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Alex Rios, Outfielder. Alex is the new talent north of the border. He is an all-around player, who just seems to get better every year. Any opposing pitchers are not going to have fun pitching to this guy entering his fifth year in the Majors (last two he was an All-Star).
The 2008 Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to finally compete with the power houses of the East. It will be a difficult task, but with newly acquired vets Scott Rolen and David Eckstein they will look to make strides in the division race.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have the talent of a National League team but play in the American League. They have a monsterous task at hand as they look to over take the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the Eastern Division.
Team History
The Toronto Blue Jays came into existence in 1976. The name "Blue Jays" came about when the team held a "name the team" contest, Blue Jays was the most popular choice and was chosen by majority owners Labatt Breweries because the word "blue" was their main brand of beer.
Before the team's inaugural season in 1977, Peter Bavasi was chosen as the general manager, and Pat Gillick was assistant general manager.
On April 7, 1977, 44,649 fans brave snow and freezing temperatures as Major League baseball made a successful debut in Toronto. Doug Ault becomes an instant hero hitting two home runs in the Blue Jays 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays finished the season in last place in the AL East, with a record of 54-107. In their second season, the Blue Jays would finish in last place again losing 102 games.
Under new manager Bobby Cox, 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. 1982 was also the Blue Jays first outside of last place, as they finished sixth in the East.
In 1983, the Blue Jays recorded its first winning season, finishing in 4th place with an 89-73 record, finishing 9 games out of first.
Retired Numbers
- 42 - Jackie Robinson - (Retired throughout MLB)
Managers
- John Gibbons 2004-Present
- Carlos Tosca 2002-04
- Buck Martinez 2001-02
- Cookie Rojas 2001
- Jim Fregosi 1999-2000
- Tim Johnson 1998
- Mel Queen 1997
- Cito Gaston 1989-97
- Gene Tenace 1991, 1994
- Jimy Williams 1986-89
- Bobby Cox 1982-85
- Bobby Mattick 1980-81
- Harry Warner 1978
- Roy Hartsfield 1977-79
Awards
MVP
- George Bell 1987
Cy Young
- Roy Halladay 2003
- Roger Clemens 1997-98
- Pat Hentgen 1996
Rookie of the Year
- Eric Hinske 2002
- Alfredo Griffin 1979
Silver Slugger
- Vernon Wells 2003
- Carlos Delgado 1999-2000, 2003
- Shawn Green 1999
- Jose Canseco 1998
- Paul Molitor 1993
- Dave Winfield 1992
- Joe Carter 1991-92
- Roberto Alomar 1992
- Kelly Gruber 1990
- Fred McGriff 1989
- George Bell 1985-87
- Jesse Barfield 1986
- Lloyd Moseby 1983
- Damaso Garcia 1982
Gold Gloves
- Orlando Hudson 2B 2005
- Vernon Wells OF 2004-2006
- Shawn Green OF 1999
- Devon White OF 1991-1995
- Roberto Alomar 2B 1991-1995
- Kelly Gruber 3B 1990
- Jesse Barfield OF 1986-1987
- Tony Fernandez SS 1986-1989
Record Per Season
| Year | Wins | Losses | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 54 | 107 | ||||||||
| 1978 | 59 | 102 | ||||||||
| 1979 | 53 | 109 | ||||||||
| 1980 | 67 | 95 | ||||||||
| 1981 | 37 | 69 | ||||||||
| 1982 | 78 | 84 | ||||||||
| 1983 | 89 | 73 | ||||||||
| 1984 | 89 | 73 | ||||||||
| 1985 | 99 | 62 | ||||||||
| 1986 | 86 | 76 | ||||||||
| 1987 | 96 | 66 | ||||||||
| 1988 | 87 | 75 | ||||||||
| 1989 | 89 | 73 | ||||||||
| 1990 | 86 | 76 | ||||||||
| 1991 | 91 | 71 | ||||||||
| 1992 | 96 | 66 | ||||||||
| 1993 | 95 | 67 | ||||||||
| 1994 | 55 | 60 | ||||||||
| 1995 | 56 | 88 | ||||||||
| 1996 | 74 | 88 | ||||||||
| 1997 | 76 | 86 | ||||||||
| 1998 | 88 | 74 | ||||||||
| 1999 | 84 | 78 | ||||||||
| 2000 | 83 | 79 | ||||||||
| 2001 | 80 | 82 | ||||||||
| 2002 | 78 | 84 | ||||||||
| 2003 | 86 | 76 | ||||||||
| 2004 | 67 | 94 | ||||||||
| 2005 | 80 | 82 | ||||||||
| 2006 | 87 | 75 | ||||||||
| 2007 | 83 | 79 | ||||||||
Minor League Teams
- Triple A: Syracuse Chiefs, International League
- Double A: New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Eastern League
- Advanced A: Dunedin Blue Jays, Florida State League
- Single A: Lansing Lugnuts, Midwest League
- Short A: Auburn Doubledays, New York-Penn League
- Rookie: Gulf Coast Blue Jays, Gulf Coast League
- Rookie: VSL Blue Jays, Venezuelan Summer League
See Also
