1989 Toronto Blue Jays season
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Blue Jays
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East
with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses. They lost the ALCS in five games to the eventual world champion Oakland Athletics
.
against the Royals
. Behind the pitching of Jimmy Key
, the Jays won the first game of the season 4-3. The rest of the month would result in a losing record for the Jays. After the first month of the season, the Blue Jays had 10 wins and 20 losses and sat 6.5 games behing the Baltimore Orioles
in the standings. The result was that Pat Gillick
made his first trade in 605 days. On April 30, Gillick sent Jesse Barfield
to the New York Yankees
in exchange for Al Leiter
. The reason for the deal was that management was convinced that Rob Ducey
was ready to be an everyday outfielder (ironically, the spot eventually went to the surprising Junior Felix
that year, and Ducey never became the everyday player that the Jays imagined him to be).
Traditionally, the Blue Jays had never fired a manager in the middle of the season. After the Jays were swept by the Minnesota Twins
in a three game series, including a 13-1 loss in the final game of the series, the Jays had 12 wins and 24 losses. The Jays had also lost 15 of their last 19 games. Gillick decided that a change was needed. On Monday, May 15, Jimy Williams
had become the first Jays manager to be fired in mid-season. Williams would be replaced by Cito Gaston
, the first black manager in the history of the franchise.
The team would move into the brand new Skydome and leave Exhibition Stadium behind. Their last game at Exhibition Stadium would be against the first team they played there, the Chicago White Sox
. From there, the Blue Jays would open up the Skydome in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
. Besides clinching the American League East Division Title, another season highlight was Kelly Gruber
hitting for the cycle against the Kansas City Royals
on April 16.
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 first in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses. They lost the ALCS in five games to the eventual world champion Oakland Athletics
1989 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season saw the A's finish in first place in the American League West division, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals. It was their second consecutive AL West title, as well as the second straight year in which they finished...
.
Offseason
- October 9, 1988: Carlos DelgadoCarlos DelgadoCarlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Blue Jays. - December 6, 1988: Mauro Gozzo was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Kansas City Royals in the 1988 minor league draft.
- December 22, 1988: 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...
was purchased from the Blue Jays by the Hanshin TigersHanshin TigersThe are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...
(Japan Central). - December 24, 1988: Mike Flanagan was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays.
- January 18, 1989: Bob BrenlyBob BrenlyRobert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays. - March 9, 1989: DeWayne Buice was traded by the California Angels to the Toronto Blue Jays for Cliff Young.
Regular season
The regular season would represent a turning point for the Blue Jays in many different ways. The Blue Jays started the 1989 season in Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
against the Royals
Kansas City Royals
The 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...
. Behind the pitching of Jimmy Key
Jimmy Key
James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...
, the Jays won the first game of the season 4-3. The rest of the month would result in a losing record for the Jays. After the first month of the season, the Blue Jays had 10 wins and 20 losses and sat 6.5 games behing the Baltimore Orioles
1989 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses. The team was known as the Comeback Kids as they rebounded from the 54 wins and 107 losses of the 1988 season...
in the standings. The result was that Pat Gillick
Pat Gillick
Lawrence Patrick David Gillick is a retired American professional baseball executive. He was the general manager of four Major League Baseball teams, and guided two teams to three World Series championships in his career: in 1992 and 1993 titles with the Toronto Blue Jays, and a 2008 title with...
made his first trade in 605 days. On April 30, Gillick sent Jesse Barfield
Jesse Barfield
Jesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...
to the New York Yankees
1989 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1989 season was the 87th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 74-87, finishing in fifth place, 14.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Dallas Green and Bucky Dent...
in exchange for Al Leiter
Al Leiter
Alois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
. The reason for the deal was that management was convinced that Rob Ducey
Rob Ducey
Robert Thomas Ducey is a Canadian former outfielder in Major League Baseball.Raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Ducey graduated from Seminole Community College, and was first signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in...
was ready to be an everyday outfielder (ironically, the spot eventually went to the surprising Junior Felix
Junior Felix
Junior Francisco Félix Sánchez is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from -....
that year, and Ducey never became the everyday player that the Jays imagined him to be).
