1977 Toronto Blue Jays season

1977 Toronto Blue Jays
Inaugural season
Major league affiliations
Location
1977 information
Owner(s) Labatt Breweries,
Imperial Trust,
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Manager(s) Roy Hartsfield
Local television CBC Television
(Don Chevrier, Tony Kubek)
Local radio CKFH
(Early Wynn, Tom Cheek)
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The 1977 Toronto Blue Jays season was the first year of Major League Baseball played by the Toronto-based expansion franchise. The Blue Jays finished 7th in the American League East with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses.

Contents

Offseason

Spring training

The Blue Jays spring training was held in Dunedin, Florida. In their first pre-season game on March 11, the Jays beat the New York Mets by a score of 3-1. The first two times that they played the Montreal Expos, the Jays were triumphant as well. Perhaps the highlight of spring training was a match against the Cincinnati Reds. The Blue Jays defeated the defending World Series champions as the Reds were missing only one regular starter from their lineup.[10] After spring training, the Blue Jays 25-man roster was set. Ron Fairly, who had previously played for the Montreal Expos, was one of the most recognizable players on the nascent team. The only marquee name was Bill Singer. Pat Gillick had a deal with the New York Yankees to trade Singer for a promising, young left-hander named Ron Guidry.[10] Blue Jays president Peter Bavasi vetoed the deal as Singer was part of his plan to market and promote the team.[10]

Regular season

The first game

On April 7, 1977, 44,649 fans were in attendance to watch the first game in Blue Jays history as the Blue Jays played the Chicago White Sox.[11] Notables in attendance that day included Paul Godfrey, Toronto mayor David Crombie, legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt, and country singer Anne Murray.[12] Besides the snow that adorned the field, there were hundreds of fans who missed the first pitch due to many traffic jams that day.

The umpires for the game included crew chief Nestor Chylak, Joe Brinkman, Rich Garcia, and 27-year old Steve Palermo, who was making his major league debut.[13] The game was broadcast on the CBC with Don Chevrier and New York Yankee legend Whitey Ford providing the commentary. The Blue Jays would only appear on the CBC sixteen times that first season.[12]

As the snow was squeegeed off the field, the 48th Highlanders marched onto the field to perform the Star Spangled Banner. Country music star Murray arrived to sing O Canada while wearing a red parka.[13] The fans chanted "We want beer", because Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium was the only stadium in the major leagues to not serve beer.[14]

Bill Singer took to the mound and threw the first pitch in Toronto Blue Jays history against Ralph Garr of the White Sox. The pitch was a high fastball called for a strike.[14] From an 0-2 count, Garr battled back to get the count at 3-2, and then he drew a walk. Afterwards, Garr stole second base, and advanced to third base because Blue Jays catcher Rick Cerone's throw went into center field.[14] The next batter was shortstop Alan Bannister who hit a fly ball for the first out of the game. Jorge Orta batted third and he hit a sacrifice fly which scored Garr, the first run at Exhibition Stadium.[14] Richie Zisk followed and hit the first home run in the history of the stadium. The score was now 2-0 in favour of the White Sox.

Blue Jays manager Roy Hartsfield went to the mound to talk to Singer. As Hartsfield went to the mound, reliever Jerry Johnson started warming up in the bullpen. Singer was able to compose himself and he got Eric Soderholm to hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.[14]

John Scott was the first Blue Jay to take an at bat for the team. He faced White Sox pitcher Ken Brett, taking a strike on the first pitch thrown to him.[12] He struck out, as did the next Jays batter, Héctor Torres.

The third Blue Jays batter in the game was Doug Ault, a 27 year old career minor leaguer with only nine games experience in the major leagues who had been the Jays' sixteenth pick in the expansion draft.[12] On a 1-1 pitch, Ault hit the first home run in Blue Jays history. The score was now 2-1 in favour of Chicago.

After the second inning it was 4-1 for Chicago.[12] In the bottom of the second, Gary Woods bunted for a single, stole second, and scored on a hit by Pedro García.

