Ted Simmons, Charlie Moore, Ned Yost, and Buck Martinez. That was our catching lineup for the 1981 Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Buck Rodgers called me into the office, told me I was DFA’d and that was that. I made a quick call to the team hotel to tell my wife Arlene “stay put, I’m coming home.” We had sold our house in Kansas City in the offseason planning to relocate after the season. Well, that wasn’t such a good idea! Now, since we were in California, the next stop was my parents’ house in Sacramento. There, we would wait the 10-day DFA period and see what was next!

In an attempt to stay in shape, I went out running. When I came home, my wife had a bottle of champagne sitting on the table with a blue bow around it. “We are going to Toronto!” Really, not the Yankees? Well, at least we were going somewhere.

The night I arrived in Toronto at Pearson International Airport, it was early May on a cold and rainy night. Rick Amos from the front office picked me up and drove me to the “Ex” (the Blue Jays’ home ballpark, Exhibition Stadium). There I met Pat Gillick, the general manager, who told me I was there to help the young pitchers get better. I thought I would finish out the season with the Jays and head off into the sunset! After all, I had come from Kansas City through Milwaukee and Toronto wasn’t exactly the way I saw my career ending. Little did I know this would be the best move of my career. Here we are, beginning the 2022 season and I am still here in Toronto with the Jays. What a great ride it has been.

The 1981 season, of course, was interrupted by the strike for 53 days. I was heavily involved in the Players Association so once the strike hit, I was off traveling around to meetings in New York City and beyond. My wife Arlene and son Casey were “stuck” in Toronto without a car. Normally, the team annually arranges Hondas for all the players but once the work stoppage hit, the cars were gone!

After the strike, as we were getting ready to resume the season, I remember team president Peter Bavasi meeting with the players in the outfield at Exhibition Stadium with a pep talk about how the season was now spilt into two halves and “we could make the playoffs.” We players knew we weren’t very good and wondered if he was talking about us.

Well of course we didn’t win the second half nor get to the playoffs, but that offseason Bobby Cox was brought in to manage the Jays going forward. My first spring training with the Jays I was amazed how many good young players were in camp. Tony Fernandez, Damaso Garcia, Alfredo Griffin, Dave Stieb, Jim Clancy, Luis Leal, Jim Gott, Jesse Barfield, George Bell, and Lloyd Moseby. The organization was loaded. We had a great manager, some of the best coaches I have ever worked with, a team of scouts that stood above the rest and a GM that had a vision for long lasting success, Pat Gillick. This reminded me so much of my early years with the Royals. George Brett, Frank White, Hal McRae, Steve Busby, Paul Splittorff. This Jays team was going to win, win soon, and win for a long time! Well, they won the AL East Division for the first time in 1985 setting a franchise record that stands today, 99 wins, in a division that had the reigning world champion Tigers, up and coming Brewers, the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Cleveland then-“Indians.”

I broke my leg in 1985 so I was out for the best part of the season but it was fun watching the guys bring home the division title to Canada. The 1985 season began a run of success that would set the tone for the organization for the next several years. Bobby Cox left to be the GM of the Braves, and 1986 was a disappointment, 1987 was a collapse losing the final seven games of the year going from up 3 1/2 games to losing by two to the Tigers again. But the bar had been raised with the 1985 division championship so anything less than the playoffs going forward was unacceptable.

In 1989, John Olerud was drafted in June, signed in August, joined the team in September, and never played a day in the minors. He would become a big part of the 1992 team and win a batting title in 1993.

The team in 1992 reflected Pat Gillick’s GM style. Pat didn’t have one method of building a team. He was open to anything. He had been talked out of signing Bo Jackson by his baseball staff and never forgot that. He was sure about Olerud when he was in college at Washington State. Gillick sent one of his trusted scouts, Moose Johnson, to watch Olerud in a tournament in Hawaii. Johnson followed Olerud everywhere. they ate breakfast together, talked family, baseball, and life. Johnson was one of the best. Watching the games, the scout counted all of Olerud’s swings. Fifty-four total, no misses. Olerud swung at 54 pitches and never missed. Johnson was sold. Gillick knew then he would take him in the draft and put him right in the big leagues.

The Jays in 1992 were a mixture of youth, veterans, stars, and role players. Guys on the way up and guys near the end. It was the perfect mix. Pat Borders, the catcher, was a sixth-round third baseman who was ticketed to be released in the minors, when he suggested he try catching. At one point, he was farmed out to another organization because he wasn’t on the radar with the Jays. He became the MVP of the World Series in 1992.

Joe Carter and Robbie Alomar were acquired from San Diego for two of the most popular Jays, Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez. Everyone thought Gillick had lost his mind. Alomar became a Hall of Famer and Carter a World Series hero.

Jack Morris pitched one of the best games in World Series history: Game Seven, 1991. Morris and the Twins against John Smoltz and the Braves. A 10-inning, seven-hit shutout in a 1-0 win. He could have signed anywhere as a free agent and named his price. He chose the Blue Jays because, “I wanted to play with the guys I couldn’t beat.” Pat Hentgen told me, much later, the impact the Morris signing had on the team. “When Morris walked into the clubhouse the first time, we knew we had our swagger.” Morris won 21 games.

Dave Winfield signed as a free agent and quickly became the hammer that drove the nails. Big hits in big situations, none bigger than the game-winning double in the top of the 11th in Atlanta to wrap up the championship. David Cone, the star pitcher from the Mets, was acquired near the end of August to fortify the rotation. The first night he was on the bench, the Brewers pounded the Jays 22-2 in front of 50,408. He must have thought “what have I gotten myself into?” The next day, the Brew Crew touched him up for seven runs in 6 2/3 innings but he delivered a 4-2 record in September, beat Oakland in Game Two of the ALCS, and started the clinching Game Six in Atlanta. Another subtle move by Gillick.

When you take a look back at the 1992 champs, you get a tremendous appreciation for how free-wheeling “Trader Pat” was. His catcher Borders was nearly released in the minors but worked hard and ended up the MVP of the Series. John Olerud was 23 and would become a batting champ at first base. Alomar, in his second of five years with the Jays was just beginning to write his Hall of Fame speech. Shortstop Manny Lee was a Rule 5 player who joined the team in 1985 at 19. Kelly Gruber at third base was the best pure athlete to wear the Jays’ uniform. Ed Sprague was a role player who hit a first-pitch ninth-inning home run off Braves closer Jeff Reardon in Game Two to turn a 4-3 loss into a 5-4 win. Mike Timlin who had one save during the regular season retired the only batter he faced in the bottom of the 11th of Game Six, Otis Nixon, to clinch the victory when he flipped the ball to Joe Carter at first.

Cito Gaston was the manager of this wonderful team. He was the perfect man to guide this eclectic group of ballplayers. He had a good career as a player and knew if you let the good players play, things would take care of themselves. Cito was a San Diego Padre when Winfield made his big-league debut in 1973. Cito got the best out of Devon White by putting him in the leadoff spot. “Just be yourself.” It worked magic. He handled the bullpen well and Tom Henke delivered. Cito wasn’t afraid to use any of his players and they all had their fingerprints on the trophy.

This was a great roster that featured three Hall of Famers, multiple all-stars, and Gold Glove winners. A Hall of Fame GM. A future batting champ and a future Cy Young Award winner. This book will tell you more about the people, the players and the staff that rocked the baseball world by winning the World Series for Canada.

I had a front row seat for the entire ride. I know this book will give you an inside look at what a special season 1992 was. Enjoy.

— Buck Martinez
May 2022

For me, the year started with unprecedented optimism. I departed the California Angels for the Blue Jays, who’d been on the cusp of winning for a few years. Just as important, I was called to a team with a manager who I’d known for almost 20 years from my days in San Diego. As hard as I played for nearly two decades and three other teams, I hadn’t reached the mountaintop … This, I felt, was my chance. It could be fun, energizing, and the biggest baseball opportunity I’d had in a decade.

My arrival was met with enthusiasm by the team, management, and media. However, it was second perhaps to the arrival of Jack Morris from Minnesota, who’d come off some legendary pitching over his career and more recently in World Series play.

To me, other than the 162-game regular season, three dominant elements emerged from this first World Championship. For the Toronto Blue Jays and the entire country of Canada, this dream came true because of a confluence of elements: veteran leadership, team chemistry, and the insatiable urge and contributions by the populace and fans to finally get that first World Championship. After coming so close for years, the fan support extended far beyond the city limits and the province of Ontario. It was an entire country that we played for, became connected with, and were supported by.

We opened the season with a bang, winning from start to finish. We were girded by both visible and tangible layers of experience and confidence. Notable contributions came from rookies, journeymen, veterans, and a few future Hall of Famers. The mission to go all the way was palpable from the start.

From day one, I was in the lineup as the DH. Cito Gaston allowed me to play almost every day. I ended up playing 156 games at age 40, with 26 of those in the outfield. I felt very comfortable and involved with the mix, as we contemplated readiness for postseason play. Those additional starts in the outfield proved beneficial because it helped me with production and my relationship with all of the players; being able to exert and demonstrate leadership not only on offense, but defense as well.

That year was the most fun I ever had as a player. The team camaraderie, the sold-out stadium every game, rain or shine, dome open or closed. The 4,000,000 plus fans in 1992 set an all-time record for attendance by a major-league club at the time.

