2005 Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a good run at the top, with several championships under their belt. While 2004 was their worst season since 1995, the team is looking to blossom under new manager John Gibbons, with such roster additions as third baseman Corey Koskie. A chance to see a game at SkyDome is one you should not miss, so don't hesitate to get tickets soon.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been around for a fairly short amount of time compared to some of the more storied Major League Baseball franchises. The Blue Jays first came into the American League in 1977. Despite this, the Blue Jays have won four division titles, and two World Series Championships back-to-back in 1992 and 1993.

Those Blue Jay teams were managed by Cito Gaston and had a great balance between offense and defense. They had great pitchers Juan Guzman, Dave Stewart, Jimmy Key, and Al Leiter. The offense on those championship teams was led by Roberto Alomar, Ed Sprague, Paul Molitor and Joe Carter. Carter was the author of the most famous moment in Blue Jays' history. In the 9th inning of game 6 of the 1993 World Series, Carter hit a walk-off, World Series-winning home run off Phillies' closer Mitch Williams. The home run made Carter an instant hero. The Blue Jays have not won a division series since that Carter home run, partly because of playing in such a competitive division. The Blue Jays play in the American League East against such rivals as the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Yankees.

The current Blue Jays team is managed John Gibbons, who took over from Carlos Tosca before the 2004 season ended. The Blue Jays hope to become competitive again behind the arm of 2003 Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay. Halladay went 41-14 over the 2002 and 2003 seasons, including winning fifteen straight decisions, but he struggled in 2004. With third baseman Corey Koskie and first baseman Eric Hinske at the corners, the infield is looking good for 2005. won the 2002 Rookie of the Year award and continued to hit well in 2003. Outfielder Vernon Wells showed his 5-tool ability again in 2004, and he is looking for an even better 2005.

From 1977 until early 1989 the Blue Jays played outdoors at Exhibition Stadium. Ticket holders in Toronto had to deal with the cold Canadian weather at the beginning and end of the season. In 1989, the first retractable-roof stadium in baseball opened in Toronto; it was called SkyDome. The stadium features 12 different pricing sections, which allows fans the opportunity to find a ticket that will fit their price range.

Note: Though often spelled Bluejays, the correct spelling is Blue Jays. While a lot of fans still write it Bluejays, you will not find Bluejays in the newspaper.