In the third inning, Torres had a single and Ault was back at bat. With the count 1-1, Ault hit his second home run down the right field line, and the game was tied at 4.[12] Heading into the fourth inning, Toronto got the lead as Dave McKay singled in García from second base.[15]

Singer was still in the game in the top of the fifth inning. Singer struck out Chet Lemon, but Brian Downing and Ralph Garr singled off him.[15] Hartsfield came out to the mound and pulled Singer out of the game. Singer left to a standing ovation as Jerry Johnson entered the game.[15] Johnson got the final two outs of the fifth inning.

Al Woods came up to pinch hit for Steve Bowling in the bottom of the fifth inning.[15] With Otto Vélez on the basepads, Woods homered to right field.[15] The score was 7-4 in favour of the Jays. The Jays had scored in every inning of the game.

The Sox scored a run in the sixth inning and it was 7-5. Pete Vuckovich started the eighth inning. He struck out two batters, gave up a walk and a single, but he got a ground ball to end the inning.[16] In the bottom of the inning, Ault returned to the plate and singled in another run to make the score 8-5. Another run was scored on a double play to make the score 9-5 in favour of the Jays.

In the top of the ninth inning, Vuckovich retired Jorge Orta on a ground ball. Vuckovich then struck out Richie Zisk. For the day, Zisk had four hits in five at bats.[16] With one out to go for the win, Jim Spencer hit a line drive to left field but Scott dropped the ball for a two-base error. Oscar Gamble was up at the plate and he grounded out to the shortstop.[16] The Jays won their first game in franchise history. Jerry Johnson picked up the win while Vuckovich got the save.[16]

The heroes of opening day would not have a future with the Jays. Jerry Johnson would end up in Hollywood working as a stuntman. At the 1977 Winter Meetings, the Jays traded Vuckovich to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Tom Underwood.[16] Doug Ault was back in the minors in 1979.[17]

Linescore

April 7, Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, Ontario

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Chicago 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 15 0
Toronto 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 2 0 9 16 1
W: Jerry Johnson (1-0)  L: Ken Brett (0-1)  
HRs: Doug Ault (2), Alvis Woods (1), Richie Zisk (1)

Boxscore

Batting
Chicago White Sox AB R H RBI Toronto Blue Jays AB R H RBI
Garr, lf 5 2 3 0 Scott, lf 5 1 1 0
Bannister, ss 5 0 1 1 Torres, ss 2 1 1 0
Nyman, ph 1 0 0 0 Mason, ph/ss 1 1 0 0
Nordbrook, ss 0 0 0 0 Ault, 1b 4 2 3 4
Orta, 2b 4 0 0 1 Vélez, dh 4 1 2 0
Zisk, rf 6 2 4 2 G. Woods, cf 5 1 1 0
Spencer, 1b 6 0 2 0 Bowling, rf 2 0 0 0
Gamble, dh 3 0 0 0 A. Woods, ph, rf 3 1 1 2
Soderholm, 3b 5 0 2 1 García, 2b 4 1 3 1
Lemon, cf 4 0 0 0 McKay, 3b 4 0 2 1
Downing, c 4 1 3 0 Cerone, c 4 0 2 0
Totals 43 5 15 5 Totals 38 9 16 8
Pitching
Chicago White Sox IP H R ER BB SO
Brett, L (0-1) 3.0 9 5 5 0 4
Barrios 3.0 3 2 2 3 1
Hamilton 1.0 3 2 2 0 1
LaGrow 1.0 1 0 0 0 1
Totals 8.0 16 9 9 3 7
Toronto Blue Jays IP H R ER BB SO
Singer 4.1 11 4 3 3 5
Johnson W (1-0) 2.2 3 1 1 3 1
Vuckovich, SV (1) 2.0 1 0 0 1 3
Totals 9.0 15 5 4 7 9

Other highlights

Lows

Season standings

AL East W L GB Pct.
New York Yankees 100 62 -- .617
Baltimore Orioles 97 64 2.5 .602
Boston Red Sox 97 64 2.5 .602
Detroit Tigers 74 88 26 .457
Cleveland Indians 71 90 28.5 .441
Milwaukee Brewers 67 95 33 .414
Toronto Blue Jays 54 107 45.5 .327

