Top-5 Blue Jays that deserved a longer Hall of Fame look
By Craig Borden
# 4 Tony Fernandez
Best Ballot Year 0.7 %
Years on Ballot – 1
One of the Blue Jays franchise favorites was signed as an amateur free agent in 1979. After making his debut in 1983 and becoming a regular in 1984 he would become the face that most Jays fans associate with the position of shortstop. His smooth swing and slick defense became a staple for the Jays for years. In the coming seasons he would be a spark plug to the offense and provide Gold Glove heroics in the field.
More from Jays Journal
- Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
- Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
- Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
- Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
- Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King
Fernandez was eventually shipped to the Padres in “The Trade” that brought Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar to Toronto. Tony continued to play great baseball in his post-Blue Jays career but also managed to make 3 more appearances in a Jays uniform before he retired in 2001 with the Jays. He currently owns Blue Jays records in games played and hits while he stands 3rd in batting average. After a 17-year career, Fernandez posted a WAR of 45 and a .288 batting average with 2276 hits.
Fernandez’s career resume includes the .288 lifetime batting average, 5 All-Star games, and 4 Gold Gloves.
Comparable Players that got more consideration for the Hall of Fame would be Alan Trammell. Similar career numbers but you are trading offense for defense. Trammell provided more pop than Fernandez but also managed to win some Gold Gloves. He was the direct competition most years for Fernandez in the field but Fernandez had the dazzle level defensively.
Next: Number 3: The No-Hit Wiz!