[NOTE : This marks the debut (and a test) for a new feature at Batter's Box, in which ex-Blue Jays are remembered by the Bauxites. We'll put up new threads for the offseason's other ex-Jays over the next few days.]
I find myself strangely affected by the departure of Tom Wilson, who was claimd on waivers by the San Diego Padres today after the Jays signed Chris Gomez.
Wilson was a player I always cheered for, a player who made his major league debut at 30 years of age and never really got a chance in the majors until J.P. Ricciardi came on the scene in Toronto in 2002. Wilson was one of the Good Guys, the type of player who gets an unfair label slapped on him and needs to wait for his chance while lesser players are moved ahead of him. Even then, Tom couldn't catch a break... an injury cost him in his rookie year with the Jays. I still think he's a better hitter than he has shown in his major league career.
Greg Myers may have received the nickname "Crash", but Tom Wilson was a real-life Crash Davis - a minor league lifer - who finally made good, and did everything that was asked of him. I will always be a fan, wherever he goes, and I think he'll be a great backup to Ramon Hernandez in San Diego.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040107041446999