On April 24th, 45 years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Tony Fernández. Fernández was a promising teenage infielder and prospect. He was born in the Dominican Republic and was an amateur free agent. Fernández was the type of player who made shortstop look effortless, and he became a franchise great for the Blue Jays.
Tony Fernández Signed By the Blue Jays 45 Years Ago
4/24/79
The Blue Jays sign a 16-year-old Tony Fernandez as an amateur free agent. pic.twitter.com/snbHXMdxFQ
— ⚾ J. Daniel ⚾ (@JDaniel2033) April 24, 2024
Fernández played for the Blue Jays four different times and was welcomed warmly by the fans each time. Many people adored him. He was a legendary Blue Jay and a terrific player. He was a skilled defensive player and a very good contact hitter. Fernández sadly passed away at the young age of 57 in 2020.
Fernández’s countrymen referred to him as “La Cabeza.” He learned how to play shortstop by fielding batted rocks in a goat pasture (so the legends claim). He was surely a fan favorite from that era and a talented rookie at the time. Tony was with the Blue Jays from 1983 to 1990. Then, in 1991 and 1992, he was with the San Diego Padres. He then spent 1993 with the Blue Jays once again. Then, from 1998 to 2001, he rejoined the Blue Jays before spending part of 2001 with the Milwaukee Brewers. For his career, he earned four Gold Gloves, was a skillful leadoff hitter (213 hits in 1986), and possessed elusive speed (32 stolen bases in 1987).
Fernández Will Never Be Forgotten
When Fernández played short, he would speed to his right while on the run, hurdling high into the air to make the throw. It wasn’t only snagged and thrown so precisely, but he also got the job done in the most timely fashion. His .992 fielding percentage during this time was a record for shortstops. Around the same time, Ozzie Smith was making his claim as one of the top defensive players out there. But Fernández stood his ground to show that he was the equivalent to him in the American League. Fernández was also part of the Blue Jays World Series victory in 1993. Slick fielding and determination helped him get ahead, and he will forever be remembered for his talent as an infielder and at the plate.
Photo Credit: © Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
