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Blue Jays: The All-Time Forgotten Players in Franchise History

By David Corcoran

2 May 1998: Outfielder Jose Canseco of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
2 May 1998: Outfielder Jose Canseco of the Toronto Blue Jays in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport /
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Toronto Blue Jays’ second baseman Homer Bush makes the double play on Oakland A’s left fielder Terrence Long during second inning American League play in Toronto, Canada, 15 August, 2001. AFP PHOTO/J.P. MOCZULSKI (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI / AFP) (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays’ second baseman Homer Bush makes the double play on Oakland A’s left fielder Terrence Long during second inning American League play in Toronto, Canada, 15 August, 2001. AFP PHOTO/J.P. MOCZULSKI (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI / AFP) (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /

More infielders

Second Base – Homer Bush (1999-2002)
Best Season: 1999 – 26 doubles, 55 RBI, 32 stolen bases, .320 AVG and .353

Blue Jays fans got two incredible seasons of watching Roger Clemens pitch in Toronto and win two Cy Young Awards in 1997 and 1998.  However, after the second season Clemens requested a trade, which the Blue Jays made happen.  In return for Clemens they got starting ace David Wells, reliever Graeme Lloyd, and a 26 year old second base prospect named Homer Bush.

Bush jumped into the line-up and excelled immediately.  He had 35 extra base hits his first year, including four triples as well as 32 stolen bases.  It looked as though Toronto had their second basemen that could be an All-Star for years to come, however hip injuries would cause him to miss significant amount of time.  Bush was never able to player an entire season for his career and the Blue Jays released him midseason in 2002.

Third Base – Tony Batista (1999-2001)
Best Season: 2000 – 32 doubles, 41 home runs, 114 RBI, .263 AVG and .307 OBA

It would be hard to forget Tony Batista as he had such an unforgettable batting stance.  His batting stance was so bizarre it would drive little league coaches mad as kids were emulating it during their games.

Midway through the 1999 season the Blue Jays acquired Batista from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Plesac.  In just 98 games to finish that year he hit 25 doubles and 26 home runs and established himself as an everyday player.  The next season, Batista broke out immediately as he hit a walk off home run on opening day.

Batista wound up hitting 41 home runs that season and at that time it was the fifth most in a season by a Blue Jay. He is also currently tied with Josh Donaldson with most home runs by a Blue Jays third basemen in a single season.

In 2001, Batista couldn’t keep up his hitting and after starting the season batting .207 he was placed on waivers at the end of June and he was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles.

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