My All-Time Toronto Blue Jays All-Stars
I’m 31 years old, and as most of you are aware, a life-long Toronto Blue Jays fan. And with Carlos Delgado being added to the Level of Excellence at Rogers Centre today I’ve been thinking about the best players I’ve seen in a Blue Jays jersey in my time as a fan.
Note: The All-Star Game last week has also been a big influence in these thoughts.
1b – #25 Carlos Delgado: King Carlos carried the team during most of his tenure in Toronto. It’s true that we never made it to the playoffs in his years here (I don’t count 1993 as a Carlos year even though he has a World Series ring) but he should have been the MVP in 2003 and racked up many club records from the batter’s box.
2b – #12 Roberto Alomar: The only player in the Hall of Fame wearing a Blue Jays cap, Robbie was the best baseball player on the field when he wore our uniform. His speed, defense, hitting chops and baseball IQ were off the charts and his McCain Punch commercial is Hall of Fame worthy all on its own.
3b – #17 Kelly Gruber: He of the Golden Mullet. Kelly was a 2-time All-Star, won a Gold Glove & Silver Slugger award and a World Series ring in 1992. His best years came between 1989 and 1992 before he was traded to the Angels and a back injury ended his career. Gruber was a fan favourite (especially among the ladies) and, in my eyes, earned his spot on this list.
SS – #1 Tony Fernandez: 4-time All-Star. 4-time Gold Glove winner. Most games played as a Blue Jay. World Series Winner. Number 1 in your program and in your heart. Tony F was a fan favourite and because of the revolving door at shortstop in the years that followed his retirement, remains the best I’ve seen in my years as a fan.
C – #12 Ernie Whitt: This was actually the hardest to pick for me because I was at the perfect age to fall in love with Pat Borders when the Blue Jays won in 92 and 93. But Ernie was a long-time player, leader, hitter and great receiver for the team’s best pitchers pre-1990. And as my friend and MoBro, Sean Boulton pointed out on the Twitter: “WAR’s not the only factor, but 19.5 to 4.5. Pretty huge advantage.”
LF – #11 George Bell: The first and only Toronto Blue Jay to be named AL MVP in 1987, Bell was part of the best outfield in the history of the team with Lloyd Moseby and Jesse Barfield and was a big part of the Blue Jays becoming popular in the Dominican Republic. He hit the ball hard, he played hard and in 1985 he caught the flyball that clinched the division and finally put the team into the playoffs for the first time.
CF – #10 Vernon Wells: Go ahead, bring the heat. I know that Vernon played his way out of favour in Toronto after J.P. Riccardi signed him to that HUGE contract. But if you take an objective look at what V-Dub did while he was here you can not deny his place among all-time Blue Jays. His D was outstanding (3-time Gold Glove winner), he hit (2003 Silver Slugger), he was a 3-time All-Star and he was a good teammate.
RF – #19 Jose Bautista: The fact that Joey Bats is a current Blue Jay should not disqualify him from this group. It was hard to pick him over Shawn Green and Joe Carter who were great players in TO. But Jose is a marquee player who has shouldered the load and has picked Toronto on a long term deal to push for success. Bautista’s 4-time All-Star status, 2 Home Run King titles, laser beam arm and enthusiasm are key factors to his inclusion here.
Pitchers – #32 Roy Halladay: Cy Young Winner, 6-time Toronto All-Star, leader and franchise record holder with a 22 win season.
#37 Dave Stieb: Best of the 80’s, should get more HoF talk, only no-hitter in Blue Jays history, 5 no-hitters broken up in the 9th inning, 7-time All-Star.
#22 Jimmy Key: 2-time All-Star with the Blue Jays, World Series Champion, dependable, sturdy and my favourite left-handed pitcher as a kid.
#50 Tom Henke: The Terminator, 1st big time Blue Jays closer, huge arm, 1992 World Series Champ.
Did I get the list right? I don’t know.
Did I get it wrong? I don’t think so.
Would you do it differently? Probably.
So tell me – who did I get wrong and who would you replace them with?
creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.
Should have said also that Ernie played about 2/3 more games for the Jays than Borders did – has to factor in.
Solid list. I’d only have two differences, and they’re both probably as much about me being older than anything else:
3B – I’d have to take Rance Mulliniks. Ideally, I’d take the two-headed Gance Mullinorg monster, but I think Rance would be my choice even on his own.
RF – I think Jose will take this spot eventually, but he doesn’t have the longevity as a Jay yet for me. I’d go for Barfield – I think people forget just how good a player he was.
Both Rance and Jesse would be great choices. I loved Jesse as a part of that outfield trio with George and Lloyd – his arm was the best in baseball without a doubt. Rance was a little long in the tooth when I start remembering him – but those glasses were the bees knees.
I’m sorry but there is too rich a history and great players to just pick on player per position. I did a dream 40 Man Roster. Here it is.
My Personal 40 Man Blue Jays All Time Roster
Pitchers
1. 47 Morris, Jack
2. 57 Guzman, Juan
3. 41 Hentgen, Pat
4. 19 Viola, Frank
5. 48 J.A. Happ
6. 62 Aaron Loup
7. 31 Brandon Lyon
8. 38 Darren Oliver
9. 43 R.A. Dickey
10. 37 Jo-Jo Reyes
11. 24 Ricky Romero
12. 32 Halladay, Roy
13. 27 Cecil, Brett
14. 44 Janssen, Casey
Outfielders
Left
1. 23 Stewart, Shannon
2. 11 Rajai Davis
Center
1. 22 White, Devon
2. 23 Bautista, Jose
Right
1. 20 Green, Shawn
2. 29 Carter, Joe
Utility
1. 1 Nixon, Otis
2. 7 Jose Reyes
3. 45 Travis Snider
4. 25 Henderson, Rickey
Infielders
First
1. 19 Olerud, John
2. 26 Lind, Adam
Second
1. 2 Alomar, Roberto
2. 66 Munenori Kawasaki
Third
1. 17 Gruber, Kelly
2. 13 Brett Lawrie
Shortstop
1. 1 Fernandez, Tony
2. Alex Gonzalez
Catchers
1. 37 Borders, Pat
2. J.P. Arencibia
D.H.
1. 35 Thomas, Frank
2. 33 Canseco, Jose
Utility
1. 3 Maicer Izturis
2. 9 Zaun, Gregg
3. Edwin Encarnacion
4. Yunel Escobar