Notable transactions

Roster

1977 Toronto Blue Jays
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Game log

1977 Game Log
April
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 7 White Sox 9–5 Johnson (1–0) Brett (0–1) Vuckovic (1) 44,649 1–0
2 April 9 White Sox 3–2 Knapp (1–0) Lemanczyk (0–1) LaGrow (1) 18,214 1–1
3 April 10 White Sox 3–1 Garvin (1–0) Stone (0–1) Vuckovic (2) 17,059 2–1
4 April 11 Tigers 5–3 Hargan (1–0) Hiller (0–1) 29,132 3–1
5 April 12 Tigers 6–1 Roberts (1–1) Singer (0–1) 11,505 3–2
6 April 13 Tigers 7–6 Lemanczyk (1–1) Arroyo (0–1) Willis (1) 12,113 4–2
7 April 14 Tigers 5–3 Garvin (2–0) Hiller (0–2) 13,369 5–2
8 April 15 @ White Sox 7–5 Barrios (1–0) Johnson (1–1) 10,840 5–3
9 April 16 @ White Sox 3–2 Stone (1–1) Vuckovic (0–1) 7,467 5–4
10 April 17 @ White Sox 4–2 Brett (2–1) Singer (0–2) Del Canton (1) 14,583 5–5
11 April 18 @ Yankees 5–1 Lemanczyk (2–1) Figueroa (0–2) 9,685 6–5
12 April 19 @ Yankees 8–3 Garvin (3–0) Patterson (0–1) 9,954 7–5
13 April 20 @ Yankees 7–5 Gullett (1–2) Hargan (1–1) Lyle (2) 10,819 7–6
14 April 21 @ Yankees 8–6 Holtzman (1–0) Hartenstein (0–1) Lyle (3) 10,502 7–7
– April 22 Red Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 25
– April 23 Red Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 5
15 April 24 Red Sox 9–0 Jenkins (2–1) Singer (0–3) 29,303 7–8
16 April 25 Red Sox 4–3 Vuckovich (1–1) Campbell (0–3) 8–8
17 April 25 Red Sox 6–5 Willoughby (1–0) Vuckovic (1–2) 15,016 8–9
– April 26 @ Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 28
18 April 27 @ Indians 6–5 (12) Willis (1–0) Kern (0–1) 3,639 9–9
19 April 28 @ Indians 4–3 Fitzmorris (1–2) Jefferson (0–1) Waits (1) 2,724 9–10
20 April 29 @ Royals 6–1 Colborn (4–1) Singer (0–4) 15,523 9–11
21 April 30 @ Royals 2–1 Garvin (4–0) Splittorff (1–2) 15,301 10–11
May
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
22 May 1 @ Royals 8–2 Gura (2–0) Lemanczyk (2–2) Littell (3) 34,066 10–12
23 May 2 Brewers 3–1 Haas (1–1) Hargan (1–2) Castro (5) 17,577 10–13
24 May 3 Brewers 6–2 Cort (1–0) Jefferson (0–2) 13,148 10–14
25 May 4 Brewers 10–3 Singer (1–4) Slaton (1–2) Willis (2) 25,699 11–14
26 May 5 Brewers 9–8 Vuckovic (2–2) Castro (3–1) 12,268 12–14
27 May 6 Twins 7–2 Zahn (5–0) Lemanczyk (2–3) Schueler (1) 26,355 12–15
28 May 7 Twins 4–1 Thormodsgard (2–1) Hargan (1–3) Johnson (4) 34,091 12–16
29 May 8 Twins 5–4 Goltz (1–2) Jefferson (0–3) Johnson (5) 20,902 12–17
30 May 9 Mariners 10–4 Singer (2–4) Thomas (1–4) 11,680 13–17
31 May 10 Mariners 9–3 Garvin (5–0) Montague (3–3) 13,017 14–17
32 May 13 @ Twins 4–3 (11) Schueler (2–1) Willis (1–1) 9,667 14–18
33 May 14 @ Twins 13–3 Goltz (2–2) Singer (2–5) 10,503 14–19
34 May 15 @ Twins 5–3 Burgmeier (4–1) Garvin (5–1) Schueler (2) 11,401 14–20
35 May 17 @ Brewers 3–1 Jefferson (1–3) Haas (3–2) Johnson (1) 6,810 15–20
36 May 18 @ Brewers 3–2 (10) Castro (4–1) Vuckovic (2–3) 7,208 15–21
37 May 19 @ Brewers 5–3 Slaton (2–4) Singer (2–6) McClure (3) 8,469 15–22
38 May 20 @ Rangers 4–3 Garvin (6–1) Blyleven (4–4) 21,965 16–22
39 May 21 @ Rangers 9–6 Jefferson (2–3) Briles (2–1) Willis (3) 20,351 17–22
