[custom_countdown width=”125px”] The Toronto Blue Jays are one of Major League Baseball’s most successful expansion franchises. Founded in 1977, Toronto became the first Canadian American League team to win the World Series, capturing back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993. From their snowy first game at Exhibition Stadium to the glory years of Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Dave Winfield and Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays have built one of the most interesting histories in modern baseball. The Birth of the Toronto Blue Jays Toronto was awarded an American League expansion franchise in 1976. The Blue Jays played their first Major League game on April 7, 1977, against the Chicago White Sox at Exhibition Stadium. The conditions were unforgettable. Snow flurries and near-freezing temperatures greeted 44,649 fans, but Toronto defeated Chicago 9-5 in its first game. The franchise was named the Blue Jays, a name that connected the club with Canada’s national colors and the bird commonly associated with North America. Toronto initially struggled, but the organization gradually developed a strong farm system and began building a contender. Blue Jays Ownership Through the Years The Blue Jays have had several ownership groups rather than one individual owner. 1976-1991 — Labatt Breweries / Imperial Trust / CIBC The original ownership structure was: Labatt Breweries — 45% Imperial Trust Limited — 45% Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce — 10% 1991-1995 — John Labatt Limited / CIBC Ownership changed to: John Labatt Limited — 90% Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce — 10% 1995-2000 — Interbrew / CIBC The club was then owned: Interbrew S.A. — 90% Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce — 10% 2000-2004 — Rogers / Interbrew Rogers Communications acquired an 80% interest, while Interbrew retained 20%. 2004-Present — Rogers Communications Rogers Communications became the 100% owner of the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2004 and remains the club’s owner. Rogers’ ownership has included major investments in the organization and a massive renovation of the Blue Jays’ home stadium. Blue Jays Home Ballparks Exhibition Stadium — 1977-1989 The Blue Jays played their first 12 seasons at Exhibition Stadium. The stadium hosted 968 Blue Jays games from April 7, 1977, through May 28, 1989. Toronto’s record there was 492-476. The ballpark became famous for its cold early-season weather and winds coming off Lake Ontario. SkyDome — 1989-2005 The Blue Jays moved into SkyDome in June 1989. The stadium was revolutionary because of its retractable roof. It gave Toronto a modern baseball facility capable of protecting games from Canada’s unpredictable weather. The Blue Jays played their first game there on June 5, 1989, against Milwaukee. Rogers Centre — 2005-Present SkyDome was renamed Rogers Centre in 2005. In 2022, the Blue Jays announced a nearly $400 million privately funded renovation. The project transformed the facility from a multipurpose stadium into a modern baseball-focused ballpark. The Rogers Centre remains the Blue Jays’ home. Building the First Great Blue Jays Team Toronto’s first major breakthrough came in the 1980s. Players such as: George Bell, Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield, Tony Fernández, Dave Stieb, Jimmy Key, Willie Upshaw, and Ernie Whitt helped turn Toronto into an American League contender. The Blue Jays won their first American League East championship in 1985. They defeated the Yankees in the division race and reached the postseason for the first time. Although Toronto eventually lost the AL Championship Series to Kansas City, the 1985 club established the Blue Jays as a serious baseball power. The 1992 World Championship The 1992 Blue Jays finished 96-66 and won the American League East. Toronto defeated Oakland in the American League Championship Series and reached the World Series for the first time. The opponent was the Atlanta Braves. The Blue Jays won the World Series four games to two. Game 6 became one of the greatest games in franchise history. With the score tied in the 11th inning, Dave Winfield doubled home two runs. Toronto won 4-3 and became the first Canadian-based team to win the World Series. Pat Borders was named World Series MVP. 1992 World Series Toronto Blue Jays defeated Atlanta Braves, 4-2 Game 1: Atlanta 3, Toronto 1 Game 2: Toronto 5, Atlanta 4 Game 3: Toronto 3, Atlanta 2 Game 4: Toronto 2, Atlanta 1 Game 5: Atlanta 7, Toronto 2 Game 6: Toronto 4, Atlanta 3 The 1993 World Championship Toronto followed its first championship with an even more explosive season. The 1993 Blue Jays returned to the World Series and faced the Philadelphia Phillies. Toronto won the series four games to two. The championship ended with one of the most famous home runs in baseball history. Joe Carter’s World Series Home Run On October 23, 1993, Joe Carter hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6. The Blue Jays won 8-6 and became the first team since the 1977-78 Yankees to win consecutive World Series championships. 1993 World Series Toronto Blue Jays defeated Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2 Toronto became the first—and remains the only—Canadian franchise to win multiple World Series championships. Blue Jays World Series Championships The Toronto Blue Jays have won two World Series championships: 1992 — defeated Atlanta Braves, 4-2 1993 — defeated Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2 The Blue Jays have appeared in the World Series twice and won both times. American League MVP Winners Toronto has produced two American League MVP winners: George Bell — 1987 George Bell became the first Blue Jay to win the American League MVP… Continue reading Toronto Blue Jays Complete History
