MLB Franchise Four – Biggest Snubs for Each Team
Toronto Blue Jays – Dave Stieb
Franchise Four: Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Roy Halladay, Carlos Delgado
It is really hard to take umbrage with the selections of Alomar, Carter, Halladay, and Delgado. The first two represent the biggest faces of their championship days in the early 1990’s, while the latter two represent the uncaptured promise of the early 2000’s. All are worthy of being on the Mount Rushmore of Blue Jays history.
However, the omission of Stieb feels like a bit of a slight. Without him, there never would have been a point of comparison for Halladay or any other pitcher that has followed him to the mound in Toronto.
A six-time All-Star, Stieb likely would have won himself more recognition if he played in the United States, but he was still a beast in Toronto. He ranks as the club’s all-time leader in wins (175), strike-outs (1,658), complete games (103), and innings pitched (2,873). Four times Stieb would finish in the top-10 in the Cy Young race, twice in the top-5, but always came up short when the vote counted.
It seems like the Franchise Four was the latest vote to under-appreciate Dave Stieb.
Next: Braves - Eddie Mathews