40 May 22 @ Rangers 7–4 Alexander (6–1) Lemanczyk (2–4) Knowles (2) 21,831 17–23
41 May 23 Athletics 3–0 Langford (4–3) Vuckovic (2–4) 27,705 17–24
42 May 25 Athletics 6–5 (10) Giusti (1–2) Garvin (6–2) 36,097 17–25
43 May 27 Angels 4–1 Ross (2–2) Johnson (1–2) Hartzell (4) 24,779 17–26
44 May 28 Angels 6–4 Jefferson (3–3) Simpson (3–4) Vuckovic (3) 30,034 18–26
45 May 29 Angels 3–2 Ryan (8–4) Lemanczyk (2–5) 30,009 18–27
46 May 30 Royals 4–1 Splittorff (4–4) Garvin (6–3) Littell (6) 20,002 18–28
June
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
47 June 1 Royals 11–3 Leonard (3–5) Singer (2–7) 33,004 18–29
48 June 3 @ Athletics 3–2 Lacey (2–2) Jefferson (3–4) 3,030 18–30
49 June 4 @ Athletics 4–2 Lemanczyk (3–5) Ellis (2–5) Vuckovic (4) 4,525 19–30
50 June 5 @ Athletics 7–3 Garvin (7–3) Blue (3–7) Johnson (2) 4,580 20–30
51 June 7 @ Angels 6–3 Willis (2–1) Hartzell (1–5) 10,239 21–30
52 June 8 @ Angels 2–1 (13) LaRoche (4–2) Bruno (0–1) 11,678 21–31
53 June 10 @ Mariners 4–3 Lemanczyk (4–5) Montague (5–4) Willis (4) 11,786 22–31
54 June 11 @ Mariners 5–4 Johnson (2–2) Romo (3–4) 21,318 23–31
55 June 12 @ Mariners 5–2 Pole (3–2) Vuckovic (2–5) 28,412 23–32
56 June 14 @ Tigers 7–2 Hiller (4–6) Jefferson (3–5) 11,808 23–33
57 June 15 @ Tigers 9–0 Arroyo (5–3) Lemanczyk (4–6) 11,349 23–34
58 June 16 @ Tigers 4–1 Fidrych (3–2) Garvin (7–4) 26,041 23–35
59 June 17 Orioles 5–3 Martínez (6–4) Vuckovic (2–6) 26,183 23–36
60 June 18 Orioles 4–2 Palmer (8–6) Jefferson (3–6) Martinez (2) 33,201 23–37
61 June 19 Orioles 7–1 Lemanczyk (5–6) Flanagan (2–7) 34,556 24–37
62 June 20 Indians 8–5 (11) Dobson (2–6) Willis (2–2) Kern (8) 24,568 24–38
63 June 21 Indians 4–0 Waits (4–0) Garvin (7–5) Kern (9) 18,039 24–39
64 June 22 Indians 7–5 (12) Kern (3–3) Johnson (2–3) Monge (4) 29,750 24–40
65 June 23 Indians 4–0 Garland (4–7) Jefferson (3–7) 16,747 24–41
66 June 24 @ Orioles 5–4 Lemanczyk (6–6) Holdsworth (0–1) Willis (5) 8,133 25–41
67 June 25 @ Orioles 5–2 Martínez (7–5) Byrd (0–1) 16,794 25–42
68 June 25 @ Orioles 3–1 Grimsley (7–3) Garvin (7–6) 16,794 25–43
69 June 26 @ Orioles 2–0 Vuckovic (3–6) Palmer (8–8) 16,761 26–43
70 June 27 Yankees 7–6 Jefferson (4–7) Guidry (5–4) Johnson (3) 29,138 27–43
71 June 28 Yankees 8–5 Lemanczyk (7–6) Clay (0–2) 40,116 28–43
72 June 28 Yankees 5–1 (11) Tidrow (6–2) Johnson (2–4) 40,116 28–44
73 June 30 Yankees 11–5 Hunter (4–3) Garvin (7–7) 33,283 28–45
July
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
74 July 1 Rangers 11–8 Alexander (7–5) Byrd (0–2) Devine (4) 21,089 28–46
75 July 2 Rangers 10–7 Vuckovic (4–6) Barker (0–1) 19,176 29–46
76 July 3 Rangers 6–3 (10) Ellis (4–7) Willis (2–3) Knowles (3) 29–47
77 July 3 Rangers 5–3 Jefferson (5–7) Knowles (2–1) 32,066 30–47
78 July 4 @ Red Sox 9–6 Campbell (6–5) Hartenstein (0–2) 21,073 30–48
79 July 6 @ Red Sox 9–5 Campbell (7–5) Vuckovic (4–7) 34,956 30–49
80 July 7 @ Red Sox 5–2 Stanley (5–3) Jefferson (5–8) Campbell (16) 32,641 30–50
81 July 8 @ Indians 11–5 Eckersley (8–7) Lemanczyk (7–7) 12,719 30–51
82 July 9 @ Indians 3–2 Garland (6–9) Garvin (7–8) 19,594 30–52
83 July 10 @ Indians 5–3 Byrd (1–2) Dobson (3–8) Vuckovic (5) 12,935 31–52
