2008 Toronto Blue Jays season
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Blue Jays
season, the team's 32nd year of existence, saw the Blue Jays finish in fourth place in the American League East
with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses for a .531 winning percentage
, thus making this season the third consecutive winning season for the Jays, as well as being the highest win-loss record since their 2006 season.
J.P. Ricciardi
maintained through the off-season that he was content with the Blue Jays' roster as it was. Nevertheless, he made a number of moves, two of which will likely have a significant effect on the team in the upcoming season. The team's acquisition of all-star
shortstop
David Eckstein
was met with a mixed reception from fans and critics. Eckstein's role on the team will displace two of Toronto's most popular players from their regular roles; Reed Johnson
as leadoff hitter
and John McDonald as starting shortstop
.
Eckstein was signed to fill the leadoff spot in the order which was void of a true leadoff man for much of 2007 due to the injury to Johnson. Johnson was released by the Blue Jays on March 23 and the LF position was given to Shannon Stewart who will split time with Matt Stairs
.
The other major move by the club in the off-season was the trade of third baseman
Troy Glaus
to the Cardinals for David Eckstein's teammate, Scott Rolen
. The move is generally seen to be a major risk to both parties, as both players have been dealing with injuries over the past several seasons. The move is also noted as being somewhat redundant, given the various similarities between the two players. Both can hit for power, though Glaus slightly moreso, both are approximately the same age, and both are prone to injury. Rolen is, however, a significantly better defender than Glaus.
The Blue Jays played their 5000th franchise regular season game on Friday July 25 against the Seattle Mariners.
(who split time with Gregg Zaun) and Marco Scutaro
, who played third base for most of the games for the beginning of the season, until Scott Rolen returned from his injury in May.
Players signed to minor league deals:
On April 20, 2008 the Jays released veteran DH Frank Thomas
. Although the Jays said it was due to a weak performance, Thomas stated it was probably because he only needed a little more than 300 at-bats to put his 2010 option year in effect. General Manager J.P. Ricciardi
stated that this move was because the Blue Jays were falling behind early and Thomas wasn't producing. Ricciardi needed someone who could hit Home Runs and drive in RBIs from Thomas' spot in the batting order.
, Vernon Wells, Scott Rolen
, David Eckstein
, Roy Halladay
, A. J. Burnett
and B. J. Ryan need to stay virtually healthy and produce as they are capable of, if the Jays wish to seriously challenge or dethrone the New York Yankees
, Boston Red Sox
, Detroit Tigers
and Cleveland Indians
for a playoff spot.
Month
Games
Won
Lost
April
28
11
17
May
30
20
10
June
26
10
16
July
24
13
11
August
28
16
12
September
26
16
10
162
86
76
team and promptly got swept at home, including two close one-run losses. Closer Jeremy Accardo
blew a save in the second game and took the loss for the second straight night after the A's scored in the ninth inning in the first game against him. Following the sweep by Oakland, the Jays headed out on the road and swept the Texas Rangers
at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, which had been considered a house of horrors of sorts as Toronto had lost 16 of its last 19 games there. Before the third game of the series, pitcher B.J. Ryan
was activated from the disabled list
and reinstated as the team's closer. He went on to save the final game. The Jays completed their road trip by splitting a short two-game series with the Baltimore Orioles
.
The Blue Jays returned home to face Texas for a pair of games and lost both contests, despite an incredible pitching performance by the Toronto relief corps in the first game and a complete game from ace Roy Halladay
in the second. In the first game, despite the energy provided by escaping dangerous situations (the Rangers left the bases loaded three times in extra innings and failed to score), the Blue Jays' offense struggled and failed to respond. Manager John Gibbons
used up all the relievers and had to send starter A.J. Burnett to face the Rangers in the 14th inning, where he went on to give up two runs and took the loss.
