Carlos Delgado Retires

    The best hitter in Blue Jay's history retired today. Carlos Delgado is calling it quits after missing the last two seasons with injuries.

"I always said I would try to return until my body had enough. And my body could take no more," said Delgado. "I've been training two years and recently tried yet again to increase the routine of work, but the swing was not there to compete at the level I want..."

    The 38-year old ends his career with 473 home runs, over 1,500 hits, and a .280 career batting average.

Carlos Delgado as a Met

    Delgado started out as as a catcher for the Blue Jays in 1993. He did not play in the 1993 World Series with the Blue Jays, but was still given a ring, the only World Series ring he ever got. Soon the Blue Jays put him at first base, and that is when his career skyrocketed.

    In the eleven seasons with Toronto, Delgado made two All-Star games, and won three Silver Sluggers. He still holds the Blue Jays records for home runs, RBIs, and runs. He also hold the Blue Jays record for strikeouts.

    In 2004, he signed with the Florida Marlins. After one season he was traded to the New York Mets. 2005 was his last good season. In 2006 he struggled, and from then on injuries kept him from being great again.

    So today, we say good bye to one of the great hitters in baseball history. Is Delgado a Hall of Famer? He is close, but I will say no. The hitting stats are there, and if he reached 500 home runs then yes he would be a HOF player. But Delgado was a very poor defensive player and that is what will ultimately keep him out. But Delgado deserves to have his number retired by Toronto. He will always be remembered as one of the nicest, and most intelligent players ever to play this game