Toronto Blue Jays facts for kids
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| President | Mark Shapiro | ||||
| General manager | Ross Atkins | ||||
| Manager | John Schneider | ||||
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) East Division. Since 1989, the team has played most of its home games at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.
The team's name, "Blue Jays," comes from the bird. Blue is also a traditional color for Toronto sports teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs (ice hockey) and the Toronto Argonauts (Canadian football). In 1976, 154 people chose the name "Blue Jays" from over 4,000 suggestions. The team was first owned by the Labatt Brewing Company, which makes a popular beer called Labatt Blue. People often call the team the "Jays." Their official colors are royal blue, navy blue, red, and white.
The Blue Jays started as a new team in 1977. They first played at Exhibition Stadium. In 1989, they moved to SkyDome, which is now called Rogers Centre. They are the second MLB team to be based outside the United States. After the first Canadian team, the Montreal Expos, moved in 2005, the Blue Jays became the only MLB team outside the U.S. Since 2000, Rogers Communications has owned the Blue Jays. In 2004, Rogers Communications also bought SkyDome and renamed it Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves are the only two MLB teams owned by companies.
Due to travel rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Jays played their home games in different places. In 2020, they played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York. In 2021, they played at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, and then at Sahlen Field again. They finally returned to Toronto on July 30, 2021.
In their early years (late 1970s and early 1980s), the Blue Jays struggled, like many new teams. They often finished last in their division. In 1983, they had their first winning season. Two years later, in 1985, they became division champions. From 1985 to 1993, the Blue Jays were a very strong team in the AL East. They won five division championships in nine seasons, including three in a row from 1991 to 1993. During this time, they also won the World Series in 1992 and 1993. Star players like Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, John Olerud, and Devon White led the team. The Blue Jays were the first (and still only) team outside the U.S. to win a World Series. They were also the fastest AL expansion team to win, doing so in their 16th year. As of 2019, they are one of only two MLB teams that have won every World Series they've been in (when appearing in more than one).
After 1993, the Blue Jays did not make the playoffs for 21 seasons. They finally made it back and won their division in 2015. The team made the playoffs again in 2016 by getting an AL wild card spot. In both 2015 and 2016, the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series. However, they lost in the AL Championship Series both times. More recently, they made the playoffs as a wild card team in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
From 1977 to 2024, the Blue Jays have won 3,761 games and lost 3,788 games, with 3 ties.
Contents
- Team History
- Team Popularity
- Team Culture
- Team Uniforms
- Team Rivalries
- Broadcasting Games
- Minor League Teams
- Awards and Achievements
- Charity and Partnerships
- See also
Team History
Starting as a New Team
The Blue Jays became an MLB team in 1977. This happened after Toronto's plan to buy and move the San Francisco Giants team didn't work out. The Blue Jays were added along with the Seattle Mariners.
The Pat Gillick Era: 1977–1994
The Blue Jays played their first game on April 7, 1977. They played against the Chicago White Sox in front of 44,649 fans. A small snowstorm started just before the game. Toronto won the snowy game 9–5, with Doug Ault hitting two home runs. This was one of only 54 wins in the 1977 season. The Blue Jays finished last in their division with a record of 54–107. After this season, Pat Gillick became the team's general manager. He held this job until 1994.
In 1978, the team won five more games but still finished last. In 1979, after another last-place finish, shortstop Alfredo Griffin was named American League co-Rookie of the Year. The Blue Jays' first mascot, BJ Birdy, also started in 1979.
In 1980, Bobby Mattick became the new manager. The team improved, winning 67 games. Jim Clancy led the pitchers with 13 wins. John Mayberry was the first Blue Jay to hit 30 home runs in a season. In the 1981 season, which was cut short by a strike, the Blue Jays finished last in both parts of the season.
Building a Stronger Team: 1982–1984
With new manager Bobby Cox, Toronto had a better season in 1982, finishing 78–84. Their pitchers included Dave Stieb, Jim Clancy, and Luis Leal. Young players like Lloyd Moseby and Jesse Barfield played in the outfield. In 1982, the Jays did not finish last for the first time.
In 1983, the Blue Jays had their first winning record of 89–73. They finished fourth, nine games behind the Baltimore Orioles, who won the World Series that year. First baseman Willie Upshaw was the first Blue Jay to get at least 100 RBIs in a season.
The team continued to improve in 1984, with the same 89–73 record. They finished second behind the Detroit Tigers, who also won the World Series. After 1984, Tony Fernández became the team's main shortstop and a fan favorite.
First Division Title: 1985
In 1985, Toronto won its first championship: the American League East division title. The Blue Jays had strong pitching and good hitting. Tony Fernández played very well in his first full season. Veteran pitcher Doyle Alexander led the team with 17 wins. Relief pitcher Tom Henke also became important. The team finished with 99 wins and 62 losses, which is still the team record for most wins. They were two games ahead of the New York Yankees.
The Jays played the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. Toronto took a three-games-to-one lead. But Kansas City won three games in a row to win the series 4–3. The Royals then went on to win their first World Series. The Blue Jays' successful season was called the "Drive of '85." After the playoffs, Bobby Cox, the AL Manager of the Year, left the Blue Jays to become general manager of the Atlanta Braves.