84 July 11 @ Tigers 9–7 Grilli (1–0) DeBarr (0–1) 9,057 31–53
85 July 12 @ Tigers 2–1 Crawford (3–2) Jefferson (5–9) 25,007 31–54
86 July 13 @ White Sox 6–3 Knapp (8–4) Singer (2–8) Johnson (2) 31–55
87 July 13 @ White Sox 5–3 (11) Lemanczyk (8–7) Kucek (0–1) 25,669 32–55
88 July 14 @ White Sox 2–1 Kravec (6–2) Garvin (7–9) 15,937 32–56
89 July 15 Tigers 8–6 (13) Vuckovic (5–7) Crawford (3–3) 23,749 33–56
90 July 16 Tigers 11–3 Rozema (8–4) Willis (2–4) 35,151 33–57
91 July 17 Tigers 3–2 Jefferson (6–9) Arroyo (5–9) 34–57
92 July 17 Tigers 7–6 (11) Hiller (5–9) Lemanczyk (8–8) 36,613 34–58
93 July 22 White Sox 10–3 Wood (5–2) Garvin (7–10) LaGrow (17) 33,175 34–59
94 July 23 White Sox 10–3 Kravec (7–2) Lemanczyk (8–9) 24,263 34–60
95 July 24 @ Tigers 6–2 Sykes (2–3) Jefferson (6–10) 20,177 34–61
96 July 25 @ Tigers 8–3 Wilcox (2–0) Byrd (1–3) Crawford (1) 16,911 34–62
97 July 26 Rangers 14–0 Blyleven (10–9) Clancy (0–1) 22,357 34–63
98 July 28 Rangers 3–0 Perry (9–8) Garvin (7–11) 17,512 34–64
99 July 29 Brewers 7–3 Haas (7–7) Jefferson (6–11) 14,303 34–65
100 July 30 Brewers 3–2 Slaton (8–9) Byrd (1–4) 18,639 34–66
101 July 31 Brewers 4–1 Lemanczyk (9–9) Augustine (10–12) Murphy (1) 28,110 35–66
August
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
102 August 1 Brewers 3–2 Clancy (1–1) Sorensen (2–5) 17,590 36–66
103 August 3 @ Royals 7–4 Splittorff (9–5) Garvin (7–12) Bird (1) 16,775 36–67
104 August 4 @ Royals 8–0 Gura (6–5) Jefferson (6–12) 17,661 36–68
105 August 5 @ Brewers 6–1 Byrd (2–4) Slaton (8–10) 13,609 37–68
106 August 6 @ Brewers 5–3 Lemanczyk (10–9) Augustine (10–13) Johnson (4) 12,720 38–68
107 August 7 @ Brewers 6–2 Sorensen (3–5) Garvin (7–13) McClure (4) 38–69
108 August 7 @ Brewers 7–5 Haas (8–7) Clancy (1–2) Hinds (2) 12,070 38–70
109 August 9 Twins 6–2 Jefferson (7–12) Thormodsgard (9–9) 23,450 39–70
110 August 11 Twins 7–3 Goltz (15–6) Byrd (2–5) Johnson (14) 18,430 39–71
111 August 12 Royals 9–8 Pattin (5–2) Lemanczyk (10–10) Bird (3) 19,143 39–72
112 August 13 Royals 5–3 Splittorff (10–6) Clancy (1–3) Bird (4) 25,027 39–73
113 August 14 Royals 6–3 Murphy (1–1) Leonard (12–10) Vuckovic (6) 27,430 40–73
114 August 15 Angels 7–4 Tanana (14–7) Jefferson (7–13) 18,453 40–74
115 August 16 Angels 7–2 Hartzell (6–7) Byrd (2–6) 15,424 40–75
116 August 17 @ Rangers 6–5 (10) Devine (9–6) Willis (2–5) 12,913 40–76
117 August 18 @ Rangers 8–0 Ellis (7–9) Clancy (1–4) 15,740 40–77
118 August 19 @ Angels 3–1 Garvin (8–13) Ryan (17–11) Vuckovic (7) 16,570 41–77
119 August 20 @ Angels 5–4 Vuckovic (6–7) LaRoche (7–5) 15,311 42–77
120 August 21 @ Angels 3–2 Tanana (15–7) Byrd (2–7) 12,421 42–78
121 August 22 @ Athletics 5–2 Medich (6–6) Lemanczyk (10–11) Lacey (7) 4,429 42–79
122 August 23 @ Athletics 8–1 Clancy (2–4) Umbarger (1–5) 3,797 43–79
123 August 24 @ Mariners 7–0 Garvin (9–13) Pole (7–11) 44–79
124 August 24 @ Mariners 9–3 Jefferson (8–13) Abbott (10–9) 13,253 45–79
125 August 26 Athletics 8–4 Torrealba (4–4) Byrd (2–8) 22,536 45–80
126 August 27 Athletics 9–8 Medich (7–6) Lemanczyk (10–12) Bair (2) 23,651 45–81
127 August 28 Athletics 6–2 Blue (13–15) Clancy (2–5) 24,087 45–82
