I never experienced Dave Stieb in his prime and that really SUCKS

My Blue Jays fandom will forever be incomplete.

Being born in the early 80s means my earliest memories of the team don’t occur until the latter part of the decade. I never had the Exhibition Stadium experience or witnessed an incredible outfield trio in the flesh.

Perhaps the toughest pill to swallow was never watching the BEST of Dave Stieb.

Oh, I’ve seen the best of Dave Stieb from videos, articles and stories by the campfire. I also have clear memories of Dave Stieb playing a small, supportive role in 1992 and then making a comeback in 1998.

But when it comes to his era of dominance, alas, I missed out.

That’s why when the topic of “Greatest Blue Jays Starter” comes up, my brain defaults to Roy Halladay.

I witnessed Doc at his best. Every time he stepped on the mound, I could feel butterflies in my stomach because I wanted him to conquer the opposition.

Would I have felt the same way for Stieb? It’s possible. But I’ll never know because I was a baby during Stieb’s tenure; a man during Doc’s.

I’m not interested in “Dave vs. Doc.” Instead, attention should be given to the sin of Stieb not being enshrined in Cooperstown.

I say this unapologetically and full of bias: DAMN FUCKING RIGHT DAVE STIEB SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!!!

It’s not just the stats or the all-star appearances that convince me, it’s the folklore.

It also helps when there’s an online documentary and a social media account that fights the good fight on Stieb’s behalf, keeping him present in the zeitgeist.

We can take solace that he’s already part of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame. We can also pray that some committee will one day realize Stieb’s career is worthy of a plaque in Cooperstown. He was one of the best pitchers of the 1980s and the face of the Blue Jays for many seasons.

I just wish I could have seen it live.

Okay, Eric. Is there a point to this???

Yes. Don’t take your favourite players for granted.

When you realize you’re witnessing talent that stands higher than anything else, appreciate it. Savour the moments and celebrate every accomplishment.

Do this because there will be future generations that won’t passionately connect with the talent like you did.

They’ll understand the importance of said talent. They’ll marvel at the footage and second-hand accounts. However, they’ll never enjoy the talent in the moment, missing out on the experience.

We all deal with that – pining to see a superstar from a previous era or generation. You can even field a roster!

It might be Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron or Ichiro Suzuki. For me, it’s Dave Stieb.

ER

I really, really, REALLY want the “Alek Manoah Revenge Tour” to set the world on fire 🔥🔥🔥

Salutations, Alek.

Hope you had a great Christmas. I bet you’re the type of person who doesn’t judge a year based on one specific thing.

Sure, you performed poorly on the mound, but you also traveled, walked the earth with your head held high and married the love of your life. You and Marielena looked amazing! I wish you both decades of happiness!!!

Alek, have you ever acquired something and couldn’t wait to consume it; but then got home, put it on a shelf and haven’t touched it for months?

You see it collecting dust, begging to be addressed; but life gets in the way and you promise yourself you’ll address it later. And you repeat this action over and over to the point where shame and guilt have little effect.

I’ve been dealing with this since last spring, Alek.

I had a gift certificate that was accepted at my local pharmacy. It was days away from expiring and I couldn’t allow free money to go to waste. So, I walked the aisles looking for items that would equal the honorarium’s value.

That’s when I saw it, Alek.

Surrounded by publications of various topics: A new, crisp April 2023 issue of Toronto Life with you as the feature subject.

Toronto Life celebrates the coolest Torontonians. The rich and famous, the ones who make a difference, those who move and shake. Now, you – the Ace of the Blue Jays – were part of that zeitgeist.

I had to have it, Alek.

So, I bought it. Took it home and marveled at the cover. Skimmed through it a few times. Set it aside on my nightstand and anticipated reading the article.

And it never happened. It still hasn’t happened. I see the magazine every fucking day and remind myself to read it. And it doesn’t happen. Too many stupid excuses.

I’m so sorry, Alek. You have an incredible story and you’re an incredible person. I’m sure the article highlights that. Yet, I keep ignoring it.

Maybe if I read the article, things would’ve been different.

Maybe it’s all my fault. All of the ugly struggles you went through occurred because I haven’t read the article yet.

I know – that’s crazy AF. Some random schmuck blames himself for your poor performance in 2023. It’s certifiable batshit insanity.

But what’s also crazy is how some are convinced your carriage has turned into a pumpkin.

You didn’t pitch well, period. Maybe you were hurt – Kevin mentioned you might have been overzealous in Spring Training. Maybe something off the field was affecting you.

I don’t know, Alek. Nobody outside the clubhouse does. Unfortunately, you have become a question mark, a mystery. Optically, you struggled and your “camp” and the front office disagreed about the proper course of action.

Some think you’ll never regain your 2022 form. Some think your time in Toronto will unceremoniously end. They could be right, Alek; but I want them to be wrong.

Maybe I’m too stubborn, Alek. We live in a world where fans rush to judgement; where being first and sharp is valued more than something that’s well thought out. It’s like nobody considers the human side of your story.

That’s why I’m hoping you’ll set the world on fire in 2024.

Take everything that happened to you – the struggles, the frustration, the alleged friction with the Front Office – and flush it down the shitter. I’m sure you already have.

Save a little bit of that anger though. Convert it into motivation and apply it where needed.

It’s a new year and it’s going to be your year, Alek. Greatest comeback ever! A resurgence that brings the league to its knees! Humble everyone and anyone.

Truthfully, Alek, you don’t need me to say all of this. You know what to do and you’ll do it. Those who cast you away will ultimately celebrate your presence.

You keep working and set the world the fire, while I finally read that Toronto Life article.

I promise.

ER