Countdown to Spring Training - 51 Days
Jesse Litsch
For Jesse Litsch, Spring Training is something of a homecoming. The 6'1'' 225 pound right-hander grew up just a few miles away from Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in nearby Pinellas Park, Florida, the town he still calls home.
A 24th round draft pick in 2004, Litsch debuted for the Blue Jays in 2007, and had a successful rookie campaign going 7-9 with a 3.81 ERA over 20 starts. In 2008 he continued to emerge as a front line starter, going 13-9 with a 3.58 ERA over 28 starts. He finished the 2008 season especially strong, going 5-2 with a 1.92 ERA over his final nine starts of the year.
2009 presented Jesse with adversity, as he managed to make just two starts before shutting his season down on April 14 due to a right forearm strain. He attempted to rehab from the injury, but ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery on June 12, 2009. As he attempted to return to form in 2010, Litsch continued to struggle with injuries, and he finished the campaign with just one victory.
Fully healthy, he entered camp in 2011 as a wild card for new manager John Farrell, and his Spring Training performance ultimately earned him a spot in the starting rotation. He made eight starts before transitioning to the bullpen where he remained for the rest of the season.
His versatility, involvement in the community - he hosts a charity golf tournament in February - and his strong presence in the clubhouse make Jesse Litsch, who is entering his ninth season in the organization, a player to watch in 2012.
For more information on the 2012 Jesse Litsch and Bechtel Financial Celebrity Golf Tournament, CLICK HERE.
Shannon Stewart
Originally drafted in the 1st round (19th overall) in 1992, Shannon Stewart quietly put together a stellar career with the Blue Jays that spanned two decades. In fact, he is one of just 12 players in franchise history to be with the Club for at least 10 seasons.
His breakout season came in 1998 when he solidified his role as the team's leadoff hitter, stealing 51 bases, and finishing with a .279 batting average - the lowest of his Blue Jays career.
He sits in the top ten in many of the Blue Jays all time records, including stolen bases (5th, 166), doubles (6th, 222), runs (6th, 595), and hits (6th, 1082). Most notably, Stewart is second all time in Blue Jays history with a .298 batting average - trailing only Roberto Alomar's career mark of .307 with Toronto.
Stewart was traded to the Minnesota Twins in the summer of 2003, and he went on to finish fourth in that season's MVP voting. He returned to the Blue Jays in 2008 to finish his career where it began, and we look back fondly on his career in light of his 51 steal season.
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