128 August 29 @ Twins 7–6 (10) Schueler (7–6) Murphy (1–2) 45–83
129 August 29 @ Twins 6–5 Johnson (15–6) Willis (2–6) 10,364 45–84
September
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
130 September 2 Mariners 4–3 Abbott (11–10) Lemanczyk (10–13) 13,502 45–85
131 September 3 Mariners 6–2 Montague (7–10) Jefferson (8–14) Romo (12) 15,109 45–86
132 September 4 Mariners 7–2 Mitchell (2–5) Garvin (9–14) 17,084 45–87
133 September 5 Red Sox 8–0 Aase (4–1) Byrd (2–9) 45–88
134 September 5 Red Sox 6–0 Cleveland (9–7) Clancy (2–6) 30,373 45–89
135 September 6 Red Sox 11–2 Lee (7–3) Darr (0–1) 17,666 45–90
136 September 7 Red Sox 3–2 Lemanczyk (11–13) Jenkins (10–10) 31,684 46–90
137 September 8 Red Sox 7–2 Paxton (9–4) Jefferson (8–15) 19,163 46–91
138 September 9 @ Yankees 2–0 Torrez (16–12) Garvin (9–15) 21,145 46–92
139 September 10 @ Yankees 19–3 Clancy (3–6) Hunter (9–9) 20,296 47–92
140 September 11 @ Yankees 4–3 Tidrow (10–4) Byrd (2–10) Lyle (23) 40,905 47–93
141 September 11 @ Yankees 6–4 Murphy (2–2) Gullett (11–4) Johnson (5) 40,905 48–93
142 September 12 Orioles 6–3 Palmer (16–11) Lemanczyk (11–14) Martinez (8) 13,498 48–94
143 September 14 Orioles 6–5 Flanagan (12–10) Jefferson (8–16) McGregor (3) 19,048 48–95
144 September 14 Orioles 4–2 May (17–12) Garvin (9–16) McGregor (4) 19,048 48–96
145 September 15 Orioles 4–0 (5) † Clancy (4–6) Grimsley (13–9) 14,015 49–96
– September 16 @ Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 17
146 September 17 @ Indians 6–3 Eckersley (14–12) Byrd (2–11) Dobson (1) 49–97
147 September 17 @ Indians 6–5 Lemanczyk (12–14) Waits (8–6) Murphy (2) 5,593 50–97
148 September 18 @ Indians 7–4 Jefferson (9–16) Garland (11–19) Vuckovic (8) 4,376 51–97
149 September 19 @ Orioles 3–1 Garvin (10–16) May (17–13) 3,325 52–97
150 September 20 @ Orioles 5–2 Palmer (18–11) Clancy (4–7) 4,301 52–98
151 September 21 @ Orioles 4–0 Grimsley (14–9) Byrd (2–12) 4,237 52–99
152 September 22 @ Orioles 7–1 Flanagan (13–10) Lemanczyk (12–15) 9,261 52–100
153 September 23 Yankees 5–3 Gullett (13–4) Jefferson (9–17) 32,590 52–101
– September 24 Yankees Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 25
154 September 25 Yankees 15–0 Guidry (16–6) Garvin (10–17) 35,117 52–102
155 September 25 Yankees 2–0 Figueroa (16–10) Clancy (4–8) Lyle (25) 35,117 52–103
– September 26 @ Red Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 27
156 September 27 @ Red Sox 6–5 Aase (6–2) Byrd (2–13) Campbell (30) 52–104
157 September 27 @ Red Sox 5–1 Tiant (12–8) Lemanczyk (12–16) Campbell (31) 23,952 52–105
158 September 28 @ Red Sox 3–2 Vuckovic (7–7) Lee (9–5) 20,362 53–105
159 September 29 @ Red Sox 7–3 Stanley (8–7) Garvin (10–18) 12,240 53–106
– September 30 Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for October 1
October
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
– October 1 Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for October 2
– October 1 Indians Postponed (rain) Not rescheduled
160 October 2 Indians 2–1 (11) Lemanczyk (13–16) Andersen (0–1) 54–106
161 October 2 Indians 5–4 Camper (1–0) Clancy (4–9) Waits (2) 27,789 54–107
  • † Game forfeited by Baltimore.

