Today’s a quirky milestone in Toronto Blue Jays history: four former and current players all share a birthday. There’s current star George Springer, along with past names like Danny Valencia, Robinzon Diaz, and Randy Myers. Each guy left a mark—sometimes with their play, sometimes just by being part of a wild transaction or twist in team history.
Let’s dig into their careers, the stats, and those moments that really tie them to the Blue Jays.
George Springer – A Resurgence at 36
George Springer turns 36 today. He’s not slowing down at all.
He’s in year five of his six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. This season’s shaping up to be his best since he arrived, which is wild considering how last year went.
People worried his career was fading, but he’s flipped the script in a big way.
Climbing the Blue Jays Record Books
Springer keeps moving up the franchise leaderboards. Right now, he’s sitting at:
- 23rd in bWAR among position players
- 20th in OPS
- 17th in home runs, tied with Josh Donaldson
- 23rd in runs scored
- 22nd in walks
- 19th in stolen bases
- 36th in games played for the team
His mix of power, speed, and defense really puts him up there as one of the Blue Jays’ best free-agent signings. If he keeps this up, he’ll climb even higher on those lists before his contract wraps up.
Danny Valencia – Productive but Short-Lived Stint
Danny Valencia’s 41 now. He’s mostly remembered for his bat.
He landed in Toronto in 2014 after coming over from the Royals. That year, he hit .240 down the stretch, working his way into the lineup wherever the Jays needed him.
Waived Despite Strong Numbers
In 2015, Valencia put up solid numbers at the plate. But the Jays needed room for Ben Revere, who ended up playing a big part in their playoff push.
They waived Valencia, and he moved on to the A’s, Mariners, and Orioles. He finished his nine-year MLB run with a .268 average and 96 home runs.
Robinzon Diaz – Remembered for a Franchise-Changing Trade
Robinzon Diaz turns 42 today. Honestly, his big-league legacy is more about a trade than anything he did on the field.
He was the player sent to Pittsburgh in the deal that brought Jose Bautista to Toronto. At the time, it seemed minor, but that move completely changed the Blue Jays’ offense for years.
Short MLB Tenure
Diaz played 43 games with the Pirates and hit .289. He just never became the star catcher some scouts expected.
Still, his name’s always going to be tied to the trade that brought one of the Jays’ all-time greats north of the border.
Randy Myers – An Expensive Gamble Gone Right for Toronto
Randy Myers is 63 now and stands out for one of the strangest contract stories in Blue Jays history. Toronto signed him in 1998 to a three-year, $18 million deal—a huge move at the time.
But Myers struggled, putting up a 4.46 ERA and 28 saves in just part of a season. It wasn’t what anyone hoped for.
The Waiver Wire Surprise
The Jays put Myers on waivers, figuring nobody would want that contract. The Padres, convinced Toronto would block a move to the Braves, actually claimed him.
Toronto just let him go, dropping almost $14 million in salary. Myers didn’t do much in San Diego and soon left MLB, but over 14 years he racked up 347 saves and a 3.19 ERA.
Looking Back – Four Different Stories, One Shared Date
Springer’s ongoing success stands out, while Valencia’s steady bat kept things moving. Diaz played a role in a monumental trade, and Myers’ departure was costly—yet, somehow, lucky.
Each birthday marks a unique Blue Jays story. They span different eras and circumstances.
Together, these moments form part of the mosaic that is Blue Jays history. For fans, it’s a reminder that baseball careers aren’t just numbers—they’re made of the moments and decisions that stick with us.
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Here is the source article for this story: Happy Birthday George Springer
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