Top 60 All-Time Jays: #5 Tony Fernandez Share this story Tony Fernandez (born Octavio Antonio Fernandez Castro) was born June 30th, 1962, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Jays in 1979. The Jays, back then, scouted the Dominican pretty thoroughly; we signed several players from there. The Jays called Tony up when the rosters expanded in September 1983 and got into a handful of games. He was called up to the Jays for good at the end of May 1984, at first splitting time with veteran Alfredo Griffin and slowly taking over the position as the season went on. He also played some third base. A switch hitter, he had a pretty decent rookie season, hitting .270/.317/.356 in 88 games.