Toronto Blue Jays all-time roster: Shortstop – Tony Fernandez (1983-1990, 1993, 1998-1999, 2001)
Tony Fernandez had four different stints with the Toronto Blue Jays. Given his production, it is understandable why they would keep bringing him back.
A solid player throughout much of his career, Fernandez was at his best with a Blue Jay uniform. He made four All-Star Games, won four Gold Gloves, and was a catalyst in the lineup. A solid contact hitter with speed and a bit of pop, Fernandez was quite adept at putting the ball in play and moving the runners along.
Yet, he was more than just a contact hitter. Fernandez was a speed threat, routinely stealing twenty or more bases. He led the league in triples in 1990 and even hit double-digit home runs twice. Overall in Toronto, Fernandez had a .297/.353/.412 batting line, hitting 291 doubles and stealing 172 bases.
Defensively, Fernandez saved 51 runs at short, and even filled in at third and second later in his career. He routinely outperformed the league average in range factor and in the more traditional fielding percentage and certainly deserved more than those four Gold Gloves that he won. In a time of defensive specialists at short, Fernandez was one of the best.
When one thinks of the all-time great Toronto Blue Jays, Tony Fernandez may not immediately spring to mind. However, as the Blue Jays career leader with a 35.1 WAR, he could stake a claim to that title.
Next: Time for a bat flip