Ups and Downs: 1986–1988
Jimy Williams became the new manager. In 1986, the Blue Jays finished fourth with 86 wins and 76 losses. Jesse Barfield hit 40 home runs, and George Bell hit 31.
In 1987, the Blue Jays had a 3.5-game lead with one week left in the season. But they lost their last seven games in a row and finished two games behind the Detroit Tigers. The Jays had 96 wins and 66 losses, the second-best record in MLB, but it wasn't enough. However, George Bell was named the AL's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was the first Blue Jay to win this award.
In 1988, Toronto finished third in their division. First baseman Fred McGriff hit 34 home runs. Dave Stieb almost pitched two no-hitters in a row, losing them with two outs in the ninth inning.
New Stadium, New Manager, More Titles: 1989–1991
In 1989, the Blue Jays' new stadium, SkyDome, opened mid-season. This started a very successful five-year period for the team. In May, the team fired manager Jimy Williams and hired Cito Gaston, who was the team's hitting coach. The team had a bad record of 12 wins and 24 losses when Gaston took over. But under him, they won 77 games and lost 49. They won the AL East title with an 89–73 record. Fred McGriff led the AL with 36 home runs.
On May 28, George Bell hit a walk-off home run, which was the last home run at Exhibition Stadium. The first game at SkyDome was on June 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers; the Jays lost 5–3. In the 1989 ALCS, the Oakland Athletics beat the Jays 4–1. The Athletics went on to win the World Series.
In 1990, the Blue Jays had another strong season but finished second. Dave Stieb pitched his only no-hitter, beating the Cleveland Indians 3–0. This is still the only no-hitter pitched by a Blue Jay. During the off-season, the Blue Jays made a big trade. They sent shortstop Tony Fernández and first baseman Fred McGriff to the San Diego Padres. In return, they got outfielder Joe Carter and second baseman Roberto Alomar. The Jays also got centre fielder Devon White. These trades were very important for the team's future success.
Carter, Alomar, and White were great additions. In 1991, the Blue Jays won the division again. Joe Carter scored the division-winning run by driving in Roberto Alomar. But the team lost in the postseason again, this time to the Minnesota Twins. The Twins went on to win their second World Series in five seasons. In 1991, the Blue Jays were the first MLB team to have over four million fans attend their games in one season.
World Series Champions: 1992–1993
Canada's First World Series Title: 1992
After the 1991 season, the Blue Jays got pitcher Jack Morris. He had led the Minnesota Twins to a World Series win by pitching a 10-inning shutout in Game 7. Toronto also signed Dave Winfield to be their designated hitter, adding veteran leadership.
The 1992 regular season was great. The Jays won their second straight AL East title with 96 wins and 66 losses. They were four games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. They also went the whole season without being swept in any series. The Blue Jays played the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS. They won four games to two. Game 4 was very important. The Blue Jays came back from being down 6–1 after seven innings. Roberto Alomar hit a huge game-tying two-run home run in the ninth inning. This led to a 7–6 win in 11 innings and a 3-1 lead in the series.
The Blue Jays then faced the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. The Braves had lost the World Series the year before. Game 2 was a key game. Reserve player Ed Sprague hit a two-run home run in the 9th inning. This gave the Blue Jays a 5–4 lead, which they held onto. The Jays won Game 3 and Game 4. They couldn't win the Series at home in Game 5. Game 6 in Atlanta was very close. Toronto was one strike away from winning 2–1 in the bottom of the 9th inning. But Otis Nixon hit a single to tie the game. The game was decided in the 11th inning when Dave Winfield hit a double, bringing in two runs. The Braves scored one more run, but Jays pitcher Mike Timlin made the final out. The Blue Jays became the first team outside the United States to win the World Series. Pat Borders, the Jays' catcher, was named the World Series MVP.
Back-to-Back Champions: 1993
After the 1992 season, the Blue Jays let Dave Winfield and pitcher Tom Henke go. But they signed two important players: designated hitter Paul Molitor and pitcher Dave Stewart.
In 1993, the Blue Jays had seven All-Stars. These included outfielders Devon White and Joe Carter, infielders John Olerud and Roberto Alomar, designated hitter Molitor, pitcher Pat Hentgen, and closer Duane Ward. In August, the Jays got Rickey Henderson from the Athletics. The Blue Jays easily won their third straight division title with 95 wins and 67 losses. The Jays beat the Chicago White Sox four games to two in the ALCS. Then they beat the Philadelphia Phillies four games to two for their second straight World Series victory.
The World Series had many exciting games. In Game 4, the Blue Jays came back from being down 14–9 to win 15–14. This is still the highest-scoring game in World Series history. In Game 6 in Toronto, the Blue Jays were leading 5–1. But the Phillies scored 5 runs in the 7th inning to lead 6–5. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Joe Carter hit a three-run walk-off home run to win the series. This was only the second World Series-winning walk-off home run in MLB history.
Paul Molitor was named the World Series MVP. In the regular season, three Blue Jays—Olerud, Molitor, and Alomar—finished as the top three hitters in the AL. John Olerud led with a .363 batting average, which is a team record. It was the first time in 100 years that the top three hitters in the league were from the same team.