“Winfield Wants Noise” became the motto as we entered postseason play, developed after an interview I’d given. I pointed out that to get a home-field advantage, our fans would have to make noise to make it happen and do it not only after action was initiated or achievement attained. The public and media jumped on that, and we immediately, arguably, became the loudest home field in the playoffs and World Series. We saw placards with “Winfield for Prime Minister” as a result, dotting the outfield seats. Man, I got a kick out of that. What an environment! What fans! What a culture and what a city! World class in all the aforementioned areas.

Being born on October 3, 1951, when the Shot Heard ‘Round the World was hit (“The Giants win the Pennant … The Giants win the Pennant,”) or having the name “Win-Field”, hadn’t taken me across the finish line yet.

It took 19 years of play for me to get to that mountaintop. I played with all kinds of combinations of players and managers. I ended up playing for six teams, in both leagues, on both coasts and in both countries. There were a number of years we hoped we could win it all, but we didn’t.

In conclusion, Toronto brought me the highest honor of my professional career at the time, a World Championship. I had achieved individual goals to that point, but that team win stands above all of those. My ring is proof that hard work, commitment, and never giving up on one’s goals pays off. I completed a trifecta, if you will; I’d now won at every level during my sports career. Not many people can say that.

Upon retirement and selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I have always felt 1992 cinched a complete career for me. That’s what Toronto, Canada and the Blue Jays organization mean to me. When I reflect on this prestigious achievement, this was the first ever World Championship outside of hockey for Canadians. It cemented the belief that baseball belongs and thrives north of the border. I kid my family and colleagues, “I don’t need a passport to go North.”

This one year was a huge part of my 22 years of professional play and a commitment to excellence to being the best player, contributor, and teammate I could be. The 1992 Blue Jays journey was one I’ll never forget. That team will go down as winners and champions in the annals of not only Canadian sports history, but for all of major-league baseball.

— Dave Winfield
January 2022

In 1985 Toronto won a club-record 99 games to win its first American League East Division title. The Blue Jays took a 3-games-to-1 lead in the American League Championship Series only to lose three straight games to Kansas City, dashing their hopes of winning the pennant.

Two years later, the Blue Jays appeared even stronger, winners of 96 games with seven remaining and a 3½-game lead in the division. Yet the unthinkable happened: seven straight losses, including three one-run defeats in Tiger Stadium on the final weekend of the season to hand the East crown to Detroit.

Then, in both 1989 and 1991, Toronto lost in five games in the ALCS to Oakland and Minnesota respectively, leading many to wonder if the Blue Jays could ever come through under the pressure of postseason play.

So it is understandable why fans watched the 1992 season unfold with a degree of trepidation. However, if Blue Jays fans lacked confidence in the team’s October prospects, its players were assured that this campaign would finish differently. To remind themselves of their present identity and their attainable future identity, the team developed a simple series of slogans that were printed on T-shirts worn by the players.

On the front: 3 FOR 3 IN ’92.

On the back: We Are. We Can. We Will.

We are the East Division champions. We can win the American League pennant. We will win the World Series.

Utility player Pat Tabler and outfielder Joe Carter are credited with creating the team slogans and the Blue Jays affirmed the first part of the trifecta when they clinched their second straight East crown – auspiciously – on the birthday of clubhouse leader Dave Winfield.

It seemed everyone in Toronto and across Canada held their breath as the postseason began with a loss to Oakland but watched with wonderment as Toronto reeled off three straight wins, including the wild and pivotal Game Four victory, which some consider the most significant game in Blue Jays history.

Suddenly, Toronto needed only one more win to secure their first pennant and a berth in the World Series. I can remember the atmosphere of anticipation at 13 years old, living in Waterdown, Ontario, a small town 40 miles west of Toronto, and, like millions across Canada, eagerly hoping that the Blue Jays would not let this opportunity slip away as they had in the past. I had just started high school that autumn and on the morning of ALCS Game Six, the digital message board in the school cafeteria read, “Three down, Juan to go,” a perfect and simple reference to Toronto pitcher Juan Guzman getting the start that afternoon with the chance to clinch. Guzman and his teammates came through, just as the players’ T-shirts said they would; Toronto won its first pennant and was off to the World Series.

The excitement of the 1992 fall classic is often overlooked, perhaps due to being overshadowed by the unforgettable 1991 World Series. Yet Toronto and Atlanta played six entertaining games in late October 1992: four one-run contests, three of which were decided in the final inning, with crisp pitching from both sides. Young infielder Ed Sprague hit a game-changing home run early in the Series. Gold Glove center fielder Devon White made a catch for the ages. Mike Timlin lobbed the ball to Carter for the final out in Game Six to give Toronto, and Canada, its first World Series championship.

