In round one we discussed the greatest overall, base running and defending lineups based on Fangraphs WAR, UBR and UZR.
To keep us eager Blue Jay fans grounded we are now going to look at the worst single seasons.
First up is the Replacements lineup - worst single season WAR by position (probably coached by Gene Hackman) - minimum 120 games.
Position | Year | Name | WAR | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1B | 1997 | Joe Carter | -1.2 |
Of course the man responsible for the greatest single moment in my sports fan history would show up in a "worst of" list |
2B | 1978 | Dave McKay | -0.1 |
At least McKay filled the CanCon portion of our inaugural lineup |
3B | 1997 |
Ed Sprague |
0 |
Definitely wouldn't be on a list of worst HBPAR (Hit by pitch above replacement) |
SS |
1984 | Alfredo Griffin | -1.5 |
Due to some interesting circumstances he was an All Star that year. Probably would make the all time worst All Star list too. |
RF |
1996 | Joe Carter |
-0.3 | Two Joe Carters? This team is going to have so many RBIs. |
CF | 2009 |
Vernon Wells |
0.2 | Vernon has the top WAR of the worst lineup ever. So at least he has that going for him. |
LF | 1979 | Bob Bailor |
-1 | Bailor was the Jays first selection in the expansion draft. |
C | 1993 |
Pat Borders |
0.1 | If the Jays can win a WS with a replacement-level catcher, they can do it with a replacement level 1B/DH right? |
DH | 2010 |
Adam Lind |
-0.8 | I miss 2009 Adam Lind |
Next up is the Bengie Molina lineup - the worst single season base runners.
Position | Year | Name | UBR | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1B | 2002 |
Carlos Delgado |
-5.4 | I remember when Carlos was a catcher super-prospect and heard: "He can even run a little" That part wasn't true but he could certainly hit. |
2B | 1980 | Damaso Garcia |
-2.6 | Maybe he should have burned his cleats too |
3B | 1999 | Tony Fernandez |
-2 |
Old Tony is better than no Tony at all. |
SS |
1980 | Alfredo Griffin |
-1.5 |
My favorite Griffin memory was during his second stint with the Jays; on a rainy day trying to get the game to 5 innings to make it official he ran up to bat and swung at the first pitch that was outside, the second pitch was like 5 feet above his head and he swung at it like it was right down the middle. I think the game was stopped at that point - anyone remember/have details? |
LF |
2005 |
Frank Catalanotto |
-3.6 | Wasn't the greatest runner but he defines "professional hitter". Still remember the 6 for 6 day. |
CF | 1978 | Rick Bosetti |
-2.6 | Most interesting thing in his Wikipedia article: "In 1979, Bosetti played in all 162 games for the Blue Jays, and in the same season led all AL outfielders in putouts, assists, and errors." |
RF | 1987 | Jesse Barfield |
-1.8 | When Électricité de France could not generate enough power to run the Large Hadron Collider, they called in Jesse Barfield's right arm |
C | 2003 |
Greg Myers |
-5.4 | Molina missed being the starting catcher on his own team by coming up 3 games short of the minimum. (He was -7.2) |
DH | 2007 |
Frank Thomas |
-7.2 | The Big Hurt was a Blue Jay? At least we know Gibby will bench a struggling player. |
And lastly here is the Funny Side of Baseball lineup, everyone loves a good blooper
Position | Year | Name | UZR | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1B | 1978 |
John Mayberry |
-15 | Google "John Mayberry Sr. Blooper" - Kinda funny. But not related to defense. |
2B | 1998 | Tony Fernandez |
-8 | I refuse to believe that Tony was bad at defense. |
3B | 1999 | Tony Fernandez |
-11 |
What? He was bad at second and third? Blasphemous. |
SS |
2005 |
Russ Adams |
-13.6 |
Now this I believe. |
RF |
1996 | Joe Carter |
-14 | Joe was an All Star this year, when the game was in Philadelphia. |
CF | 2001 |
Jose Cruz |
-22 | Timlin and Spoljaric for Cruz: good deal. |
LF | 2003 | Frank Catalanotto |
-7.8 | It's ok that Cat is on the no defense team, we can just have Reed come in if we have a lead. |
C | 2011 |
J.P. Arencibia |
-11 | Came a long way with the glove during his second season. |
DH | 2009 | Adam Lind |
-9.8 | Silver Slugger DH- Could use a lefty masher like that this year. |
There you have it, three all time worst Blue Jays Lineups. What would your batting orders be? Any surprises? If I can stomach the thought of seeing Roger Clemens' name all over the place, we will look at pitchers next.