Carlos Delgado to be added to Level of Excellence

[baulderdash77]

Blue Jays-Official ‏@BlueJays
The @BlueJays will honour @carlosdelgado21 as the 10th member of the Level of Excellence on Sunday, July 21, 2013. pic.twitter.com/4v231Vhg

The ceremony will take place on July 21st and the first 20,000 people will get commemorative baseballs. This was a no brainer as Carlos was easily the best offensive player that we've ever had. His 4 home run game is one of the most memorable games in Blue Jays history.

I'm really glad that they did this & I think the timing is right now.

Delgado made his debut in 1993 and would remain with the club for 12 seasons finishing as the franchise leader in home runs (336), RBIs (1,058), walks (827), slugging percentage (.556), OPS (.949), runs (889), total bases (2,786), doubles (343), extra base hits (690), times on base (2,362), hit by pitch (122), intentional walks (128) and at bats per home run (14.9).

[JoeyBats]

My favourite player growing up, still remember that 4 homerun game against Tampa-bay.

[Secueritae]

My favourite player growing up, still remember that 4 homerun game against Tampa-bay.

Same here, when he became a free agent in 2004 I was really sad knowing the Jays were not going to re-sign him.

[LittleOzzy]

Well deserved.

I'm so happy the Jays save the Level of Excellence for truly the best of the best.

A lot of franchises out there honour too many former players. The Jays truly stick to the best.

[Redeemer]

best hitter the jays ever had. glad he's gonna be remembered.

[BigLeagueChew]

What a beast Delgado was with us, his year 2000 season was outstanding . 344 avg/.470 OBP/.664/SLG/1.134 OPS with 41 home runs

Just for fun, here is MVP Miguel Cabrera's stat line for 2012 as comparison

.330 avg /.393 OBP/.606 SLG/.999 OPS with 44 home runs

[wtcantfw]

What a beast Delgado was with us, his year 2000 season was outstanding . 344 avg/.470 OBP/.664/SLG/1.134 OPS with 41 home runs

Just for fun, here is MVP Miguel Cabrera's stat line for 2012 as comparison

.330 avg /.393 OBP/.606 SLG/.999 OPS with 44 home runs

It's crazy to think Delgado came in 4th in MVP voting that year.

[Skin Blues]

Considering he was 7th in WAR in the American League, maybe it's not that crazy. Steroids are a hell of a drug.

[Randle McMurphy]

Considering he was 7th in WAR in the American League, maybe it's not that crazy. Steroids are a hell of a drug.

More like juiced baseballs make a huge difference.

But congrats to Carlos...one of the best Blue Jays of all time and one of my personal favourites.

[Gibby]

Well deserved

[James_Raptors]

I'm very pleased to hear about this.

[SharoneWright]

He had the original contract that hamstrung the franchise's ability to spend (not his fault) which forced the Jays to trade (my favourite player at the time) Shawn Green, and he wouldn't stand for God Bless America -- other than that, great Jay!

[Redeemer]

green left because he wanted to play in his hometown of LA.

[Hoopstarr]

Great player, great guy.

[evilRyu]

well it was definitely inevitable.. very happy about this.

[CapeCrusader]

Well deserved. Great timing.

[number15]

where would you rank Delgado as an all time Blue Jay.... rank him by number

[Rhettmatic]

Really glad to hear it. I was an Expos fan at the time but I still loved Carlos Delgado.

[James_Raptors]

Really glad to hear it. I was an Expos fan at the time but I still loved Carlos Delgado.

That explains alot

[Tyrone Slothrop]

where would you rank Delgado as an all time Blue Jay.... rank him by number

Depends if you go by only their careers with the Jays or careers with other teams as well (the obvious example there would be Alomar, as he is probably the best player to wear a Jays uniform in his prime but only played here for 5 years.)

Looking only at their careers with the Jays, I think Halladay is number 1, and then maybe between Delgado, Bell, Stieb and Fernandez for number 2? I would put Delgado at number 2.