- Dave Stieb has the most bWAR of any player in Blue Jays history.
- Roy Halladay and Roberto Alomar are the only former Blue Jays players to have their numbers retired.
- Carlos Delgado has the most plate appearances and the best OPS in franchise history.
Since their first season in 1977, the Toronto Blue Jays have won two World Series and provided two American League MVP winners. Often a team to look out for in World Series odds, Toronto has been home to some iconic baseball players.
From the glories of 1992 and 1993 through to Hall of Fame performers in the 21st century, numerous great players have pulled on the Blue Jays jersey.
I have compiled my list of the seven greatest Blue Jays of all time:
Best Toronto Blue Jays Players of All Time
| Rank | Player | Position | Blue Jays Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roy Halladay | Starting Pitcher | 1998-2009 |
| 2 | Dave Stieb | Starting Pitcher | 1979-1992, 1998 |
| 3 | Jose Bautista | Right Fielder | 2008-2017 |
| 4 | Carlos Delgado | First Baseman | 1993-2004 |
| 5 | Tony Fernandez | Shortstop | 1983-1990, 1998-99 |
| 6 | Jimmy Key | Starting Pitcher | 1984-1992 |
| 7 | Roger Clemens | Starting Pitcher | 1997-1998 |
1. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay trails Dave Stieb in multiple franchise categories, but Halladay takes the top spot here due to his peak. He won the 2003 Cy Young with an MLB-leading 266 innings and had two more top-three finishes.
Pitchers in MLB HISTORY with 5 seasons of 200+ Ks and less than 40 walks:
1) Roy Halladay
That's it. That's the list. pic.twitter.com/yW0kRYWXCL
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 17, 2020
Halladay posted a 133 ERA+ during his time in Toronto, which is well clear of Stieb’s mark. There’s no right answer, but I just give Halladay the edge.
2. Dave Stieb
Dave Stieb is the franchise leader in bWAR with 56.8. He’s pitched the most innings, has the most strikeouts, and has by far the most shutouts.
Stieb had plenty of highs, including twice leading the American League in ERA+, but he had just two finishes in the top five of Cy Young voting. He was a true workhorse, yet a career 123 ERA+ isn’t quite enough for No. 1 on my rankings. 3. Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista’s legacy is much more than a huge bat flip and a brawl with Rougned Odor. Bautista has the most bWAR among all Blue Jays position players, plus he earned six straight All-Star selections from 2010 to 2015.
After leading MLB in OPS and crushing 43 homers, Bautista was arguably unlucky to miss out on the MVP award in 2011. He received MVP votes in three other seasons as a Blue Jay and was integral in two teams that reached the ALCS.
4. Carlos Delgado
Leading the franchise in OPS (.949), plate appearances (6018) and home runs (336), Carlos Delgado had to be included among the greatest players in Blue Jays history.
20 years ago today: Carlos Delgado’s FOUR homer game! 💪 pic.twitter.com/MLtyjBjWzV
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 25, 2023
Delgado led the league in OPS in 2003 and was unlucky to finish as runner-up to Alex Rodriguez in MVP voting. With such spectacular offensive production, it’s remarkable Delgado was only named an All-Star on two occasions.
5. Tony Fernandez
Tony Fernandez has the second-most bWAR among Blue Jays position players. Fernandez was an elite defender at shortstop, winning four straight Gold Gloves between 1986 and 1989, and earning three All-Star selections in that period.
Offensively, the Dominican held his own with a 106 OPS+ as a Blue Jay. He ranks third in plate appearances and sixth in batting average in franchise history.
6. Jimmy Key
Third in pitcher bWAR behind Halladay and Stieb, Jimmy Key was a two-time All-Star as a Blue Jay and pitched to a 2.66 ERA across six World Series appearances on his way to two rings.
Key is tied with Stieb for the third-best ERA in franchise history. Just three pitchers have started more games for the franchise.
While he went on to play for the Yankees and Orioles, Key’s best season was in 1987 with Toronto, when he won the ERA title and finished second in Cy Young voting.
7. Roger Clemens
This is the most controversial selection of my rankings, seeing as Roger Clemens only spent two seasons as a Blue Jay. Clemens won the Cy Young in each of those years, however, pitching almost 500 regular season innings with a 196 ERA+.
#OTD 27 years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Roger Clemens to a three-year, $24.75-million contract.#BlueJays pic.twitter.com/iv1MdDuYS4
— Kevin Glew (@coopincanada) December 13, 2023
Only six pitchers in franchise history have amassed more bWAR than Clemens. David Wells, who was the main piece Toronto received when they traded Clemens, went on to finish third in Cy Young voting as a Blue Jay in 2000.
He might not have the counting stats of others, but Clemens is clearly one of the best Blue Jays ever, even if steroid allegations keep him out of Cooperstown.