Happy Birthday Adam Lind And Steve Delabar

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 29: Adam Lind #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays rounds first base after his solo home run in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox on September 29, 2009 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. It was Lind's third home run of the game. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images Adam Lind turns 43 today.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Adam Lind was on our prospect list when I first joined BBB. I remember the debate about whether he’d become a “40 home run” player. That didn’t happen, but very few players ever reach that mark.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Lind made his MLB debut as a September call-up in 2006 and performed admirably. Still, he didn’t secure a roster spot out of spring training in 2007. He was recalled in April to cover left field after Reed Johnson was injured, but when Johnson returned, Lind was sent back to the minors—his .230/.274/.383 line didn’t help his case. He received another call-up that September.

class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2008, Lind again began the season in the minors but was called up when the team abruptly parted ways with Frank Thomas. He struggled initially, starting 1-for-19, and an impatient John Gibbons—understandably concerned about his job—sent Lind back to the minors. The Jays then turned to the infamous Mencherson platoon (Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench), which, with Lind available, seemed like managerial malpractice.

class="wp-block-paragraph">After Gibbons was fired and Cito Gaston was hired, Gaston’s first and best move was insisting Lind be recalled. Cito made Adam his project, putting him in left field and letting him play regularly. Lind was often seen sitting beside the manager on the bench.

class="wp-block-paragraph">With Cito’s guidance, Lind had his best MLB season in 2009, playing 151 games and hitting .305/.370/.562 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI. Unfortunately, that success created unrealistic expectations, and the following seasons made it clear he wouldn’t become the perennial All-Star fans had hoped for.

class="wp-block-paragraph">2010 was a disappointment; Lind hit just .237/.287/.425, and for the next few years, he seemed like a lost cause.

class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2013, when John Gibbons returned as manager, he recognized—as many fans had—that Lind needed to be platooned. This decision restored Lind’s value to the team.

class="wp-block-paragraph">I’ve always liked Lind. He spoke his mind in interviews, never settling for the usual clichés. When he visited Calgary for a promotional tour, he genuinely enjoyed playing with kids at team events—a quality I truly admire.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Happy birthday, Adam.

Steve Delabar turns 43 today.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Blue Jays acquired Delabar from the Mariners for Eric Thames at the end of July 2012. Since then, Thames has taken an interesting path—playing three years in Korea, signing with the Brewers, spending 2020 with the Nationals, and appearing briefly in the A’s system in 2022, though he hasn’t returned to the majors.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Delabar’s journey is unique. Drafted by the Angels in 2003, he spent several years in the Padres system before being released in 2008. He played independent ball in 2009 until a fractured elbow derailed his career.

class="wp-block-paragraph">After stepping away from playing, Steve became a high school baseball coach. It was there that he discovered the ‘weighted ball’ program, which briefly became a sensation. The program rejuvenated his arm strength, leading to a minor league deal with the Mariners and, ultimately, his major league debut in 2011. He featured a mid-90s fastball, a slider, and a split-finger fastball.

class="wp-block-paragraph">With the Jays, Delabar emerged as the team’s top setup man and earned an AL All-Star selection in 2014. After that, however, his command faltered, and he bounced between Toronto and Buffalo for a couple of seasons before being released in spring training 2016.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Over four seasons with Toronto, he appeared in 143 games, posted a 3.97 ERA, and struck out 179 batters in 143 innings.

class="wp-block-paragraph">He even recorded an immaculate inning in Oakland on July 30, 2013—a game I attended.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Delabar pitched for the Reds in 2016, spending most of the year in Triple-A but logging eight major league innings. In 2018, he was in the Rangers’ system.

class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2017, Delabar tested positive for PEDs and received an 80-game suspension from MLB.

class="wp-block-paragraph">He retired from pitching in 2018 and returned to coaching.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Happy birthday, Steve. Hope it’s a great one.