Bo Bichette turns 28 today.
Bo played seven seasons with the Jays before signing with the Mets this offseason. With the Jays, he hit .294/.337/.469 with 111 home runs, 60 steals and a 21.0 bWAR.
Except for 2024, he was very consistent. He posted an OPS+ in the 120s five times. In 2024, he started slowly and missed the second half of the season due to an IL stint.
On the Jays hitter leaderboard, Bo ranked:
6th in hits: 904
22nd in home runs: 111
18th in runs: 438
15th in RBI: 437
23rd in stolen bases: 60
It’s disappointing not to see him return, though I wouldn’t have wanted to pay him what the Mets offered. I think he’ll be fine at third, but I think he’d be better at second base.
Happy Birthday, Bo. I hope you have a great season.
Brad Mills turns 41 today. Not the Brad Mills, who managed the Astros during the tanking era.
Brad was a lefty pitcher drafted by the Jays in the 22nd round in 2006, but didn’t sign. They picked him again in the 4th round in 2007, and he signed. How often do teams draft the same player two years in a row?
Mills quickly rose through the Jays’ system. I thought he was a decent prospect. In 2008, he reached Double-A, and in 2009, he made two major league starts, allowing 12 earned runs in 7.2 innings.
Over the next two seasons, he pitched in 12 Jays games, having about the same level of success.
After 2011, he was traded to the Angels for Jeff Mathis. He then moved between teams before the Jays claimed him from the A’s in 2014. He made two relief appearances (13 earned runs in 4.1 innings) and became a free agent. Later, the A’s and Mariners gave him a look. He also pitched a season in Japan before leaving baseball after 2016.
Happy Birthday, Brad.
Felipe Crespo turns 53 today.
Felipe was a 3rd-round pick in the 1990 draft out of Notre Dame High School in Puerto Rico, not Notre Dame University. He was a switch-hitting infielder.
He rose steadily through the minors. In 1996, he played 22 games for the Jays (.184/.375/.265). He didn’t hit much, and Tomas Perez had no hold on second base. In 1997, Felipe played 12 games, hitting .286/.333/.465, first as a defensive replacement in April, then as a September call-up.
In 1998, Felipe appeared in 66 games, hitting .262/.342/.362, mainly as a utility player. He was released in spring 1999.
Afterward, he played for the Giants, Phillies, Reds, Marlins, and in Japan.
In his career, he played 262 games, hitting .245/.330/.380.
Happy Birthday, Felipe.
Phil Roof turns 85 today. He was mostly a backup catcher, playing 15 seasons in the majors. His last appearance was five hitless at-bats for the Jays in 1977. He batted .215/.283/.319 in 857 games, mostly with the Twins and A’s. My only memory is his baseball card. As a kid, it seemed his card was in every pack I bought.
Brian Lesher turns 55 today. He played 24 games for the Jays in 2002, finishing a five-year career with 108 MLB games. He was a first baseman with little power, though he hit 21 homers in the minors for Edmonton, where I watched him.
Happy Birthday to Brian and Phil.
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