After splitting a four-game set with the surprisingly underachieving Detroit Tigers
, Toronto left for a nine-game road trip, facing the Tampa Bay Rays
, Kansas City Royals
, and Boston Red Sox
. The sojourn was completely forgettable, with the Jays being swept three straight by the Rays at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
in Orlando
and dropping two out of three to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium
. Prior to the Royals series, the Blue Jays activated third baseman Scott Rolen
from the disabled list, and he hit his first home run in a Jays uniform in the third game, which the Jays took behind Jesse Litsch
to snap a six-game losing streak (dating back to the last game of the Detroit series). However, the Blue Jays then travelled to Boston and closed out April by losing the first two games against the Red Sox in heartbreaking fashion, with Halladay and Scott Downs
respectively giving up walk-off hits to give the BoSox narrow one-run victories. For Halladay, it was his fourth complete game in a row, but a lack of hitting by the Toronto lineup doomed him to a loss. The Blue Jays lost 11 of their last 14 games in April, and manager Gibbons received a lot of criticism for his team's performance from fans due to the lack of manufacturing runs and a seeming lack of motivation; some suggested that it may be time for a managerial change.
shut out the Red Sox for eight innings, B.J. Ryan was called in to close out the game. Coco Crisp
popped out to right to seemingly end the tilt, but second base umpire
Bruce Dreckman
called Ryan for a balk
and ordered the game to continue. Crisp followed with a single to right, moving Brandon Moss
to third. However, Ryan vindicated himself with a strikeout of Jed Lowrie
to end the game for good.
Building off the momentum, the Jays came back home and completed a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox
(the first time they had swept a four-game set since 2003
). The Toronto pitching kept Chicago at bay, shutting them out twice, while Vernon Wells
and Matt Stairs
in particular came through with clutch hits against ChiSox pitching. Despite hopes that the woeful offense would come around, the Blue Jays then dropped two of three to the visiting Rays. In the first contest, starting shortstop David Eckstein
left the game due to a hip injury, and his backup John McDonald followed him a short time later with a sprained ankle; both were eventually put on the 15-day disabled list.
The last game with Tampa seemingly symbolized Toronto's struggles – after trailing for eight innings, they came back to tie in the bottom of the ninth, only to come up empty the next inning and waste a leadoff triple by Alex Ríos
. In the 13th, Carl Crawford
came through with a sacrifice fly
off Shawn Camp
, and a few batters later Dioner Navarro
hit a grand slam, putting the game out of reach for the Jays.
Prior to a road series in Cleveland, general manager Ricciardi attempted to pick up the team's sagging offense and deepen the bench by signing free-agent outfielder Brad Wilkerson
and acquiring outfielder Kevin Mench
in exchange for cash considerations. However, the Jays still lost three of four to the Indians, with Vernon Wells breaking his wrist trying to make a diving catch in the first game and missing the next 6–8 weeks. Despite the blow dealt by the absence of Wells, the victory in the last game of the Cleveland series seemed to spur the Jays' bats back to life somewhat, as they proceeded to sweep the Twins in Minnesota and then take two of three from the Phillies in their first interleague series of the year. Returning home, Toronto lost the first two games of a close three-game set to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
but won the last game, using it as a springboard for a four-game sweep of the Royals that brought them three games above .500 for the first time in the season. The Jays then took off for the West Coast, splitting the first two tense games in Oakland before blowing out the A's 12–0 in the final game. The momentum continued in Anaheim when the Jays pounded the Angels 10–4 in the first game, but lost a 3–2 nail-biter in 10 innings in the second game. Despite the tight loss to the Angels, Toronto enjoyed a remarkable recovery from their disastrous April, winning 20 games, just one shy of the club record for the most wins in a single month.
, the Blue Jays replaced John Gibbons
with Cito Gaston
. Cito is the only manager to lead the Blue Jays to World Series
victories in 1992
over the Braves
and won again 1993
over the Phillies
.
that the Jays won a walk-off-style game. The win was a 7–6 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles
, and the walk-off win was achieved by an RBI single from Scott Rolen
, bringing Alex Rios
to score, after stealing two bases via a strikeout by Vernon Wells before Rolen's at-bat in the bottom of the 9th inning. Rios earlier in the bottom of the 7th inning, scored a three-run triple (his 3rd triple of the season), bringing the score to 6–5 Baltimore. Immediately afterwards, Vernon Wells hit an RBI single (his 2nd single of the night), bringing Rios home and tying the game 6–6 before the walk-off finisher two innings later.