Traditionally, the Blue Jays had never fired a manager in the middle of the season. After the Jays were swept by the Minnesota Twins
1989 Minnesota Twins season
The 1989 Minnesota Twins finished 80-82, fifth in the AL West. 2,277,438 fans attended Twins games, the seventh highest total in the American League.-Offseason:...
in a three game series, including a 13-1 loss in the final game of the series, the Jays had 12 wins and 24 losses. The Jays had also lost 15 of their last 19 games. Gillick decided that a change was needed. On Monday, May 15, Jimy Williams
Jimy Williams
James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...
had become the first Jays manager to be fired in mid-season. Williams would be replaced by Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
, the first black manager in the history of the franchise.
The team would move into the brand new Skydome and leave Exhibition Stadium behind. Their last game at Exhibition Stadium would be against the first team they played there, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. From there, the Blue Jays would open up the Skydome in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Besides clinching the American League East Division Title, another season highlight was Kelly Gruber
Kelly Gruber
Kelly Wayne Gruber is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.-Early career:Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team...
hitting for the cycle against the Kansas City Royals
1989 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* November 30, 1988: Bob Boone was signed as a free agent by the Royals....
on April 16.
Notable games
- April 16, 1989 – Blue Jays third baseman Kelly GruberKelly GruberKelly Wayne Gruber is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.-Early career:Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team...
hits for the cycle in a 15-8 victory over the Kansas City Royals1989 Kansas City Royals seasonThe Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:* November 30, 1988: Bob Boone was signed as a free agent by the Royals....
.
- May 4, 1989 – In a game versus the California Angels1989 California Angels seasonThe 1989 California Angels season saw the Angels finish third in the American League West with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses.-Offseason:...
, Junior FelixJunior FelixJunior Francisco Félix Sánchez is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from -....
hits a home run in his first Major League at-bat, becoming only the 60th Major Leaguer to achieve the feat.
- May 28, 1989 – The Blue Jays play their final game at Exhibition StadiumExhibition StadiumCanadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
, a 7-5 10-inning win over the Chicago White Sox1989 Chicago White Sox seasonThe 1989 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 90th season. They finished with a record 69-92, good enough for 7th place in the American League West, 29.5 games behind of the 1st place Oakland Athletics.-Potential move to Florida:...
. Coincidentally, the White Sox had been the Jays' opponents in their first game at Exhibition Stadium (also the first game in franchise history) twelve years before.
- June 4, 1989 – The Blue Jays stage a remarkable comeback in a game against the Red Sox1989 Boston Red Sox seasonThe Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:...
in BostonBostonBoston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Trailing 10-0 after six innings, they slowly close the gap, finally taking an 11-10 lead on a ninth-inning grand slam by 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...
. Boston ties the score in the bottom half of the inning, but Junior FelixJunior FelixJunior Francisco Félix Sánchez is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from -....
smokes a two-run home run in the top of the 12th inning, giving Toronto a 13-11 victory.
- June 5, 1989 – The Blue Jays play their first game in the brand-new SkyDomeRogers CentreRogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
, a 5-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers1989 Milwaukee Brewers seasonThe Milwaukee Brewers' 1989 season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League East with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses.-Offseason:* October 26, 1988: Steve Stanicek was released by the Brewers....
.
- August 4, 1989 – With the Blue Jays leading 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...
2-0, 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...
comes one out away from pitching a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
, but the Yankees' Roberto KellyRoberto KellyRoberto Conrado Kelly is a former Outfielder in Major League Baseball and is currently the first base coach for the San Francisco Giants. He previously managed the Giants' single-A team, the Augusta GreenJackets. Kelly played for several major league clubs...
cracks a double into left field to break it up. Steve SaxSteve SaxStephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
then singles Kelly home to cut the lead to 2-1, but the Blue Jays ace holds on for the victory. It marks the third time in two seasons that Stieb has lost a no-hitter with two out in the ninth inning.
- September 30, 1989 – In the next-to-last game of the regular season (and the last edition of NBC Sports' Saturday afternoon Game of the WeekMajor League Baseball Game of the WeekThe Major League Baseball Game of the Week is the de facto title for over-the-air, nationally televised coverage of regular season Major League Baseball games...
before the series moved to CBS the following season), the Blue Jays clinch their second American League EastAmerican League EastThe American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
division title. Tom HenkeTom HenkeThomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...
strikes out the Baltimore Orioles1989 Baltimore Orioles seasonThe Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses. The team was known as the Comeback Kids as they rebounded from the 54 wins and 107 losses of the 1988 season...
' Larry SheetsLarry SheetsLarry Kent Sheets , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played for the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners from 1984 to 1990 and 1993...
for the final out.
Opening Day starters
- Jesse BarfieldJesse BarfieldJesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...
- George Bell
- Pat BordersPat BordersPatrick Lance Borders is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who is best remembered for being the Most Valuable Player in the 1992 World Series. Borders also won an Olympic Games gold medal with the United States' baseball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney...
- Bob BrenlyBob BrenlyRobert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
- Kelly GruberKelly GruberKelly Wayne Gruber is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.-Early career:Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team...
- Jimmy KeyJimmy KeyJames Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...
- Manuel LeeManuel LeeManuel Lora Lee is a former shortstop and second baseman for Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays , Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals...
- Nelson LirianoNelson LirianoNelson Arturo Liriano Bonilla is a former Major League baseball player. He played for various teams from 1987 to 1998 batting a career average of .260 over those 11 seasons. In 1999, he played in one game for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.Before turning professional, Liriano played amateur...
- 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...
- 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...
Notable transactions
- March 9, 1989: Cliff YoungCliff Young (baseball)Clifford Raphael Young was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in the majors between and . The Indians released him at the end of the 1993 season. Shortly thereafter, Young was killed in a car accident when the car he was driving went off the road and hit a tree,...
was traded by the Blue Jays to the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for De Wayne BuiceDe Wayne BuiceDeWayne Allison Buice is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Buice played two seasons for the California Angels and half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was Pitcher of the Year and Rolaids Relief Man in 1987...
. - June 12, 1989: Dane JohnsonDane JohnsonDane Edward Johnson is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft...
was released by the Blue Jays. - July 31, 1989: Jeff MusselmanJeff MusselmanJeffrey Joseph Musselman , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets from 1986–1990.-More Facts:* Musselman is a Harvard graduate....
and Mike Brady (minors) were traded by the Blue Jays to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Mookie WilsonMookie WilsonWilliam Hayward "Mookie" Wilson is an American former Major League Baseball center fielder and current coach for the New York Mets. He played 12 years in baseball for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays . He was a switch hitter primarily known for his impressive speed and positive attitude...
. - July 31, 1989: Lee MazzilliLee MazzilliLee Louis Mazzilli, , is a former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager. On December 11, 2006, he was hired as the lead studio analyst for SportsNet New York, the New York Mets' cable television network...
was selected off waivers by the Blue Jays from the New York Mets. - August 24, 1989: Tony CastilloTony CastilloAntonio José Castillo [cas-TEEL-lyo] is a former Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Atlanta Braves , New York Mets and Chicago White Sox .In 430-game career, Castillo compiled a 28-23 record with 333 strikeouts and a 3.93 ERA in 526...
and Francisco Cabrera were traded by the Blue Jays to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Jim Acker. - August 26, 1989: Paul SpoljaricPaul SpoljaricPaul Nikola Spoljaric is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who last played in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals in ....
was signed by the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent.
Draft Picks
- June 5, 1989: John OlerudJohn OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox ....
was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 1989 amateur draft1989 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
. Player signed August 26, 1989. - June 5, 1989: Aaron Small was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the 1989 amateur draft. Player signed June 8, 1989.
Roster
| 1989 Toronto Blue Jays | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Game log
| 1989 Game Log | |
|---|---|
| 1989 Playoff Game Log | |
|---|---|
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| = Indicates team leader |
| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 129 | 385 | 101 | .262 | 11 | 53 | |
| 1B | 161 | 551 | 148 | .269 | 36 | 92 | |
| 2B | 132 | 418 | 110 | .263 | 5 | 53 | |
| 3B | 135 | 545 | 158 | .290 | 18 | 73 | |
| SS | 140 | 573 | 147 | .257 | 11 | 64 | |
| LF | 153 | 613 | 182 | .297 | 18 | 104 | |
| CF | 135 | 502 | 111 | .221 | 11 | 43 | |
| RF | 110 | 415 | 107 | .258 | 9 | 46 | |
| DH | 103 | 273 | 65 | .238 | 3 | 29 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | 241 | 62 | .257 | 3 | 29 | |
| 48 | 88 | 15 | .170 | 1 | 6 | |
| 19 | 52 | 15 | .288 | 1 | 7 | |
| 6 | 8 | 3 | .375 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 216 | 13 | 14 | 3.88 | 118 | |
| 33 | 206⅔ | 17 | 8 | 3.35 | 101 | |
| 33 | 205⅓ | 11 | 11 | 3.07 | 69 | |
| 30 | 171⅔ | 8 | 10 | 3.93 | 47 | |
| 27 | 127⅔ | 7 | 7 | 3.88 | 63 | |
| 1 | 6⅔ | 0 | 0 | 4.05 | 4 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 71⅓ | 1 | 0 | 3.66 | |
| 9 | 31⅔ | 4 | 1 | 4.83 | |
| 5 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 3.00 | |
| 4 | 11⅔ | 0 | 1 | 10.03 | |
| 5 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 10.64 | |
| 6 | 10⅔ | 0 | 0 | 2.53 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 1.92 | 116 | |
| 66 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 3.77 | 122 | |
| 54 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2.40 | 78 | |
| 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6.11 | 10 | |
| 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1.59 | 24 | |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.76 | 7 | |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5.82 | 10 |
Game 1
October 3, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County ColiseumMcAfee Coliseum
O.co Coliseum is a multi-purpose stadium, located in Oakland, California, in the Coliseum Industrial area...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Oakland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | X | 7 | 11 | 0 |
| W: Dave Stewart Dave Stewart (baseball player) David Keith Stewart is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A 20-game winner for 4 consecutive years, he was known for his post-season performance and for staring down batters when pitching to them... (1-0) L: Dave Stieb Dave Stieb David 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... (0-1) |
||||||||||||
| HR: OAK – Dave Henderson Dave Henderson David Lee Henderson , nicknamed Hendu, is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed... (1), Mark McGwire Mark McGwire Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St... (1) |
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Game 2
October 4, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County ColiseumMcAfee Coliseum
O.co Coliseum is a multi-purpose stadium, located in Oakland, California, in the Coliseum Industrial area...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | X | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| W: Mike Moore Mike Moore (baseball player) Michael Wayne Moore in Eakly, Oklahoma, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.In college Moore pitched for Oral Roberts University, going 28-11 with an ERA of 2.64. The Seattle Mariners drafted him the first round of the 1981 MLB amateur draft... (1-0) L: Todd Stottlemyre Todd Stottlemyre Todd Vernon Stottlemyre is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 15 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. He is the son of Mel Stottlemyre, former New York Yankees pitcher. His brother... (0-1) S: Dennis Eckersley Dennis Eckersley Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He... (1) |
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| HR: OAK – Dave Parker Dave Parker David Gene "The Cobra" Parker is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million dollar contract... (1) |
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Game 3
October 6, 1989 at SkyDomeRogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| Toronto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| W: Jimmy Key Jimmy Key James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles... (1-0) L: Storm Davis Storm Davis George Earl "Storm" Davis , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1982-1994.-World Series experience:... (0-1) |
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| HR: OAK – Dave Parker Dave Parker David Gene "The Cobra" Parker is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million dollar contract... (2) |
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Game 4
October 7, 1989 at SkyDomeRogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 1 |
| Toronto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | X | 5 | 13 | 0 |
| W: Bob Welch Bob Welch (baseball player) Robert Lynn "Bob" Welch is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics . He played in college for Eastern Michigan. Welch was best known for his blazing fastball, and he is the last pitcher to win 27 games in a single season... (1-0) L: Mike Flanagan (0-1) S: Dennis Eckersley Dennis Eckersley Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He... (2) |
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| HR: OAK – Rickey Henderson Rickey Henderson Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner... 2 (2), José Canseco José Canseco José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco... (1) |
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Game 5
October 8, 1989 at SkyDomeRogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Toronto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| W: Dave Stewart (2-0) L: Dave Stieb Dave Stieb David 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... (0-2) S: Dennis Eckersley Dennis Eckersley Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He... (3) |
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| HR: TOR – Lloyd Moseby Lloyd Moseby Lloyd 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... (1), George Bell (1) |
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Award winners
- George Bell, 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 - Fred McGriff, 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, April - Fred McGriff, American League Leader in Home Runs (36)
- Fred McGriff, Silver Slugger Award
All-Star Game
- Kelly GruberKelly GruberKelly Wayne Gruber is a former Major League Baseball third baseman.-Early career:Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where his number was later retired. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft but did not see time with the team...
, Third Base - Tony Fernandez, Shortstop