Toronto Blue Jays All-Time Team: Part Three – The Pitchers and DH
By Chris Mckee
In part three of our definitive guide to the Toronto Blue Jays’ all-time team, we take a look at the pitchers and DH.
In part two of the Toronto Blue Jays’ All-Time Team, we examined the infield greats in franchise history. Next up, with the benefit of 3000 plus games of research, here is the Blue Jays‘ all-time starting rotation, relief pitcher and DH:
The starting rotation:
P – Dave Stieb 1979-92, 1998
Resume: 3 X AL East Division Champion (1985,91,92), 1992 World Series Champion, 7 X All-Star (1980,81,83-85,88,90)
The Why?: Stieb is the Blue Jays’ all-time leader in wins (175), ERA (3.42) and strikeouts (1658), to name just a few key stats. He was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in the 1980s and one of the key figures that made the Blue Jays franchise what it is today.
Steib was the first Jays pitcher to pitch a no-hitter, along with three epic 8 2/3 inning efforts. In addition, he stood out due to his great mane of hair.
However, he was also well-known to Jays fans for his other ‘habit’ while on the mound. John Candy perhaps said it best to Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: “Larry Bird doesn’t do as much ball handling in one night as you do in an hour.”
P – Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay 1998-2009
Resume: 2 X Cy Young Award Winner, 8 X All-Star (2002,03,05,06,08-11),
The Why?: Halladay was pretty much the only reason to watch a Jays game for the better part of a decade. Their best win total during Doc’s tenure as a Blue Jay was 88.
Doc holds the franchise record with 22 wins in 2003 and also won 20 in 2008. He was just flat-out dominant.
Halladay is quite simply a once in a generation type pitcher. Can you imagine what his numbers would be if he was pitching with the support of today’s batting line-up?
P – Jimmy Key 1984-92
Resume: 3 X AL Division Champion (1985,91,92), 2 X World Series Champion (1992,96)
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The Why?: The third spot in the rotation could never be held by a steroid user who didn’t endear himself to the people of Toronto. I believe this spot is better served being held for the crafty lefty Key.
Key was an integral part of making this franchise what it is today. His consistency was amazing, including winning 12 or more games in eight of his nine seasons in Toronto.
No pitcher in Jays history has thrown the junk as well as Key. And to top if all off, the guy was pure class all the time.
Relief Pitcher – Tom Henke 1985-92
Resume: 3 X AL East Division Champion, 1992 World Series Champion, 2 X All-Star (1987,95)
The Why?: The Big Man Henke is the franchise leader in all-time saves (217) among other stats. He was simply lights out.
You could literally turn off the TV and go to bed once the bullpen gate opened and you saw those glasses. Henke was that good.
The Kansas City, Missouri native isn’t in this slot without the existence of Duane Ward. However, if I had to pick one pitcher to pitch one inning from every Jay in franchise history; it’s Henke.
DH – Edwin Encarnacion 2009-16
Resume: 2015 AL East Division Champion, 3 X All-Star (2013,14,16)
The Why?: Part of me wanted to put Cliff Johnson in this slot, but the vast majority of Jays fans would probably say “huh?” EE has had five straight seasons of at least 34 home runs or more, which puts him in third place all-time in franchise history.
Encarnacion’s style and swagger is akin to the Jays of yesteryear ie. George Bell and Cecil Fielder. Let’s just hope this season isn’t the end to his resume as a Blue Jay.
Next: Blue Jays All-Time Team – The Infield
Do you agree with our picks for the starting rotation, reliever and DH? Or is there anyone else you think is worthy of inclusion, and if so, why? Let us know in the comments section below.