Title: Sports History: The Best Blue Jays Pitchers of All-Time
Debates over the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time have always been a trending topic in baseball history. With all the strong-shouldered men who stood over the pitching mound for years, it’s undeniable that the Rogers Center has produced many icons that made an impact on the sport.
If you ask any baseball fan whether throwing a sharp curveball is considered an art form, you can already picture the entire sports bar giving you a thunderous and resounding ”yes”.
Though many baseball enthusiasts agree about many things on the field, certain aspects about one’s favorite athlete may bring forth disagreements and contrasting opinions. This phenomenon is common in any competitive affair and for baseball, a sport that demands precision and accuracy in throwing the perfect pitch, it often sparks a debate especially for the most die-hard fans.
For many Blue Jays fans, unity usually begins when the team in their typical white and blue come out to the field. However, if you’re not familiar with the Toronto Blue Jays, asking their fans about the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time might generate different answers. Since the team played their first game on a snowy day in 1977, they were able to amass a huge number of fans who grew up admiring and choosing their favorite players over the years.
That’s why in this list, we’ve come up with the best Blue Jays pitchers of all time while taking into account all the legends who have graced the field since the team’s debut. We would not be ranking them as each pitcher has their specific aptitude and athletic prowess that landed them on this list (which we will also briefly talk about in this article).
When you hear the phrases “Toronto Blue Jays” and “best pitcher”, Roy Halladay is usually the icon that would first come to mind for many people who have been fans of the team for years. Born as Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III, he was given the nickname “Doc” by announcer Tom Cheek which is a reference to Wild West gunslinger “Doc Holliday”.
He is known as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era and was an eight-time All-Star. He was able to lead his league in complete games seven times which was more than any pitcher after 1945. Halladay is considered one of the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time for his incredible ability to throw a vast variety of pitches in both corners of the field. According to many sports historians, “Doc” is truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of athlete.
Much like Roy Halladay, David Andrew Stieb has left his mark among many Blue Jays fans across the globe. One of his most iconic moments was when he pitched the first and only no-hitter in Blue Jays history, defeating the Cleveland Indians in a game of 3-0.
Stieb played for the Jays from 1979 to 1992 and again in 1998 . He was known for his ability to strike batters out with his incredible fastball and his dominant splitter. Stieb’s athleticism resonated through his ability to pitch efficiently deep into games. The Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year Award was bestowed to him in 1982 and he was also given seven All-Star selections in his career.
Nicknamed as “The Terminator”, Thomas Anthony Henke is considered one of the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time for his dominating fast ball that can instantly strike out batters. He also had a devastating slider and was capable of slamming the door on opponents.
Henke became iconic for wearing large-rimmed glasses in games which never seemed to affect the way he performed. He stood 6’5” feet tall and casted an imposing figure which made him a feared closer in his era. He played for the Jays from 1985 till 1992 and became an All-Star selection twice in his career .
Patrick George Hentgen played for the Toronto Blue Jays for 10 seasons after his athletic debut in 1991. He won three All-Star selections and won the Cy Young Award in 1996. His remarkable competitive spirit and ability to pitch while under pressure was what made him stand out as a player in his time.
Hentgen’s loyalty to the Blue Jays can be seen even until today as he’s currently a special assistant to the organization. This was after he was replaced by Bob Stanley as The Blue Jays’ bullpen coach in 2014.
When talking about the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time, one of the most prolific left-handed players that left a mark in the field is James Edward Key. Key played for the Jays from 1984-1992 and has four All-Star selections under his belt.
His ability to be precise and control his throws would often keep hitters off-balance. Key could change the speed of his throws whether it was a sinker or a curveball which made it difficult for batters to predict his next move. To fans, this was one of the many reasons why Jimmy was one of the most exciting pitchers to step on the mound.
David Wells
Win/loss record: 239–157
Win/loss record: 239–157
Earned Run Average: 4.13
Strikeouts: 2,201
Strikeouts: 2,201
All-Star pitcher David Wells has come to be a legend for being one of only 23 pitchers in MLB history to pitch a perfect game and a two-time World Series champion. For this he is also considered one of the best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time and is undoubtedly a legend in the sport.
He debuted for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987 as a reliever and again in 1999 with records of 17-10 and 20-8 over the succeeding two years. During his second time around, Wells appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated right before the 2000 All-Star Game.
Roger “Rocket” Clemens is considered not only one of the Best Blue Jays pitchers of all-time but also one of the most decorated players in his era. He was given eleven All-Star selections, seven Cy Young awards, and is also a two-time World Series champion.
He also became the first pitcher in MLB history to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game which resulted in being on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline “Lord of the K’s”. Clemens has always been known for his competitive nature and hard-throwing pitching style, which intimidated almost every batter to come across him in the field.
Overall, the Toronto Blue Jays have had a number of outstanding pitchers throughout their history. While some might argue that some of their top picks have not made it into this list, it’s undeniable that the Rogers Center has the ability to produce some of the finest and most remarkable athletes ever to walk the field.
Though the team has had its ups and downs over the years, the excellence of its pitchers remains a constant source of pride for fans. Whether you're a longtime Blue Jays fan or new to the team, it's impossible not to appreciate the talent and tenacity of these amazing pitchers.
Though the team has had its ups and downs over the years, the excellence of its pitchers remains a constant source of pride for fans. Whether you're a longtime Blue Jays fan or new to the team, it's impossible not to appreciate the talent and tenacity of these amazing pitchers.