A Difficult Season: 1994
After winning two championships in a row, expectations were high for the Blue Jays in 1994. But they had a bad season, finishing 55–60 before a players' strike ended the season early. This was their first losing season since 1982. Joe Carter, Paul Molitor, and John Olerud had good hitting years, but the pitching was not as strong. Young players like Alex Gonzalez, Carlos Delgado, and Shawn Green showed promise for the future. On October 31, 1994, Pat Gillick, the general manager, resigned. Gord Ash took over his role.
The Gord Ash Era: 1995–2001
Struggles and New Ownership: 1995–2000
In 1995, the Blue Jays lost their winning ways. They finished with a bad record of 56–88, last in their division. That year, the team's owner, Labatt Breweries, was bought by a company from Belgium. This made the Blue Jays the second MLB team owned by a company outside North America.
1996 was another average year for the Jays. Pat Hentgen won the Cy Young Award (an award for the best pitcher). Ed Sprague had a great year, hitting 36 home runs. The team finished in fourth place.
The Blue Jays had high hopes for 1997. They changed their uniforms and signed star pitcher Roger Clemens. Clemens had one of the best pitching seasons ever, winning the pitcher's Triple Crown. This means he led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. But it wasn't enough for the Jays to make the playoffs. They finished last again. Cito Gaston, the manager who led the team to two World Series wins, was fired near the end of the season. In 1997, the Blue Jays also played their Canadian rival, the Montreal Expos, for the first time in regular season games.
Before the 1998 season, the Jays got pitcher Randy Myers and hitter Jose Canseco. Gaston was replaced by Tim Johnson. Clemens won his second straight pitching Triple Crown. The Blue Jays had a winning record of 88–74, their first since 1993. But they finished far behind the New York Yankees, who had a great season.
Before the 1999 season, the Blue Jays traded Clemens to the Yankees. They also fired manager Tim Johnson during spring training. Jim Fregosi became the new manager. The team's hitting improved in 1999, but pitching was not as strong without Clemens. The Blue Jays finished in third place. After the 1999 season, the team's first mascot, BJ Birdy, was replaced by two new mascots, Ace and Diamond.
In November 1999, Toronto traded star outfielder Shawn Green to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Green wanted to play closer to his home in California.
The 2000 season was similar. The Blue Jays had a winning record but were out of the wild card race. They were only 4.5 games behind the Yankees in their division. Carlos Delgado had an amazing year, hitting .344 with 41 home runs. Six other players hit 20 or more home runs, which was a great achievement.
New Owners and Changes: 2000–2001
On September 1, 2000, Rogers Communications Inc. bought 80% of the Blue Jays. Rogers eventually bought the rest of the team and now owns it completely.
The 2001 season was the team's 25th anniversary. Buck Martinez, a former Blue Jays catcher, became the new manager. The team had a disappointing season, finishing with more losses than wins. Carlos Delgado again led the team in home runs and RBIs. After the season, Gord Ash, the general manager, was fired.
J. P. Ricciardi became the new general manager. He was expected to cut player salaries. During the off-season, the team traded or let go of several popular players. This was to give young players like Eric Hinske and Felipe López a chance to play in the major leagues.
The J. P. Ricciardi and Roy Halladay Era: 2002–2009
Building for the Future: 2002–2004
The Blue Jays started the 2002 season slowly. Manager Buck Martinez was fired partway through the season. Carlos Tosca took over as manager. They finished the season with 78 wins and 84 losses. Roy Halladay became the team's top pitcher, finishing with 19 wins and a 2.93 ERA. Carlos Delgado led the hitters. Young players like third baseman Eric Hinske (who won Rookie of the Year) and outfielder Vernon Wells played important roles.
The 2003 season was a surprise. After a slow April, the team had its best May ever. Carlos Delgado led MLB in RBIs. Despite good hitting, the team's pitching was still a problem, except for Halladay. Halladay won his first Cy Young Award, with 22 wins and a 3.25 ERA. The Jays finished third in their division. Delgado was second in voting for the American League MVP Award.
The 2004 season was disappointing. The team started 0–8 at Rogers Centre and never had a long winning streak. Many All-Stars like Carlos Delgado, Vernon Wells, and Roy Halladay were injured. Manager Carlos Tosca was fired in August and replaced by John Gibbons. Long-time first baseman Carlos Delgado became a free agent. However, young players like Russ Adams, Gabe Gross, and Alex Ríos gave fans hope.
Rogers Centre Improvements and Injuries: 2005–2007
SkyDome was renamed Rogers Centre and was greatly improved. The Blue Jays started the 2005 season well, leading their division in April. But injuries hurt the team. Third baseman Corey Koskie broke his finger. On July 8, Roy Halladay broke his leg and was out for the rest of the season. Before Halladay's injury, the Blue Jays were close to making the playoffs. Young players like Aaron Hill and Shaun Marcum played well.
In 2006, the team had its most successful season in years. Five Blue Jays were chosen for the All-Star Game. The team played well in September, finishing second in the AL East. This was the first time they finished above third place since 1993. On December 18, the Blue Jays re-signed centre fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year contract worth $126 million.
The 2007 season had many injuries. 12 Blue Jays players were on the disabled list. Pitcher B. J. Ryan was out for the whole season after surgery. Young pitchers Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan had great years, each winning 12 games. On June 28, Frank Thomas hit his 500th career home run. Aaron Hill also had a great year, setting a team record for doubles by a second baseman.
