Happy Birthday Jesse Barfield

by Tom Dakers on Oct 29, 2008 5:41 PM EDT in Toronto Blue Jays Birthdays

It is former Jay right fielder Jesse Barfield's 50th birthday today. Jesse played for the Jays from 1981 to1989. He was a favorite of mine. We'll have a more detailed profile of him when we get to him in the 'Top 50 Greatest Jays' list (presuming I get going on those again, next should be out by Friday) but have to wish the guy happy birthday on his 50th.

Jesse was a good defensive outfielder with a rocket for an arm and was part of what was the best Jays outfield ever with Lloyd Moesby and George Bell. Some at the time suggested it was the best outfield in baseball history but, of course, it wasn't. But they were very good.

Jesse is high on the team leader list in several offensive categories including 4th in home runs (for now, Wells will pass him early next season), 7th in RBI and 3rd in strikeouts. He was an All-Star in 1986 the year he lead the AL in homers with 40. He won the Gold Glove in 1986 and 1987.

Early in the 1989 season he was traded to the Yankees for Al Leiter and he played in New York for 4 seasons. His son Josh made the Majors with the Padres and the Indians. Now Jesse works as a color commentator on the Blue Jays games on CBC on the weekends. Since it is his birthday and all, I won't discuss his abilities at this.

So Happy Birthday Jesse. You will always be one of my favorite former Jays.

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Comments

I was...

going to comment on Jesse’s abilities as a colour comentator…and since it’s not his birthday anymore I guess I will…He’s AWFUL, however 1/2 a step ahead of another former Jays RF Joe Carter.

I will say that the on air arguements/disagreements/commentary between Jesse and Rance Mullinicks is entertaining!

by bunner on Oct 30, 2008 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

sorry

hit post to quick. I wanted to mention that watching the LCS on TBS reminded me how good Buck Martinez was as a colour comentator. Too bad the Jays screwed up with him trying to make him a coach!

by bunner on Oct 30, 2008 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

You are right....

he is dreadful. I find that I’m turning the sound off at times when he is on. Trouble is that you lose game sounds too. There should be an option of turning off the commentators and just hearing the game sounds. I hate them having both him and Rance because it seems like they each talk even more than they would if there were only one. Everytime one says something the other has to comment and Rance talks way to much at best of times.

by Tom Dakers on Oct 30, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions