1983 Toronto Blue Jays season
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Blue Jays
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 4th in the American League
East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.
For years afterward Winfield's appearances in Toronto were greeted with loud choruses of boos, but he later became a fan favorite when he joined the team in 1992.
All-Star Game
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 4th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.
Offseason
- December 9, 1982: Dale MurrayDale MurrayDale Albert Murray is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos out of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas in the eighteenth round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, and developed into one of the top relief pitchers in the National League in the mid...
and Tom DoddTom DoddThomas Marion Dodd is a former Major League Baseball player. He is likely best remembered for being one of the players included in the deal that brought Fred McGriff to the Toronto Blue Jays as a minor league prospect.-Yankee farmhand:...
were traded by the Blue Jays to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Fred McGriffFred McGriffFrederick Stanley McGriff is a left-handed former Major League Baseball player who starred for several teams from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. A power-hitting first baseman with a tall, lanky build, the five-time All-Star became, in , the first player since the dead-ball era to lead both...
, Dave CollinsDave CollinsDavid S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
, Mike MorganMike MorganMichael Thomas Morgan is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He competed for twelve different teams over 25 years, and is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have played Major League baseball over four decades...
, and cash. - February 23, 1983: Mickey Klutts was signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Regular season
- Willie UpshawWillie UpshawWillie Clay Upshaw is a retired Major League Baseball player who played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians , both of the American League. Following his Major League career, he played two seasons in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks...
became the first Blue Jay to get over 100 RBIs with 104 - On August 4, , Dave WinfieldDave WinfieldDavid Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...
, while warming up before the 5th inning of a game at Toronto's Exhibition StadiumExhibition StadiumCanadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
, accidentally killed a seagull with a thrown ball. He doffed his cap in mock sorrow. Fans responded by hurling obscenities and improvised missiles. After the game, he was brought to the Ontario Provincial PoliceOntario Provincial PoliceThe Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
station on charges of cruelty to animalsCruelty to animalsCruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
and was forced to post a $Canadian dollarThe Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
500 bond before being released. Quipped Yankees manager Billy MartinBilly MartinAlfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
, "It's the first time he's hit the cutoff man." The charges were dropped the following day.
For years afterward Winfield's appearances in Toronto were greeted with loud choruses of boos, but he later became a fan favorite when he joined the team in 1992.
Opening Day starters
- Dave CollinsDave CollinsDavid S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
- Dámaso GarcíaDámaso GarcíaDámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....
- Jim GottJim GottJames William Gott , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1982-1995.Fourth round pick, June draft, of St. Louis Cardinals in 1977....
- Alfredo GriffinAlfredo GriffinAlfredo Claudino Griffin is a former Major League Baseball player, who played shortstop for four teams from 1976 to 1993. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
- Cliff Johnson
- Lloyd MosebyLloyd MosebyLloyd Anthony Moseby was a Major League Baseball player. A center fielder, and good all-around athlete, Moseby's nickname Shaker was said to stem from his ability to get away from or "shake" players who attempted to defend him on the basketball court.Born in Portland, Arkansas, Moseby graduated...
- Rance MulliniksRance MulliniksSteven Rance Mulliniks is a former Major League Baseball player.Originally drafted as a shortstop, Mulliniks made his major league debut in for the California Angels, batting .269 in 78 games...
- Hosken PowellHosken PowellHosken Powell was a Major League Baseball player from 1978 to 1983 for the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. He was an outfielder.-External links:...
- Willie UpshawWillie UpshawWillie Clay Upshaw is a retired Major League Baseball player who played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians , both of the American League. Following his Major League career, he played two seasons in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks...
- Ernie WhittErnie WhittLeo Ernest "Ernie" Whitt is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach who is the current manager for the minor league Clearwater Threshers. He is noted for the twelve years he spent as a player with the Toronto Blue Jays...
