Bush Gala Lights Up Liberty Village

Jordan Castaldo accepts the Golden Bush statuette as the winner of the 2025 Bush.V.P. award.

The stars were out at Left Field Brewery for the 2025 Bush Gala.

A red-circle event on Toronto's social calendar, the gala brings together Toronto Maple Leafs fans, players, family and friends for a night of fun and celebration.

A couple dozen jovial folks were on hand Saturday night, October 18th.  Now in its fifth year, the event was hosted by the Leafs' official brewery partner for the first time.  

The evening was both warm and chill.  Left Field's baseball-themed brewpub/restaurant/retail store/hangout in Liberty Village was the perfect setting for a gathering like this.

After a couple of hours of mixing and mingling, it was time for the highlight of the night.  As MC's for the evening, the Bushmen took to an improvised stage to deliver the 2025 Golden Bush awards.

Pitcher of the Year went to the ageless Marek Deska, who made his IBL debut back in 2006 and shows no sign of letting up.

Hitter of the Year went to outfielder Marcus Knecht, who not only led the Leafs in batting this season, but also published a book on the craft.

Fielder of the Year was Dennis Dei Baning for some spectacular catches in the outfield this season.

The big prize of the night, the Bush.V.P. award went to who else but Jordan Castaldo.  The Leafs' first baseman produced a dominant season in 2025, leading the club with 38 RBIs and an OPS of 1.148.  He also led the entire IBL with 12 home runs, a league-MVP-worthy performance.

All four players were on hand to receive their coveted Golden Bush statuettes.

The Bush Gala is well-established as an end-of-season gathering, and the Bushmen are looking to expand.  Saturday night, they hinted that something could be in the works for next spring prior to the start of the 2026 season.  Stay tuned.

Until then, that is a wrap for Maple Leafs baseball in 2025.

The Golden Bush awards presentation begins

Pitcher of the Year, Marek Deska

Hitter of the Year, Marcus Knecht

Fielder of the Year, Dennis Dei Baning

The four 2025 Golden Bush award winners

The Bushmen

Left Field Brewery, Liberty Village

Castaldo Tops Leafs' MVP Poll

Jordan Castaldo

Jordan Castaldo is the 2025 Toronto Maple Leafs team MVP, having received the most votes in a players-only poll.

This season, the Leafs' first baseman led the IBL with 12 home runs.  He also led the Leafs with 38 RBIs and an OPS of 1.148.

Castaldo's numbers put him in the conversation for overall league MVP, considering the fact that he racked them up in fewer games than any other league star.

Castaldo proved he continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the IBL, and remains a quiet leader in the clubhouse.

"It’s never been my style to go around and tell people what to do or how to do it," he said in a recent interview.  "I just try to be a good teammate and listen and provide what knowledge I can.  It’s a tough game.  I try to take care of myself and my performance first, and then help out the other guys the rest of the way."

Castaldo received twice as many votes as the number two man, Jhon Javier.  The revelation of 2025, Javier was a super-utility guy who did practically everything except put on the mascot suit.  He led the team with 56 hits.

Third place finisher was Marcus Knecht, who led the team with a .358 batting average.

Also receiving votes were newcomer Dennis Dei Baning and club legends Justin Marra and Adam Marra.

Jhon Javier

Marcus Knecht