Blue Jays Information
The Bluejays are in a tough spot within the AL, having dealt with the Delgado defaction, and sharing the spotlight with powerhouse teams like the Sox and The Yankees. They have also bounced back from lots of injuries, with 12 Blue Jays landing on the DL in ’07. Nevertheless, the Jays have managed to have some memorable moments this season – like the 11-6 upswing in the bottom of the ninth against the Devil Rays, Dustin McGowan’s complete game one- hitter, having a their first four-winning streak of the season. As of this July, the Blue Jays are currently in third place in the AL east.
The Toronto Blue Jays are best known for their dramatic win in the 1993 World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies, completing a back-to-back run of world championships. This year's group looks to start on that journey in 2004, but they will need to improve on their performance from a year ago. The Blue Jays are led by Carlos Tosca, a manager with no major league playing experience. Tosca is into his third year as manager and has compiled a winning record in his first two years there. The superstar of the group is left-handed first baseman Carlos Delgado, who batted .302 last year while hitting 42 homers and batting in 145 men. Center fielder Vernon Wells surprised a lot of people last year when he hit .317 and had 33 homers and 117 RBIs, and Toronto is optimistic he can keep it up this season. Eric Hinske, the young third baseman, is coming into his third year, and is expected to be a major factor in the team's success this year. On the mound, the Blue Jays are led by Roy Halladay, last year's American League Cy Young winner. Last year, he compiled a 22-7 record with a 3.25 ERA, but many are concerned about the fact he has led the league in innings pitched over the last three seasons. The middle relief is unsteady to say the least, with more than five different pitchers vying for innings. The closer spot is also still up for grabs between Aquilino Lopez, Kerry Ligtenberg, Terry Adams, and Justin Speier. Tosca has already stated he is not afraid to use a bullpen by committee if that’s what it will take to get the job done.
The Blue Jays play their home games in the spacious Sky Dome, located in downtown Toronto. The Sky Dome was one of the first stadiums to feature a retractable roof, and it also features the largest video display board in North America. The Sky Dome was first opened in 1989, but still looks in good shape, partly due to the Astroturf surface. The Blue Jays have realized over the years that no matter how well they perform, Canada will be a hockey country first, and a baseball country second, but the fans have really embraced this ball club over the last few years. Toronto's biggest disadvantage in their search for a playoff appearance could be the fact they reside in the same division as the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, two teams loaded with talent and not afraid to spend money to improve even moreso. Toronto doesn't have near the incoming revenue of those two teams, but they still believe they can compete in a loaded AL East division, with newly improved Baltimore and competitive Tampa Bay rounding out the division. If they're still in contention through the summer, it will without a doubt be because Delgado and Halladay put them and kept them in that position.