We Are. We Can. We Will. The 1992 World Champion Toronto Blue Jays is the first SABR book about the Blue Jays. Co-editor Bill Nowlin emailed me, ironically, on the night Atlanta played Game Two of the 2021 World Series, wanting to know if I would be interested in helping to produce a SABR book commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Blue Jays championship season. I ruminated on the idea for a few days and knew this was an opportunity I could not decline.

As described above, I thought back to all the disappointments of seasons prior, and how finally, the 1992 Blue Jays winning the World Series occurred at the perfect time, fulfilling every Toronto baseball fan’s dreams and without hyperbole, truly brought Canadians together. In a year when Canadians should have happily celebrated the nation’s 125th anniversary, the news instead was filled with dread: high unemployment, economic recession, and endless governmental bickering over constitutional reform. The Blue Jays pushed those headlines – for a time – off the front pages and captured the imagination of the country.

This book exhaustively tells the story of the personnel and significant games from that season. We present biographies of all 40 players who appeared in either a regular-season or postseason game for the 1992 Blue Jays. Many of them need no introduction, such as Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, Jack Morris, and Roberto Alomar. Meanwhile, some young players on the 1992 roster like Jeff Kent and Derek Bell started their careers as Blue Jays but went on to be more known in other clubs’ uniforms. Pat Tabler and Rance Mulliniks retired after the season in storybook fashion – as World Series winners. There are biographies for Cito Gaston, the first Black manager to win the World Series, the coaches, Hall of Fame general manager Pat Gillick, and prominent team broadcasters.

Ten memorable 1992 Blue Jays games are recounted in this book, including the final six victories of the postseason. The game stories trace Toronto’s magical season from Opening Day in Detroit – when Winfield drove in Alomar with the first run of the season – to the World Series-clinching night in Atlanta – when Winfield drove in Alomar with the final run of the season. One of the four regular-season game stories captures the spirit of John Fogerty’s “a moment in the sun” (from his baseball ballad “Centerfield”), when the unheralded rookie Doug Linton may have saved Toronto’s season with a masterful spot start in August to turn back a division rival from pulling even atop the standings.

The book concludes with a profile of the Blue Jays’ home stadium, the SkyDome, sold out night after night in 1992 plus an epilogue on the team’s double celebration receptions – at the White House with the president of the United States and in Ottawa with the prime minister of Canada.

It was an honor to work with Bill Nowlin as co-editor, exchanging daily emails to bring the initial idea about the 1992 Blue Jays from concept to book. Thank you to Len Levin and Carl Riechers, associate editors, for their tireless copy-editing and fact-checking work, plus all 53 contributors of biographies and game stories, many from the Hanlan’s Point (Toronto) SABR Chapter. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard at research, writing, and revising their respective articles. We would also like to thank the Toronto Blue Jays for providing photographs used throughout this book. Special thanks to Rod Hiemstra and Simon Wells. 

Finally, special thanks to Dave Winfield for authoring the book’s Foreword, Buck Martinez for his Introduction, and all the players, off-field personnel, and broadcasters who granted time to be interviewed for their biographies.

ADRIAN FUNG lives and works in Toronto. He joined SABR (Hanlan’s Point Chapter – Toronto) in 2014 and has contributed several stories to the SABR Games Project, mostly about memorable games in Blue Jays history. Adrian attended the 2019 SABR Black Sox Scandal Centennial Symposium in Chicago and survived the Friday night deluge that washed away the scheduled doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field. In January 2020, at a Hanlan’s Point Chapter meeting, he presented cases for how the 1919 Reds could have won a “clean” World Series and how Buck Weaver was unfairly treated.

The day after the win, manager Cito Gaston received the customary congratulatory phone call from President George H.W. Bush, along with an invitation for his team to attend a celebratory reception at the White House.2 For the first time in World Series history, the winning manager received a second congratulatory message from another world leader, the prime minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney.3 This message was followed by an invitation from Ray Hnatyshyn, the governor general of Canada (the Queen’s representative), to a reception in the team’s honor at his official residence at Rideau Hall in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.4

Perhaps it was fitting that the Blue Jays were hosted by President Bush and Prime Minister Mulroney on the same day, December 16, 1992. The two leaders enjoyed a close relationship during President Bush’s term in office and achieved many accomplishments, most notably the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).5 Bush and Mulroney also shared a common interest in major-league baseball. During his time as prime minister, Mulroney invited Bush to Toronto’s SkyDome twice for baseball-related events: The pair threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Blue Jays’ home opener against the Texas Rangers in 1990, and Bush was Mulroney’s guest at the 1991 All-Star Game.6