More Changes: 2008–2009
The Blue Jays' 2008 season had a strong pitching staff, which led MLB with a 3.49 ERA. But the team struggled to hit home runs and score runs. On June 20, manager John Gibbons was fired and Cito Gaston was hired again. Alex Ríos stole 32 bases, the first Blue Jay to steal 30 since 2001. Roy Halladay finished second in voting for the Cy Young Award, with 20 wins and a 2.78 ERA.
The 2009 season saw two new patches on the Blue Jays' uniforms. One was a red maple leaf (from the Canadian flag). The other was a small black band with "TED" for the late team owner Ted Rogers. The Jays started the season well, but then lost nine games in a row and couldn't recover. In August, general manager J. P. Ricciardi allowed the Chicago White Sox to claim Alex Ríos. Ricciardi was fired on October 3 and replaced by Alex Anthopoulos. Despite a 75-win season, Aaron Hill had a strong return and won the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award. Adam Lind also had a strong season.
The Alex Anthopoulos and José Bautista Era: 2010–2015
New Stars Emerge: 2010–2012
In the off-season, the Jays traded star pitcher Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, they got Kyle Drabek, Travis d'Arnaud, and Michael Taylor. Taylor was immediately traded for Brett Wallace. The team also signed catcher John Buck and shortstop Álex González.
The 2010 season was a surprising improvement, with 10 more wins than the previous season. José Bautista had an amazing year, hitting 54 home runs. This broke George Bell's team record of 47. He was the first player since 2007 to hit 50 home runs. The Blue Jays also set a team record for most home runs in a season, with 257. Seven players hit 20 or more home runs, tying an MLB record.
On August 7, catcher J. P. Arencibia made his MLB debut. He hit two home runs, including one on the first pitch he saw. The next day, pitcher Brandon Morrow almost pitched a no-hitter, finishing with 17 strikeouts.
Led by new manager John Farrell, the 2011 Blue Jays finished with an even record of 81 wins and 81 losses. José Bautista had another great season, leading MLB with 43 home runs. Rookie J. P. Arencibia set a team record for home runs by a catcher. In August, third base prospect Brett Lawrie made his MLB debut and played very well.
Pitcher Ricky Romero led the team with 15 wins and a 2.92 ERA. He became an All-Star for the first time. On July 31, the Blue Jays retired their first number, Roberto Alomar's #12. This was one week after Alomar became the first Hall of Famer to be inducted primarily as a Blue Jay.
The 2012 season had many injuries. The Blue Jays used 31 different pitchers, a team record. In June, three starting pitchers were injured in four days. Many key hitters, including All-Star José Bautista, also missed time due to injury. This led to a 73–89 record. Despite some struggles, Casey Janssen became a reliable closer, and Edwin Encarnación became one of the league's best power hitters.
On April 5, 2012, the team played the longest opening-day game in MLB history, winning 7–4 in 16 innings. On April 20, the Jays made a triple play against the Kansas City Royals.
More Trades and Playoff Return: 2013–2015
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During the off-season, the Blue Jays traded manager John Farrell to the Boston Red Sox. Former manager John Gibbons returned to manage the Blue Jays. The Jays also made a big trade with the Miami Marlins. This led to other big trades and signings, including getting Cy Young winner R. A. Dickey from the New York Mets. On June 8, the Blue Jays played their longest game by innings, winning 4–3 in 18 innings against the Texas Rangers. The Jays also won 11 games in a row in June. However, they had a losing season overall.
In 2014, pitcher Roy Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Blue Jays before retiring due to injuries. The Jays had a nine-game winning streak in May. On August 10, the Blue Jays played their longest game ever by both time and innings. They won 6–5 in 19 innings, playing for 6 hours and 37 minutes against the Detroit Tigers.
During the 2015 off-season, the Jays signed Toronto-born catcher Russell Martin. The Jays also got All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson and other players in trades. They made more big trades, getting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price.
The Jays had two 11-game winning streaks in 2015. On September 25, the Blue Jays made the playoffs, ending the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports. They then won the AL East division title on September 30.
The Blue Jays played the Texas Rangers in the ALDS. After losing their first two home games, they won the next three in a row to win the series. This comeback had not happened since 2012. In Game 5, José Bautista hit a go-ahead, three-run home run and did a famous "bat flip."
The Blue Jays then played the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. They lost the series 4–2. The Royals went on to win the World Series. After the playoffs, Josh Donaldson was named AL MVP, the first Blue Jay to win it since 1987.
The Ross Atkins Era: 2016–Present
Wild Card Winners and Playoff Runs: 2016–2018
Mark Shapiro became the new president of the Blue Jays. Alex Anthopoulos resigned and Ross Atkins became the new general manager.
During the off-season, David Price left the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays signed pitcher J. A. Happ. On May 15, 2016, the Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers had a fight during a game. This happened after a pitch was thrown at Jose Bautista, and then Bautista slid illegally, and Rougned Odor punched Bautista.
On October 2, 2016, the Blue Jays made the Wild Card playoffs. On October 4, the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Wild Card Game with a walk-off three-run home run by Edwin Encarnación in the 11th inning. On October 9, the Blue Jays swept the Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series to reach the AL Championship Series again. On October 19, the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series, ending their World Series hopes.
