MLB History: Best Blue Jays Position by Position

Over the years the Jays have had talent at every position on the field.  I've decided to give my opinion on who I feel were the best at their position. Feel free to tell me who you would put on your Blue Jay All Star Team!

RH Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay spent 12 seasons as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.  He posted career stats of 148-76 with an E.R.A. of 3.43 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.  It's really too bad that he didn't stick around just 1 more season.  He may have put the Jays in a spot to clinch the A.L. East this season.

Best Of The Rest...

Dave Stieb, Roger Clemens, Pat Hentgen & Jim Clancy

LH Starting Pitcher: Jimmy Key

Considered to have one of the best Pick Off moves in Blue Jays History, Jimmy spent 9 seasons with the team before moving on to the New York Yankees in 1993.  Key posted career numbers of 116-81 with an E.R.A. of 3.42 as a member of Toronto.

Best Of The Rest...

John Cerutti, Ted Lilly, Al Leiter & Mike Flanagan

Catcher: Ernie Whitt

Probably one of the biggest fan favourites of all time, Ernie Whitt spent 12 seasons in Toronto from 1977-1989.  Ernie leads all Blue Jay Catchers in Home Runs having belted out 131 dingers, most of which came at Exhibition Stadium.  Ernie Whitt later went on to coach the Canadian National Baseball team and spent some time as a First Base Coach for the Jays.

Best Of The Rest...

Pat Borders, Darrin Fletcher, Greg Zaun & Buck Martinez

First Base: Carlos Delgado

Originally slotted to be the Blue Jays Catcher of the future, Delgado was moved to Left Field and didn't pan out.  Cito Gaston finally moved the slugger to First Base and the rest is history!  Carlos is the current Jays record holder for HR's (336), Doubles (343), RBI's (1058), BB's (1028), and unfortunately Strikeouts (1242)

The Best Of The Rest...

Willie Upshaw, Fred McGriff, John Olerud & Lyle Overbay

Second Base: Roberto Alomar

The 5 time All Star spent 1991-1995 as the starting Second Baseman for a very talented squad that won Back To Back World Series Titles in 92 and 93.  Roberto was most know for his sparkling defense and timely stolen bases, finishing second to only Lloyd Moseby for most stolen bases (206).  Had Alomar spent a few more years as a Jay, I'm sure he would've smashed a few Blue Jay Records along the way.

The Best Of The Rest...

Damaso Garcia, Aaron Hill, Orlando Hudson, Manny Lee

Shortstop: Tony Fernandez

One of my favourite Blue Jays of all time, Tony Fernandez played a record 1450 games as a Jay from 1983-2001.  Late in his career he made a move to Third Base when Tony Batista replaced him as the everyday Shortstop.  Along with Games Played, Tony also holds the Jays records for At Bats (5335), Hits (1583) and Triples (72)

Best Of The Rest...

Alfredo Griffin, Alex Gonzalez, Manny Lee & John McDonald

Third Base: Kelly Gruber

Kelly Gruber spent 9 seasons from 1984-1992 guarding the "Hot Corner" for the Jays.  After winning the World Series in 1992 his career came to an abrupt end after discovering he had a bone spur on his spine.

Best Of The Rest...

Ed Sprague, Eric Hinske, Troy Glaus & Rance Mulliniks

Left Field: George Bell

One of my most memorable George Bell moments came in 1985 when he clinched the final out to send Toronto to the A.L. Championships.  Bell hit a career 202 HR's for Toronto.  The charismatic outfielder also had a reputation for being a bit of a firecracker.  In 1985 during a Red Sox and Blue Jay game Bell charged the mound after Bruce Kison hit him with a pitch.  The result was a drop kick that even some WWE Superstars would've been proud of.

Best Of The Rest...

Al Woods, Shannon Stewart, Ricky Henderson & Adam Lind

Center Field: Vernon Wells

Toughest selection I had to make was for Center Field.  Vernon Wells was my choice.  I chose Vernon based on his Offensive Stats.  Wells is in the Top 5 Blue Jays in Career At Bats, Runs, Hits, Doubles, HR's & RBI's.  Although I loved watching "The Shaker" as a youngster, I couldn't ignore the contributions that Vernon has made to the Jays.

Best Of The Rest...

Lloyd Moseby, Devon White, Mookie Wilson & Otis Nixon

Right Field: Joe Carter

If you ask Mitch Williams who his favourite Blue Jay Right Fielder was, he would likely avoid the question.  Who could forget the Home Run that won it all in 1993!  Carter's 203 Home Runs as a Blue Jay rank him behind only Carlos Delgado and Vernon Wells. 

Best Of The Rest...

Jesse Barfield, Alex Rios, Shawn Green & Raul Mondesi

Designated Hitter: Paul Molitor

Molitor spent 3 seasons late in his Career with the Jays and won a World Series title in 93. He took over the DH spot from a fellow Hall Of Fame Inductee Dave Winfield who led the Jays to a World Series title the year before.  In his brief stint with the Jays he batted .315 in 405 games played.

Best Of The Rest...

Dave Winfield, Cliff Johnson, Jose Canseco & Frank Thomas

Closer: Tom Henke

Terminator, you could put him now but he's even better later!  "Terminator" Tom Henke gave fans a sense of relief when he'd run from the bullpen with the game on the line.  Nobody could do it better in my honest opinion.  Henke holds the Jays record for Saves with a whopping 217 for his Career, almost double what Duane Ward has.

Best Of The Rest...

Duane Ward, Billy Koch, B.J. Ryan & Kelvim Escobar