Toronto Blue Jays (1977-Present)

Manager: Buck Martinez 2001-
Stadium: SkyDome 1989-

Address:
1 Blue Jays Way, Suite 3200
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1J1
Phone: (416) 341-1000

Web
http://www.bluejays.mlb.com

Nickname:
Named in a contest, winning entry was described as being named because the cities large bird population combined with all of Toronto's sports teams having the colours blue and white.

Logo:
A Blue Jay superimposed over a baseball superimposed over a red Maple Leaf with Blue Jays written in blue below. The Maple leaf is in reference to the Canadian flag.

Colours:
Blue, White, and Red

Managerial History:
Roy Hartsfield 1977-1979
Bobby Mattick 1980-1981
Bobby Cox 1982-1985
Jimy Williams 1986-1989
Cito Gaston 1989-1997*
Mel Queen 1997
Tim Johnson 1998
Jim Fregosi 1999-2000
Buck Martinez 2001-Present
*-Replaced by Gene Tenace for two months due to illness in 1991.

Stadium History:
Exhibition Stadium* 1977-1989
SkyDome 1989-Present
*-also known as CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) Stadium

All Star Games Hosted: (1)
1991

World Champions: (2)
1992, 1993

World Series: (2)
1992, 1993

Division Championship: (5)
1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993

Wild Card:
None

Level of Excellence*: (6)
1 Tony Fernandez SS 1983-1990, 1993, 1998-1999, 2001
11 George Bell OF 1981, 1983-1990
29 Joe Carter OF 1991-1997
37 Dave Stieb RHP 1979-1992, 1998
42 Jackie Robinson (# Retired by MLB)
43 Cito Gaston MGR 1989-1997
*-Instead of Retiring Numbers the Blue Jays place players in the Level of Excellence

Hall of Famers: (2)
Phil Niekro RHP 1987
Dave Winfield DH 1992

All Star Game MVP:
None

Manager of the Year: (1)
1985 Bobby Cox

Rookie of the Year: (1)
1979 Alfraedo Griffin SS (co-winner)

Fireman Award:
None

Hank Aaron Award: (1)
2000 Carlos Delgardo 1B

Cy Young: (3)
1996 Pat Hentgen RHP
1997 Roger Clemens RHP
1998 Roger Clemens RHP

MVP: (1)
1987 George Bell OF

LCS MVP: (2)
1992 Roberto Alomar 2B
1993 Dave Stewart RHP

World Series MVP: (2)
1992 Pat Borders C
1993 Paul Molitor DH/IF

Cycle Hitters: (2)
4/16/1989 Kelly Gruber
8/17/2001 Jeff Frye

No Hitters: (1)
9/2/1990 Dave Stieb

Best Season: 1985 (99-63)
Worst Season: 1979 (53-109)

Historical Moments:
1976: For a while, in February, it looked as if the National League's San Francisco Giants would move to Toronto, where there were buyers eager for the club. When the Giants were sold in March to new owners determined to keep them in San Francisco, the American League jumped in to establish Toronto as an American League city, setting up an expansion club, and announced the Blue Jays, who began play the next year.

1977: Big-league baseball came to Toronto on April 7th, when the Blue Jays defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5 in the snow at Exhibition Stadium. Rookie Doug Ault homered twice in the Jays' first game, as Bill Singer started and got the win. The Jays did not win much that first season winning 55 and losing 107. Despite the struggles fans flocked to see the Jays as 1,701,052 fans made their way to Exhibition Stadium to see the team in their inaugural season, establishing a new record for an expansion club.

1978: The Blue Jays would finish in last place again while losing 102 games in their second season, but there was signs all around of a brighter future. Part of that future was Jim Clancy, who won 10 games, including a win on Jacket Day in front of 44,327 including Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on April 22nd.

1979: The Blue Jays were still experiencing expansion pains losing 109 games, and finishing in last place, but the future continued to develop as SS Alfredo Griffin took home a share of the Rookie of the Year award as he batted .287 with 179 hits and 21 stolen bases.

1980: With new manager Bobby Mattick the Blue Jays avoid 100 loses for the first time ever with a record of 67-95. Although the Jays finished in last place, Jim Clancy, and Dave Stieb established themselves as the clubs top 2 starters.