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The History of the Cleveland Guardians:
[custom_countdown width=”125px”] The History of the Cleveland Guardians: From the Blues to the Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are one of Major League Baseball’s oldest franchises. The organization that is now known as the Guardians began American League play in 1901, making Cleveland one of the original American League cities. Over more than 125 years, the franchise has been known by several names, including the Cleveland Blues, Cleveland Bronchos, Cleveland Naps, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Guardians. The team has won six American League pennants and two World Series championships. The Guardians’ history includes legendary players such as Cy Young, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby, Frank Robinson, Jim Thome and CC Sabathia. It is also a franchise with a fascinating history of ballparks, ownership changes, blockbuster trades and players who became stars after leaving Cleveland. The Beginning: Cleveland Baseball Before the Guardians Cleveland had Major League baseball before the current franchise. The Cleveland Blues played in the National League beginning in 1879. Later, Cleveland became home to the Cleveland Spiders, who played in the National League from 1887 through 1899. The Spiders produced several future Hall of Famers, including Cy Young, Jesse Burkett, Buck Ewing, Bobby Wallace, John Clarkson and George Davis. However, the Spiders disappeared after the disastrous 1899 season. The Spiders finished that season 20-134, still one of the worst records in professional sports history. Owner Frank Robison also owned the St. Louis Browns and transferred Cleveland’s best players to St. Louis, leaving Cleveland with a depleted roster. The Spiders were dropped from the National League after the season. The modern Cleveland franchise began in the American League in 1901. The Cleveland Blues and Bronchos The new American League Cleveland franchise initially went through several nicknames. The team was called the Cleveland Blues in 1901 and later became known as the Bronchos. In 1903, the team acquired one of baseball’s greatest early stars, Nap Lajoie, and soon became known as the Cleveland Naps. Lajoie was more than just a star player. He became the face of the franchise and one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era. The Cleveland Naps Nap Lajoie was one of baseball’s first true superstars. He won batting titles, accumulated thousands of hits and became so closely associated with Cleveland that the club eventually adopted the name Naps in his honor. The team also developed one of the game’s great pitchers during this period: Addie Joss. Joss threw a 74-pitch perfect game for Cleveland at League Park on October 2, 1908. His career ended tragically when he died of tubercular meningitis in 1911. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978. The 1920 World Championship The franchise’s first World Series championship came in 1920. The team was led by players including: Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski, Joe Sewell, Ray Chapman, Jim Bagby Sr. Cleveland defeated the Brooklyn Robins in the World Series. The 1920 championship was especially significant because it came during a tragic period for the franchise. Shortstop Ray Chapman was killed after being struck in the head by a pitch during the season. The team rallied and eventually won the World Series. Tris Speaker had become a Cleveland star after the team acquired him from Boston in 1916. He remained with Cleveland for 11 seasons and became one of the greatest players in franchise history. From Naps to Indians After the 1914 season, the team dropped the Naps nickname and became known as the Cleveland Indians. The Indians name remained for more than a century. In 2021, the organization officially changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians. The new name came from the six Art Deco Guardians of Traffic statues on Cleveland’s Hope Memorial Bridge. The name change created a new chapter while preserving the statistical and historical records of the same franchise. Every Home Ballpark The Guardians have played their home games in only four primary Major League ballparks since the franchise began in 1901. Ballpark Years Location League Park 1901-1931 East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue Cleveland Stadium 1932-1993 Lake Erie waterfront Jacobs Field 1994-2007 Downtown Cleveland Progressive Field 2008-present* Downtown Cleveland *The stadium was renamed Progressive Field in 2008 after originally being known as Jacobs Field. The Guardians’ official history lists League Park as the home from 1890-1931, although the current American League franchise began playing there in 1901. Cleveland Stadium then served as the club’s home from 1932 through 1993. Jacobs Field opened in 1994, and the stadium became Progressive Field in 2008. League Park League Park was one of baseball’s historic early parks. The original wooden structure was replaced by a concrete-and-steel facility in 1910. It held approximately 21,000 fans and remained Cleveland’s home until 1931. Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium opened in 1932 and became the team’s home for 62 seasons. It hosted five World Series and four All-Star Games. It was also the setting for several historic Cleveland pitching performances, including Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981. Jacobs Field The opening of Jacobs Field in 1994 helped transform Cleveland baseball. The downtown ballpark replaced Cleveland Stadium and became one of the symbols of the franchise’s remarkable resurgence during the 1990s. Progressive Field The ballpark remains the Guardians’ home today. Located in downtown Cleveland, Progressive Field sits beside Rocket Mortgage Field House and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. All Guardians Owners The Cleveland organization has had a remarkably long list of owners and controlling ownership groups. The Guardians’ official ownership history lists the following: Owner / Ownership Years Charles W. Somers 1900-1916 Jim Dunn 1916-1922 Estate of Jim Dunn 1922-1927 Alva Bradley 1927-1946 Bill Veeck 1946-1949 Ellis Ryan 1949-1952 Myron H. Wilson 1953-1956 William R. Daley 1956-1962 Gabe Paul 1963-1966 Vernon Stouffer 1967-1972 Nick Mileti 1972-1976 Ted Bonda 1977-1978 F.J. “Steve” O’Neill 1978-1983 Estate of F.J. “Steve” O’Neill 1983-1986 Richard E. Jacobs 1986-2000 Larry Dolan and family trusts 2000-present The Dolan family purchased the franchise in 2000 and remains the ownership… Continue reading The History of the Cleveland Guardians:
ATLANTA BRAVES ARE the OLDEST CONSTANTLY OPERATING PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL FRANCISE in NORTH AMERICA
The Braves history stretches back to 1871, before the National League itself was founded. The franchise has represented three cities—Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta—and is the only Major League Baseball team to win the World Series in all three of its home cities. Franchise timeline Years Team name Home city 1871–1882 Boston Red Stockings Boston, Massachusetts 1883–1906 Boston Beaneaters Boston 1907–1910 Boston Doves Boston 1911 Boston Rustlers Boston 1912–1935 Boston Braves Boston 1936–1940 Boston Bees Boston 1941–1952 Boston Braves Boston 1953–1965 Milwaukee Braves Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1966–Present Atlanta Braves Atlanta, Georgia Ballparks and home cities South End Grounds — Boston (1871–1914) Fenway Park — Boston (1914–1915, (temporary) Braves Field — Boston (1915–1952) Milwaukee County Stadium — Milwaukee (1953–1965) Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium — Atlanta (1966–1996) Turner Field — Atlanta (1997–2016) Truist Park — Atlanta (2017–present) Boston years (1871–1952) The club was founded in 1871 by brothers Harry Wright and George Wright. It won multiple league championships during the nineteenth century and became one of baseball’s first dynasties. The famous “Miracle Braves” of 1914 came from last place in July to win the National League pennant before sweeping the heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series. The franchise struggled financially during the Great Depression. In 1935, aging superstar Babe Ruth finished his legendary career with Boston, although he played only a short time before retiring. The club temporarily changed its name to the Bees before returning to Braves in 1941. In 1948, pitchers Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain led Boston to another National League pennant. Milwaukee years (1953–1965) The Braves became the first modern MLB franchise to relocate when they moved to Milwaukee in 1953. The city immediately embraced baseball, drawing record attendance. Young stars developed into legends: Hank Aaron Eddie Mathews Warren Spahn The Braves won the 1957 World Series over the New York Yankees and returned to the World Series in 1958 before losing a rematch. Atlanta years (1966–Present) The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, becoming the first Major League team in the Deep South. Early Atlanta stars included: Hank Aaron Phil Niekro Dale Murphy In 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing record. The Braves became baseball’s dominant franchise of the 1990s under manager Bobby Cox. Their Hall of Fame pitching rotation included: Greg Maddux Tom Glavine John Smoltz Atlanta won an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles (1991–2005, excluding the 1994 strike season) and captured the 1995 World Series over the Cleveland Indians. After rebuilding, another championship core emerged featuring: Freddie Freeman Ronald Acuña Jr. Ozzie Albies Austin Riley Max Fried The Braves won the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros. Greatest Braves players and birthplace Player Born Hank Aaron Mobile, Alabama Warren Spahn Buffalo, New York Eddie Mathews Texarkana, Texas Phil Niekro Blaine, Ohio Dale Murphy Portland, Oregon Greg Maddux San Angelo, Texas Tom Glavine Concord, Massachusetts John Smoltz Detroit, Michigan Chipper Jones DeLand, Florida Freddie Freeman Fountain Valley, California Future stars the Braves traded away Player Born Became star with Adam Wainwright Brunswick, Georgia St. Louis Cardinals Jason Schmidt Lewiston, Idaho San Francisco Giants Kevin Millwood Gastonia, North Carolina Cleveland Indians and others Adam Duvall Louisville, Kentucky Cincinnati Reds Elvis Andrus Maracay, Venezuela Texas Rangers Neftalí Feliz Azua, Dominican Republic Texas Rangers Alex Wood Charlotte, North Carolina Los Angeles Dodgers Andrelton Simmons Mundo Nobo, Curaçao Los Angeles Angels David Justice Cincinnati, Ohio Later traded before helping other clubs win championships William Contreras Puerto Cabello, Venezuela Milwaukee Brewers Braves World Series championships 1914 – Boston Braves 1957 – Milwaukee Braves 1995 – Atlanta Braves 2021 – Atlanta Braves The Braves remain one of baseball’s most historic organizations, having produced dozens of Hall of Famers and legends while spanning more than 155 years of professional baseball history. They are the only MLB franchise to win World Series championships representing three different cities. Artie Fischal Views: 1