Notable transactions
- February 5, 1983: Leon RobertsLeon RobertsLeon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals...
was traded by the Blue Jays to the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
for Cecil FielderCecil FielderCecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
. - June 6, 1983: Webster GarrisonWebster GarrisonWebster Leotis Garrson is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Garrison played for the Oakland Athletics in...
was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 1983 amateur draft1983 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...
. Player signed August 21, 1983. - June 21, 1983: Doyle AlexanderDoyle AlexanderDoyle Lafayette Alexander is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers...
was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays.
Roster
| 1983 Toronto Blue Jays | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Game log
| 1983 Game Log | |
|---|---|
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 | 123 | 344 | 53 | 88 | 15 | 2 | .256 | 17 | 56 | 1 | |
| 1B | 160 | 579 | 99 | 177 | 26 | 7 | .306 | 27 | 104 | 10 | |
| 2B | 131 | 525 | 84 | 161 | 23 | 6 | .307 | 3 | 38 | 31 | |
| 3B | 129 | 364 | 54 | 100 | 34 | 3 | .275 | 10 | 49 | 0 | |
| SS | 162 | 528 | 62 | 132 | 22 | 9 | .250 | 4 | 47 | 8 | |
| LF | 118 | 402 | 55 | 109 | 12 | 4 | .271 | 1 | 34 | 31 | |
| CF | 151 | 539 | 104 | 170 | 31 | 7 | .315 | 18 | 81 | 27 | |
| RF | 128 | 388 | 58 | 98 | 13 | 3 | .253 | 27 | 68 | 2 | |
| DH | 142 | 407 | 59 | 108 | 23 | 1 | .265 | 22 | 76 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 375 | 40 | 103 | 22 | 5 | .275 | 2 | 39 | 7 | |
| 121 | 377 | 49 | 120 | 21 | 3 | .318 | 10 | 54 | 10 | |
| 103 | 245 | 30 | 58 | 6 | 3 | .237 | 10 | 38 | 1 | |
| 88 | 221 | 27 | 56 | 14 | 0 | .253 | 10 | 33 | 0 | |
| 39 | 112 | 5 | 30 | 5 | 4 | .268 | 2 | 17 | 1 | |
| 40 | 83 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | .169 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| 22 | 43 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | .256 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
| 15 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 | .265 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 11 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 36 | 278 | 17 | 12 | 3.04 | 105 | 94 | 93 | 187 | |
| 34 | 34 | 223 | 15 | 11 | 3.91 | 115 | 97 | 61 | 99 | |
| 35 | 35 | 217.1 | 13 | 12 | 4.31 | 113 | 104 | 65 | 116 | |
| 34 | 30 | 176.2 | 9 | 14 | 4.74 | 103 | 93 | 68 | 121 | |
| 17 | 15 | 116.2 | 7 | 6 | 3.93 | 55 | 51 | 26 | 46 | |
| 4 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 14.63 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 5 |
Other pitchers
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; IP = Innings pitched; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 5 | 97.2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4.33 | 52 | 47 | 38 | 44 | |
| 16 | 4 | 45.1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5.16 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 22 |
Relief pitchers
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 64.2 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 4.45 | 33 | 32 | 37 | 47 | |
| 49 | 92 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 4.50 | 48 | 46 | 41 | 48 | |
| 47 | 52.1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4.64 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 50 | |
| 45 | 57.1 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 3.77 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 38 | |
| 10 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.27 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | |
| 4 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
Award winners
- Lloyd MosebyLloyd MosebyLloyd Anthony Moseby was a Major League Baseball player. A center fielder, and good all-around athlete, Moseby's nickname Shaker was said to stem from his ability to get away from or "shake" players who attempted to defend him on the basketball court.Born in Portland, Arkansas, Moseby graduated...
, Player of the MonthPlayer of the MonthThe Player of the Month Award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league every month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award on June 4, 1958. National League president Warren Giles conducted a poll of baseball writers in each Major League city and...
Award, August - Lloyd Moseby, Silver Slugger Award
- Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
, Pitcher of the MonthPitcher of the MonthThe Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
Award, May
All-Star Game
1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 54th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 6, 1983, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the...
- Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
, Starting Pitcher