Did This MLB Player Play For The Toronto Blue Jays?
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Sports
Don't let the miserable 2017 season fool you, the Toronto Blue Jays franchise has had its share of success on the field. The lone Canadian Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise won the American League East division in 2015 and came within two wins of reaching the World Series that year and made the playoffs for a second consecutive year in 2016 by winning the Wild Card play-in game and defeating then defeating the Texas Rangers once again in the divisional series, before losing to the Cleveland Indians. Sure, there was a 22-year playoff absence prior to that, but the Blue Jays of the early 1990s were the league's most dominant teams and have back-to-back World Series championships to prove it.
Since the team was founded in 1977, it has had numerous high-profile players wear some variation of its blue, white, and red uniform. You probably have an easy time recalling the franchise's all-time great players like Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay, Joe Carter, Vernon Wells, and even more recently Edwin Encarnacion, but how well do you know the all-time great players and others who spent only a few seasons in Toronto? Was Frank Thomas a Blue Jay at one point in his career? Did Canadian Larry Walker play for the team? Test your knowledge here!
Did Eric Hinske play for the Blue Jays?
A 17th round selection of the Chicago Cubs in the 1998 MLB Amateur Draft, Eric Hinske is currently a base coach with the team, although he never actually played for them during his 12-year playing career. After three seasons in the Cubs minor league system, the third baseman was dealt to the Oakland Athletics for Miguel Cairo. He was traded twice more throughout his career and ended up playing for seven different teams. He retired in 2013 as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Did Tim Lincecum play for the Blue Jays?
Once the most dominant pitcher in the league, Tim Lincecum's career flamed out quickly due to a series of injuries. The former University of Washington hurler was a first-round pick in 2006 and reached the majors the following season, recording 150 strikeouts in only 146 and one-third innings. He won the Cy Young Award in each of the following two seasons and led the league in strikeouts for three consecutive years. However, following a disastrous 2012 campaign, his numbers began to decline across the board; in 2016, with the Los Angeles Angels, he posted a brutal 9.16 ERA through nine starts and allowed 68 hits in 38 and one-third innings.
Did Alex Rios play for the Blue Jays?
A two-time MLB All-Star and one-time World Series winner, Alex Rios is a Puerto Rican outfielder who was drafted out of high school in the first round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft. It took him until the middle of the 2004 season to finally crack an MLB roster, but when he did he proved he was worth the wait. He finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2004 and continued to progress through the years. In 2012, Rios had a career year with the Chicago White Sox as he hit 25 home runs and drove in 91 runs.
Did Jason Frasor play for the Blue Jays?
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Jason Frasor attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and pitched well enough to earn the attention of MLB scouts. Even still, as a 33rd round pick in the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft, he was considered a long-shot to make the big leagues. Yet, fast forward 18 years later and Frasor is a retired veteran of 12 seasons. Frasor pitched all of his 646 and two-thirds innings out of the bullpen and recorded a career record of 35-35 to go along with a 3.49 ERA.
Did Eric Gagne play for the Blue Jays?
A native of Montreal, Canada, Eric Gagne was one of the most dominant relievers of his era - and perhaps of all-time. The three-time All-Star recorded at least 45 saves in three consecutive seasons from 2002 to 2004 and, in 2003, led the National League in saves with 55 and won the Cy Young Award as he allowed only 37 hits in 82 and one-third inning and struck out 137 batters. The 10-year veteran retired in 2008 with a career ERA of 3.47 and 187 saves.
Did Dustin Pedroia play for the Blue Jays?
Big things come in small packages and that's certainly the case with 5-foot-9 Dustin Pedroia, a second baseman who was selected in the second round of the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft. Since making his big league debut in 2006, Pedroia has won the American League Rookie of the Year, four Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and Most Valuable Player award. Through 12 seasons, the California native has a .301 career batting average to go along with 140 home runs, 718 RBI, and 915 runs scored.
