• Axford, a native of Ontario, Canada, is of Dutch heritage on his mother's side of the family. His grandparents immigrated to Canada before she was born, just after World War II.

  "I remember being younger, we'd always get together for the (World Cup soccer) games and watch them because my grandfather was really into it," Axford said. "If he had his way, I'd definitely play soccer over baseball.

  "I played soccer in elementary school. He actually taught me to kick with my left foot before I could learn with my right because he said, 'Everyone kicks with their right, so you'll learn with your left first.' "

  John said his mother was either the first or second member of her family born in Canada, though he could not remember if she or his uncle was born first.

• In 2001, Axford was selected in the seventh round of the draft, out of high school by Seattle. But he chose to attend Notre Dame and pitched in the 2002 College World Series as a sophomore.

• John built a professional baseball field in Melville, Canada, along with several other players. He then played for the team. He also was a cell phone salesman in a mall. And Axford was a bartender for a while in Dundas, Ontario, at a bar called East Side Mario's.

• John sat out the 2004 season after having Tommy John elbow surgery.

• In 2005, John was chosen by Reds in the 42nd round of the draft. But he transferred to Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, closer to his home.  

• The Canadian native pitched for Melville (Saskatchewan) of the Western Major Baseball League before signing with the New York Yankees, and scout Mike Gibbons, on August 11, 2006. But he did not pitch until the fall. He was released by the Yankees after the 2007 season. "They told me in all honesty they had time and money invested in other players and it probably would be better for me to go to another organization," John said.

• In 2010, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook rated Axford as being the 23rd-best prospect in the Brewers organization.

• John Axford's love of film has its roots in a feel-good story about a father and son. During his childhood, when Axford's Dad would hit the road with his boy for youth baseball or hockey tournaments, they would gather movies to watch on their travels.

  "Not movies you'd really think a kid is going to like," Axford said with a smile.

  Axford recalls his father pulling old westerns from racks in gas stations during fuel stops, titles such as "Once Upon a Time in the West" or the "Man with No Name" trilogy, and becoming enthralled with the films. So inspired was Axford that he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in film and television from Notre Dame. 

• In the spring of 2009, Axford was just a year removed from being a cell phone salesman with a high-90s fastball and getting one last chance to make it in the game. He was pitching for the Brevard County Manatees. Lee Tunnell was the Minor League pitching coordinator for the Brewers.

  "He was very upright and he would get his arm slot up too high," Tunnell said. "I was talking to [then-Manatees pitching coach] Fred Dabney my first trip into Brevard, and wondering if we got him a little bit of forward posture with his body if it wouldn't get him into a better arm slot."

  The rest is Brewers history. With Dabney's and Tunnell's help, Axford discovered the command that had eluded him, and made it to the Majors at the end of 2009. In 2010, he took over as Brewers closer. In 2011, Axford converted 46 of 48 save opportunities to set a franchise record. 

• John is married; his wife's name is Nicole. Nicole delivery their first child, a son, John Brian Axford Jr., on June 6, 2011. Then less than a year later, in May 2012, she was ready to deliver another baby about six weeks early.

• John is a cult hero in part because of his mustache and his wild mane of hair. He also sometimes waxes his mustache, like Rollie Fingers. (April 23, 2011, by Tom Haudricourt)

• Axford, known among teammates as “Ax,” shaved off his trademark "Doc Holliday" mustache and goatee before the Brewers left on the trip for Phoenix and Los Angeles. (5/31/2012) Asked why he suddenly was throwing a bit harder, Axford smiled and said, "I don't know. Maybe the mustache was holding me back. I'm more aerodynamic now."

• John said in February 2013 that he believes he has a curse coming into spring training each year.  In 2010, he was involved in a 50-car pileup in Nebraska.  In 2011, he got food poisoning. In 2012, while trying to come back into the country for spring training, his son was refused admission because he did not have a passport. In 2013, his home was in turmoil because of what seemed to be a sinkhole consisting of a hole that was four feet by eight feet in diameter.