1981: In a season split in half by a players' strike, the Blue Jays combined the worst start and the strongest finish in the club's 5-year history, as Dave Stieb became the Jays' first regular starter to post a winning record, going 11-10 with an ERA of 3.19.

1982: The Blue Jays finish tied with Cleveland Indians for the worst record in the AL East. However with a record of 78-84 the Jays had a promising season that saw them post a solid 44-37 record at home during the season.

1983: In a season that marked Toronto's first exposure to pennant fever, 7 of the Blue Jays 8 principal pitchers enjoyed winning seasons as the Jays hitters lead the league in team batting and slugging. The Blue Jays, would record its first winning season, taking 4th place with a solid 89-73 record, finishing only 9 games out of first.

1984: The Blue Jays put together another solid 89-73 season, which was camouflaged by the Detroit Tigers running away with the AL East title from the start of the season. Doyle Alexander had a great year on the mound, going 17-6 with 262 innings pitched and 11 complete games. In addition, Dave Stieb had another fine year at 16-8 with an ERA of 2.83, while Jim Clancy and Luis Leal each won 13 games.

1985: The Blue Jays won their first division title with 99 victories, edging the New York Yankees by 2 games. Guiding the Jays flight to the top was Doyle Alexander, who won 17 games, including the clinching game on the season's next to last day. Jimmy Key and Dave Stieb also contributed 14 each, and reliever Dennis Lamp compiled an impressive 11-0 record. Stieb led the league in ERA, while with Key fourth. Eight Blue Jays drove in more than 50 runs, with outfielders George Bell (95), Jesse Barfield (84), and Lloyd Moseby (71) pacing the club's balanced attack. In the ALCS versus the Kansas City Royals the Blue Jays got off to a fast start winning the first 2 in Toronto. After losing Game 3 the Jays used a 9th inning rally led by Al Oliver to take a 3-1 series lead. Had this series been played the year before the series would have been over and the Jays would be heading to the first international World Series. However, it was the first year the LCS had been switched to a best-of-7 format and Toronto still had to win 1 more game. That win would not come as the eventual World Champion Royals won the final 3 games to comeback and win the series. Right after the season ended Manager Bobby Cox shocked the Jays when he chose to leave the team to accept the role as General Manager of the Atlanta Braves.

1986: The Jays 10th season saw both Jesse Barfield and George Bell drive in a then club record 108 RBI. Barfield became the 1st Blue Jay to hit 40 homers, while Bell hit 31 dingers and 38 doubles. Tony Fernandez led the club with a .301 average. All three were selected to post-season All-Star teams and Barfield and Fernandez became the first members of the Blue Jays to win Gold Glove awards. However, inconsistency plagued the starting staff. Jim Clancy lost his final 7 decisions while Dave Stieb lost his first 6 decisions, and finished with a 7-12 record, as the Jays would go on to finish 4th with a disappointing 86-76 record.

1987: After a disappointing 1986 the Jays sprang back stronger than ever. Jim Clancy (15-11, 3.54 ERA) enjoyed his best season yet, as did Jimmy Key (17-8), whose 2.76 ERA led the league. Once again, as in 1985, the team ERA was the AL's lowest, as the offense remained strong, with George Bell, league RBI leader with 134, being named the AL MVP at season's end. The Jays led the AL East going into the season's final series against the 2nd place Detroit Tigers. However, 4 straight losses reduced their lead to just 1game. Needing to win 2 of the final 3 games to take the AL East title, or 1 win to tie the Tigers and force a playoff, the Jays' slumping bats remained quiet, as they lost the first 2 games. In the season finale, Jimmy Key hurled a three-hitter, striking out 8. However, one of the hits was a home run, and the only run of the game, as the Blue Jays finished in 2nd Place with a 96-66 that included a season ending 7-game losing streak that cost them what would have been their 2nd title in 3 years.

1988: In a rocky season made worse by George Bell's feud with Manager Jimy Williams who wanted the unwilling outfielder to serve as designated hitter, the Jays surged at the end with 6straight wins to tie for 3rd place with an 87-75 record, only 2 games out of first. The season was highlighted by the by ace Dave Stieb's 2 consecutive 1-hitters in late September. In both games Stieb did not allow a hit until the 8th inning.