Did Frank Thomas play for the Blue Jays?
"The Big Hurt," as he was affectionately known due to his ability to smash the ball out of the park, Frank Thomas is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, five-time All-Star, two-time Most Valuable Player, four-time Silver Slugger, and one-time winner of the Batting Title for highest batting average - he posted a remarkable .347 average in 1997 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Through his 19-year career, Thomas posted a .301 batting average to go along with 521 home runs, 1,704 RBI, and 1,494 runs scored.
Did Joey Votto play for the Blue Jays?
Arguably the best Canadian-born hitter of all-time, Joey Votto is a Toronto-born first baseman and five-time All-Star, though you could easily make the argument that he could have been named an All-Star in nine of his 11 seasons in the league. Votto had his best year in the league in 2010, when he won Most Valuable Player after recording 37 home runs and 113 RBI to go along with a league-best 1.024 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). To date, the 33 year old has 255 career home runs and 823 RBI.
Did Orlando Hudson play for the Blue Jays?
A one-time long-shot to make the MLB, Orlando Hudson was a 43rd round pick in the 1997 MLB Amateur Draft who blossomed into a starting second baseman after five seasons in the minor leagues. The native of Darlington, South Carolina reached the big leagues in 2002 as a defensive specialist, but proved himself capable at the plate. He won four Gold Gloves in a span of five seasons and was named an All-Star in 2007 and 2009 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers respectively.
Did Roger Clemens play for the Blue Jays?
Depending on who you ask and what their perception is on baseball's steroid era, Roger Clemens is either the greatest pitcher to ever step on a mound or a cheater unworthy of remembering as an all-time great. There's no middle ground. Either way, the numbers and accolades he produced throughout his 24-year career are unmatched. "The Rocket" is a one-time Most Valuable Player, seven-time Cy Young winner, and two-time Triple Crown winner as the leader in wins, strikeouts, and ERA.
Did David Wells play for the Blue Jays?
A three-time All-Star and former American League Championship Series winner, David Wells was selected in the second round of the 1982 MLB Amateur Draft and, despite his relatively nonathletic build, enjoyed a lengthy 21-year career in the league in which he played for nine different teams. The native of Torrance, California amassed a career win-loss record of 239-157 to go along with a 4.13 ERA. He retired at 44 years old in 2007 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Did Madison Bumgarner play for the Blue Jays?
A first-round pick in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft, Madison Bumgarner has proven himself as one of the game's elite playoff performers. The four-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion has a career playoff win-loss record of 8-3 to go along with a 2.11 ERA and an impressive WHIP (walks/hits per inning pitched) of 0.899. He was the MVP of both the 2014 National League Championship Series and World Series. Through nine big league seasons, Bumgarner has a regular season record of 103-75 and an ERA of 3.02.
Did Jose Cruz Jr. play for the Blue Jays?
The third overall pick of the Seattle Mariners in the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft, Jose Cruz Jr. played his collegiate ball at Rice University and spent only two seasons playing in the minor leagues before making his professional debut in 1997. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting that season as he hit an impressive 26 home runs and 68 RBI. He played for nine teams throughout his 12-year career and won a Gold Glove in 2003 with the San Francisco Giants. He retired in 2008 with a career batting average of .247, 204 home runs, and 624 RBI.
Did Giancarlo Stanton play for the Blue Jays?
A 27 year old outfielder currently playing for the Miami Marlins, Giancarlo Stanton is one of the most feared hitters in the game. The California native had 208 career home runs before the start of the 2017 season and, as of September 11, had hit a career-high 54 to go along with 113 RBI, also a career high. Stanton's previous career-best totals in the two categories was 37 and 105, both of which he accumulated in 2014, when he finished second in National League Most Valuable Player voting.
Did Mike Napoli play for the Blue Jays?