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Pos Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg HR RBI SB
C Ashby, AlanAlan Ashby 124 396 25 83 16 3 .210 2 29 0
1B Ault, DougDoug Ault 129 445 44 109 22 3 .245 11 64 4
2B Staggs, SteveSteve Staggs 72 290 37 75 11 6 2 28 .259 5
3B Howell, RoyRoy Howell 96 364 41 115 17 1 .316 10 44 4
SS Torres, HéctorHéctor Torres 91 266 33 64 7 3 .241 5 26 1
LF Woods, AlAl Woods 122 440 58 125 17 4 .284 6 35 8
CF Woods, GaryGary Woods 60 227 21 49 9 1 .216 0 17 5
RF Vélez, OttoOtto Vélez 120 360 50 92 19 3 .256 16 62 4
DH Fairly, RonRon Fairly 132 458 60 128 24 2 .279 19 64 0

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg HR RBI SB
Bailor, BobBob Bailor 122 496 62 154 21 5 .310 5 32 15
Rader, DougDoug Rader 96 313 47 75 18 2 .240 13 40 2
McKay, DaveDave McKay 95 274 18 54 4 3 .197 3 22 2
Ewing, SamSam Ewing 97 244 24 70 8 2 .287 4 34 1
Scott, JohnJohn Scott 79 233 26 56 9 0 .240 2 15 10
Bowling, SteveSteve Bowling 89 194 19 40 8 1 .206 1 13 2
Garcia, PedroPedro Garcia 41 130 10 27 10 1 .208 0 9 0
Cerone, RickRick Cerone 31 100 7 20 4 0 .200 1 10 0
Mason, JimJim Mason 22 79 10 13 3 0 .165 0 2 1
Nordbrook, TimTim Nordbrook 24 63 9 11 0 1 .175 0 1 1
Whitt, ErnieErnie Whitt 23 41 4 7 3 0 .171 0 6 0
Roof, PhilPhil Roof 3 5 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player G GS IP W L ERA R ER BB K
Lemanczyk, DaveDave Lemanczyk 34 34 252 13 16 4.25 143 119 87 105
Garvin, JerryJerry Garvin 34 34 244.2 10 18 4.19 127 114 85 127
Jefferson, JesseJesse Jefferson 33 33 217 9 17 4.31 123 104 83 114
Byrd, JeffJeff Byrd 17 17 87.1 2 13 6.18 68 60 68 40
Clancy, JimJim Clancy 13 13 76.2 4 9 5.05 47 43 47 44
Singer, BillBill Singer 13 12 59.2 2 8 6.79 54 45 39 33
Hargan, SteveSteve Hargan 6 5 29.1 1 3 5.22 17 17 14 11
Darr, MikeMike Darr 1 1 1.1 0 1 33.75 5 5 4 1

