1991 Toronto Blue Jays (est. 1977)

[rpriske]

Expansion Jays! 63-99 - WS - New York Mets over Minnesota Twins

1978 69-93 - WS - Cincinnati Reds over Detroit Tigers

1979 94-68 - WS - Texas Rangers over Cincinnati Reds

1980 97-66 (Lost a tiebreaker game to Detroit) - WS - Detroit Tigers over Cincinnati Reds

1981 89-73 - WS - Pittsburgh Pirates over Detroit Tigers

1982 98-64 - WS - Detroit Tigers over Pittsburgh Pirates

1983 104-58 (Lost ALCS to Oakland 3-1) - WS - Oakland Athletics over St.Louis Cardinals

1984 114-48 (Beat Kansas City in ALCS 4-0) - WS - Los Angeles Dodgers over Toronto Blue Jays (4 games to 1)

1985 123-39 (Record for wins) (Beat Kansas City in ALCS 4-0) - WS - Toronto Blue Jays over Chicago Cubs (4 games to 2)

1986 122-40 (Beat Kansas City in ALCS 4-1) - WS - Toronto Blue Jays over Pittsburgh Pirates (4 games to 2)

1987 115-47 - (Lost ALCS 4-0 to Texas) - WS - Philadelphia Phillies over Texas Rangers (4 games to 1)

1988 86-76 - (Lost ALCS 4-2 to Angels) - WS - St. Louis Cardinals over California Angels (4 games to 2)

1989 68-94 - (Worst season since 1977) - WS - St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers (4 games to 0)

1990 - 73-89 - WS - California Angels over New York Mets (4 games to 0)

[rpriske]

It was a rough year and a rougher offseason. First Cal Ripken voided his contract and then Joe Carter retired much too early.

Key Additions:

Tony Fernandez (FA)
Greg Vaughn (Trade from NYM)
Kelly Lewis (Trade from CWS)

Key Losses:

Cal Ripken (FA)
Joe Carter (Ret.)
Gary Redus (FA)

[rpriske]

March 4th, 1991

Juan Guzman pitched a nice game, striking out seven in five inning soft work, as the Blue Jays opened their Spring schedule with a 4-3 win over the Tigers.

WP - Juan Guzman (1-0)
Save - Candy Sierra (1)
LP - Jose Ramirez (0-1)

Spring Record - 1-0

[rpriske]

March 5th, 1991

Ramon Martinez only allowed one hit in five scoreless innings and Steve Rogers homered but it was David Roberts' RBI single scoring Pat Schmidt from 2nd that gave the Blue Jays a walk-off, 10 inning, 5-4 win over the Angels.

WP - Bob Milacki (1-0)
LP - Dan Schatzedar (0-1)

Spring Record - 2-0

[rpriske]

March 6th, 1991

The first story is that the Jays lost, 4-3, to the A's.

The second story is that Doug Descenzo homered.

The bigger story is that Dan Lovell left the game with an unknown injury.

The biggest story is that Tony Fernandez also left with an injury.

We are awaiting word on both players.

WP - Jose DeLeon (1-0)
Save - Aaron Wilson (1)
LP - Jim Kane (0-1)

Spring Record - 2-1

[rpriske]

We got fairly good news about both of our injured players. Don Lovell should be fine in 3-4 days and Tony Fernandez will be out for only up to a week.

[rpriske]

March 7th, 1991

In three plate appearances, Gilberto Polvado got a home run, a double, a walk, and knocked in three as the Blue Jays beat the Royals, 5-4.

Glenallen Hill also homered for Toronto.

WP - Xavier Hernandez (1-0)
Save - Roberto Hernandez (1)
LP - Robert MacIntosh (0-1)

Spring Record - 3-1

[rpriske]

March 8th, 1991

Dave Stieb had a nice outing but the Jays lost, 4-3 in 14 innings to the Rangers.