A 17th round selection of the Anaheim Angels in the 2000 MLB Amateur Draft, Mike Napoli made his big league debut with the team in 2006 and hit an impressive 16 home runs and 42 RBI. He has since played for three other teams and amassed 267 home runs, 744 RBI, and a .246 batting average through 12 seasons. He has twice hit 30-plus home runs in a single season, including in 2016, when, as a member of the Cleveland Indians, he hit 34 and drove in 101 runs.
Did Chris Carpenter play for the Blue Jays?
A two-time World Series champion, Chris Carpenter is a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher who was originally drafted 15th overall in the 1993 MLB Amateur Draft out of Trinity High School. He made his big league debut four seasons later, appearing in 14 games and allowing a whopping 108 hits in only 81 and one-third innings. He consistently improved throughout his career to the point where he won a Cy Young Award in 2005 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired in 2012 with a career record of 144-94 and an ERA of 3.76.
Did Aaron Hill play for the Blue Jays?
A veteran infielder who has played second base, shortstop, and third base throughout his 13-year big league career, Aaron Hill was a first-round pick in the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft. An alumnus of Louisiana State University, Hill made his big league debut in 2005 and had a career-best year in 2009 as he finished 12th in American League Most Valuable Player voting following a 36-home-run, 108-RBI season. The 35 year old spent the first half of the 2017 season with the San Francisco Giants.
Did Rich Hill play for the Blue Jays?
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rich Hill was drafted three times before finally agreeing to a contract with the Chicago Cubs, the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft. The left-handed pitcher made his big league debut with the club three years later and has since pitched for eight teams, compiling a career record of 47-36 to go along with an ERA of 4.03. Interestingly enough, he spent much of his early career as a relief pitcher before becoming a dominant starter in the past few seasons.
Did Adam Loewen play for the Blue Jays?
Adam Loewen might have the most interesting career of all-time. The Canadian pitcher was the fourth overall pick in the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft and reached the big leagues four seasons later, but was hampered by injuries that ultimately ended his career on the mound in 2008. However, a talented hitter in high school, Loewen transitioned to becoming an outfielder and eventually reached the big leagues for a brief stint after two seasons in the minor leagues. He returned to pitching a few years later and, by 2015, had reached the big leagues again, this time as a pitcher, bringing his career full circle.
Did Brett Lawrie play for the Blue Jays?
Another talented Canadian, Brett Lawrie was drafted 16th overall as a catcher in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, but eventually transitioned to third base. The Langley, British Columbia native appeared in 43 big league games in 2011 and posted impressive numbers the following year in his first full season in the league. However, he was never quite able to improve upon those first season numbers and was recently released by the Chicago White Sox, despite being only 27 years old.
Did Khris Davis play for the Blue Jays?
A 29 year old native of Lakewood, California, Khris Davis is one of the American League's best power hitters. The former seventh-round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers made his MLB debut in 2013 and has consistently improved his home run numbers from year to year. After hitting 11 in his rookie season, Davis posted home run totals of 22, 27, and 42 in the following years. With over 20 games remaining in the 2017 season, he had 39 home runs and 101 RBI to go along with a .242 batting average.
Did Brad Wilkerson play for the Blue Jays?
A first-round draft pick of the Montreal Expos, Brad Wilkerson was a left-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman who graduated from the University of Florida and spent three seasons in the minor leagues before earning full-time playing status with the Expos in 2002, when he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 20 home runs and driving in 59 runs. Wilkerson went on to play for four teams throughout his eight-year career and accumulated 122 home runs and 399 RBI.
Did Ryan Dempster play for the Blue Jays?
Originally selected in the third round of the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft by the Texas Rangers, Ryan Dempster began his big league career as a starting pitcher - and was named an All-Star in 2000 as a 23 year old - and transitioned into a closer for a three-year period before becoming a starter once again to close out his career. In total, the Canadian compiled a 132-133 record and 87 saves through 16 seasons. He retired in 2013 as a member of the Boston Red Sox.
Did Raul Mondesi play for the Blue Jays?
