RIP: Blue Jays Legend Tony Fernandez

Dennis 37 · Post #41 » by **Dennis 37** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 4:49 pm

My favourite Blue Jay. Although distance prevented me to go to many games in the 80's, I saw or listened to, almost every TV or Radio broadcast form 84 onward through the championship years.

His defensive style of play was simply beautiful.

GED Education · Post #42 » by **GED Education** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 5:03 pm

UnRealGM wrote:One of my fave jays from the b2b teams, and one of the greatest walk-up songs of all time as well: "don't be afraid to stand alone - in God's eyes you're a hero". You certainly are, Tony. Rest in Peace.

I don't think was on those teams. He was dealt with Fred McGriff for Alomar and Carter to the Padres.

Edit: I totally forgot he was reacquired for the 2nd world series win.

Scott Hall · Post #43 » by **Scott Hall** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 5:41 pm

Read on Twitter

Double Bubble · Post #44 » by **Double Bubble** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 7:28 pm

Was he not with the team since the 80s and thus would have won in 92 as well?

Dennis 37 · Post #45 » by **Dennis 37** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 7:38 pm

Double Bubble wrote:Was he not with the team since the 80s and thus would have won in 92 as well?

He was traded with McGriff for Alomar and Carter. Trade probably made due to having too much talent at first base with Olerud hitting near 400.

We got him back in 93.

OAKLEY_2 · Post #46 » by **OAKLEY_2** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:54 pm

SHFT wrote:Too young to remember those titles and I dont rly know who the guy is but anyone who helps bring a Toronto team to glory deserves nothing but respect.

RIP.

Sent from my LG-H915 using RealGM mobile app

L-E-G-E-N-D.

Post #47 » by **Duffman100** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:58 pm

My favourite player growing up. So sad.

Post #48 » by **Duffman100** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:59 pm

Dennis 37 wrote:
Double Bubble wrote:Was he not with the team since the 80s and thus would have won in 92 as well?

He was traded with McGriff for Alomar and Carter. Trade probably made due to having too much talent at first base with Olerud hitting near 400.

We got him back in 93.

That was the best part. We won the trade and then paired him with Alomar to make the best defensive 2B/SS in the league. One of the best in history.

OAKLEY_2 · Post #49 » by **OAKLEY_2** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:03 am

Dennis 37 wrote:
Double Bubble wrote:Was he not with the team since the 80s and thus would have won in 92 as well?

He was traded with McGriff for Alomar and Carter. Trade probably made due to having too much talent at first base with Olerud hitting near 400.

We got him back in 93.

The Jays and Pat Gillick had a pipeline to Dominican Republic talent (like Africa with MU) and Robbie Alomar was a generational talent who the Padres got. Robbie Alomar might be the best player in baseball I have ever seen. It did sort of suck in one way because Robbie was a second baseman who covered half of shortstop and they backfilled the rest with hitting lightweight Manuel Lee. Those were the days.

raptors2019 · Post #50 » by **raptors2019** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:06 am

A Blue Jays legend. Retire his number maybe?

Very sad

RIP Tony

rapsdontlie · Post #51 » by **rapsdontlie** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:08 am

I remember being sad when I found out that Fernandez and McGriff were leaving the team. I was 9 years old and didn't know what a trade really was. Didn't care who the new guys were. Just sucked that two guys who I admired were gone.

RyderMike · Post #52 » by **RyderMike** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:26 am

Tony Fernandez Jays records:

Most Games Played, Season 163*
Most Games Played, Total 1,450
Most At-Bats, Season 687
Most Hits, Total 1,583
Most Triples, Season 17
Most Triples, Total 72

*That 163 is a bit of a trivia question. One game was stopped for rain in the 9th inning with a tiescore. It was replayed in full the next day and that was the game that counted for the standings, but because the first game was regulation length it counted to players' stats.

13th Man · Post #53 » by **13th Man** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:29 am

Dennis 37 wrote:
Double Bubble wrote:Was he not with the team since the 80s and thus would have won in 92 as well?

He was traded with McGriff for Alomar and Carter. Trade probably made due to having too much talent at first base with Olerud hitting near 400.

We got him back in 93.

Yep, glad we got him back in 93 and he was instrumental in helping us win another World Series. I was a huge Blue Jay fan in the 80s with Bell, Mosely, Barfield, Stieb etc. Tony Fernandez was always a solid player that you could count on both at the batters box and defensively. He seemed like a classy gentleman as well.

RIP Tony Fernandez, way too soon.

Tacoma · Post #54 » by **Tacoma** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 2:30 am

If I had to chose my favorite Blue Jays player ever, it would be Tony. He was like Kawhi in some ways - not a great communicator but approaches the game quietly & methodically without fanfare with high work ethic and the result is a star player both on offense and defense. And he takes it up a notch in the playoffs for good measure.

Of all the players on that 1993 Championship team, I was most happiest for Tony because of his long tenure as a Jays All Star, then getting traded, then coming back being an instrumental player to earn that ring. A humble person, great role model, a Champion. Respect. RIP.

And1Skip · Post #55 » by **And1Skip** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 3:02 am

Has there even been a star short-stop that had strong side-arm throw like Tony did? Maybe Tulo? Man, I swear, back when I was a kid everyone mimic'd Tony's side arm throw. First Fernandez, then Alomar at 2nd..then both of them together in 93. We were pretty spoiled back then. RIP Tony Fernandez

Coco Costanza · Post #56 » by **Coco Costanza** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 5:00 am

Tacoma wrote:If I had to chose my favorite Blue Jays player ever, it would be Tony. He was like Kawhi in some ways - not a great communicator but approaches the game quietly & methodically without fanfare with high work ethic and the result is a star player both on offense and defense. And he takes it up a notch in the playoffs for good measure.

Of all the players on that 1993 Championship team, I was most happiest for Tony because of his long tenure as a Jays All Star, then getting traded, then coming back being an instrumental player to earn that ring.

Plus, Tony also had his season cut short due to injury in the infamous 1987 season. Had he not been injured, maybe the Jays manage to hold off the Tigers and win the division?

v1n5anity · Post #57 » by **v1n5anity** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 5:03 am

Just watching those highlights brought back memories of the good ol' days. Baseball was the 1st sport I got into and he was my 1st favourite player out of any sport, which was why at a young age #1 was also my fave number. :cry:

I remember my best friend in elementary and I would also copy the way his head would kinda shake when he threw a grounder to 1st base.

<sigh>

fbalmeida · Post #58 » by **fbalmeida** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 10:47 am

Who else here remembers "Jays days" in 92 and 93, where students were asked to wear Jays merch to school? :lol:

C Court · Post #59 » by **C Court** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:43 pm

He was one of the best ever to play in Toronto.

Tanner · Post #60 » by **Tanner** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 2:46 pm

I started following baseball in 1990, so I missed Tony's prime in Toronto, but caught his returns in 1993, 1998-99, and 2001. I remember being so relieved that Darrin Jackson was traded (he was awful) and we got Tony back to replace an injured Dick Shoefield (who was also awful that year). Fernandez was exactly what that 1993 team needed at SS. That lineup to this day remains one of the best I have ever seen, and we didn't even get the good version of Rickey Henderson for those two months. I wasn't familiar with Tony's 80's run with the Jays since it was before my time, but it definitely ages well. Amazing ball player.