Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesse Barfield says fans of the team should temper their talk of a playoff and World Series run.
In town over the weekend as a special guest at the Regina Red Sox fundraising dinner, Barfield drew several similarities to the first-ever Blue Jays team to qualify for the Major League Baseball post-season and the current club. The 1985 squad, of which Barfield was a part, was one game away from reaching the Fall Classic when it fell to the Kansas City Royals in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Barfield hinted this year's Jays team isn't quite that close to contending. Not yet, anyway.
"Have you seen the number of good teams in the American League this year?" Barfield asked. "I think they're getting close, but they're going to have to be consistent, especially in the East. That division is not going to be a cakewalk. I don't know how or if the new format (with the additional wild card team) is going to change things. I don't know if that will help them or not."
Barfield spoke highly of the Jays' closest rivals, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He also predicted the reigning American League champion Texas Rangers will be a playoff team again this season, along with the Albert Pujols-led Los Angeles Angels. The addition of Prince Fielder in Detroit makes the Tigers an easy division champ, according to Barfield.
"So where do (the Blue Jays) fit in with that group?" he asked. "That's a tall order."
One similar characteristic the Blue Jays teams from the mid-'80s has with this year's version is talented youth. Each member of the famous outfield of Barfield, George Bell and Lloyd Moseby from the '85 team was 25 years old that season. A 23-year-old shortstop named Tony Fernandez and 27-year-old first baseman in Willie Upshaw anchored the infield. Pitchers Dave Stieb (27) and Jimmy Key (24) each won 14 games that season.
This year's Jays team also features youngsters like Brett Lawrie (22) in the infield and Colby Rasmus (25) in centre field, along with pitchers Ricky Romero (27) and Brandon Morrow (27).
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