Blue Jays Legend and 5-Time All-Star Tony Fernandez Passes Away at 57

One of the greatest players in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays has passed away far too young.

Shortstop Tony Fernandez, who was thought to be improving after a bout with kidney problems, died at the age of 57 after suffering a stroke and developing pneumonia.

Fernandez played 17 years in the MLB, but he is most remembered for the 12 seasons he played with the Toronto Blue Jays. With Toronto, he hit .297, played in 1,450 games and tallied 1,583 hits, with the latter two marks remaining the highest totals in Blue Jays history. He also made an All-Star team while playing shortstop on a San Diego Padres team that featured Tony Gwynn and Gary Sheffield.

Overall, Fernandez hit .288 with 94 home runs, 2,276 hits, 844 RBI and posted 236 steals in his career. He was named to five All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves for his exceptionally slick fielding at shortstop.

Fernandez was one of the most consistent hitters and smoothest defenders for the better part of two decades.

With Fernandez's untimely passing, the Blue Jays lost one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise, while baseball as a whole lost one of the best shortstops of the late 80s and early 90s. He will be missed in Canada and across the entirety of Major League Baseball.