The 2017 season had many injuries. On November 11, 2016, the Blue Jays signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales. On December 5, Steve Pearce signed with Toronto. On January 5, 2017, Edwin Encarnación signed with the Cleveland Indians. On January 18, 2017, Bautista signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jays. By the end of April, the Jays had the worst record in MLB.
On July 2, the Jays traded pitcher Jason Grilli. Steve Pearce hit two walk-off grand slams in three days in July. The Blue Jays wore special red-and-white uniforms in some games in 2017 to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary.
In 2018, the Blue Jays did not re-sign José Bautista. The Blue Jays traded for Yangervis Solarte and signed Curtis Granderson and Seung-hwan Oh. In July and August, the Blue Jays traded several players, including pitchers J. A. Happ, Seung-hwan Oh, and Roberto Osuna. They also traded Josh Donaldson and Curtis Granderson. On September 26, the Blue Jays announced that manager John Gibbons would not return for the 2019 season.
Young Stars and Pandemic Challenges: 2019–2021
On October 25, 2018, the Blue Jays hired Charlie Montoyo as their new manager. Early in 2019, the Blue Jays traded Kendrys Morales and Kevin Pillar. During the season, the Blue Jays called up young stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, and Bo Bichette for the first time. These players are sons of former MLB stars. Near the trade deadline, the Blue Jays traded pitchers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez.
For the 2020 season, the Blue Jays signed free agents Tanner Roark and Hyun-jin Ryu. They also signed Shun Yamaguchi, the first player they got through the posting system. On January 18, 2020, the Toronto Blue Jays showed off a new blue alternate uniform.
On July 24, 2020, it was announced that the Toronto Blue Jays would play most of their home games in Buffalo, New York. This was because the Canadian government did not allow the Blue Jays and other teams to play in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Blue Jays made it to the playoffs but were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in two games.
For the 2021 season, the Blue Jays signed pitchers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood, and outfielder George Springer. They also signed infielder Marcus Semien. However, Yates was out for the whole season due to surgery.
The Toronto Blue Jays played their home games in TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, until June 1. Then they moved back to Sahlen Field in Buffalo. On July 16, the Blue Jays announced they would finally return to Rogers Centre in Toronto on July 30. This was because the Canadian government allowed them to play in Canada again. Pitcher Alek Manoah was called up to the major leagues for the first time this season. Despite winning 91 games in 2021, the Blue Jays did not make the postseason.
Full Return to Toronto and Recent Playoff Appearances: 2022–Present
For the 2022 season, the Blue Jays signed Kevin Gausman, Yimi García, and Yusei Kikuchi. They traded for infielder Matt Chapman and outfielder Raimel Tapia. On July 13, the team released Charlie Montoyo as manager. John Schneider became the new interim manager. The Blue Jays made the playoffs and hosted the Seattle Mariners. However, the Mariners swept the Blue Jays in two games.
For the 2023 season, the Blue Jays traded outfielder Teoscar Hernández for pitcher Erik Swanson. The Blue Jays also hired Don Mattingly as the new bench coach. They signed pitcher Chris Bassitt and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier. They also traded catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for outfielder and catcher Daulton Varsho. The Blue Jays made the playoffs again and played against the Minnesota Twins. The Twins swept the Blue Jays in two games. This was the third time in four seasons that the Blue Jays were swept in the Wild Card series.
For the 2024 season, the Blue Jays re-signed Kevin Kiermaier and signed utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa and designated hitter Justin Turner.
Team Popularity
In 1977, the Blue Jays set an MLB record for a new team, with over 1.2 million fans attending their first 50 home games. By the end of that season, over 1.7 million fans had attended. In 1991, the Blue Jays became the first MLB team to have over four million fans in one season. This record was broken in 1993 by the Colorado Rockies.
Several Blue Jays players became very popular. Dave Stieb was chosen for the All-Star team seven times, which is a team record. Roy Halladay and José Bautista were chosen six times each. Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter were chosen five times each. In 2011, José Bautista set an MLB record with over 7.4 million All-Star votes. In 2015, Josh Donaldson set a new MLB record by getting over 14 million All-Star votes.
The team is popular across Canada because it's the only MLB team in the country. The team has played exhibition games in Vancouver and Montreal. They have also played games in Buffalo, New York.
Team Culture
“OK Blue Jays”
During the seventh-inning stretch at home games, fans sing and clap to the song "OK Blue Jays" by Keith Hampshire and The Bat Boys. This happens before they sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." The song was first released in 1983. A shorter version has been played at home games since 2003.
“Let's Go Blue Jays”
At home games, the "Let's Go Blue Jays" chant is played four times, followed by a "Charge" fanfare.
Mascots
From 1979 to 1999, BJ Birdy was the Blue Jays' only mascot. In 2000, he was replaced by two mascots named Ace and Diamond. After the 2003 season, Diamond was removed, leaving Ace as the only mascot. Since the 2010s, Ace has been joined by his younger brother, Junior. Junior often appears on "Jr. Jay Saturday" or "Jr. Jay Sunday" promotions.
Sunday Salute
Since 2012, at every Sunday home game, the Blue Jays honor a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. In the third inning, they give the honored member a special jersey.
