Just as the 2016 Major League Baseball season shifts into high gear, Jesse Barfield and his wife Marla will be in town to speak at Grace Bible Chapel’s annual Athletes in Action Banquet at the Dante Club.
Barfield was one of three young outfielders (George Bell LF, Lloyd Moseby, CF and Barfield RF) during the Blue Jays first march to post season play in 1985.
“This banquet has been a fixture in the community for the past 36 years,” said Sean Lee, of the Grace Bible Chapel banquet organizing committee.
“Throughout that time we have had the privilege of hearing from high caliber athletes such as former NHLers Mike Gartner, Ryan Walter and Stu Grimson, former NFL all-star Mike Webster, CFL greats such as Mike ‘Pinball’ Clemons, Damon Allen and Anthony Calvillo, as well as Olympic gold medalists Kathy Kreiner and Cindy Klassen,” Lee added.
Barfield is considered to be the best defensive right fielder of the 1980s. He led American League outfielders in assists three consecutive years (1985–87).
The Blue Jays combination of Bell, Moseby and Barfield is today considered the best outfield of the 1980s hitting for power while possessing superior defense skills.
He remains today one of the most beloved Jays of all time because of his calm demeanour, powerful home runs and rocket arm throwing out many at the plate with his flame-thrower throws.
Barfield was the first Jays player to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a season.
He played in only one post season series in 1985 where he had an average of .280 with a home run, four RBIs, and a stolen base.
Barfield best years with the Blues were 1985 when he hit an average of. 289, with 27 HRs and 84 RBIs.
In 1986 he achieved his best offense totals in his entire career when he averaged .289 with 40 HRs and 108 RBIs. That season Barfield led the majors in homers and won the Gold Glover Award for best fielding percentage and the Silver Slugger Award for the most homers. He was also named to the American League All-star time.
The following year in 1987 when the Jays were stopped short of achieving their second post-season appearance by a final week collapse, Barfield again hit 28 home runs and drove in 84 RBIs and hit for an average of .263.
“Besides having achieved tremendous success in the sporting world,” said Lee. “What each of these athletes also share in common is a genuine, vibrant faith in Jesus Christ."
“The banquet is an opportunity to share a message of hope from a biblical perspective in a non-threatening, fun environment,” added Lee. “We are not inviting people to a church meeting — this is an informal evening where friends can enjoy a great meal and hear a well-known personality share their life story.”
“These people who we have watched on TV also struggle with the same problems that we do,” emphasized Lee. “They too deal with doubts, anxiety, regrets and broken hearts.”
Barfield was traded to the New York Yankees at the end of April, 1989 and he retired from baseball in 1992 because of injuries. The following year, 1992, he played temporarily with the Yomiuri Giants reuniting with his old Blue Jays buddy, Lloyd Moseby. Barfield attending spring training camp for the Houston Astros trying to play another year, but nagging injuries put an end to his baseball career.
For this year’s keynote address Jesse will be joined by his wife, Marla.
“We are usually very familiar with the athletes’ career, but the spouse’s experiences often remain in the background,” Lee said. “Marla is coming to tell us the story behind the story. “
Tickets are still available but going fast. To purchase tickets at $30 each please call Sean Lee at 705-268-8515.
Barfield is also scheduled to speak to students at Roland Michener Secondary School this Thursday morning
