Blue Jays set to welcome back members from the 1992 World Series team

This upcoming weekend, the Blue Jays will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the organization winning the 1992 World Series, the first for the franchise before they went on to win the 1993 championship as well. The Los Angeles Angels will be in town for a three-game series and to celebrate the occasion, the Jays will be issuing out a limited edition vintage-looking bomber jacket to the first 15,000 fans in attendance with numerous players and former front office members in attendance.

Back in 1992, the Blue Jays made two big moves in the offseason, signing starter Jack Morris to a two-year deal worth $10.85 million with an additional team option for a third year while also signing Dave Winfield to a one-year deal worth $2.3 million, becoming the club’s designated hitter.

The 1992 squad was already stacked prior to the two signings, featuring the likes of Jimmy Key, Juan Guzman, and Todd Stottlemyre in the rotation while also featuring Tom Henke, Duane Ward, David Wells, Mike Timlin, and a young Pat Hentgen in the bullpen. Dave Stieb was also in the rotation but was on his waning legs after 399 career games, finishing the year with a 5.04 ERA through 21 appearances due to shoulder and back injuries.

The Jays featured a strong lineup that centred around John Olerud, Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Kelly Gruber, Pat Borders, and Devon White, with prospects Jeff Kent and Ed Sprauge just getting their feet wet at the Major League level. Current Jays broadcaster Pat Tabler was also on the squad and the same with Alfredo Griffin, who was in the twilight years of his career.

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With manager Cito Gaston at the helm, the Jays finished first in the seven-team AL East with a 96-66 record. Pat Gillick was the Blue Jays’ general manager at the time and made a few deals over the course of the year to help with the playoff push, trading Rob Ducey and Greg Myers to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Mark Eichhorn while also trading Kent and Ryan Thompson to the New York Mets in exchange for veteran pitcher David Cone.

Playoff-wise, the Blue Jays went on to face a similar 96-66 Oakland Athletics squad, winning the series 4-2 before being set to face the Atlanta Braves, featuring Otis Nixon, Ron Gant, Deion Sanders, and Terry Pendelton in the lineup while also having Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, Charlie Leibrandt, and John Smoltz in the rotation.

The Jays and Braves each won a game in Atlanta before the series moved to Toronto, where the Blue Jays took two games in front of the then SkyDome crowd but were unable to clinch game five, sending the series back to Atlanta. There, the Jays were able to put the series on ice and defeated the Braves 4-3, securing the Commissioner’s Trophy which would be heading North of the border for the first time in its history. Pat Borders was named the World Series MVP, who went 9 for 20 with one home run and three RBI during the six-game series, suiting up behind the plate for each game.

After the season was over, numerous Blue Jays also took home individual hardware. Alomar won the Gold Glove at second base while Devon White won the award in the outfield. Alomar, Dave Winfield, and Joe Carter also took home Silver Slugger Awards while Jack Morris tied Kevin Brown on the Rangers for the AL League lead in wins with 21. Carter, Alomar, and Juan Guzman were also selected to the AL All-Star team that year as well.

As per the Blue Jays, they announced numerous players and alumni expected back in Toronto this weekend, including Joe Carter, Pat Borders, Dave Stieb, Todd Stottlemyre, Mike Timlin, Duane Ward, Devon White, Dave Winfield, Cito Gaston, Gord Ash, and Paul Beeston, amongst others. Pat Gillick will not be there as his wife is undergoing hip surgery (all the best to Doris and the Gillick family).

Another player who will be there is Alomar, who did not receive an invite from the Blue Jays to partake in the festivities. This is a result of being placed on the ineligible list by Major League Baseball due to sexual misconduct allegations and subsequent investigation by the MLB. His name has also been removed from the Level of Excellence and has essentially cut all ties with the former Jays infielder.

Those still looking for tickets will be hard pressed, as the game is reportedly sold out and fans will have to look at secondary offerings or watch at home. The current probable pitchers look to be an absolute treat, with Alek Manoah slated to go for the Blue Jays with Shohei Ohtani set to start for the Angels.