National Anthems
Since 2005, "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the U.S. anthem) has been sung before "O Canada" (the Canadian anthem) at every home game. In some home games, like on Canada Day and during playoffs, "O Canada" is sung in both English and French. When "O Canada" is sung during these special games, a giant Canadian flag is carried by members of the Canadian Armed Forces. On June 29, 2019, "O Canada" was sung in Cree and English. On September 30, 2021, "O Canada" was sung in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin. On September 30, 2022, it was sung in French, English, and Blackfoot. For Blue Jays games played in the U.S., "O Canada" is sung before "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Canada Day
The Blue Jays usually host a home game on Canada Day (July 1). During this game, the team wears red jerseys instead of blue ones. Before the game, a giant Canadian flag is carried by members of the Canadian Armed Forces while "O Canada" is sung in English and French. The Canada Day game was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, it was held in Buffalo, New York, because of travel rules.
Jays Shop
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The Blue Jays have stores called Jays Shop that sell team merchandise. There are two locations at Rogers Centre.
Team Uniforms
Early Years: 1977–1988
The Blue Jays wore pullover uniforms in their first ten years. Home uniforms were white with the team name in blue. Road uniforms were powder blue with the city name. Caps were blue with the Blue Jays logo on a white front panel. In 2008, the powder blue road uniform was brought back as an alternate home uniform for Friday games until 2010.
Championship Era: 1989–1996
When they moved to Rogers Centre (then SkyDome) in 1989, the Blue Jays started wearing buttoned uniforms. Home uniforms were similar, but road uniforms changed to grey with the city name. All-blue caps were worn with the road uniform, and later became the main cap for all uniforms. In 1994, the Blue Jays started wearing blue alternate uniforms.
New Look: 1997–2003
The Blue Jays changed their logo in 1997, with a new bird design and a larger red maple leaf. Red was used much more on the new uniforms. Letters and numbers had new colors. Red also appeared on the pants and sleeves. New blue caps were worn, and a red-brimmed blue cap was used with the blue alternate uniforms. In 1999, the Blue Jays added a sleeveless white alternate uniform. In 2001, slight changes were made, and a new "T-bird" logo appeared.
Black and Graphite: 2004–2011
Before the 2004 season, the Blue Jays changed their look again, using black, silver, and graphite colors. Home and black alternate uniforms said "Jays" on the front. Road uniforms had the city name. In 2008, the road uniforms were changed slightly to make the letters easier to read. A red maple leaf was added to the right sleeve starting in 2009. The Blue Jays mostly wore all-black caps.
Return to Traditional Look: Since 2012
Before the 2012 season, the Blue Jays showed off new uniforms and a new logo. The logo is a modern version of their original logo from 1977 to 1996. The uniforms are similar to the ones they wore during their most successful years from 1989 to 1996. In 2015, the Blue Jays started wearing a modern version of their original white-paneled blue caps.
Before the 2020 season, the Blue Jays showed a modern version of their powder blue uniforms. These uniforms are worn with a navy cap with a powder blue brim.
Canada Day Uniforms
Since 1996, the Blue Jays have worn mostly red or red-accented uniforms on July 1, Canada Day. These uniforms are based on the team's alternate uniforms but use red as the main color. Sometimes, they added red trim to a white uniform or included the flag of Canada or a red maple leaf.
City Connect Uniform
In 2024, the Blue Jays revealed a special "City Connect" uniform. It is inspired by Toronto's nightlife and is called "Night Mode." The jersey is a dark blue and shows an illustration of the Toronto skyline in royal blue. The word "Toronto" is in red. The dark blue color represents Lake Ontario's reflection at night. The cap is also dark blue and has a red maple leaf in the middle of a red and blue "T."
Team Rivalries
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were the Blue Jays' main rival in Canada. They were the other Canadian MLB team before they moved. From 1978 to 1986, the teams played an annual exhibition game called the Pearson Cup. They started playing each other in regular season games in 1997.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a traditional rival of the Blue Jays. This rivalry started in the 1980s when both teams were strong in the AL East. The Tigers moved to a different division in 1998, so the rivalry is not as strong now. Detroit is about a four-hour drive from Toronto.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are not in the same division as the Blue Jays. However, many Blue Jays fans from Western Canada travel to Seattle to watch games. Seattle is closer to Western Canada than Toronto is. Many Blue Jays fans attend games in Seattle.
Broadcasting Games
Radio
The Blue Jays' former radio announcer, Tom Cheek, called every Blue Jays game from 1977 until June 3, 2004. This was a streak of 4,306 regular-season games and 41 playoff games. Cheek passed away in 2005. The team honored him by wearing a patch with his initials 'TC' and a microphone. Cheek is also honored in the Blue Jays' "Level of Excellence" at Rogers Centre, with the number 4,306 next to his name. In 2013, Cheek received the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.
Radio broadcasts of Blue Jays games come from Sportsnet 590 CJCL in Toronto. Jerry Howarth became the main play-by-play announcer after Cheek retired. Former Blue Jays catcher Joe Siddall has been the color commentator since 2014. After Howarth retired in 2017, Ben Wagner became the primary radio play-by-play announcer.
