Toronto Blue Jays

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Toronto Blue Jays

Established:	1977
Former Team Names:	None
Ballpark:	Rogers Centre (aka SkyDome)
World Series Titles:	2 (1992, 1993)
Pennants:	2 (1992, 1993)
Division Titles:	5 (1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993)
Wild Cards:	0

1 Franchise History
2 Minor League Affiliates
3 Ballpark
4 Local Media
5 External Links

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Franchise History

The Toronto Blue Jays into existence in 1976. The franchise was originally owned by Labatt Breweries. As with most expansion teams, the Blue Jays struggled in their early years, losing over 100 games a season in their first three years of existence.

They started turning things around in the early 80's, and had their first winning season in 1983. In 1985, the Jays won their first American League East division title, setting a franchise record with 99 wins along the way. Toronto would lose the American League Championship Series to the eventual World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals. The Jays got close to the playoffs in 1987, but were beaten by the Detroit Tigers in the final weekend to miss out. George Bell was named MVP of the American League for 1987, the only Blue Jay to be named MVP.

In 1989, the Jays moved into their current home, called SkyDome at the time. The Jays made the playoffs again that year. After starting 12-24, manager Jimy Williams was fired and replaced with Cito Gaston. Toronto lost to the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS. They came close to the playoffs in 1990, missing out by 2 games. Heading into the 1991 season, the Jays made one of the biggest trades in franchise history, acquiring Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff. In '91, the Jays again fell short of a World Series appearance, losing to the Minnesota Twins in the ALCS.

In 1992, Toronto won the AL East once again, and finally found playoff success. The defated Oakland in the ALCS, setting up a World Series meeting with the Atlanta Braves. They became the first team outside of the United States to win a World Series title, defeating the Braves four games to two.

The 1993 Jays, loaded with future Hall of Famers Carter, Paul Molitor and Rickey Henderson, and All-Star Alomar, Devon White and John Olerud, won their third straigt AL East title. They defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS, and then won their second straight World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games. The title was clinched on a bottom of the 9th, three-run walk-off home run. This would be the first (and so far, only) World Series clinced outside of the United States.

Despite high hopes, the mid-90's were mostly down years for the Jays. The 1994 strike cut short a season where the Jays were 5 games under .500. In 1995, Toronto won only 56 games. 1996 was highlighted by a Cy Young Award winning year from Pat Hentgen, but overall a down year for the team. In 1997, the Jays signed Roger Clemens, who went on to have two outstanding seasons in Toronto, winning back to back Cy Young Awards, compiling a 41-13 record while with the Blue Jays. Toronto's record improved, as the put up 80 wins seasons 1998, 1999 and 2000, but they were still nowhere near the playoffs.

In September of 2000, Rogers Communication purchased 80% of the club from Interbrew (the company that bought Labatt Breweries). The Jays had a sub-.500 record in 2001, and made numerous changes in the off season, including bringing in new general manger J.P. Ricciardi, who was asked to slash the wage bill.

In November 2004, Rogers Communications purchased the SkyDome and renamed it the Rogers Centre.

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Minor League Affiliates

	Syracuse Chiefs The AAA team International League		New Hampshire Fisher Cats The AA team Eastern League
	Dunedin Blue Jays Class A Advanced Florida State League		Lansing Lugnuts Class A Midwest League
	Auburn Doubledays Class A Short Season New York-Penn League		GCL Blue Jays Rookie Ball Gulf Coast League