1980 Toronto Blue Jays season
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Blue Jays
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 7th in the American League
East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. The season represented a turning point as Bobby Mattick
became the second field manager in franchise history. It was understood that Mattick was a transitional manager while upper management searched for a long term solution.
as a quality starter. Also, on May 4, Otto Vélez
hit four home runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Cleveland Indians
, including a walkoff shot in the first game.
All-Star Game
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 7th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. The season represented a turning point as Bobby Mattick
Bobby Mattick
Robert James Mattick was a shortstop, manager and scout in Major League Baseball, most notably in the Toronto Blue Jays organization....
became the second field manager in franchise history. It was understood that Mattick was a transitional manager while upper management searched for a long term solution.
Offseason
- October 22, 1979: Craig KusickCraig KusickCraig Robert Kusick was an American first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career from to for the Minnesota Twins.His son Craig Kusick, Jr...
was released by the Blue Jays. - November 1, 1979: Rick CeroneRick CeroneRichard Aldo Cerone from Seton Hall University is a former Major League Baseball player from 1975 to 1992 for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos...
, Tom UnderwoodTom UnderwoodThomas Gerald Underwood was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , St...
and Ted WilbornTed WilbornThaddeaus Inglehart Wilborn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the amateur draft...
were traded by the Blue Jays to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Chris ChamblissChris ChamblissCarroll Christopher Chambliss is a former Major League Baseball player who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
, Dámaso GarcíaDámaso GarcíaDámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....
, and Paul MirabellaPaul MirabellaPaul Thomas Mirabella is a former professional baseball pitcher. Mirabella, who threw left-handed, played all or part of thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers , New York Yankees , Toronto Blue Jays , Baltimore Orioles , Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers .Mirabella...
. - December 5, 1979: Chris ChamblissChris ChamblissCarroll Christopher Chambliss is a former Major League Baseball player who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
and Luis Gómez were traded by the Blue Jays to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Barry BonnellBarry BonnellRobert Barry Bonnell , is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball.He was a star athlete at Milford High School near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played both varsity baseball and basketball on championship teams...
, Pat RockettPat RockettPatrick Edward Rockett was a shortstop who played for the Atlanta Braves between 1976 and 1978. Rockett was drafted by the Braves with the 10th pick of the 1973 amateur draft. He played his first game with the Braves on September 17, 1976 against the Los Angeles Dodgers; it was one of only four...
, and Joey McLaughlinJoey McLaughlinJoey Richard McLaughlin was a right-handed relief pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers between 1977 and 1984. McLaughlin was drafted by the Braves in the second round of the 1974 amateur draft. He played his first game with the Braves on June 11, 1977,...
. - December 10, 1979: Andre Robertson was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Toronto Blue Jays.
- March 29, 1980: Rico CartyRico CartyRicardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed Beeg Boy, he played mostly as an outfielder in Major League Baseball from to...
was released by the Blue Jays. - March 29, 1980: Steve LuebberSteve LuebberStephen Lee Luebber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Luebber pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and . He currently serves as pitching coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, single-A farm team for the Kansas City Royals...
was released by the Blue Jays.
Regular season
One of the highlights for the 1980 Blue Jays was the emergence of Dave StiebDave Stieb
David Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
as a quality starter. Also, on May 4, Otto Vélez
Otto Vélez
Otoniel "Otto" Vélez Franceschi was a Major League Baseball outfielder from to . He was nicknamed "The Swatto"....
hit four home runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, including a walkoff shot in the first game.
Opening Day starters
- Barry BonnellBarry BonnellRobert Barry Bonnell , is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball.He was a star athlete at Milford High School near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played both varsity baseball and basketball on championship teams...
- Rick BosettiRick BosettiRichard Alan Bosetti is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics....
- Dámaso GarcíaDámaso GarcíaDámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....
- Alfredo GriffinAlfredo GriffinAlfredo Claudino Griffin is a former Major League Baseball player, who played shortstop for four teams from 1976 to 1993. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
- Roy HowellRoy HowellRoy Lee Howell , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in Major League Baseball from 1974-1984...