It is perhaps also ironic that although Bush and Mulroney enjoyed many successes, they also suffered similar career-ending electoral defeats around the same time as the Blue Jays’ historic win. On November 3, 1992, Bush lost his race for reelection to Bill Clinton.7 Earlier, on October 26, Canadians voted a resounding “No” in a national referendum on constitutional reform. Mulroney’s popularity, already at historic lows, plummeted even further in light of this defeat, which led him to announce his intention to resign from office in February 1993.8

Members of the World Series champions assembled at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington on the afternoon of December 15. There were 21 players, including Jack Morris, Joe Carter, and Mike Timlin. Representing the coaching staff were Cito Gaston and first-base coach Bob Bailor, who was the first Blue Jay selected in the 1976 major-league expansion draft. Also present were Blue Jays President Paul Beeston and general manager Pat Gillick. The group also featured several recently departed and longtime Blue Jays including Kelly Gruber, who had been traded to the California Angels, and Dave Stieb, who had signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. Notable players absent included World Series MVP Pat Borders, who was unable to attend due to the imminent birth of his second child,9 and Dave Winfield, who declined the invitation after failing to negotiate a two-year contract extension with the club.10 That evening, the Canadian ambassador to the United States hosted the team at a reception in their honor at the Canadian embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue, a few blocks from the US Capitol.11

The next morning the Blue Jays arrived at the White House for a public reception with President Bush in the Old Executive Building. Representing Major-League Baseball were American League President Bobby Brown, Deputy Commissioner Steve Greenberg, and umpires Mike Reilly and Joe West. Also in attendance were four national Little League championship teams, including the 6-12-year-old division champions from Lexington, Kentucky, who surprised the press pool by claiming they were more excited to meet the Blue Jays than the president. “We just like baseball better,” one boy explained.12

The president began his remarks by poking fun at his government’s NAFTA negotiators, quipping, “Our free trade agreement with Canada did not mean that the United States would trade away the world’s championship.”13 Bush commended the Atlanta Braves and the Blue Jays for a hard-fought World Series, saying they “staged a fall classic that even Ripley wouldn’t believe.”14 He congratulated the Blue Jays on their accomplishment, saying that although he had rooted for the Braves, he was proud of Cito Gaston and his team. “By winning Canada’s first World Series … you did it with class … and class, of course, has marked the entire Blue Jays history. In 16 years, you’ve gone from the doghouse to the penthouse.”15 Acknowledging that the reception was “about as much fun as I’ve had since the election,” Bush concluded his remarks by presenting Gaston with a baseball card from his playing days at Yale University, noting, “This is a rookie ballplayer who needs a job.”16 Before Bush departed, Beeston and Carter presented the president with a customized white home jersey.17

After the White House visit, the Blue Jays flew north to Ottawa. Upon arrival, the team briefly chatted and signed autographs for a small group of fans at the airport before proceeding to Rideau Hall. Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn led the welcoming delegation that also included the prime minister and two Canadian Supreme Court justices.18 In addition to the team, the official guest list also included patients and staff from the local children’s hospital, members of a local Little League team, and students from a local high school who earned their invitation by collecting the most items for the Ottawa food bank.19

Hnatyshyn began by welcoming “Canada’s team” to Ottawa. He referred to the Blue Jays as “the greatest group ever to come out on a baseball field,” and shared his belief that the team’s success would inspire more Canadian youth to pursue professional baseball.20 Hnatyshyn also made reference to Mulroney’s low popularity among Canadians, claiming that unlike Mulroney, he was an appointed official and thus had a “no-cut contract.”21 The prime minister commented that “the Blue Jays have finished off what the Expos began,” a reference to the major leagues’ Canadian debut in Montreal in 1969.22 Mulroney also quipped that he would likely soon be available to be drafted, should the Blue Jays be interested.23 The team each presented Hnatyshyn and Mulroney customized white home jerseys, both bearing the number 1.24

While the Blue Jays’ World Series victory no doubt helped to promote baseball in Canada, it could also be argued that their whirlwind celebration on December 16, 1992, helped to recognize major-league baseball as a truly international league. As an article in the Chicago Tribune noted the day after the Blue Jays became champions, “Finally, the World in baseball’s Series is more than a meaningless adjective.”25

Born and raised in Newfoundland, MARK DAVIS developed a youthful passion for baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays that continues to this day. A lifelong learner, he holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics, as well as a PhD in public policy. Mark is a published academic author and relatively new SABR member. He enjoys researching baseball history and recently gave a presentation on the connection between Freemasonry and baseball at his local Masonic lodge. He currently resides in Ottawa with his wife, Melissa, and their young daughter, Felicity.

Notes

1 MLB Vault, “1992 World Series, Game 6: Blue Jays @ Braves,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKwinmoAR2w (accessed February 14, 2022).