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L SV ERA R ER BB K
Vuckovich, PetePete Vuckovich 53 148 3.47 7 7 8 64 57 59 123
Johnson, JerryJerry Johnson 43 86 2 4 5 4.60 50 44 54 54
Willis, MikeMike Willis 43 107.1 2 6 5 3.94 48 47 38 59
Murphy, TomTom Murphy 19 52 2 1 2 3.63 22 21 18 26
DeBarr, DennisDennis DeBarr 14 21.1 0 1 0 5.91 14 14 8 10
Bruno, TomTom Bruno 12 18.1 0 1 0 7.85 18 16 13 9
Hartenstein, ChuckChuck Hartenstein 13 27.1 0 2 0 6.59 22 20 6 15

Awards and honors

All-Stars

All-Star Game

Franchise firsts

Farm system

See also: Minor league baseball
Level Team League Manager
Short-Season A Utica Blue Jays New York-Penn League Duane Larson

[22]

Notes

  1. ^ Phil Roof page at Baseball Reference
  2. ^ Rico Carty page at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ a b Jim Mason page at Baseball Reference
  4. ^ Al Fitzmorris page at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ Chuck Hartenstein page at Baseball-Reference
  6. ^ Rick Cerone page at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Dave Roberts page at Baseball Reference
  8. ^ Ron Fairly page at Baseball Reference
  9. ^ John Lowenstein page at Baseball Reference
  10. ^ a b c Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, Stephen Brunt, p. 91, Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-023978-2
  11. ^ Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 90
  12. ^ a b c d e f Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 94
  13. ^ a b Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 92
  14. ^ a b c d e Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 93
  15. ^ a b c d e Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 95
  16. ^ a b c d e Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 96
  17. ^ Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, p. 97
  18. ^ The Official Site of The Toronto Blue Jays: History: Blue Jays Timeline
  19. ^ Paul Hodgson page at Baseball Reference
  20. ^ Danny Ainge page at Baseball Reference
  21. ^ Blue Jays All-Stars | bluejays.com: History
  22. ^ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, N.C.: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007

References

AL East
Baltimore • Boston • Cleveland • Detroit • Milwaukee • New York • Toronto
AL West
NL East
NL West
Toronto Blue Jays 1977 Inaugural Season
Opening Day Lineup
Batters
C Alan Ashby | C Ernie Whitt | C Phil Roof | 2B Steve Staggs | 3B Roy Howell | 3B/DH Doug Rader | DH/1B/OF Ron Fairly | OF/SS Bob Bailor | LF Al Woods | OF/DH Sam Ewing | SS Jim Mason | SS Tim Nordbrook
Pitchers
Manager and Coaches
Manager Roy Hartsfield | Hitting coach Bobby Doerr | Pitching coach Bob Miller | First base coach Don Leppert | Third base coach Jackie Moore | Bullpen coach Harry Warner
Based in Toronto, Ontario
The Franchise
Ballparks
Culture
Rivalries
Retired Numbers
Key Personnel
Owner: Rogers Communications • President & CEO: Paul Beeston • General Manager: Alex Anthopoulos • Manager: John Farrell
World Series
Championships (2)
American League
Pennants (2)
Division Titles
Eastern: 1985 • 1989 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • Wild Card: none
Minors