Blue Jays Top 5 First Basemen of All Time

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

4. Willie Upshaw

Willie Upshaw was drafted by the Yankees in 1975. Pat Gillick astutely acquired him for the Blue Jays via the 1977 Rule V draft.

The results did not come immediately and Upshaw struggled over his first three seasons with the Jays. The organization’s patience paid off, however, as Upshaw transformed into the team’s starting first baseman from 1982 to 1987.

Upshaw’s strongest career season season came with the Blue Jays in 1983 when he had a .887 OPS, hit 27 home runs and posted a 4.7 WAR. He was also the first Blue Jay to crack 104 RBI in a season.

Defensively, Upshaw improved as his career went on. His best dWAR of 0.6 came in his last year as a Jay in 1987.

He was purchased by the Indians from the Jays in 1988. He played his last MLB game that year. Upshaw went to Japan for the 1989 and 1990 seasons and retired thereafter. Upshaw has been a coach for the Giants and most recently he was the manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Among Blue Jays’ first basemen all-time he ranks 4th in WAR, 2nd in PAs, 2nd in RBI and 1st in SB

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