The Blue Jays have the largest home market in baseball, covering all of Canada. However, only a small number of radio stations across the country broadcast their games.
Television
All Blue Jays games are shown nationally on Sportsnet. Dan Shulman is the main play-by-play announcer, with Buck Martinez as the primary color commentator. Sportsnet became the team's main TV channel in the late 1990s and their only broadcaster in 2010. Sportsnet One also shows Blue Jays games.
Sportsnet's broadcasts of the 2015 playoffs were very popular, with Game 4 of the AL Division Series watched by 4.38 million viewers.
In September 2012, AMI-tv showed three Blue Jays games with described video for blind and low-vision fans. This was praised as a new way to make games accessible.
On June 27, 2013, Toronto's Omni Television station showed a Blue Jays game with commentary in Mandarin. This was the first Canadian MLB broadcast in that language. In June 2018, Omni started airing Sunday afternoon games in Tagalog.
TVA Sports has shown games in French since 2011.
Minor League Teams
The Toronto Blue Jays have six minor league teams. These teams help young players develop their skills before playing in the major leagues.
| Level | Team | League | Location | Ballpark | Affiliated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triple-A | Buffalo Bisons | International League | Buffalo, New York | Sahlen Field | 2013 |
| Double-A | New Hampshire Fisher Cats | Eastern League | Manchester, New Hampshire | Delta Dental Stadium | 2003 |
| High-A | Vancouver Canadians | Northwest League | Vancouver, British Columbia | Nat Bailey Stadium | 2011 |
| Single-A | Dunedin Blue Jays | Florida State League | Dunedin, Florida | TD Ballpark | 1987 |
| Rookie | FCL Blue Jays | Florida Complex League | Englebert Complex | Dunedin, Florida | 2007 |
| DSL Blue Jays | Dominican Summer League | Boca Chica, Santo Domingo | Baseball City Complex | 2009 |
Awards and Achievements
Team Records
Here are some of the Toronto Blue Jays' top records for a single season and for a player's entire career with the team:
| Statistic | Single season record | Career record | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Record | Season | Player | Record | |
| Games played: | Tony Fernández | 163 | 1986 | Tony Fernández | 1,450 |
| Plate appearances: | Vernon Wells | 735 | 2003 | Carlos Delgado | 6,018 |
| At bats: | Tony Fernández | 687 | 1986 | Vernon Wells | 5,470 |
| Batting average: | John Olerud | .363 | 1993 | Roberto Alomar | .307 |
| On-base percentage: | John Olerud | .473 | 1993 | John Olerud | .395 |
| Slugging percentage: | Carlos Delgado | .664 | 2000 | Carlos Delgado | .556 |
| On-base plus slugging: | Carlos Delgado | 1.134 | 2000 | Carlos Delgado | .949 |
| Runs scored: | Shawn Green | 134 | 1999 | Carlos Delgado | 889 |
| Hits: | Vernon Wells | 215 | 2003 | Tony Fernández | 1,583 |
| Total bases: | Carlos Delgado | 378 | 2000 | Carlos Delgado | 2,786 |
| Doubles: | Carlos Delgado | 57 | 2000 | Carlos Delgado | 343 |
| Triples: | Tony Fernández | 17 | 1990 | Tony Fernández | 72 |
| Home runs: | José Bautista | 54 | 2010 | Carlos Delgado | 336 |
| RBI | Carlos Delgado | 145 | 2003 | Carlos Delgado | 1,058 |
| Walks: | José Bautista | 132 | 2011 | Carlos Delgado | 827 |
| Stolen bases: | Dave Collins | 60 | 1984 | Lloyd Moseby | 255 |
| Games played (pitcher): | Mark Eichhorn | 89 | 1987 | Jason Frasor | 505 |
| Games started: | Jim Clancy | 40 | 1982 | Dave Stieb | 408 |
| Wins: | Roy Halladay | 22 | 2003 | Dave Stieb | 175 |
| Losses: | Jerry Garvin Phil Huffman |
18 | 1977 1979 |
Jim Clancy | 140 |
| Winning percentage: | Dennis Lamp | 1.000 | 1985 | Roger Clemens | .759 |
| Innings pitched: | Dave Stieb | 288.1 | 1982 | Dave Stieb | 2,873 |
| ERA: | Mark Eichhorn | 1.72 | 1986 | Tom Henke | 2.48 |
| Earned runs: | Erik Hanson | 129 | 1996 | Dave Stieb | 1,091 |
| Strikeouts: | Roger Clemens | 292 | 1997 | Dave Stieb | 1,658 |
| Complete Games: | Dave Stieb | 19 | 1982 | Dave Stieb | 102 |
| Shutouts: | Dave Stieb | 5 | 1982 | Dave Stieb | 30 |
| Saves: | Duane Ward | 45 | 1993 | Tom Henke | 217 |
No-Hitters
Only one Blue Jays pitcher has thrown a no-hitter (a game where the pitcher doesn't allow any hits). This was done by Dave Stieb on September 2, 1990. He had almost thrown three no-hitters before, losing them with two outs in the ninth inning.
