History


 
Blue Jays Timeline
BLUE JAYS TIMELINE
1976-1981 | 1982-1986 | 1987-1991 | 1992-1996 | 1997-Present
Timeline 1976-1981
 
Alfredo Griffin played 1,002 games in a Blue Jay uniform and was the team's starting shortstop from 1979-1984.
1976  - March 26, American League votes to expand to Toronto, awarding franchise to group consisting of Imperial Trust, Ltd., Labatt's Breweries, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce... June 18, Franchise fee of $7 million (US) determined and Metro Baseball, Ltd., appoints Peter Bavasi, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of new franchise... August 12, Directors select "Blue Jays" from over 4,000 names and 30,000 entries in a "Name the Team" contest... August 25, Blue Jays announce Dunedin, Florida as new spring training site... September 22, Roy Hartsfield appointed field manager for inaugural season... October 8, Club reveals distinctive "Blue Jays logo", as season ticket sales begin... October 22, Blue Jays acquire first player in purchase of catcher Phil Roof from the Chicago White Sox... November 5, Blue Jays announce first trade at conclusion of expansion draft, sending Al Fitzmorris to Cleveland for catcher Alan Ashby and infielder outfielder Doug Howard.
1977  - March 11, Blue Jays defeat New York Mets 3-1 at Dunedin, Florida, in first spring training game... April 7, 44,649 fans brave snow and freezing temperatures as Major League baseball makes 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... August 9, Blue Jays defeat Minnesota 6-2 in front of 23,450 fans, which pushes the home attendance to 1,219,551 and establishes a new attendance record for a first-year expansion club after only 50 home dates... September 10, Roy Howell drives in nine runs with five hits, including two home runs and two doubles as the Blue Jays inflict a 19-3 loss on the New York Yankees. Jays' total is most runs scored against the Yankees in New York in over a half century... September 15, Blue Jays awarded 9-0 forfeit win over Baltimore Orioles as Orioles' manager Earl Weaver removes team from field in fifth inning... October 2, Blue Jays complete their first year with a 54-107 record with 1,701,052 fans having made their way to Exhibition Stadium to see the team in their inaugural season... November 24, Board of Directors names Peter Bavasi, President and Chief Operating Officer of Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club.
1978  - April 22, Jim Clancy gets the credit for a 4-2 Jacket Day win over the Chicago White Sox in front of 44,327 including Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and in doing so helps his own cause by starting the Blue Jays first ever triple play... June 26, Blue Jays explode for 24 runs on 24 hits en route to a 24-10 shellacking of the Baltimore Orioles.

Two experienced hitters -- Rico Carty and John Mayberry -- joined Toronto for 1978, and although each hit 20 homers and combined to drive in 138 runs, the team was outscored by 185 runs during the season.

Rookie center fielder Rick Bosetti, who had 17 assists, established what would prove to be a Blue Jays tradition of fast, young outfielders. Roy Howell had 10 home runs and drove in 61 runs.

Jim Clancy won 10 games while Victor Cruz topped relievers with nine saves and a 1.71 ERA. Tom Underwood got the win in the highest-scoring game in Jays history, a 24-10 win over Baltimore on June 26.

Good news was on the way, however. Toronto selected outfielder Lloyd Moseby in the June draft, and future pitching star Dave Stieb was switched from the outfield to the mound in the minor leagues.

1979  - Rick Cerone became the club's No. 1 catcher in 1979, driving in 61 runs. Shortstop Alfredo Griffin was acquired from Cleveland and went on to share the AL's Rookie of the Year Award after hitting .287 with 179 hits and 21 stolen bases.

On June 26, a talented rookie pitcher completed the leap from Class A ball to the majors in one season. Dave Stieb, a converted outfielder, was 5-0 with Dunedin, 5-2 with Syracuse and 8-8 with Toronto to finish a combined 18-10.

Other prospects in the minors included Lloyd Moseby, 1978's No. 1 draft pick who batted .332, and Jesse Barfield, who drove in 71 runs.

September 23, Blue Jays complete their home schedule and announce a expansion attendance record total of 4,695,288 fans have come to see Blue Jays baseball in the first 3 seasons... October 18, Bobby Mattick named Field Manager for the 1980 season... November 26, Alfredo Griffin named co-winner of the American League's Rookie of the Year Award... December 2-7, the Blue Jays play host to the first Winter Meetings held outside the United States since 1936.

1980  - Bobby Mattick, the Jays' scouting supervisor, was promoted to field manager, and he led the team to its best record in its first four years. Tom Underwood and Rick Cerone were sent to the Yankees for Paul Mirabella, Damaso Garcia and Chris Chambliss, who was dealt to the Braves for outfielder Barry Bonnell and reliever Joey McLaughlin.

John Mayberry slugged a club-record 30 homers. Alvis Woods hit .300, and Bonnell drove in 56 runs. Ernie Whitt became the team's No. 1 catcher, and Lloyd Moseby and Willie Upshaw both earned spots in the lineup.

Jim Clancy and Dave Stieb became the club's top two starters. In the bullpen, Jerry Garvin recorded a 2.28 ERA while McLaughlin, Mirabella and Jesse Jefferson all pitched more than 120 innings.

September 12, Blue Jays defeat Baltimore 7-5 to win their 60th game of the season and in doing so set a new club record for victories in a single season... September 26, Continuing to break all records for expansion teams, the Blue Jays reach the 6 million mark in home attendance... October 5, Toronto defeats Boston 4-1 to chalk up their 67th win of the season, 8 more victories than ever before.

1981  - In a season split in half by a players' strike, the Jays combined the worst start and the strongest finish in the club's five-year history. Dave Stieb became the Jays' first regular starter to post a winning record, going 11-10 with an ERA of 3.19. Right-hander Luis Leal was 7-13 with a 3.68 ERA. Joey McLaughlin recorded 10 saves and a 2.85 ERA, and Roy Lee Jackson, acquired from the Mets for Bob Bailor, had seven saves and a 2.61 ERA.

Damaso Garcia had an excellent second half, batting .375 before breaking his wrist in late August. Jesse Barfield and George Bell began to play regularly, joining Lloyd Moseby in the outfield. In his first full season with Toronto, Moseby tied John Mayberry for the club lead with 43 RBI.

October 7, Bobby Mattick resigns as Field Manager to become Executive Co-Ordinator, Baseball Operations... October 15, Bobby Cox, former Atlanta Braves Manager (1978-81), named Blue Jays Manager for the 1982 season... November 24, Peter Bavasi, President & Chief Operating Officer resigns.

1976-1981 | 1982-1986 | 1987-1991 | 1992-1996 | 1997-Present