The date January 5th 2011 will now be forever etched into the minds of Toronto Blue Jays fans across the world as the day that Roberto Alomar, one of the greatest players to ever put on the Jays uniform, was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

One year after surprisingly missing out on being elected as a first ballot entry into baseball’s greatest haven, Alomar was named on ninety percent of the voters ballots. He was eight votes shy of being elected last season. Joining Alomar in the 2011 entry class is pitcher Bert Blyleven.

Alomar, known as Robbie to most, has had his fair share of elite moments mixed with crucial self-inflicted criticisms throughout his illustrious career. Moments that range from his home run into the right field stands against feared Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley in the 1992 American League Championship Series, as well as helping aid the Blue Jays franchise in earning the World Series title in back-to-back years of 1992 & 1993, from the spitting incident involving umpire John Hirschbeck, to the mass media attention passed his way when allegations of being HIV positive was labelled upon him, one allegation even coming from his wife.

Despite the negative incidences Alomar went on to have a magical career, some dubbing him the greatest middle-infielder of all-time. The native of Ponce, Puerto Rico played seventeen MLB seasons split amongst the San Diego Padres, Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox & Arizona Diamondbacks.

In those seventeen seasons Alomar established remarkable offensive numbers with a career batting average of .300 with 210 home runs, 1134 runs batted in, 474 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .371 to go along with 2724 hits, 1508 runs scored and 504 doubles.

What could be more remarkable than those kinds of offensive statistics for a middle-infielder was the defense that Alomar also contributed on the field for his team, winning ten Gold Gloves at the position to go along with twelve All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger awards. He also finished in the top ten in Most Valuable Player voting on five separate occasions.

Roberto Alomar amazed with his glove for five seasons as part of the Blue Jays.

The dazzling defense was showcased for five extraordinary seasons in Toronto as the highlight reel known as Robbie Alomar graced television screens all over the world; acrobatic type plays being made as easy as everyday groundballs.

Alomar has stated that he would like to walk into the Baseball Hall of Fame wearing a Blue Jays uniform and surely the fans of the city will be grateful for this gesture as Robbie certainly has left his mark on the franchise for many years to come.

Congratulations to Roberto Alomar, the newest inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame!

In other Jays news the team lost another piece of their 2010 bullpen to free-agency yesterday as last season’s closer Kevin Gregg has reportedly signed a two-year contract with an option for the third year with the division rival Orioles. The deal is worth $10 million, but with the third year option Gregg’s salary could end up in the $18-20 million range.

Last season the intimidating Gregg saved 37 games for the Jays, albeit some of those came in heart-racing moments, as the right-hander walked his fair share of batters (30 in 59 innings pitched), but counteracted that number by striking out almost a batter an inning (58 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched).

The Jays did not pick up the 2011 option on the closer which made the 32-year old vulnerable to free agency. Toronto will pick up another draft pick in next season’s entry draft for losing the reliever, although Baltimore will not be surrendering a pick. Add that draft pick to the numerous others acquired for the losses of players such as Scott Downs, John Buck & Miguel Olivo and the Jays currently own seven picks next season.

The Jays also acquired yet another arm today who will certainly contest for a bullpen spot out of Spring Training. The team has claimed left-handed pitcher Wil Ledezma off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ledezma, a veteran of eight MLB seasons struggled last year for the Pirates posting a record of 0-3 with an ERA of 6.86 in 27 appearances, but has extensive MLB bullpen experience with career numbers of 15-25 with an ERA of 5.26 playing for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Padres, Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals & Pirates.

The journeyman left-hander out of Venezuelan is a hefty 6’4, weighing 225lbs and will compete with numerous others out of Spring Training camp for a shot in the Jays’ bullpen.