Blue Jays legend was all but ready for a new World Series hero in Toronto

When it comes to memories of the Toronto Blue Jays and the World Series, the first one that usually comes to mind is Joe Carter and his walk-off three-run homer off of Mitch Williams of the Philadelphia Phillies to win the 1993 World Series. It wasn’t the first championship title that was won by the Blue Jays, but because of the way that it happened it became one of the best moments ever in MLB history. In doing so, it made Carter a big-time hero and ultimately a legend in Toronto that has now lasted for more than three decades and counting.

However, when the Blue Jays finally made it back to the World Series this year, many expected a new hero to emerge to instill new, exciting memories and moments for Blue Jays fans to cherish for the rest of their lives. In fact, even the 1993 hero himself apparently was ready to hand over the crown as Carter spoke to MLB Network during the GM meetings.

Blue Jays legend was ready for a new World Series hero in Toronto

“The first time in 32 years, I was hoping it would end like that this past World Series. I was ready to give up my crown, I really was. I was ready to relinquish it. I had held it for 32 years … man, it was this close, this close,” Carter said.

Many Blue Jays had the opportunity to take over the crown. It could have been the ailing Bo Bichette, with just one good knee, hitting the big three-run home run that nearly held up for the entire game. Perhaps it would have been ALCS MVP Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with key hits during key parts of Game 7 to give the Jays all the opportunity to win it.

Or it could have been the surprising hitting machine Ernie Clement, setting the postseason hitting record and coming so close in the bottom of the ninth only to be thwarted by a miraculous catch by Andy Pages. Heck, maybe even the rookie Trey Yesavage could have taken the honours if the Blue Jays had kept him in to finish off the ballgame in Game 7.

But with the Dodgers pulling off the phenomenal, yet emotionally-deflating last-minute comeback to steal the championship away from Toronto, that new Blue Jays hero will have to wait for at least another year. So as much as he prefers not to, Carter will need to keep a steady hold of the crown for now as we eagerly anticipate for the hero to arrive soon enough.