• In March 2013, John pitched for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. 

• John's Twitter account shows he is a big film buff.  He makes  annual Academy Awards predictions. In 2013, he will look to build on his previous years' successes.

  "I would have to go back and look, but the number 11 is stuck in my head—I think I was 11-for-13 the first year and 11-for-15 last year, but that was because I added a couple of extra [obscure] categories," Axford said. "I probably shouldn't have taken on Foreign Film."

  Axford has predicted Best Picture and Best Director winners each of the past two years. He said he's seen most of this year's Best Picture nominees and is rooting for a surprise winner: Quentin Tarrantino's Django Unchained, his favorite film of 2013.

  "That's who I'd like to win, but it isn't going to be my prediction," said Axford, who would only say this about his actual prediction: "It might have some Canadian ties."

  Argo? That film chronicles the rescue of Americans holed up in the Canadian Embassy in Tehran during the Iranian hostage crisis. Axford just smiled. He wasn't telling. "I still can't believe [director Ben Affleck] wasn't nominated for Best Director," he said.

• John said one of his dreams as a youth was to be a NHL hockey player.

• Despite losing his Notre Dame scholarship as a redshirt senior in 2005, he still earned a bachelor's degree in film, television, and theatre.

  And, get this, in March 2014, Axford correctly picked the Academy Award winners in 18 categories. He made his predictions public on Facebook and Twitter, the Sunday afternoon before the live awards show took place.

  However, hedid not pitch a true "perfect game" as the Academy Awards hand out 24 trophies. Axford didn't make predictions in six categories: Production Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Short-Subject Documentary. And he correctly picked 14 of 15 winners during the 2013 Academy Awards.

• Axford has a master's degree as well. And experience as an NBC intern and the title of executive producer on a documentary. The Milwaukee Film Festival has featured "John Axford Presents" the past three years. He collects so many films, "I'm going to need more shelves pretty soon." On team flights, he writes scripts.

  "I'd love to get on the writing side and hopefully, maybe eventually, be able to direct," he said. "But that side of the film industry might be harder to get into than Major League Baseball."

• Axford was away from the club for about a week of Spring Training 2015 helping tend to his 2 1/2-year-old son, Jameson, who had been bitten by a rattlesnake on the top of his right foot two times and was in a local hospital.

  Doctors thought their initial anti-venom treatment was effective, but there was more venom than originally expected. Axford said doctors have saved the foot, although there is concern about one of Jameson's toes. Axford spent most of the time at the hospital as his son struggled through pain and lack of sleep.

  Axford was thankful the situation turned positive. Well-wishes from fans, the organization, family and friends helped, and a toy version of the Rockies' triceratops mascot did wonders. "When he pulled Dinger out of the bag, it was the first time I saw him smile in four days," Axford said. "It was awesome. He pulled him out and even started roaring at me. Those moments are great to see."

  Axford believes Jameson accidentally stepped on the snake beside a bush by the back door of the house the family is renting in North Scottsdale. Axford had received a text from his wife while he was leaving the Rockies Spring Training complex. Nicole had called for help, which arrived within five minutes. Axford said Nicole practically lived at the hospital. In-laws were in town, watching the Axfords' other son, J.B., 4 1/2.

  Gardeners found the snake a couple of days later in the backyard. 

  Axford called the painful debridement treatment for the skin on Jameson's entire foot and into the ankle "pretty horrifying" before the decision was made to give him pain medication. Axford was there each day for support for Jameson and Nicole.

  "I wanted to give him support; the last thing I wanted to do is think about baseball, coming here during those times and moments, but things stabilized," Axford said.  "We're going by doctors' orders. They know more than we do. We're going to trust them to heal him the best way possible." (Harding - mlb.com - 3/31/15)

• Axford has worried about his hospitalized youngest son, 2 1/2-year-old Jameson, has been receiving treatment in a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital since being bitten twice on the top of his right foot by an adult rattlesnake on March 25. Jameson had undergone multiple surgeries, including one on April 6, 2015, that revealed more extensive tissue damage in the foot than was expected. He will be hospitalized for at least six weeks.

  The good news, Axford said, is that Jameson is not expected to require any amputations.  "It's better, but it's tough to say 'better,'" he said. "He's in a better spot than he could have been, that's for sure, with how bad it got for a couple days."

  At first, the situation was dire.  "They gave him six vials of anti-venom, thinking that would be enough," Axford said. "Twenty-six is what he ended up getting."

  Axford and his wife, Nicole, have been showered with well-wishes in the past two weeks, including many messages from former Brewers teammates and front-office employees. Before breaking camp, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke visited Jameson in the hospital.

  "'Ax' was one of those guys, not only did he perform well that first year I was here, but he's a great guy," Roenicke said. "He's a guy everybody likes. Any time those guys you really care about and like goes somewhere else, you want them to do well." (McCalvy - mlb.com - 4/7/15)

  John returned to action on April 23, missing just over two weeks of action while watching over his son.

  December 13, 2015: Little Jameson Axford is running around like a typical toddler these days, nine months after the son of reliever John Axford received a rattlesnake bite at spring training that threatened his life.

  "It definitely was a hard time," Axford said, "He spent a month in the ICU. We were worried initially about him even surviving the bite, then it turned to possible leg amputation to foot amputation to toe amputation. Each and every week the prognosis got better and better, so I’m happy to say he’s a really strong boy, a huge fighter and he’s jumping around and running around like a little 3-year-old should right now. Obviously, he still has some things that he’ll have to deal with when he gets a little bit older, and we’ll deal with those when it comes." (Janie McCauley, AP Baseball Writer )

• May 8, 2015: The young son of Rockies closer John Axford will finally get to see his dad pitch in person after spending the last two months in and out of hospitals for treatment of rattlesnake bites.

  Two-year-old Jameson Axford will be the guest of honor as he throws out the ceremonial at Coors Field before a game against the Dodgers in May 2015. The catcher?

  His father, of course.“I wouldn’t let anybody else do that,” said Axford, whose wife, Nicole, and 3-year-old son will be in attendance as well. “We want to make it special for the family and let the fans know that all the thoughts and prayers have helped the family,” team vice president Jim Kellogg said. (AP)

• July 3, 2015: Forget whatever pressure is supposed to come with pitching in the ninth, or any other inning. Axford finds pitching relaxing. Axford returned to the team after being away for three days to attend to what he called a matter that is "private with our family." Axford emphasized that his 3-year-old son Jameson, bitten by a rattlesnake during Spring Training, continues to recover and the absence was not because of a health concern.

  "It's been an escape, especially with everything that's been going on this year, starting in Spring Training," Axford said. "This has been kind of my haven, the place where I can go to get away. All these guys are my family. As cliché as it sounds, this is my home away from home. I'm comfortable here. I can focus on things I need to focus on and concentrate on my pitching."

  Jameson and his older brother, J.B., recently celebrated birthdays. As a sign of progress, Axford recently posted video of his son -- who is still in a cast as the skin on his foot re-forms -- taking his first steps since the incident: (T Harding - MLB.com - July 3, 2015) 

• When Axford's early foray into pro baseball didn't work out, he figured he would get on with that media career and put in applications any place he could think of in the Toronto area, where he is from and still lives in the offseason.  There weren't any responses.

  How bad were things? Well, when Axford was trying to survive in the Minor Leagues, he worked one winter selling cell phones and the next winter tending bar.  "There is better money in bartending than the Minor Leagues," he said.

  But the dream was baseball, and finally Axford caught that break. The Yankees signed him and he spent the 2007 season with four teams in their Minor Leagues before being released that fall, and picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers. Axford got to the big leagues for seven appearances, and the following year, he replaced expected Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman as the closer, earning 105 saves from 2010-12.

  Then came the challenges again. Axford split 2013 between the Brewers and the Cardinals. He split the 2014 season between the Indians and Pirates. Axford spent last offseason looking for work, finally getting an invite to Spring Training from the Rockies that quickly turned into a spot on the 40-man roster.

  In 2015, Axford was back on the top of his game, assuming the closer role after Adam Ottavino underwent Tommy John surgery. He was unscored upon in 14 of his first 16 appearances, giving up an earned run in one appearance and an unearned run in the other.

  And Axford has done it at Coors Field. He never balked at the idea of calling Coors Field home when he was looking for work in the offseason.  "It never bothered me to pitch there," said Axford, who has a career 3.10 ERA at Coors Field. "The only home run I've given up here is to Tulo, and he's my teammate now."

  But the image, the reputation? "I've gone through adversity," Axford said. And he has handled it well.  (Ringolsby - mlb.com - 6/2/15)

• Feb 26, 2017: A's reliever John Axford, the film buff who was a perfect 18-for-18 in Oscar predictions in 2014, has shared his full selections again ahead of the ceremony:

  Best Picture: "La La Land" Best Actor: Casey Affleck, "Manchester by the Sea" Best Actress: Emma Stone, "La La Land" Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali, "Moonlight" Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, "Fences" Best Director: Damien Chazelle, "La La Land" Best Cinematography: Linus Sandgren, "La La Land" Best Original Screenplay: Kenneth Lonergan, "Manchester by the Sea" Best Adapted Screenplay: Barry Jenkins/Tarell Alvin McCraney, "Moonlight" Best Animated Feature: "Zootopia" Best Foreign Feature: "The Salesman" Best Documentary Feature: "OJ: Made in America" Best Animated Short: "Piper" Best Live Action Short: "Sing (Mindenki)" Best Documentary Short: "The White Helmets" Best Film Editing: Tom Cross, "La La Land" Best Costume Designer: Madeline Fontaine, "Jackie" Best Production Design: David Wasco/Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, "La La Land" Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Joel Harlow/Richard Alonzo, "Star Trek Beyond" Best Original Score: Justin Hurwitz, "La La Land"Best Original Song: "City of Stars" by Justin Hurwitz/Benj Pasek/Justin Paul, "La La Land" Best Sound Editing: Robert Mackenzie/Andy Wright, "Hacksaw Ridge" Best Sound Mixing: Kevin O'Connell/Andy Wright/Robert Mackenzie/Peter Grace, "Hacksaw Ridge" Best Visual Effects: Robert Legato/Adam Valdez/Andrew R. Jones/Dan Lemmon, "The Jungle Book"

• Axford withdraws for the WBC: After making his spring debut on March 2, Axford spoke emphatically about representing Team Canada in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and he admittedly said on March 3, "seems awfully strange based on what I was saying yesterday."

  "I was very much looking forward to putting Canada across my chest," Axford said. "I still am, and hope that I can do that at some point. It is still something of pride for me to be able to do that and play for my country. The way things are going right now, it just didn't seem like it was going to be the right opportunity, the right timing." (Jane Lee - MLB.com - @JaneMLB - March 3rd, 2017)

• April 23-27, 2018: John was on the bereavement list.

• John is one of two native Canadians -- along with Russell Martin -- on the Blue Jays roster. So, of course he's excited to spend the Canada Day Weekend in Canada as the Blue Jays host the Tigers.

  Since the Blue Jays are MLB's only team in Canada, Axford seems committed to making sure his teammates are in on the national festivities. To that end, he has created a weekend clubhouse playlist of all Canadian artists for his teammates to enjoy -- or, endure -- before and after games. With 469 songs, though, at least it won't repeat.  (Chesterton - mlb.com - 6/29/18)

• Dec. 19, 2022: 16 months after undergoing surgery, former Brewers reliever John Axford has indicated that his goal is to pitch once again. He has his sights set on pitching for Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.  (Tyler Koerth)

• Axford committed to play for Canada in the 2023 WBC.
  
  
  

            TRANSACTIONS

• 2006: The Yankees signed him as a free agent.

• March 2009: The Brewers signed Axford after a scout was impressed with an indoor workout.

• January 18, 2013: John and the Brewers avoided arbitration by agreeing on a $5 million deal, plus incentives.

• August 30, 2013: The Cardinals sent a player to be named to the Brewers, acquiring Axford.

• December 15, 2013: Cleveland  reached an agreement with Axford on a contract for 2014.

• August 14, 2014: The Pirates picked up Axford off of waivers from the Indians.

• February 3, 2015: John and the Rockies agreed on a one-year, $2.6 million pact if he's added to the 40-man roster, along with a chance to earn performance bonuses.

• April 19, 2015:  The Rockies moved Axford to the restricted list, which means he can continue to care for his son, who is recovering from a rattlesnake bite. 

• November 25, 2015: Axford elected free agency.

• December 11, 2015: The A's signed free agent Axford to a two-year, $10 million contract.

• July 30, 2017: Oakland released Axford.

• Feb 9, 2018: For the first time in his career, John Axford will get the chance to play for his home country's Major League team. The Canadian free-agent reliever signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays that includes an invitation to big league camp.

• July 31, 2018: The Dodgers sent RHP Corey Copping to the Blue Jays, acquiring Axford.

• Oct 29, 2018: John chose free agency.

• Feb 16, 2019: The Blue jays signed free agent Axford.

• March 23, 2019: The Blue Jays released Axford.

  June 25, 2021: The Blue Jays organization signed free agent Axford.

• Aug. 2, 2021: The Brewers acquired veteran reliever John Axford from Blue Jays.

• Nov 3, 2021: John chose free agency.

• Axford has a 90-96 mph FASTBALL and a very good CURVEBALL. He also mixes in an occasional SLIDER.

• John needed to improve his control markedly. So in 2009, the Brewers had Axford lower his arm angle a bit and it really helped his command, as did a move to the bullpen.  

• 2016 Season Pitch Usage: 4-seam Fastball: 59.9% of the time; Sinker 13.3% of the time; Change 1.8%; Curve 9.7% of the time; and Cutter 15.4% of the time.

• In 2010, Axford became the closer for the Brewers, doing a fine job replacing icon Trevor Hoffman. He remained the team's closer through 2012.

  But after the first week of the 2013 season, John lost the closer's job to Jim Henderson. He had allowed four home runs this and had a 20.25 ERA in three outings. He has allowed eight hits and six runs in 2 2/3 innings.

• And in 2014, Axford lost the job as Indians' closer as of May 10. John was 1-3 with nine saves and a 4.91 ERA in 17 games in his first season with the Indians. 

• 2021 Season: Old man Axford left the Sportsnet control booth to make 10 appearances. He picked up a win and posted a 0.77ERA over 11.2IP. AxMan walked 3 batters, striking out 15 between the GCL and Buffalo.
  
  
• As of the start of the 2022 season, Axford had a career record of 38-34 with a 3.90 ERA, having allowed 50 home runs and 485 hits in 525 innings.  John had 144 saves in 183 attempts (78.7%).

• 2004: Axford tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and did not pitch that season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

• April 2-May 20, 2017: Axford was on the DL with a strained right shoulder. 

• Aug 14-Sept 17, 2018: Axford was on the DL with right fibula fracture.

• Aug 10, 2019: Axford was on the IL with season ending surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow.

• Aug 2, 2021: Axford recorded only one out and left the mound with Milwaukee’s assistant athletic trainer. Manager Craig Counsell said Axford experienced pain in the back of his right elbow while throwing the final handful of his 22 pitches and would undergo an MRI scan.

  Aug 3, 2021:  Axford is on the IL and is out for the season with significant structural damage in his right elbow per an MRI scan said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. It was a sad ending to what was an uplifting comeback story on Monday, when the Brewers traded $1 to the Blue Jays for 38-year-old Axford and brought their single-season saves leader back to Milwaukee for the first time since 2013.