The Dream Team Project: Toronto Blue Jays

In order to deepen my appreciation for baseball and its history, I have embarked on an effort to create a “dream team” for each franchise in the American and National Leagues, from the time it began play in its current location, or from 1947 (whichever is earlier). I present each team in batting order (the starting pitcher bats 9th), and include three more starting pitchers, five relief pitchers, as well as the best player, hitter, and fielder (and pinch hitter, if necessary) not in the starting lineup.

* = Left-handed batter or pitcher. # = Switch-hitter.

Toronto Blue Jays (from 1977)

1. Tony Fernandez, SS (1983-1990, 1993, 1998-1999, 2001) #
2. Roberto Alomar, 2B (1991-1995) #
3. Jesse Barfield, RF (1981-1989)
4. Carlos Delgado, 1B (1993-2004) *
5. Vernon Wells, LF (1999-2010)
6. Ernie Whitt, C (1977-1989) *
7. Kelly Gruber, 3B (1984-1992)
8. Lloyd Moseby, CF (1980-1989) *
9. Dave Stieb, P (1979-1992 & 1998)

Player: Devon White, CF (1991-1995) #; Hitter: George Bell, LF (1981, 1983-1990); Fielder: Alex Rios, RF (2004-2009); Pinch hitter: Fred McGriff, 1B (1986-1990) *

Other starting pitchers:

• Roy Halladay (1998-2009)
• Jimmy Key (1984-1992) *
• Pat Hentgen (1991-1999 & 2004)

Relief pitchers:

• Tom Henke (1985-1992)
• Duane Ward (1986-1993 & 1995)
• Mark Eichhorn (1982, 1986-1988, 1992-1993)
• Scott Downs (2005-2010) *
• Paul Quantrill (1996-2001)

The Toronto Blue Jays all-time roster is well-balanced (between hitting and pitching, and righties and lefties) but not overly dependent on its back-to-back World Series championship teams, which utilized the “rented veteran” technique to perfection. Joe Carter’s home run will always be a Blue Jay highlight, in other words, but Canada’s flagship franchise can boast some of the best hitters, fielders, and pitchers of the past thirty years. This dream team has one of the deepest outfields I’ve seen so far; it will become even more crowded when Jose Bautista forces his way into the lineup. The starting pitching could be extended with hurlers like Jim Clancy, Juan Guzman, and David Wells.

Can any of our readers guess the only Canadian born player on this roster? Hint: he attended both high school and university in Wisconsin (which is not Canada).

Good times …