Today in Blue Jays history: George Bell wins MVP

Four Years Ago:

The Blue Jays sign Russell Martin to a 5-year, $82 million contract. I was on holiday at the time, but I remember being surprised that we spent that much money. It seemed out of character for the team. At the time we were pretty happy with the trade:

Seven Year Ago:

With the unveiling of the new Blue Jay uniform, Minor Leaguer took a look at the franchise history of uniforms and logos. Part two came along a the next day.

Also a year ago, Marc Hulet suggested Casey Janssen ‘Could Be the Key Man in the 2012 Bullpen’. Turns out he was right.

Eight Years Ago:

The Jays traded for Rajai Davis, sending Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar to Oakland. Both Magnuson and Farquhar have made it back into the Jays system, at one point. It turned out to be a pretty decent

Ten Years Ago:

Hugo and some guy with the unusual name of Rincewind talk about the problem spots that Jays needed to fix before the 2009 season.

Also ten years ago, Hugo talked about who the Jays should pick up to fill the shortstop position. J.J. Hardy would have been a heck of a pickup. I mostly point it out for the headline, possibly the longest headline in BBB history.

Eleven Years Ago:

Actually, eleven years ago tomorrow, but close enough, J.P. Ricciardi traded Kristian Bell (gone to the Good Place?) and Graham Godfrey to the A’s for Marco Scutaro.

Thirty One Years Ago:

Long before Bluebird Banter, back in 1987, George Bell became the first Blue Jay to win the AL MVP award for his .308/.352/.605 seasons, with 47 home runs and a league leading 134 RBI. Bell had finished 19th, 8th and 4th in the voting the 3 previous years, and would finish 4th in 1989. And 20th in 1992 with the White Sox.

He likely wouldn’t win the award with today’s voters. He finished 10th among AL hitters with a 5.0 bWAR. Even if you take just offensive bWAR, Bell was still 10th in the AL. Wade Boggs had a 8.3 bWAR and Alan Trammell an 8.2. Boggs hit .363/.461/.588 with 24 home runs and 105 walks. Trammell .343/.402/.551 with 28 home runs, playing a good defense at short.

But Bell had all those RBI.

Bell wasn’t so terrible defensively, at that point in his career. His knees would play the price for playing on the carpet covered cement in Skydome and his defense would suffer from it.