Blue Jays: A look back at the 5 best Opening Day performances in franchise history

2. Doug Ault, 1977

At Exhibition Park in Toronto, it was a cold, snowy day with the Canadian weather on full display. 44,000 fans showed up to see the second Canadian team in Major League Baseball take the field against the Chicago White Sox.

The late Doug Ault was the Blue Jays' first baseman in 1977, the first season of the club's existence. He had just nine games under his belt prior to '77, going six-for-20 for the Rangers the year before, hitting no home runs and failing to drive in or score any runs.

Ault, who never again performed as well as he did on Opening Day 1977, went three-for-five with two home runs, two runs scored, four driven in, and a walk for good measure. His performance that day made him the very first hero in franchise history, but the Jays that year were (predictably) awful, going 54-106 after the season-opening victory.

1. George Bell, 1988

There could not possibly be a better fit for this spot, it has to be George Bell.

Bell, the first MVP winner in Blue Jays' history the year before, was coming off of a monstrous season where he hit 32 doubles and 47 home runs, scored 111 runs and drove in 134. Opening Day of 1988 was his first game as defending "best player in the American League", and he reminded everyone why he was the one to win the award.

In what went on to be a 5-3 victory for the Jays, Bell started off the season on the best possible foot, going three-for-four with a whopping three home runs. Four of the five runs for the Jays were thanks to him, so he singlehandedly put the club on his back and won the game.

The club finished third in the AL East that year on the backs of exceptional performances from Fred McGriff, Dave Stieb and Bell. Bell couldn't quite replicate his MVP-winning season from the year prior, but he once again was one of the most fearsome sluggers in an already deep lineup.