1989: The Blue Jays struggled early, and after a 12-24-start manager Manager Jimy Williams is fired, and replaced by hitting coach Clarence "Cito" Gaston. A new manager was not the only mid-season change for the Jays, on June 5th the Jays began a new era of baseball in Toronto with the opening of SkyDome the 1st retractable roof domed stadium in baseball history. Both moves seem to work as the Jays begin to get wins and move up in the standings. In August the Jays would acquire Lee Mazzilli, and Mookie Wilson from the New York Mets. The moves sparked the Jays to a club record 20-win month that saw them surge all the way to the top of the AL East. The Jays would preserve their top of the division perch, and clinch their 2nd playoff appearance with a pair of one-run victories over the Baltimore Orioles at the end of September. However, in the ALCS the Jays were overmatched, and lost in 5 games to the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics were led by the fleet feet of Rickey Henderson, and the sheer power of Jose Canseco, who in Game 4 hit the longest HR in SkyDome history into the upper deck of LF.

1990: The Blue Jays were unable to combine pitching, hitting and defense to produce a prolonged winning streak. The club held or shared the lead throughout the final month of the season and stayed in the chase until key losses to Boston and Baltimore in the final week ended the team's pennant hopes. The highlight of the season came on September 2nd when longtime ace Dave Stieb tossed the first No Hitter in Blue Jays history. Stieb had come close in the past few years delivering 4 one hitters, but it was not until this game that he finally got the no hitter he pursued.

1991: During the off-season meeting of general managers, Jays GM Pat Gillick did not come back empty handed. Gillick swung a huge 4-player trade with the San Diego Padres sending fan favourites Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff to the Padres in exchange for 2B Roberto Alomar and outfielder Joe Carter. In a 2nd deal the Jays sent prospects Rob Ducey and Junior Felix to the California Angels in exchange for Devon White and Willie Fraiser. The new Jays helped right away and the Blue Jays won the AL East by 7 games over the Red Sox with 91 wins. However, once again the Jays fall in the ALCS losing in 5 games to the Minnesota Twins. Jack Morris a proven post-season winner shuts down the Jays offense twice en-route to guiding the Twins into the World Series.

1992: In the past few seasons the Jays flirted with a World Championship team, and GM Pat Gillick wanted that championship to come to Toronto, so in the off season he signed veteran pitcher, and the prior seasons World Series MVP Jack Morris and future hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield. These moves added the veteran leadership the Blue Jays needed for post-season success as 4 million fans packed the SkyDome to see the Jays make another run at the AL East Title. However the Jays were done gearing up for the postseason, as a mid-season deal with Mets landed David Cone who helped lead the way for another 1st place finish in the East. In the ALCS the Blue Jays took on the mighty, and powerful Oakland Athletics again. After splitting the first 2 at home the Jays went to Oakland and claimed a 7-5 victory in Game 3 to take the series lead. It looked as if the A's were going to tie the series up at 2 games apiece as they held a 5-1 lead heading into the 8th Inning. However after scoring 8 runs in the 8th the Jays tied the game on Roberto Alomar's 2-run homer in the 9th Inning of Dennis Eckersly who was almost automatic out of the bullpen. The Jays would go on to win the game in 12 innings to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. After dropping Game 5 the series shifted back to Toronto where the Jays shelled the A's 9-2 to earn a trip to their first World Series.

1992: In the 1st International World Series the Blue Jays would face the Atlanta Braves. After losing Game 1 the Jays were in danger of falling behind 2-0 in the series trailing 4-3 in the 9th Inning of Game 2, which began with indignity of the Canadian Flag being hung upside down by a US Marine colour guard. However pinch hitter Ed Sprague delivered a 2-run game winning home run to tie the series up. When the series moved to Toronto for game 3 the Toronto fans didn't react well to their flag being flown up-side-down, many signs displaying the US Flag up-side-down were seen, including shirts handed out with the Canadian flag saying "This way Up, Eh!" The Blue Jays would win the first World Series game played outside the US in the 9th inning as Candy Maldonado knocked home Roberto Alomar with the winning run. In Game 4 the Jays would grab a 3-1series lead thanks to the dominating pitching of Jimmy Key. After being blown out in Game 5 the Jays were forced to return to Atlanta where they still needed 1 win to close out the series. The Jays looked poised to win the World Championship with a 2-1 lead in the 9th Inning of Game 6, but the usually reliable Tom Henke let the tying run score and the game went to extra innings. In the 11th Inning Dave Winfield knocked home 2 runs with a double to give the Jays a 4-2 lead, but the Braves would prove pesky scoring a run and had the tying run on base with 2 outs when Otis Nixon tried to bunt his way on. Nixon's bunt would be scooped up by Mike Timlin who flipped it to 1B Joe Carter, as the Jays claimed their first World Championship. Appropriately in the first International World Series, Catcher Pat Borders would be named series MVP.

