💙 Remembering Dave Stieb: A Deep Dive into Blue Jays Greatness with @DaveStiebToday

When it comes to Toronto Blue Jays legends, few names evoke as much reverence—and as much debate—as Dave Stieb. On the latest episode of the Jay Bird Watching Podcast, hosts Craig Borden, Liz McGuire, and Jason Lyons welcomed Blake and Len from @DaveStiebToday, two lifelong fans and historians whose mission is clear: get Dave Stieb’s number retired and his name enshrined in Cooperstown.

What followed was a passionate, stat-rich, and often hilarious conversation that reminded listeners why Stieb remains one of the most underappreciated pitchers in Major League Baseball history.

🧢 The Dave Stieb Era: More Than Just Nostalgia

Blake and Len didn’t just grow up watching Dave Stieb—they’ve spent decades chronicling his career. From building a fan site in the late ’90s to launching a full-fledged Twitter campaign in 2022, their dedication is rooted in one simple truth: Stieb was the backbone of the Blue Jays’ rise to relevance.

“He was the first real figure in the team’s history to say, ‘Losing sucks, and we’re not going to tolerate it,’” Blake said. “He wasn’t just a great pitcher—he was a culture-changer.”

📉 Media Blind Spots & Cy Young Snubs

Despite leading the league in WAR multiple times and throwing over 2,300 innings in the 1980s, Stieb never won a Cy Young Award. Why? According to Len, it was a combination of media bias, outdated metrics, and geographic invisibility.

“Writers didn’t know Canada existed,” Len joked. “He suffered no fools when it came to the media, and that didn’t help his case.”

In 1982, Stieb lost the Cy Young to Pete Vuckovich—who had nearly as many walks as strikeouts and a higher ERA. “It was criminal,” Blake added. “Vuckovich pitched to extraordinary luck. Stieb pitched to dominance.”

📊 Hall of Fame Metrics That Matter

Modern sabermetrics paint a different picture. Analysts like Bill James, Joe Posnanski, and Tom Tango have revisited Stieb’s career and found that he could have won three or four Cy Youngs if judged by today’s standards. Posnanski even coined the term “Cy Stiebs” to re-award pitchers who were snubbed in their era.

“Stieb tilled the soil,” Blake said. “He paved the way for guys like Jacob deGrom and Paul Skenes—elite pitchers with modest win totals but undeniable dominance.”

🔥 Pitching Across Eras: Stieb vs. Scherzer

One of the episode’s most compelling segments was a hypothetical: Would Dave Stieb and Max Scherzer be best friends?

“Absolutely,” Jason said. “They’re both bulldogs. No showboating. Just get on the mound and get outs.”

Blake agreed, noting that Stieb’s mentality—pitching to his strengths, not the hitter’s weaknesses—mirrors Scherzer’s approach. “They weren’t chasing wins. They were chasing excellence.”

🧠 The Evolution of Pitching & Athlete Development

The conversation also touched on how pitching has changed, and not always for the better. From early Tommy John surgeries in youth baseball to the rise of five-inning specialists, the panel lamented the loss of the durable, athletic pitcher.

“Stieb was an athlete,” Jason said. “He could hit, field, and pitch. Today’s pitchers look like they’ve never fielded a ground ball in their lives.”

Blake added, “We’re never going to see 300-game winners again. The incentives just aren’t there.”

🏆 Why Stieb Deserves a Statue—and a Spot in Cooperstown

Blake and Len’s mission is clear: retire No. 37 and get Stieb into the Hall of Fame. With the 50th anniversary of the Blue Jays approaching, they believe it’s time for the organization to honor its greatest pitcher.

“He’s won in 1A with Roy Halladay,” Len said. “One’s in the Hall. The other should be.”

They’re hopeful that the Era Committee, which convenes this fall for the 2026 ballot, will finally give Stieb the recognition he deserves. But they also know that fan support—and organizational backing—will be crucial.

📣 Join the Movement

If you’re a Blue Jays fan who believes in honoring greatness, follow @DaveStiebToday on social media. Share the stats. Tell the stories. And help make sure that Dave Stieb’s legacy gets the spotlight it’s long overdue.