larry Walker and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

But Hicks making Canadian MLB history doesn't end there, as he also became the seventh Canadian-born player to have an RBI in the World Series.

While Hicks doesn't have a high batting average, he illustrated a solid command of the strike zone and took advantage of a great opportunity to come up clutch with runners in scoring position.

Hicks is known for being the 2024 Detroit Tigers postseason taxi squad legend, but his family watching him go yard in the World Series makes him even more iconic.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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