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170. Jimmy Key

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170. Jimmy Key
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: April 22, 1961 in Huntsville, AL USA
  • Weight: 185 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: April 06, 1984
  • Final Game: September 20, 1998
  • TSN All-Star - 1987
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1987
  • TSN All-Star - 1993
  • TSN All-Star - 1994
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year - 1994
  • Cy Young - 1987
  • Cy Young - 1993
  • Cy Young - 1994
  • MVP - 1993
  • MVP - 1994
 
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Jimmy Key played his entire career in the American League East, dividing between three teams, Toronto, New York, and Baltimore, finding success with all three clubs.

Key’s foray into the Majors first came with the Blue Jays, where he was used in late relief as a rookie.  That year ended his bullpen days, as Toronto promoted to the starting rotation, and he was an All-Star that year.  Key would remain an essential figure in the Jays staff, winning the ERA Title in 1987 when he was the runner-up for the Cy Young.  Key was again an All-Star in 1991, and the year later, he helped take the Jays to their first World Series win.

Key was not in Toronto in 1993 to defend their title as he joined their rival, New York, as a Free Agent.  The Pitcher went to have the best back-to-back years of his career, earning All-Star nods in pinstripes in both '93 and '94, and finishing fourth and second in Cy Young voting, respectively.  In that runner-up year, he led the AL in Wins (17) and was also sixth in MVP voting. 

In his final two years in baseball (1997 & 1998), he was with Baltimore, and he was an All-Star in what was the penultimate year in baseball.  Key left the game with a 186-117 record.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Thursday, 01 January 2004
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (2) (Toronto Blue Jays 1992 & New York Yankees 1996) 
    The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year (2) (AL) (1987 & 1994)
    All-Star (1985, 1991, 1993, 1994 & 1997)
    Lowest ERA (1) (AL) (1987) 
    Most Wins (1) (AL) (1994)
    Lowest WHIP (1) (AL) (1987)
    Lowest H/9 (1) (AL) (1987)
    Lowest BB/9 (2) (AL) (1989 & 1993) 
    Most Games Started (1) (AL) (1994)
    Highest SO/BB (1) (AL) (1993)
    Highest ERA+ (1) (AL) (1987)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (1) (AL) (1994)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (1) (AL) (1986)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (AL: 1994, 6th)
    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (AL: 1987, 2nd), (AL: 1993, 4th) & (AL: 1994, 2nd)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Games Pitched)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Strikeouts)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    3 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    66. Championship Win Probability Added: 24.7
    78. Win Probability Added: 24.7

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    2004: 0.6%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Toronto Blue Jay

Should Jimmy Key be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 62.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 12.5%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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