Not to be confused by his son, Raul Mondesi Jr., who is currently a member of the Kansas City Royals, Raul Mondesi Sr. was an outfielder who played 13 seasons in the MLB for seven different teams from 1993 to 2005. A native of the Dominican Republic, the outfielder won Rookie of the Year in his first full season after hitting 16 home runs and driving in 56 runs to go along with a .306 batting average. He finished his career with 271 home runs and 860 RBI.
Did Vladimir Guerrero play for the Blue Jays?
Vladimir Guerrero is more than the father of current Blue Jays top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In fact, during the height of his career, Vladdy, as he was affectionately known, was one of the game's most feared hitters. A right-handed batting outfielder from the Dominican Republic, he is a nine-time MLB All-Star who won eight Silver Slugger awards as well as the 2004 American League Most Valuable Player; that season, he hit 39 home runs, scored a league-best 124 runs, and drove in 126 runs. He retired in 2011 after a 16-year career in which he compiled 449 home runs and 1,496 RBI.
Did Jose Canseco play for the Blue Jays?
Despite his link to steroids and the subsequent circus that surrounded both his professional and personal life, Jose Canseco was quite the sight to see at the plate. The outfielder and designated hitter was originally drafted in the 15th round of the 1982 MLB Amateur Draft by the Oakland Athletics and went on to hit 462 home runs and drive in 1,407 runs throughout the course of his 17-year career. He won American League Most Valuable Player in 1988 after leading the league in both home runs (42) and RBI (124).
Did Brad Fullmer play for the Blue Jays?
A second-round selection of the Montreal Expos in the 1993 MLB Amateur Draft, Brad Fullmer is a former first baseman and designated hitter who played for four teams during his eight-year MLB career. He finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in his first full season with the Expos as he hit 13 home runs and recorded 73 RBI to go along with a .273 batting average. He had the best season of his career two years later as he finished the campaign with 32 home runs, 104 RBI, and a .295 batting average.
Did Randy Johnson play for the Blue Jays?
Nicknamed "The Big Unit" due to his lanky 6-foot-10, 225-pound frame, Randy Johnson was a second-round pick of the Montreal Expos in the 1985 MLB Amateur Draft. Unfortunately for the Expos, the team traded him halfway into his first full season with the team, and he subsequently developed into a superstar. Johnson pitched 22 seasons in the league for six different team and compiled a career ERA of 3.29 to go along with a record of 303-166. He ranks 21st all-time in wins by a pitcher and is a five-time Cy Young winner.
Did C.C. Sabathia play for the Blue Jays?
The 2007 American League Cy Young winner, C.C. Sabathia has been one of the league's most consistent starting pitchers for nearly two decades. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in his first season in the league and has since been named on All-Star in six separate seasons. The 37 year old has a career record of 234-146 to go along with an ERA of 3.71. He has also accumulated 2,825 strikeouts in 3,295 innings. He's set to become a free agent following the 2017 season.
Did Bartolo Colon play for the Blue Jays?
Jokingly referred to as "Big Sexy" for his 5-foot-11, 285-pound frame (although the listed weight is certainly generously low), Bartolo Colon is one of the most beloved pitchers in the game. He seemingly always has a smile on his face and is an absolute pleasure to watch when he's in the batter's box as he boasts a miserable career batting average of .085. On the mound, however, he has been a consistent starting pitcher who continues to be effective, despite the fact he's 44 years old.
Did Travis Snider play for the Blue Jays?
The 14th overall selection in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft, Travis Snider is a 29 year old outfielder who has been out of the league since 2015. A once-promising prospect, Snider, whose nickname is Lunchbox due to his affinity for food, had a breakthrough season in 2010 in which he hit 14 home runs and drove in 32 runs, but injuries kept him from holding down a full-time starting job in the outfielder. He has a career batting average of .244 to go along with 54 home runs and 212 RBI.
Did Jay Bruce play for the Blue Jays?
