There have been only a few Blue Jay pitchers I'd call "true" Jays--guys who
put in the apprentice****p in the minors and suffered through the bad times
before attaining success with the team. As an example, I never considered
Roger Clemens a "true" Blue Jay. Sure, I cheered his accomplisment as a
Jays
starter, but he was a hired mercenary who only hung around for two seasons
and turned the dressing room into his own private country club.
My favourite among the "true" Jays is Jimmy Key. He did not have the
on-field success of true aces such as Stieb and Halladay, but he was one
of
the most intelligent and together human beings to ever put on a Jay
uniform.
I still remember his complete-game performance in the playoffs as one of
the
best postseason pitching displays I've ever seen. But off the field, he
ran
his life like a machine and was an excellent example to youngsters who
want
to know how to build a successful life on what small assortment of gifts
God
has given them.
