Fred McGriff Discusses Impact of Toronto Blue Jays on Hall of Fame Career

"The Crime Dog" is headed into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday and he discussed the impact of the Blue Jays on his career.

On Sunday afternoon, Fred McGriff will join the most elite fraternity in baseball when he comes the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

He'll go in alongside third baseman Scott Rolen.

On Saturday in Cooperstown, McGriff spoke with the Hall of Fame and had nice words about his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he started his career.

“When I came up with the @BlueJays we had great veterans who taught me to play the game. That’s what I tried to instill in younger players.” 

Fred McGriff discusses becoming a well-rounded big leaguer and a leader in the clubhouse. #HOFWKND

“When I came up with the @BlueJays we had great veterans who taught me to play the game. That’s what I tried to instill in younger players.”

Fred McGriff discusses becoming a well-rounded big leaguer and a leader in the clubhouse. #HOFWKND pic.twitter.com/jAqklhXuG7

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 22, 2023

All in all, McGriff spent 19 years in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Rays, Cubs, and Dodgers.

He was a five-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger winner who hit 493 career homers and had a lifetime batting average of .284. He also won the MVP of the All-Star Game.

He debuted with the Blue Jays in 1986 and received MVP votes in three different seasons in Toronto. He also led the league in home runs in 1989 when he hit 36. He helped lead Toronto the ALCS in that season and eventually won the World Series with the Braves in 1995.

In addition to the kind words that McGriff had about Toronto, the Jays have made sure to publicize the Hall of Fame coverage on their social media channels.

We will post the full video of McGriff's speech when it concludes later this afternoon.

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