1993: The Blue Jays lost many key players from the Championship team, gone were starters David Cone and Jimmy Key, closer Tom Henke, DH Dave Winfield, and SS Manuel Lee. However, GM Pat Gillick wasn't done drinking his champagne and went on a spending spree again. In the off-season Gillick added pitcher Dave Stewart, and another future Hall-of-Famer, Paul Molitor, to replace Winfield at DH. With the help of unexpected strong seasons from rookie pitcher Pat Hentgen and 1B John Olerud, who led the AL in hitting the Jays once again spread fear throughout the American League. At the All-Star Game the Blue Jays had 7 representatives, yet that wasn't enough. Gillick re-acquired Tony Fernandez from the New York Mets to fill the hole at SS, and Stolen Base King Rickey Henderson from the Oakland Athletics. The Jays headed on into the post-season finishing the season with the top 3 batting average leaders in the AL (the only time accomplished in the 20th Century). In the ALCS the Blue Jays took on the Chicago White Sox after taking the first 2 in Chicago the Jays appeared to have lost their edge losing Games 3 & 4 in SkyDome. However the Jays bounced back, claiming the next 2 games to head back to the World Series, as ALCS MVP Dave Stewart, and Juan Guzman each won 2 games.

1993: The World Series came back to Toronto and this time the opponents were the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays took 2 of the first 3 games and had a 2- series lead entering Game 4 at Philadelphia. That game would end up being the highest scoring World Series game ever, as the Jays scored 6 runs in the 8th inning to win 15-14 to take a 3-1 series lead. After dropping Game 5 the series shifted back to Toronto, where the Jays watched a 5-1 lead evaporate in the 7th Inning. The Jays would enter the 9th Inning behind 6-5 as the Phillies brought Mitch Williams in to close out the game and force a 7th and deciding game. However, Williams would struggle, and with 1-out, and Rickey Henderson at 2nd and Paul Molitor at 1st, Joe Carter took an inside 2-2 pitch from over the left-field wall to hand the Jays their 2nd consecutive World Series Championship. It was only the 2nd time in baseball history a World Series was ended with a homer.

1994: The off-season wasn't the best for the Jays, as they lost many of their top players again. Rookie catcher Carlos Delgado made things interesting early on, belting 9 home runs in his first month with the club. However, when August came around, and the strike pre-maturely ended the season, the Jays were below 500 for the first time since 1983 with a 55-60 record.

1995: The Blue Jays reacquire David Cone who was coming of a Cy Young season, but with even more of the World Championship teams gone, hopes of another World Series faded quickly. Even Cone would be gone, before the season was over as he was traded to the New York Yankees for prospects. The Jays would go on to finish in last place with a 56-88 record.

1996: With most of the Championship players gone, young prospects were brought up to develop their skills for the future, Carlos Delgado was moved to first base, as others who started getting playing time included SS Alex Gonzalez, and OF Shannon Stewart. Starting pitcher Pat Hentgen had another great year, becoming only the 2nd Jays pitcher to reach the 20-win mark, while winning the Cy Young Award.

1997: New GM Gord Ash tried to make the Jays a champion again right away, signing 3-time Cy Young Winner Roger Clemens, catcher Benito Santiago, and swinging a major trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates landing All-Stars Orlando Merced, and Carlos Garcia. Unfortunately Merced and Garcia did not adjust well to the American League and were dealt by mid-season, the Jays were once again sub-par, as World Series manager Cito Gaston was fired with 5 games to go in a 76-86 last place season. However, not all was lost a great year by Roger Clemens landed the Jays their 2nd straight Cy Young Winner.