2 Canadian Press, “Series Notes: On to White House,” Ottawa Citizen, October 26, 1992: C2.

3 Nicolaas van Rijn, “Jubilant Jay Fans Pack Yonge St. in Delirium of Joy,” Toronto Star, October 25, 1992: A1.

4 “Series Champs to Visit Ottawa,” Ottawa Citizen, December 15, 1992: C1.

5 Laura Macdonald, “Canada and NAFTA,” https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta (accessed February 7, 2022).

6 Stephen Dame, “First Base Among Equals: Prime Ministers and Canada’s National Game,” Baseball Research Journal 49, no. 1 (2020), 57-61.

7 Michael Levy, “United States Presidential Election of 1992,” https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1992 (accessed February 7, 2022).

8 Norman Hillmer, “Brian Mulroney,” https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/brian-mulroney (accessed February 7, 2022).

9 George H.W. Bush, “Public Papers: Remarks Honoring the World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays,” https://bush41library.tamu.edu/archives/public-papers/5119 (accessed February 7, 2022).

10 Associated Press, “Blue Jays Land Stewart,” Ottawa Citizen, December 9, 1992: E1.

11 Jim Byers, “Gruber Won’t Retaliate Against Critical Ex-Mates,” Ottawa Citizen, December 16, 1992: D2.

12 Mary Ann Roser, “Blue Jays Bigger Hit Than Bush with Bambinos,” Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader, December 17, 1992: 27.

13 Bush.

14 Bush.

15 Bush.

16 Bush.

17 “Mulroney, Bush Say They’re Ready to Play Ball as the Popular Blue Jays Meet the Leaders,” Edmonton Journal, December 17, 1992: 2.

18 Jeffrey Simpson, “Some Jays Finally Visit Bush, Mulroney/Winfield, Key, Cone, Henke Among No-Shows as 21 Players from World Series Team Make Trip,” Globe and Mail (Toronto), December 17, 1992: C8.

19 Ottawa Citizen.

20 Simpson.

21 Edmonton Journal.

22 Ken Warren, “PM Delivers Blue Jays,” Ottawa Citizen, December 17: D1.

23 Edmonton Journal.

24 Edmonton Journal.

25 “What They Said About Jays Win,” Toronto Star, October 26, 1992: D4.

Financial Considerations

History clearly showed the quest to repeat as World Series champions is not easily achieved. Through 1992, the last team to win back-to-back World Series titles had been the 1977-78 New York Yankees. A repeat would require a critical assessment of the current roster to project what changes would be required to maintain a contending team within the salary budget approved by ownership. This evaluation was complicated by the fact that several key Toronto Blue Jays players were eligible for free agency after the 1992 season.

Further, despite the huge boost to attendance with the 1989 in-season move to SkyDome, the salary budget remained a pressure. A significant factor in the budget pressure was that while ticket sales and Canadian broadcast revenue were received in Canadian dollars, major expenses such as player salaries and travel expenses were paid in US dollars. On December 31, 1992, the US-Canadian dollar exchange rate was $0.791.1

The Blue Jays’ profit, despite not making the World Series, had risen from $10 million CDN in 1989 to $14 million CDN in 1990 to $17.5 million CDN in 1991.2 When considering the financial investment required to improve the team for 1992, management calculated that the achievement of maximum attendance (i.e., sell out every game) would lead to an attendance increase of only 74,000 over 1991.3 Management had made the investment for 1992, won the World Series, and made a small profit that was attributed to the $2 million CDN generated by the playoff run.4

With total 1992 attendance at 4,028,318 and a maximum attendance for 81 sellouts at 4,091,796 (50,516 tickets x 81 regular-season home games), the maximum potential attendance increase was 63,478. Blue Jays management accepted these capacity limitations and decided to increase their payroll in 1993; they were the top spenders in baseball. As a result, the Jays calculated that they broke even for the year, thanks to the playoff revenue, although Labatt Breweries, the club’s majority owner, realized profit through increased beer sales and broadcasting revenues.5

Roster Adjustments

Work on addressing the list of pending Blue Jays free agents began early in the 1992 postseason period. Of the core 14 players from the 1992 World Series (nine hitters, four starters, and the closer), seven were free agents at the end of the season: shortstop Manny Lee, left fielder Candy Maldonado, right fielder Joe Carter, designated hitter Dave Winfield, starting pitchers David Cone and Jimmy Key, and closer Tom Henke.

Of those seven, only Carter was re-signed, joining 1992 returnees catcher Pat Borders, first baseman John Olerud, second baseman Roberto Alomar, and center fielder Devon White in the projected 1993 starting lineup.

Paul Molitor was signed as a free agent, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers. His primary role in 1993 would be designated hitter to replace Dave Winfield, who signed with the Minnesota Twins. Toronto initially planned to utilize Derek Bell to be the starter in left field in place of Candy Maldonado, who had signed with the Chicago Cubs.6 However, that plan was abandoned as Bell and a minor-league player, Stoney Briggs, were dealt to the San Diego Padres on March 30, 1993, for outfielder Darrin Jackson. 

