Best Opening Day moments in Blue Jays history

Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles | G Fiume/GettyImages
2 of 5

The 1980's

1983: Dave dominates

Franchise icon Dave Stieb was already in the midst of solidifying himself as one of the games most fearsome hurlers before he got the ball on Opening Day in 1983. The 25-year-old Steib was given the ball against future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley and the Boston Red Sox.

Stieb scattered three hits over six innings and allowed just one run with seven strikeouts in a 7-1 Blue Jays win. All seven of Toronto's runs came off Eckersley. It was a delightful omen for Stieb, who went on to lead the league in bWAR for a second straight year in 1983, making his third of seven career All-Star appearances.

1988: Bell’s big day

While Doug Ault set the Blue Jays record for Opening Day home runs when he slugged two home runs on Toronto's inaugural Opening Day, Bell, the reigning AL MVP, re-wrote the record 11 years later. After becoming the first Blue Jay to win MVP in 1987, he kicked things off in 1988 by blasting three home runs against the Kansas City Royals to help lead the Blue Jays to a 5-3 win.

He led off the second inning with a first-pitch home run, hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead and then hit a solo shot in the top of the eighth to give the Blue Jays a 5-3 win.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations