A really interesting subject came up in yesterday’s comments section: uniform cameos, meaning players who made very brief and easily overlooked appearances with a given team. It’s a great topic, and one that really shows the power of a uniform. Take Pete Rose, for example: It’s one thing to remember that he briefly played with the Expos in 1984, but actually seeing him in a Montreal uniform is pretty jarring.
This is a topic we love as a Blue Jays fan. The Jays have been a few really interesting cameos over the years, although I'm having some trouble tracking down photographic evidence. It's easy to forget that Phil Niekro, Lee Mazzilli, Dave Parker, Jeff Kent, and Frank Viola all suited up as Jays for a handful of games over the years. I know I have pictures of a couple of them somewhere, but if you have any, feel free to pass them along.
There are some that we have managed to track down. Obviously, Jays fans will have a hard time forgetting Rickey Henderson's time as a Jay, both because of the World Series that he helped win, and for the burns that he suffered by leaving an ice pack on his leg for too long.
Here's Tom Candiotti, who started 19 games for the Jays in 1991.
Another pitcher who started all of three games for the Jays was Bud Black, the current Padres manager.
And, on a sadder note, here's our patron saint, in his brief stint as a Chicago White Sox.
Any more? Pass 'em on!
Good stuff! And great name for the blog ... I'm a fellow Blue Jay blogger ... come check it out if you're interested ...
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I'd still kill for a Rance Mulliniks jersey.
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