WP - Tucker Garland (1-0)
LP - Ron Dickinson (0-1)

Spring Record - 3-2

[rpriske]

TRADE

To EXPOS

Greg Vaughn
Jeremy McCarthy
Jorge Cook
Jim Johnson

To BLUE JAYS

Jim Griffin (MTL retains 65% of contract)
Ken Galloway
Mike Simms
Pedro Velasquez
Cary Swanson

The Jays have been trying to figure out a way to plug the whole at SS and they hope Griffin is it.

The fans are happy about it.

Griffin joins the big league camp. The rest are at the minor league facility.

[rpriske]

March 9th, 1991

The Blue Jays lost 5-0 to the Yankees in Spring action.

WP - Matt Allen (1-0)
LP - Orlando Contreras (0-1)

Spring Record - 3-3

[rpriske]

March 10th, 1991

Ramon Martinez was in strong form in his second spring start and the Blue Jays beat the Orioles, 3-2.

Glenallen Hill homered for the 2nd time this spring.

WP - Rod Beck (1-0)
Save - Stephen Ibarra (1)
LP - John Hernandez (0-1)

Spring Record - 4-3

[rpriske]

Gregg Walsh was expected back from his UCL tear in June.

He has suffered a major setback and has to have further surgery. Now it will be mid-1992 before he can pitch again.

[rpriske]

March 11th, 1991

Jim Abbott was not at his best and the Jays lost, 6-4, to the Brewers.

WP - Jack Richard (1-0)
Save - Mel Rojas (3)
LP - Jeff Tillis (0-1)

Spring Record - 4-4

[rpriske]

March 12th, 1991

Jim Kane led a strong outing from the hill as the Jays beat the Mariners, 3-1.

WP - Jim Kane (1-1)
Save - Rick Nelson (1)
LP - Cal Eldred (0-2)

Spring Record - 5-4

[rpriske]

March 13th, 1991

Right before the 1st round of Spring Cuts, Dave Summers and Bob Milacki might have just pitched their way out of contention.

The White Sox beat the Blue Jays, 13-0.

WP - Darrel Young (1-1)
LP - Dave Summers (0-1)

Spring Record - 5-5

[rpriske]

TRADE

To PHILLIES

Rafael Perez
Pedro Estrada

To BLUE JAYS

Herb Williams (PHI pays remaining salary)
Chris Ackerman
Tim Cooper
Jeff Burtt
Ron Hamilton

Williams joins the Camp.

TRADE

To YANKEES

George Shelton

To BLUE JAYS

Jorge Calderon
Shu-de Law
Dominic Nelson
Jonathan Baird
Ricardo Castro

All minor leaguers.



First Round of Spring Cuts

Sent to the Minor League Camp

Bob Milacki
Orlando Contreras
Dave Summers
Jeff Tillis
Ed Forsyth
Rick Rowe

Craig Paige is placed on waivers.

[rpriske]

March 14th, 1991

Robinson Lopez was shifted from the pen to the Rotation and his first start became a 5-4 Toronto win over the Twins.

Arturo Vazquez homered for the Jays.

Mike Harley left the game with back spasms but it seems he will only need about a week off.

WP - Jeff Gray (1-0)
Save - Matt Godfrey (1)
LP - Paul Gallardo (0-1)

Spring Record - 6-5

[rpriske]

March 15th, 1991

Dave Stieb was sharp and led the Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over Cleveland.

David Roberts homered for Toronto.

WP - Dave Stieb (1-0)
Save - Jeff Brantley (1)
LP - John Dopson (1-1)

Spring Record - 7-5

[rpriske]

March 17th, 1991

Juan Guzman got the job done today as the Jay beat the Red Sox, 3-2.

Bob Allen homered for Toronto.

WP - Jeff Gray (2-0)
Save - Todd Burns (1)
LP - Juan Lopez (0-2)

Spring Record - 8-5

[rpriske]

March 18th, 1991

Ramon Martinez threw five scoreless innings as the Jays beat the Tigers, 6-1.

Phil Plantier homered for Toronto.

WP - Ramon Martinez (1-0)
LP - Bob Hook (1-2)

Spring Record - 9-5