A first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft, Jay Bruce is a 30 year old outfielder from Beaumont, Texas who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger finished in the top 10 of Most Valuable Player voting in 2012 and 2013 and he hit 30-plus home runs in each season and recorded a combined 208 RBI. To date, Bruce has 274 home runs and 827 RBI through 10 big league seasons.
Did Adam Lind play for the Blue Jays?
A consistent hitter, Adam Lind is a 34 year old who currently plays for the Washington Nationals in a bench role and has an impressive .297 batting average to go along with 11 home runs and 48 RBI. The first baseman and designated hitter was originally selected in the third round of the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft and has since hit at least 20 home runs in six separate seasons, including a career-best 35 home runs and 114 RBI in 2009. Throughout his 12-year career, Lind has a .272 batting average as well as 197 home runs and 712 RBI.
Did James Paxton play for the Blue Jays?
An alumnus of the University of Kentucky, James Paxton was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays out of high school in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, but instead opted to play a year of college baseball. Upon being drafted, Paxton made his big league debut three seasons later and has since been a consistent starting pitcher, albeit one who has suffered with injury problems throughout his career. However, he has been one of the American League's best pitchers in 2017 with a 12-3 record to go along with a 2.78 ERA to go along with 138 strikeouts in 119 and two-thirds innings.
Did Tony Batista play for the Blue Jays?
An infielder from Dominican Republic, Tony Batista is a two-time MLB All-Star who made his big league debut in 1996 as a member of the Oakland Athletics. He hit only 10 home runs in his first two seasons in the league, but eventually developed into a power-hitting third baseman capable of hitting 30-plus home runs. He had a career year in 2000, when he hit 41 home runs and drove in 114 RBI. Throughout his 11-year career, Batista has a .251 batting average to go along with 221 home runs and 718 RBI.
Did Nelson Cruz play for the Blue Jays?
A 37 year old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, Nelson Cruz took a little while to become a premier hitter in the MLB, but has maintained his status as one of the game's best power hitters into his late 30s. The five-time All-Star and former American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player hit 40-plus home runs in the past three seasons and, as of September 11, led the American League in RBI with 107. To date, he has 316 home runs and 902 RBI.
Did Michael Saunders play for the Blue Jays?
A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Michael Saunders was selected in the 11th round of the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft out of Lambrick Park Secondary School. The outfielder had the best season of his career in 2016 as he was named to his first All-Star team and hit 24 home runs and 57 RBI. His career took a downturn this past season as he was demoted to the minor leagues, but has since resurfaced. To date, Saunders has a career batting average of .233, 81 home runs, and 263 RBI.
Did Larry Walker play for the Blue Jays?
A native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Larry Walker is one of the best Canadian baseball players of all-time. The former right fielder and first baseman, Walker is a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove recipient who won National League Most Valuable Player in 1997 as a member of the Colorado Rockies. He retired in 2005 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals after a 17-year career in which he hit 383 home runs, recorded 1,311 RBI, and scored 1,355 runs.
Did Justin Morneau play for the Blue Jays?
A four-time All-Star and former American League Most Valuable Player, Justin Morneau retired following the 2016 season, ending a 14-year career in which he accumulated 247 home runs, 985 RBI, and a .281 batting average. The New Westminster, British Columbia native was originally drafted in the third round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft by the Minnesota Twins; he had his MVP season in 2006 as he hit a career-high 34 home runs and 130 RBI. He ranks sixth all-time on the Twins' career RBI list.
Did Troy Glaus play for the Blue Jays?
Originally drafted third overall by the Los Angeles Angels in the 1997 MLB Amateur Draft, Troy Glaus made his big league debut the following season, playing 48 games for the Angels. He hit only one home run that year, but proved himself a dominant power hitter the following year by hitting 29 home runs. He led the American League the following year with 47 home runs and topped 30 five more times throughout his 13-year career. Glaus retired following the 2010 season as a member of the Atlanta Braves.