The left side of the infield was uncertain. Ed Sprague was tabbed to replace Kelly Gruber (traded to the California Angels for Luis Sojo) at third base, and the starting shortstop position was an open competition to replace Manny Lee, who had signed with the Texas Rangers.

Toronto signed Dave Stewart, leaving the Oakland Athletics, to address a gap in the projected starting rotation. Free agents David Cone had signed with the Kansas City Royals and Jimmy Key had signed with the New York Yankees. Cone and Key had started five of the 12 postseason games played by Toronto in their successful 1992 postseason. Stewart joined a projected starting rotation that included returning starters Jack Morris, Juan Guzman, and Todd Stottlemyre.

Toronto closer Tom Henke had signed with the Texas Rangers, leaving an opening in the bullpen. Henke had accounted for five of the six saves awarded to Toronto relievers in the 1992 postseason. Duane Ward, who had saved 12 games for Toronto in 1992 during the regular season, was promoted to the closer role for 1993.

The Season

The Blue Jays did not get off to a strong start in 1993. On May 13 they were in fourth place in the American League East with a 17-17 record. On that day, starting shortstop Dick Schofield, who had signed with the club on January 15, 1993, suffered a broken arm.7 Toronto searched for a replacement starting shortstop and on June 11 sent Darrin Jackson to the New York Mets in exchange for Tony Fernandez. Fernandez was well known to Blue Jays fans: His major-league career began in Toronto as a 21-year-old rookie in 1983. Fernandez was the Blue Jays’ starting shortstop from 1985 until he and Fred McGriff were traded to the San Diego Padres after the 1990 season for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.

Despite stabilization at the shortstop position, the Blue Jays, with a 49-40 record, had a slight half-game lead over the Detroit Tigers at the All-Star break. With the New York Yankees (one game back), Baltimore Orioles (1½ games back), and Boston Red Sox (three games back), a tight second-half pennant race appeared to be in the offing.

The Blue Jays were not struggling offensively. The top five hitters in the order were referred to as WAMCO (Devon White, Roberto Alomar, Paul Molitor, Joe Carter, John Olerud).8 The starting pitching had been below expectations, due in part to veteran Jack Morris being in decline and three starters going on the disabled list. (Juan Guzman and Pat Hentgen were the exceptions).9

At the July 31 trade deadline, the Blue Jays were tied for first at 60-45 with the Yankees, and the Red Sox were only 1½ games back. Toronto traded pitcher Steve Karsay and a player to be named later (outfielder José Herrera) to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Rickey Henderson.

The acquisition of Henderson to play left field was a bit of a surprise. In the days prior to the trade, it had been reported that Toronto was concerned about the uncertainty in left field as well as inconsistency in the starting rotation.10 General manager Pat Gillick, in discussing the trade with the media, described the transaction as “Plan 1A.”11 Gillick added that acquisition of a pitcher would have been preferred but described Henderson as a “catalyst.”12

The acquisition of Henderson led to a change in the WAMCO portion of the batting order. Henderson was inserted in the leadoff spot, White moved to second, with Alomar batting third; Molitor sixth against right-handers; and Molitor batting third and Alomar sixth against left-handers.13

The pennant race continued and on September 9, the Blue Jays were tied for first with the Yankees at 78-63, with the Orioles a half-game back at 77-63. Toronto then went on a 13-2 streak, pulling away from the Yankees (7-9) and Orioles (5-11) over the same period. Toronto clinched the division title on September 27. The season ended with the Blue Jays at 95-67, seven games ahead of the second-place Yankees.

The Blue Jays were led by starters Juan Guzman (14-3) and Pat Hentgen (19-9) with closer Duane Ward picking up 45 saves. The other three starters (Todd Stottlemyre, Dave Stewart, and Jack Morris) were a combined 30-32.

On offense, WAMCO lived up to their name with the following batting average/home run/RBI slash lines:

• Devon White: .273/15/52
• Roberto Alomar: .326/17/93
• Paul Molitor: .332/22/111
• Joe Carter: .254/33/121
• John Olerud: .363/24/107
• Rickey Henderson: .215/4/12 (in 44 games)

The American League Championship Series matched Toronto against the 94-68 Chicago White Sox. On paper, the series appeared to be a battle between the Blue Jays offense against the White Sox pitching. The White Sox were led by a starting trio of Jack McDowell (22-10), Alex Fernandez (18-9), and Wilson Alvarez (15-8). The number four and five starters were a combined 15-10. The closer was Roberto Hernandez with 38 saves. On offense, the key hitters were first baseman Frank Thomas .317/41/128 and third baseman Robin Ventura .262/22/94.

