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Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Mon Feb 6, 2012 3:44 pm
by LittleOzzy
One underpublicized revelation out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ State of the Franchise event on Monday was that the club is considering adding Tom Henke’s name to its Level of Excellence.
It’s an honour that’s overdue for the top relief pitcher in Blue Jays history. A two-time all-star and member of the 1992 World Series-winning squad, the bespectacled closer racked up a franchise-leading 217 saves and compiled a tidy 2.48 ERA in eight campaigns in Toronto.
As early as this season, Henke could become the 10th member of an exclusive group of Jays immortalized at the Rogers Centre. George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar, Tony Fernandez, Cito Gaston, Pat Gillick, Paul Beeston and Tom Cheek are all currently celebrated on the club’s Level of Excellence.
The news that a ceremony for Henke could be in the works got me thinking about what other players are worthy of this honour.
Of course, a debate can be waged about what constitutes “excellence.” The names of serviceable, longtime Jays like Lloyd Moseby and Jim Clancy, for example, are sprinkled all over the Jays’ all-time, statistical leaderboards, but few would consider them to be “excellent.” Then there are players like Roger Clemens and Paul Molitor who were outstanding during their short tenures in Toronto, but, in my opinion, weren’t Jays long enough to merit a perpetual tribute from the club. And if there was a “Level of Very Good” at the Rogers Centre, Shawn Green, John Olerud, Duane Ward and Fred McGriff would surely be on it.
http://www.thecheapseats.ca/2012/02/one ... is-co.html
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Mon Feb 6, 2012 5:53 pm
by Al_Oliver
that's great, but when will the team reach the level of excellence?
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Mon Feb 6, 2012 7:06 pm
by Parataxis
Heinke absolutely deserves to be there - as does McGriff eventually (Of course, McGriff also deserves to be in the HoF, but that's another debate entirely).
If we're talkingn a Level of Very Good, I'm surprised that Key's name isn't mentioned.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Mon Feb 6, 2012 9:53 pm
by Randle McMurphy
Delgado should be on there.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 12:04 am
by OldNo7
"Jays considering hypnotizing fans to get them to spend more at the ballpark".
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 1:52 am
by HangTime
Should we retire some of the level of excellence numbers?
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 2:15 am
by UN-Owen
I don't think McGriff spent enough time with the Jays to be considered
But why aren't Moseby and Barfield on the Level of Excellence?
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 2:45 am
by jaymeister15
OldNo7 wrote:"Jays considering hypnotizing fans to get them to spend more at the ballpark".
Do people really need to make the same old Roger's is cheap jokes in every thread? We get it. It's making this board pretty unreadable imo when the same comments are made in every thread, even if it has zero to do with the topic.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 8:05 am
by JYD
UN-Owen wrote:I don't think McGriff spent enough time with the Jays to be considered
But why aren't Moseby and Barfield on the Level of Excellence?
The Shaker was my favorite Jay growing up. I remember this one game where we went down 4-0 in the top of the first..then he tied it with a slam on a rising fastball that was at his eyeballs...it was the biggest successful hack at a bad pitch I can remember. My memory is a little foggy though..at first I thought we went down 6-0 and he tied it in the first with a slam, then I found this..this must have been it:
http://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/01/sport ... n-row.html
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 11:20 am
by OldNo7
jaymeister15 wrote:OldNo7 wrote:"Jays considering hypnotizing fans to get them to spend more at the ballpark".
Do people really need to make the same old Roger's is cheap jokes in every thread? We get it. It's making this board pretty unreadable imo when the same comments are made in every thread, even if it has zero to do with the topic.
I think it has everything to do with the topic, because I dont believe Henke should be up there. Especially not before Delgado.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 9:29 pm
by BobbyBoy
They should put Halladays number up there. Same Jose. (when both retire). Ohh and do you think Halladay would go in to the hall of fame (assuming he makes it, which he should) as a jays or a phillie? I guess it depends on if he wins a championship there.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 9:38 pm
by MGD24
OldNo7 wrote: because I dont believe Henke should be up there. Especially not before Delgado.
Wow...The Terminator totally belongs up there! Sure you may think Delgado belongs up there too (and I agree, one day)...but Henke had his time (8 solid years, 1 World Series) and justly deserves to be up there.
HangTime wrote:Should we retire some of the level of excellence numbers?
but the Jays don't retire numbers.
UN-Owen wrote:But why aren't Moseby and Barfield on the Level of Excellence?
I agree...those two were great...that whole OF of Bell, Moseby and Barfield was amazing.
Re: Blue Jays considering Tom Henke for Level of Excellence
Posted: Tue Feb 7, 2012 10:36 pm
by LittleOzzy
HangTime wrote:Should we retire some of the level of excellence numbers?
Not unless they make the HOF as a Jay.
The bar has been set.