All-time Jays: RF

[JiriHrdina]

Who is the best right-fielder in Jays history?

[Strange Brew]

Joe is the obvious choice here among some strong players. Loved Barfield's arm.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I went with Joe, but some solid choices there. Jose and Barfield are both solid options as well. Glenallen Hill annoyed me......looked he could have been a stud, but never put it all together.

[Jiggy_12]

Joe Carter's home run means he probably wins this, but Bautista is the best player of the bunch.

Tough category. Green had some big years too, Barfield...lots of talent in this grouping.

[Jason14h]

I love Carter, but he can't even hold Bautista's batting gloves.

For new stat lovers http://www.bluejayhunter.com/2011/05...overrated.html

[Parallex]

Bautista or Barfield.

Carter is way overrated.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, Carter was never a 900 OPS guy. His home run is easily the most memorable hit inteam history. But no doubt Bautista in my mind is second to Delgado in terms of pure offensive production.

[Party Elephant]

Obviously not in contention for the number 1 spot, but Mondesi was a hell of a power hitter back in the era of good but not good enough to beat the yankees. I believe there was one season where him, Delgado, Batista and Cruz all topped 30 home runs.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Don't be too quick to hate on Carter. He may not have wowed you much with the glove, but the man was one of the premiere RBI men in his time, which is what you really need from a corner outfield position. Carter eclipsed the 100 RBI mark 10 times in his career, 6 times as a Jay. For comparison, Bautista did it 3 times, and Barfield just once.

Plus, Joe Carter is one of the most affable men in all of sports and was a great ambassador for the Jays in their heyday. Not to mention, he's the one with his name on their "ring of excellence" or whatever it's called, not the other two.

Super clutch homer aside, Carter would still be my choice. Now if Bautista continues to produce like this for another 5 years, I'd consider changing my vote.

[Bobblehead]

Barfield was the full package. Teams feared his arm in the field and in his time he was a premiere power hitter. Joe had the charisma and some clutch hits on the world series teams and was a true team leader, but if I had to pencil one guy into my starting lineup in RF every day, it would be Barfield.

[JiriHrdina]

The Carter HR gets him this. He was a guy who built his reputation on being a clutch hitter and RBI producer, and on the biggest stage, at the biggest moment - he delivered.
That home run will be replayed for decades, as one of the biggest moments in MLB history.
Can't not give it to him. If he was a bit player that hit that HR - then yes. But in this case he was a pretty great player, and that puts him over the top.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Don't be too quick to hate on Carter. He may not have wowed you much with the glove, but the man was one of the premiere RBI men in his time

That's not that much of an accomplishment... I mean it says more about the guys that hit in front of him then it does about he himself. I mean Joe has lot's of other great qualities but on the field Joe was an above average hitter and a below average fielder. He was a good, rather then a great, player blessed with a great personality and loads of charisma.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Parallex

That's not that much of an accomplishment... I mean it says more about the guys that hit in front of him then it does about he himself. I mean Joe has lot's of other great qualities but on the field Joe was an above average hitter and a below average fielder. He was a good, rather then a great, player blessed with a great personality and loads of charisma.

It says plenty. If you consider that his overall hitting numbers aren't terribly impressive (.259 average, .771 OPS), yet he averaged 107 RBIs per season over 16 years. He made his opportunities count. When you need a big clutch hit, Joe was the man. He delivered when it counted, and when it counted most he was able to win a deciding world series game.

It's no knock on the others on this list, but Joe was a cut above.

[Jiggy_12]

I think if the poll was just "Best player" Bautista by definition could be argued in almost every way as the winner.

But best Blue Jay? People have different traits they apply to that and playing ability is only one of them, so Carter winning is justified. I still voted for Bautista but it was a tough one.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

It says plenty.

I disagree. If Carter batted 9th instead of clean-up he doesn't drive in a lot of run because the 6/7/8 guys in front of him aren't getting on as much (to say nothing of being in scoring position).The single argument for Carter (driving in a lot of runs) depends on the success of other players rather then his own success.

Carter was a fine player and great ambassader of the team but not the best RF the Jays have ever had. I always hated it when Cito would sit Olerud and have Carter play 1B.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I disagree. If Carter batted 9th instead of clean-up he doesn't drive in a lot of run because the 6/7/8 guys in front of him aren't getting on as much (to say nothing of being in scoring position).The single argument for Carter (driving in a lot of runs) depends on the success of other players rather then his own success.

Carter was a fine player and great ambassader of the team but not the best RF the Jays have ever had. I always hated it when Cito would sit Olerud and have Carter play 1B.

I will never say a bad thing about Joe Carter. The man is responsible for the greatest moment in baseball history (IMO), but goddamn if he didn't make make this preschooler at the time pull my hair out watching him chase those low/away 2-strike sliders over & over & over & over. Love the guy but that would drive me absolutely crazy even as young boy. Jose Cruz Jr filled his shoes in that capacity exceptionally (frustratingly) well.

[killer_carlson]

Carter was Mr. Consistency in the lineup and did everything asked of him as a Jay.

Bautista is a hell of a player, but he needs more longevity and a World Series ring to knock off Carter.