- John MayberryJohn MayberryJohn Claiborn Mayberry is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees from 1968 to 1982.-High school and minor leagues:...
- Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
- Otto VélezOtto VélezOtoniel "Otto" Vélez Franceschi was a Major League Baseball outfielder from to . He was nicknamed "The Swatto"....
- Ernie WhittErnie WhittLeo Ernest "Ernie" Whitt is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach who is the current manager for the minor league Clearwater Threshers. He is noted for the twelve years he spent as a player with the Toronto Blue Jays...
- Alvis WoodsAlvis WoodsAlvis "Al" Woods is a former left fielder who played in Major League Baseball between and . He batted and threw left-handed....
Roster
| 1980 Toronto Blue Jays roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Game log
| 1980 Game Log | |
|---|---|
|
|
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 106 | 295 | 23 | 70 | 12 | 2 | .237 | 6 | 34 | 1 | |
| 1B | 149 | 501 | 62 | 124 | 19 | 2 | .248 | 30 | 82 | 0 | |
| 2B | 140 | 543 | 50 | 151 | 30 | 7 | .278 | 4 | 46 | 13 | |
| 3B | 142 | 528 | 51 | 142 | 28 | 9 | .269 | 10 | 57 | 0 | |
| SS | 155 | 653 | 63 | 166 | 26 | 15 | .254 | 2 | 41 | 18 | |
| LF | 109 | 373 | 54 | 112 | 18 | 2 | .300 | 15 | 47 | 4 | |
| CF | 130 | 463 | 55 | 124 | 22 | 4 | 13 | 56 | .268 | 3 | |
| RF | 114 | 389 | 44 | 89 | 24 | 1 | .229 | 9 | 46 | 4 | |
| DH | 104 | 357 | 54 | 96 | 12 | 3 | .269 | 20 | 62 | 0 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | 347 | 44 | 82 | 14 | 2 | .236 | 1 | 16 | 12 | |
| 80 | 222 | 24 | 55 | 10 | 1 | .248 | 2 | 14 | 2 | |
| 91 | 218 | 18 | 47 | 11 | 0 | .216 | 4 | 19 | 0 | |
| 53 | 188 | 24 | 40 | 7 | 1 | .213 | 4 | 18 | 4 | |
| 64 | 144 | 12 | 28 | 5 | 1 | .194 | 3 | 15 | 0 | |
| 38 | 111 | 11 | 27 | 6 | 1 | .243 | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| 34 | 61 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 1 | .213 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| 37 | 55 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 0 | .273 | 1 | 9 | 0 | |
| 70 | 50 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .080 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| 20 | 41 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1 | .220 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 5 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .286 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | R | ER | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 34 | 250.2 | 13 | 16 | 3.30 | 108 | 92 | 128 | 152 | ||
| 34 | 32 | 242.2 | 12 | 15 | 3.71 | 108 | 100 | 83 | 108 | ||
| 5 | 12 | 4.34 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 130.2 | 73 | 63 | 66 | 53 | |
| 12 | 12 | 85 | 5 | 2 | 4.02 | 40 | 38 | 30 | 44 | ||
| 13 | 10 | 59.2 | 3 | 4 | 4.53 | 35 | 30 | 31 | 26 | ||
| 10 | 8 | 43.1 | 2 | 5 | 5.40 | 29 | 26 | 15 | 10 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | GS | W | L | SV | ERA | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 10 | 135.2 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 4.51 | 79 | 68 | 53 | 70 | |
| 29 | 18 | 121.2 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 5.47 | 78 | 74 | 52 | 53 | |
| 23 | 12 | 68 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 6.75 | 56 | 51 | 41 | 35 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 82.2 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 2.29 | 23 | 21 | 27 | 52 | |
| 40 | 55 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4.09 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 19 | |
| 33 | 66.2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4.46 | 35 | 33 | 26 | 34 | |
| 31 | 64.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5.29 | 43 | 38 | 31 | 22 | |
| 20 | 26.1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1.71 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 14 | |
| 17 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5.23 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 13 | |
| 3 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.71 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Awards and honors
- Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
, Pitcher of the MonthPitcher of the MonthThe Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
Award, April
All-Star Game
- Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...