Toronto Blue Jays All-Time Team: Part One – The Outfield

In part one of our definitive guide to the Toronto Blue Jays’ all-time team, we take a look at the outfield.

I’ve seen a few lists floating around online, but some have the feel of a quick google search for the best stats of past Toronto Blue Jays and listed players who have no real significance to the history of the franchise and the city.

Being born and raised in Toronto and having watched somewhere in the range of 3,000 Jays games in my life time (approx 100 games a year over 30 plus years), I feel confident in declaring that this is the official all-time Toronto Blue Jays roster:

Left Field: George Bell 1981, 1983-90

Resume: 1987 AL MVP, 3 X All-Star (87,90,91).

2 X AL East Division Champion (85,89)

The Why?: He’s George Freaking Bell! One of the reasons the city of Toronto loves their Blue Jays is because of Bell. 

Without his leading the charge along with Lloyd Moseby and Jesse Barfield in the team’s greatest outfield combo of all-time, perhaps the city isn’t as invested in the Jays as we are today.

Bell set the standard for the franchise being competitive year in and year out from 1984 through 1990 and laid the foundation for success for the World Series years that followed. 

The hair, the swag, the epic baseball card pics, his swing, his hat falling off on every fly ball and that catch in 1985 to seal the team’s first ever pennant. 

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
• Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
• Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
• Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback

Centre Field: Devon White 1991-95

Resume: 3 X AL East Division Champion (91,92,93), 3 X World Series Champion (Toronto 92,93 & 97 with Florida), 3 X All-Star (89,93,98) and 7 X Gold Glove Winner.

The Why?: Devo is by far the smoothest cat ever to put on a Blue Jays uniform. I’ve never seen a player in Toronto’s history glide across the outfield with such style and swagger, with a certain gracefulness to it all.

Most people remember the catch against the wall in Game three of the 92 World Series against Atlanta, but the image of White effortlessly catching a 365 feet pop flies at his belt is the image that is entrenched is my mind.

He was a switch hitter that could hit for power and average from both sides of the plate and he could steal a few bases. Devo oozed swag.

Right Field: Joe Carter 1991-97

Resume: 3 X AL East Division Champion (91,92,93), 2 X World Series Champion (92,93), 5 X All-Star (91-94,96).

The Why?: In the words of Choclair, “With two outs I hit a home run to left field, like Carter did Philly.” Some will say Robbie Alomar, but in my mind Carter is the greatest Blue Jay of all-time.

Aside from perhaps hitting the biggest home run in the history of the sport, he was clutch in key moments every season. Whenever the game seemed lost, Joe would muscle a single to opposite field over the second baseman’s head to provide hope for the team.

Carter also was one of the first American athletes in the city’s history that really embraced the people of Toronto. You never heard stories of Joe wanting to be a Yankee or looking to play in a bigger market, he embraced Toronto and we embraced him.

If you could point to one single person who helped turn Toronto from American Jr. into having an identity of its own, it’s Carter. If he doesn’t hit that home run off Mitch Williams, do you think all those new condo’s along Queens Quay or surrounding the Dome in the downtown core are there today?

Probably not. Joe not only transformed this franchise, he transformed the city of Toronto. 

Next: Encarnacion will get his big payday, but not from the Jays

Do you agree with our picks for the outfield? Or is there anyone else you think is worthy of inclusion, and if so, why? Let us know in the comments section below.