24. Fred McGriff

Before he became a well-known figure on the field, whether as a nomadic player in both leagues or as a Hall of Fame immortal, Fred McGriff was actually the rising star among Toronto's young baseball talent. Originally picked up by the New York Yankees, he was later traded to the Blue Jays in a 1982 minor-league deal that turned out to be very favorable for Canada. After steadily beating the best minor league pitchers, this tall, left-handed first baseman made his major league debut in 1986 for a brief stint, but it was the following summer that really put him on the map—hitting 20 home runs in just 107 games and making an unforgettable mark.

Armed with a textbook, high-quality swing that produced effortless opposite-field power, "The Crime Dog" swiftly became one of the most formidable middle-of-the-order hitters in the American League. He made a significant improvement in 1988, taking on most of the first base responsibilities while hitting 34 home runs and driving in 82 runs.

That consistent progression culminated in a remarkable 1989 season. After a summer of dominating junior circuit pitching, McGriff delivered a powerful offensive performance, leading the majors with 36 home runs, a .924 OPS, and a 165 OPS+. His impressive power earned him his first Silver Slugger Award and a sixth-place finish in the AL MVP race, serving as the key statistical factor that helped Toronto win the AL East division. In 1990, he maintained his elite run-producing level, hitting 35 home runs and setting a personal best with 94 walks, maintaining a strong .400 on-base percentage.

His run as a Jay abruptly ended in December 1990. Desiring to improve the clubhouse dynamic and acquire a top-tier defensive second baseman, the front office made a franchise-changing trade, sending McGriff and Tony Fernández to the San Diego Padres for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. This move directly contributed to Toronto’s consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, although McGriff continued his power hitting elsewhere, eventually earning a World Series ring as the cleanup hitter for the 1995 Atlanta Braves.

He accumulated 532 hits, 130 home runs, and 301 RBIs while generating a stellar .278/.389/.530 slash line (153 OPS+) for the squad.  McGriff finally got the call from the Baseball Hall of Fame when he was chosen on his first Veterans Committee Ballot.