The ALCS opened in Chicago with Guzman besting McDowell in Game One with a 7-3 victory. The Blue Jays chose 36-year-old Dave Stewart to start Game Two against Fernandez. Although Stewart (12-8) was fifth in games started during the regular season, due in part to a stint on the disabled list, the Blue Jays relied on Stewart’s postseason experience. Stewart at the time was a lifetime 8-5 in postseason appearances with the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers and 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992 Oakland Athletics. Further, Stewart had been named World Series MVP in 1989 and ALCS MVP in 1990.

In contrast, the number-two regular-season starter, 24-year-old Pat Hentgen, was in his third season. Hentgen had only 57 2/3 innings of major-league experience prior to the start of the 1993 season and did not pitch in the 1992 postseason for Toronto. The Blue Jays’ faith in Stewart was rewarded as he defeated the White Sox’ Fernandez in Game Two with a 3-1 victory, a save going to Ward.

With the Blue Jays returning to Toronto for the next three games, Blue Jays fans were hoping for a quick end to the series. However, the White Sox rebounded with victories in Games Three and Four by scores of 6-1 and 7-4 respectively.

With the series tied 2-2, Game Five was a rematch of Game One starters Guzman and McDowell. Guzman got his second win of the series with a 5-3 victory, the first win by a home team in the series. The ALCS shifted back to Chicago for Game Six and Toronto advanced to the World Series with a 6-3 victory. Stewart picked up his second win of the series over Fernandez with Ward picking up his second save. Stewart was named the ALCS MVP.

The World Series matched Toronto against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies were led by catcher Darren Daulton (.257/24/105), third baseman Dave Hollins (.273/18/93), and first baseman John Kruk (.316/14/85). The Phillies had a balanced five-man rotation (69-40) comprised of Curt Schilling (16-7), Danny Jackson (12-11), Tommy Greene (16-4), Terry Mulholland (12-9), and Ben Rivera (13-9). Closer Mitch Williams had 43 saves.

The World Series opened at SkyDome with the Blue Jays winning Game One, 8-5. Al Leiter got the win in relief, Duane Ward picking up a save with Curt Schilling taking the loss. Philadelphia rebounded in Game Two with Terry Mulholland defeating Dave Stewart in a 6-4 win.

The Series moved to Philadelphia and Pat Hentgen defeated Danny Jackson 10-3 in Game Three. In a wild nine-inning Game Four, the Blue Jays outlasted the Phillies 15-14. Tony Castillo got the win over Mitch Williams with Duane Ward picking up the save. Curt Schilling kept the Phillies’ hopes alive, defeating Juan Guzman 2-0 in Game Five. This was the only game in the Series where the winning team scored fewer than six runs.

Returning home to Toronto with a 3-2 Series lead, Game Six found the Blue Jays trailing 6-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth.14 Phillies closer Mitch Williams was brought in. Leadoff hitter Rickey Henderson walked. Devon White was retired on a fly out. Paul Molitor singled. With Alfredo Griffin on deck, having pinch-run for Olerud earlier in the game, Joe Carter hit a walk-off three-run homer for an 8-6 Blue Jays victory and back-to-back World Series titles for Toronto.

In summation, this was not a pitchers’ World Series. The Phillies had a Series team ERA of 7.39, the Blue Jays, 5.77. Paul Molitor was named World Series MVP, hitting .458 and driving in seven runs. However, the winning home run by Carter is arguably the most remembered play in the Series, including the call by Blue Jays play-by-play announcer, the late Tom Cheek: “Touch ‘em all, Joe. You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life.”15

ALLEN TAIT has been a SABR member since 1976. A retired fraud investigator, he is chapter leader for the Hanlan’s Point (Toronto) chapter and a member of numerous SABR research committees.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the notes, the author consulted the Baseball-Reference.com website.

Notes

1 https://freecurrencyrates.com/en/exchange-rate-history/CAD-USD/1992/cbr. Last referenced December 31, 2021.

2 Steven Brunt, Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball (Toronto: Viking, 1996), 234.

3 Brunt, 235.

4 Brunt, 258.

5 Brunt, 283.

6 Brunt, 261.

7 Brunt, 265.

8 Brunt, 267.

9 Brunt, 269.

10 Steve Milton, “AL East Report Toronto Blue Jays,” The Sporting News, August 2, 1993: 29.

11 Mark Newman, “One Week, One Race,” The Sporting News, August 9, 1993: 13.

12 Newman.

13 Steve Milton, “AL East Report Toronto Blue Jays,” The Sporting News, August 16, 1993: 28.

14 Brunt, 281.

15 https://baseballhalloffame.ca//hall-of-famer/tom-cheek/, last referenced January 16, 2022.