No perfect games (a special type of no-hitter where no one reaches base) have been thrown in Blue Jays history. The closest was on August 4, 1989, when Stieb gave up a double with two outs in the ninth inning.
| # | Date | Pitcher | Final score | Base- runners |
Opponent | Catcher | Plate umpire | Manager | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 2, 1990 | Dave Stieb | 3–0 | 4 | Cleveland Indians | Pat Borders | Drew Coble | Cito Gaston |
|
Triple Crown Winners
Roger Clemens won the pitching Triple Crown in both 1997 and 1998.
Baseball Hall of Famers
Ten former Blue Jays players, one former manager, and one former general manager have been elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Roberto Alomar, a second baseman, was the first player to be inducted mainly for his time with the Blue Jays in 2011.
| Toronto Blue Jays Hall of Famers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum | |||||||||
|
Bobby Doerr, a Hall of Fame second baseman, was a hitting coach for the Blue Jays from 1977–1981. He was the first person linked to the team to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Early Wynn, a Hall of Fame pitcher, was a radio broadcaster for the Blue Jays from 1977–1981.
Ford C. Frick Award Winners
| Toronto Blue Jays Ford C. Frick Award recipients | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum | |||||||||
|
BBWAA Career Excellence Award Winners
| Toronto Blue Jays BBWAA Career Excellence Award recipients | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum | ||||||||
|
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Many Blue Jays players, managers, and executives are in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
| Blue Jays in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Inductee | Position | Tenure | Notes |
| 12 | Roberto Alomar | 2B | 1991–1995 | |
| — | Gord Ash | GM | 1995–2001 | Born in Toronto |
| — | Paul Beeston | Executive | 1976–1997 2008–2015 |
Born in Welland, Ontario |
| 11 | George Bell | LF | 1981, 1983–1990 | |
| 29, 43 | Joe Carter | OF/1B | 1991–1997 | |
| — | Tom Cheek | Broadcaster | 1977–2004 | |
| 6, 21, 25 | Carlos Delgado | 1B | 1993–2004 | |
| — | Jacques Doucet | Broadcaster | 2011–present | Mainly for his work with Montreal Expos |
| 20, 22, 40 | Rob Ducey | OF | 1987–1992, 2000 | Born in Toronto |
| 1 | Tony Fernández | SS | 1983–1990, 1993 1998–1999, 2001 |
|
| 35 | Jeff Francis | P | 2015 | Born in Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 43 | Cito Gaston | Manager | 1989–1997 2008–2010 |
|
| — | Pat Gillick | GM | 1978–1994 | |
| 32, 52 | Roy Halladay | P | 1998–2009 | |
| — | Peter Hardy | Executive | 1976–1993 | Born in Toronto |
| 50 | Tom Henke | P | 1985–1992 | |
| 41 | Pat Hentgen | P | 1991–1999, 2004 | |
| 47 | Corey Koskie | 3B | 2005 | Born in Anola, Manitoba |
| — | Tony Kubek | Broadcaster | 1977–1989 | |
| 3 | Bobby Mattick | Manager | 1980–1981 | |
| 39 | Dave McKay | 2B/3B | 1977–1979 | Born in Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 15 | Lloyd Moseby | CF | 1980–1989 | |
| 9 | John Olerud | 1B | 1989–1996 | |
| 48 | Paul Quantrill | P | 1996–2001 | Born in London, Ontario |
| — | Jim Ridley | Scout | 1976–2002 | Born in Toronto |
| — | Gladwyn Scott | Scout | 1987–1993 | Born in Hamiota, Manitoba |
| 24 | Matt Stairs | OF/DH/1B | 2007–2008 | Born in St. John, New Brunswick |
| — | Howard Starkman | Executive | 1976–2014 | Born in Toronto |
| 37 | Dave Stieb | P | 1979–1992, 1998 | |
| 31 | Duane Ward | P | 1986–1995 | |
| 12 | Ernie Whitt | C | 1977–1978, 1980–1989 | |
Retired Numbers
|
On July 31, 2011, Roberto Alomar's number 12 was the first number retired by the Blue Jays. This happened soon after he became the first person inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Blue Jay. However, number 12 was later unretired.
On March 29, 2018, the Blue Jays retired number 32 to honor Roy Halladay, who passed away in 2017. This was the second number retired by the team.
Level of Excellence
In 1996, the Blue Jays created a "Level of Excellence" at Rogers Centre. This honors people who have achieved great things for the team.
 Tony Fernández SS, 3B: 1983–1990, 1993, 1998–1999, 2001 |
 George Bell LF: 1981–1990 |
 Carlos Delgado 1B: 1993–2004 |
 Joe Carter RF, 1B: 1991–1997 |
 Dave Stieb P: 1979–1992, 1998 |
 Cito Gaston Manager: 1989–1997, 2008–2010 |
 Tom Cheek Broadcaster: 1977–2005 |
 Paul Beeston VP: 1976–1989; President: 1989–1997, 2008–2015 |
 Roy Halladay P: 1998–2009 |
 Pat Gillick GM: 1978–1994 |
 José Bautista RF, 3B: 2008–2017 |
On March 5, 2023, the Blue Jays announced that Jose Bautista would join the Level of Excellence on August 12, 2023.
Charity and Partnerships
The Jays Care Foundation is the charity part of the Toronto Blue Jays. It holds events to support local groups and people in the community. They also teach baseball and life skills to young people across Canada.
See also
In Spanish: Toronto Blue Jays para niños
