Blue Jays: Is Fernandez or Tulo the Greatest Shortstop in Team History?
By Chris Mckee
Troy Tulowitzki or Tony Fernandez – which of these star shortstops would you rather have in your all-time Toronto Blue Jays line-up?
With the Toronto Blue Jays in the thick of a pennant race in late August, scrutiny becomes more intense towards each individual player’s performance. Whether it’s online, in the office or in bar rooms across Canada, everybody is now talking Blue Jays.
The likes of Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson have both put up MVP-like stats all season as per usual. However, one of the hottest Jays of late has been Troy Tulowitzki.
Over the past two weeks, Tulo has been red-hot, hitting .327 with four home-runs and 13 RBI’s, capped by his four-hit night against the Yankee’s earlier this week. One conception or belief that has been bandied about of late by fans and broadcasters alike, is that Tulowitzki has become the greatest shortstop in Blue Jays history.
However, before we anoint the 31-year old as the G.O.A.T, it’s only fair to lay out a comparison to the man who has been widely regarded as the greatest shortstop in the Blue Jays 40-year history – Tony Fernandez. Here are a few key categories to use to help compare the two players:
Fernandez vs. Tulowitzki:
- All-Star game appearances: Fernandez five vs. Tulowitzki five
- Gold Glove Awards: Fernandez 4 vs. Tulowitzki 2
- Career Batting Avg: Fernandez .288 vs. Tulowitzki .293
- Career Home runs: Fernandez 94 vs. Tulowitzki 214
- Career RBIs: Fernandez 844 versus Tulowitzki 737
- Major League Seasons: Fernandez 17 vs. Tulowitzki 11
- Career Stolen Bases (Speed): Fernandez 246 vs. Tulowitzki 57
Best Season Stats:
Fernandez (1986): .310 batting average, 10 home runs, 65 RBIs
Tulowitzki (2011): .302 batting average, 30 home runs, 105 RBIs
The Intangibles:
Fernandez was a switch hitter, who was equally as effective from either side of the plate. His defensive range was probably the best in the American League for his generation, and only Ozzie Smith may have been better defensively during his era.
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You’d also have to give the Dominican Republic native the edge in the style and swagger department. What left-handed batting kid who grew up in Toronto didn’t mimic his stance in the batter’s box, where he seemed to be barely gripping his bat?
Lastly, Fernandez pretty much invented the slap single. He would choke up to give the pitcher the appearance he was going to bunt, only to swing through and slap the ball into right field for a single.
Tulowitzki’s defensive range is comparable if not better than Fernandez, and he easily wins the argument as far as arm strength. The two-time Silver Slugger winner hits for a considerable amount of power and has already hit significantly more home runs than Fernandez, despite playing six less seasons.
The Winner:
Overall, Tulowitzki may be more of a fan favorite than Fernandez was at his peak, as heard by the fans at Rogers Centre constantly chanting the name “Tulo.” However, Fernandez still comes out as the winner for the best Blue Jays shortstop in franchise history.
Next: Predicting the remainder of the Jays schedule
Who would you rather have as your all-time starting shortstop for the Blue Jays – Tulowitzki or Fernandez? Let us know in the comments section below.