1998: Former Blue Jay Tim Johnson was hired as the new manager of the team, having never managed before but was a bench coach with several teams before. The Jays also added bash brother Jose Canseco from the Oakland Athletics, and brought back Tony Fernandez to take over at SS. The Jays had their first winning season since 1993 and after an 11 game winning streak came within 3 games of the wildcard before bowing out with a solid 88-74 record. Roger Clemens won another Cy Young Award, but demanded a trade to teh New York Yankees right after the season.

1999: Spring Training brought on a load of changes, as Roger Clemens was dealt to the Yankees in a trade that added former Blue Jay, and Perfect Game pitcher David Wells, reliever Graeme Lloyd, and young 2B Homer Bush. Shortly there after Manager Tim Johnson was fired for telling lies to his players regarding his time spent in Vietnam. Jim Fregosi who managed the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1993 World Series would replace him. However all was not lost as Tony Batista acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks exploded on to the scene by hitting 25 home runs in a little over 4 months with Jays. Meanwhile rookie closer Billy Koch racked up 31 saves, as the team made a run for the wildcard but fell short with an 84-78 record. However, not was all rosy as OF Shawn Green became the first 30-30 man in Blue Jays history, and then demanded a trade. Green would end up being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Raul Mondesi.

2000: Even with loss of Sean Green the Blue Jays were all power leading the AL with 244 HR. Carlos Delgado who won the Hank Aaron award hitting 41 HR, and driving in 135 RBI led the powerhouse lineup. Delgado would not be alone as Tony Batista, Brad Fullmer, and Jose Cruz Jr. all hit more then 30 homers too, as the Jays tied a Major League Record. Leading the way on the mound was David Wells who won 20 games, and had the Jays in playoff contention again. However the Jays would fall short again with an 83-79 record. Following the season Manager Jim Fregosi was replaced by long-time Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez. In addition the Blue Jays were forced to deal way another unhappy player. This time it was David Wells who was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Mike Sirotka and OF Brian Simmons.

2001: The Blue Jays kicked off their 25th season in high style on the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. It was the first regular season game played on the Island that was the home of such baseball greats as Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, and Roberto Alomar, who was a vital cog of the Blue Jays Championship Teams, and is also the home of current Jay Carlos Delgado. The Jays won the game 8-1 over the Texas Rangers, thanks to superior pitching by Esteban Loazia, and HRs by Shannon Stewart and Tony Batista. The Jays would play solid baseball the first 2 weeks of the season, but began to struggle with poor pitching, which was complicated by the fact Mike Sirotka, was injured before even being acquired from the White Sox, and would miss the entire season. One of the heroes of that first game Tony Batista would also struggle, and would be released in the middle of the season. The Jays would go on to finish the season with an 80-82 record, as young prospects called up at then end of the season helped the team finish the year on a positive note.

Honorable Mention:
Blue Jays radio announcer Tom Cheek has attended every Blue Jays game in their 26-season history, home and away. He has announced over 4,000 regular season and post-season games in a row, a streak that will continue into 2002, and would make Cal Ripken Jr. proud.

Innovative:
In 1996 catcher Charlie O'Brien introduced the new generation of catcher's mask. The new style is a full Hockey goalie type mask that goes over the entire head and even protects the side and back of the head which are left exposed on traditional masks.

Tall Neighbour:
When visiting SkyDome one can't help but notice the tall neighbour to the east. That tower is the CN Tower, which at 182 stories is that largest free-standing structure in the world.

Odds and Ends:
Team Song: "Ok Blue Jays Lets Play Ball"
Team Mascotts: Diamond and Ace

On The Air:
Television: CBC*, Rogers Sorts Net*, TSN *
Radio: The FAN 590 AM
Broadcasters: Rod Black, John Cerutti, Rob Faulds, Pat Tabler, and Brian Williams-TV CBC, Tom Cheek, Jerry Howarth, and Pat Tabler-Radio
*-Aired Nationally except in Montreal, Quebec area.

Spring Training History:
Dunedin 1977-Present

On The Farm:
AAA: Syracuse SkyChiefs
AA: Tennessee Smokies
A: Dunedin Blue Jays
A: Charleston Alleycats
A: Auburn Doubledays
Rookie: Medicine Hat Blue Jays