The 1991 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 15th season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 91 wins and 71 losses. The team's paid attendance of 4,001,527 led the major leagues, as the Jays became the first team in MLB history to draw four million fans in a season. Toronto lost the ALCS to the eventual world champion Minnesota Twins in five games.
Offseason
On December 4, 1990, the San Diego Padres and Blue Jays made one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the decade. The Padres traded second baseman Roberto Alomar and outfielder Joe Carter to the Blue Jays in exchange for first baseman Fred McGriff and shortstop Tony Fernández. Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick and Padres GM Joe McIlvaine originally talked about just trading Joe Carter for Fred McGriff. The Padres were losing Jack Clark and needed a new first baseman. The Blue Jays had John Olerud ready to take over at first base but were losing outfielder George Bell. Gillick decided to up the ante by trying to get Alomar. Gillick figured that with Garry Templeton in the twilight of his career, Fernández would be an adequate replacement. Alomar feuded with Padres manager Greg Riddoch and the thinking was that Bip Roberts and Joey Cora could platoon at second base. Over the next two seasons, Alomar and Carter would help the Blue Jays win the 1992 and 1993 World Series.
Transactions
Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1991 season.
October 1990
November 1990
December 1990
January 1991
February 1991
Regular season
- May 1, 1991: The Blue Jays were part of baseball history, as Nolan Ryan threw his seventh and last no-hitter against them in Arlington.
- July 1, 1991: Joe Carter was named the AL Player of the Month for the month of June.
- August 13, 1991: After making 25 consecutive save opportunities, Tom Henke picked up a blown save after Paul Molitor hit a home run in the ninth.
- October 2, 1991: The Blue Jays clinched the American League East title in a 6-5 walk-off win over the California Angels. Joe Carter hit the game-winning single. The Jays also became the first team to have their season attendance pass the 4 million mark.
Opening Day starters
- Roberto Alomar
- Joe Carter
- Kelly Gruber
- Manuel Lee
- Rance Mulliniks
- Greg Myers
- John Olerud
- Dave Stieb
- Devon White
- Mookie Wilson
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Transactions
Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1991 regular season.
May 1991
June 1991
July 1991
August 1991
September 1991
1991 MLB Draft
- June 3, 1991: 1991 Major League Baseball draft
- Shawn Green was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round (16th pick). Player signed September 25, 1991.
- Jeff Ware was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round (35th pick). Player signed August 25, 1991.
- Dante Powell was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round (42nd pick), but did not sign.
- Chris Stynes was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round. Player signed June 4, 1991.
- Alex Gonzalez was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 14th round. Player signed June 12, 1991.
Roster
Manager Cito Gaston was sidelined with a herniated disc from August 21 to September 25. Gene Tenace served as the team's interim manager, going 19–14 and keeping the Jays in first place in the AL East for the duration of Gaston's absence.
Game log
All-Star game
The Blue Jays hosted the 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was the 62nd Midsummer Classic and was played on July 9 at SkyDome. Roberto Alomar was voted in as the starting second baseman for the American League, while pitcher Jimmy Key and outfielder Joe Carter were named as reserves on the AL team. Key got the win as the American League's All-Stars triumphed over the National League All-Stars, 4-2.
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
ALCS
Game 1
October 8, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Game 2
October 9, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Game 3
October 11, Skydome
Game 4
October 12, Skydome
Game 5
October 13, Skydome
Award winners
- Roberto Alomar, 2B, Gold Glove Award
- Joe Carter, Player of the Month Award, June
- Joe Carter, OF, Silver Slugger Award
- Juan Guzman, P, The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
- Devon White, OF, Gold Glove Award
All-Star Game
- Roberto Alomar, 2B, starter
- Joe Carter, OF, reserve
- Jimmy Key, P, reserve
Farm system
References
External links
- 1991 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Reference
- 1991 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Almanac
