Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Sport: Baseball
Venue: SkyDome
Manager: Carlos Tosca
Championships: 2 - 1992, 1993
Background: The Toronto Blue Jays are
a Major League Baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario,
notable for being the first team from outside the United
States to win the World Series. They are in the Eastern
Division of the American League.
Founded: 1977 (American League expansion)
Home ballpark: SkyDome, Toronto (capacity
50,516) (1989-current).
Former home ballpark: Exhibition Stadium (1977-1989)
Uniform colors: Blue, white (home), grey (away), black
(alternate), red (alternate for Canada Day and other
special national holidays).
Logo Design: A stylized white and
silver "Jays", with a blue, white and silver
blue jay's head pointing leftward in the crook of the
letter "J".
Division championships won (5): 1985,
1989, 1991, 1992, 1993.
American League pennants won (2): 1992,
1993.
World Series championships won (2):
1992, 1993.
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Toronto Blue Jays Tickets |
Franchise History
The Toronto Blue Jays came into existence in 1976 after
a vote by the American League owners. The franchise
was originally owned by Labatt Breweries, Imperial Trust
and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The Blue Jays
played their first game ever on April 7, 1977 against
the Chicago White Sox. They won 9-5, led by Doug Ault's
two home runs.
The Blue Jays fared poorly in both 1978 and 1979, losing
over 100 games in each of those seasons. 1979 was highlighted
by shortstop Alfredo Griffin being named co-Rookie of
the Year in the American League. 1980 saw Bobby Mattick
take over the role of manager from Roy Hartsfield, the
Blue Jays' original manager. 1981 was the strike season,
and the Blue Jays improved their winning percentage
but still finished in last place in the American League
East in both halves of the season.
Toronto's first solid season came in 1982 as they finished
78-84. Their pitching staff was led by starters Dave
Stieb, Jim Clancy and Luis Leal, and the outfield featured
a young Lloyd Moseby and Jesse Barfield. In 1983, the
Blue Jays compiled their first winning record, 89-73,
finishing in fourth place, 9 games behind the eventual
World Series winners, the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue
Jays' progression continued in 1984, finishing with
the same 89-73 record, but this time in second place
behind another World Series champion, the Detroit Tigers.
