1991 Toronto Blue Jays: Just Before Success

1991 Toronto Blue Jays: Just Before Success

1991 Toronto Blue Jays: Just Before Success

After their impressive 1989 campaign, the Toronto Blue Jays took a small step back in 1990 as they finished with an 86-76 record, allowing the Boston Red Sox to win the American League East division that year. Entering the 1990’s the foundation of the team had to change, so General Manager Pat Gillick kept busy during the offseason and acquired some talent.

On December 2, 1990 the Blue Jays acquired center fielder Devon White and pitchers Willie Fraser and Marcus Moore from the California Angels in exchange for outfielder Junior Felix, infielder Luis Sojo and minor league player Ken Rivers. Just 2 days later on December 4 the Blue Jays made one of their most significant trades in team history by acquiring right fielder Joe Carter and second baseman Roberto Alomar from the San Diego Padres in exchange for first baseman Fred McGriff and shortstop Tony Fernandez. These trades would play big parts in establishing a winning culture in Toronto.

In 1991 the Blue Jays went 91-71, winning the American League East division by 7 games over both the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers. The Blue Jays only went 4-9 against the Red Sox but went 8-5 against the Tigers in head-to-head play. The Blue Jays went 46-35 at home and 45-36 on the road.

Roberto Alomar batted .295 with 69 RBI’s, 188 hits, 41 doubles, 11 triples and an amazing 53 stolen bases. Devon White batted .282 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI’s off 181 hits, 40 doubles, 10 triples and 33 stolen bases. Joe Carter batted .273 with 33 home runs and 108 RBI’s off 174 hits, 42 doubles and 20 stolen bases. First baseman John Olerud had 17 home runs and 68 RBI’s off 116 hits and 30 doubles. Third baseman Kelly Gruber had 20 home runs and 65 RBI’s off 108 hits, 18 doubles and 12 stolen bases. Shortstop Manuel Lee had 104 hits and 18 doubles. Catcher Greg Myers had 81 hits and 22 doubles. Catcher Pat Borders had 71 hits and 17 doubles in 105 games. Utility player William “Mookie” Wilson had 58 hits, 12 doubles, 4 triples and 11 stolen bases in 86 games.

Starting pitcher Todd Stottlemyre went 15-8 with 116 strikeouts and a 3.78 ERA, recording 1 complete game. Jimmy Key went 16-12 with 125 strikeouts and a 3.05 ERA, recording 2 complete games and 2 shutouts. David Wells went 15-10 with 106 strikeouts and 2 complete games. Juan Guzman went 10-3 with 123 strikeouts and a 2.99 ERA, recording 1 complete game. Despite going 6-7 Tom Candiotti had 81 strikeouts, a 2.98 ERA and 3 complete games. Dave Stieb went 4-3 with a 3.17 ERA and 1 complete game. Stieb would experience ongoing shoulder and back injury issues which would cut his season short.

Closer Tom Henke had 32 saves and he recorded 25 consecutive saves until blowing a save opportunity on August 13. Relief pitcher Duane Ward went 7-6 with 23 saves, 132 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA. Mike Timlin went 11-6 with 3 saves, 85 strikeouts and a 3.16 ERA. Bob Macdonald went 3-3 with a 2.85 ERA.

Roberto Alomar would make the 1991 All-Star Game as a starter for the American League while Joe Carter and Jimmy Key made the All-Star Game as reserves. Along with Devon White, Alomar would also win a Gold Glove Award. Joe Carter would win the Silver Slugger Award and be named the Player of the Month in June. Juan Guzman was selected as The Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

On October 2 against the California Angels at the SkyDome, the Blue Jays clinched the American League East with a dramatic 6-5 win, which would be another sign of future greatness shown by this team. In the top of the 3rd inning right fielder Max Venable had a sacrifice fly. In the top of the 4th third baseman Gary Gaetti had a 2-run double. Toronto woke up in the bottom of the 5th when Devon White had an RBI single, and Roberto Alomar followed by drawing a bases loaded walk to score Pat Borders. In the bottom of the 6th left fielder Candy Maldonado blasted a 2-run home run. In the top of the 8th designated hitter Dave Winfield hit a solo home run, and then in the top of the 9th pinch hitting outfielder Dave Gallagher had an RBI single to give California a 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the 9th Alomar hit into a fielder’s choice to score White, and then Carter had a walk-off RBI single to clinch the division title for Toronto.

As was the case in both 1985 and 1989, the Toronto Blue Jays would fall short of reaching the World Series as they would fall to the eventual World Series Champion Minnesota Twins 4 games to 1. The only win in the series for Toronto came in Game 2 on October 9 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The Blue Jays beat the Twins 5-2. In the top of the 1st inning Carter had an RBI single, and then Kelly Gruber had a 2-run single in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom of the 3rd center fielder and eventual World Series hero Kirby Puckett had an RBI single, and catcher Brian Harper followed with an RBI single. In the top of the 7th Alomar had an RBI single, and then Carter followed with a sacrifice fly.

1991 would be the year just before the Toronto Blue Jays started to experience success in postseason play. The next 2 years would be the best years in franchise history.