This piece was originally posted January 19, 2007. Since then, not much has changed.
Yesterday Jays broadcaster Jamie Campbell put together his all time favourite Jays list. While not a bad list, I happen to disagree on a few selections. Obviously leaving Kelly Gruber off the list for 3B is at best a slap in the face and, let me be frank, at worst an atrocity. Let me now present to you my all time favourite Jays team.
ROTATION:
1. Roy Halladay
2. Dave Stieb
3. Roger Clemens – the most dominant pitching seasons ever turned in by a Jay
4. Pat Hentgen
5. Jimmy Key
Sentimental pick(s):
Jim Clancy – The first Jays starter to have a real sniff at success if I recall correctly
John Cerrutti
Doyle Alexander
Mike Flanagan – He was the epitome of the crafty lefthanded pitcher
Todd Stottlemyre -I loved his bloodied up chin from his headfirst slide in the World Series
MIDDLE RELIEVER:
Duane Ward
Sentimental:
Jim Acker – When his sinker was on, it was one of the best in baseball. But..wow, did he ever give up a lot of home runs in retrospect.
Mark Eichhorn – I loved, absolutely loved his funky sidearm delivery as a kid growing up
CLOSER:
Tom Henke – The Terminator had a 10.295k/9IP rate. Amazing.
Sentimental:
Billy Koch – I liked the cut of his jib. And 100mph fastball.
BJ Ryan – His 2006 season was one of the greatest seasons by a relief pitcher in baseball history.
FIRST BASE:
Carlos Delgado
Sentimental:
Fred McGriff
SECOND BASE:
Roberto Alomar: You were expecting Joe Lawrence?
Sentimental:
Orlando Hudson – The O-Dog can pick it!!!
THIRD BASE:
Kelly Gruber – you are kidding me if you think anyone else belongs here
Sentimental:
Rance “Tight Pants” Mullinks
The “Greatest Blue Jay of All Time” Scott Rolen
SHORT-STOP:
Tony Fernandez
Sentimental:
Alfredo Griffin
CATCHER:
Ernie Whitt
Sentimental:
Pat Borders
Gregg Zaun
Rick Leach
Charlie O’Brien
Buck Martinez
Darrin Fletcher
Greg Myers
Ken Huckaby – for what he did to Jeter
(I like me some Jays catchers)
LEFT-FIELD:
Jorge Bell – best Rule V pick ever?
Sentimental:
Joe Carter
CENTRE-FIELD:
Devon White – As my Dad always says, he was as fast as greased lightning.
Sentimental:
Lloyd “Shaker” Moseby
RIGHT-FIELD:
Jose Bautista
Sentimental:
Jesse Barfield – Huge cannon! (That’s what she said)
Shawn Green
Junior Felix
DESIGNATED HITTER:
Paul Molitor
Sentimental:
Candido Maldonado
COACHING STAFF:
Bobby Mattick, Brian Butterfield, Al Widmar, Brad Arnsberg, Mel Queen, Cito Gaston (as hitting coach)