Just 2 days later, on July 10, the Blue Jays won their second walk-off victory of the season, against the Baltimore Orioles. The win resulted in the Orioles being swept by the Jays, the first time since late May that the Jays won a sweep; against the Kansas City Royals
. The Jays won 6–5. Marco Scutaro
came as the first batter of the bottom of the 9th, as a pinch hitter for Matt Stairs
; he struck out. Scutaro was followed by Rod Barajas
who fired a single into right field and was subsequently replaced with pinch runner John McDonald, who ran to 2nd base. Then came Scott Rolen who fired the ball deep into right field, landing near the foul line and resulting in a double, sending Rolen to 2nd and McDonald to 3rd. Gregg Zaun
was intentionally walked by Orioles' closer George Sherrill
thus loading the bases. This was followed by a sacrifice fly from Lyle Overbay
, scoring McDonald and tying the game at 5–5. Lastly, Adam Lind
came up and launched a ground ball single off to right field, past the glove of Aubrey Huff
and placed near right fielder Nick Markakis
. Rolen runs from 2nd base and makes it to home plate, giving the Blue Jays the sweep.
for assignment shortly after their 3–2 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
, who went on to win the World Series
.
After the Jays won their final game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium 6–2 on August 31, shortstop David Eckstein
was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for a right-handed pitcher.
from Sept. 2–4, marking the second straight sweep of the Twins for the Jays this season and also the first time since several years ago that they swept one team three times in a row, since the Jays swept the Twins in July 2007 in addition to the two sweeps this year.
The Jays beat the Rays on Sept. 5, 6–4 and then on Sept. 6, they won their first series victory over the Rays this season, winning the game 7–4 due to a walk-off grand slam by catcher Gregg Zaun at the bottom of 13th inning. As a result, three records occurred: 1. That walk-off grand slam was the second in franchise history (the first was by George Bell on Sept. 4, 1988) as well as being the franchise's first walk-off grand slam to occur in extra innings. 2. The win was the Jays seventh straight win, the first time this happened since September 2002. 3. With the win, the Jays were 5–0 so far for the month of September, marking the first time since Sept. 1998 that the Jays had that record at the beginning of that month.
On Sept. 7, the Jays won the final game against the Rays 1–0, thus sweeping them. David Purcey got the win, going 8 solid innings, and Jesse Carlson got the save, his 2nd of the season. With this win, the Jays now have their longest winning streak since April 1999. The sweep of the Rays was also the first time in franchise history that they swept the Rays.
The Jays opened a 4-game series with the Chicago White Sox by winning a rain-postponed double-header on September 9. A.J.Burnett got his 17th victory of the season by taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning before giving up a run. Jays win 3–1. Jesse Litsch pitched a solid 7 innings and records his 5th win since being recalled from AAA. Marco Scutaro leads off the game with his 2nd career lead-off home run. Litsch again receives lots of run support and the Jays win 8–2.
On September 12, the Jays went into Fenway Park
to face the AL Wild Card Leaders, The Boston Red Sox
. The Jays promptly lost 3 out of 4 in that weekend series, ultimately dropping them out of the AL Wild Card contention.
On September 18, the Jays scored a 3–2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles
, moving their record to 82–71. The victory secured a third consecutive winning season for the team, something which they have not accomplished since 1998
–2000
.
On September 25, versus the New York Yankees
, Roy Halladay
pitched a complete game
six-hitter for his 20th win of the season, the first time he did so since his Cy Young Award
-winning 2003
season. Halladay became only the 2nd Blue Jays pitcher to have pitched two 20+ win seasons, after Roger Clemens
did so in 1997
and 1998
. With that win, Halladay also became the first pitcher to have a 5–0 record against the Yankees in a season, since Luis Tiant
accomplished the feat in 1974.
The 2008 MLB Draft
was held on June 5–6.
} || 76 || 260 || 27 || 72 || 18 || 0 || 1 || 23 || .277 || 2
|- align="center"
| || 55 || 205 || 19 || 54 || 14 || 0 || 2 || 20 || .263 || 4
|- align="center"
| || 52 || 175 || 14 || 42 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 14 || .240 || 3
|- align="center"
| || 51 || 115 || 18 || 28 || 11 || 1 || 0 || 10 || .243 || 2
|- align="center"
| || 24 || 73 || 9 || 22 || 6 || 0 || 2 || 13 || .301 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 21 || 56 || 7 || 12 || 2 || 0 || 3 || 10 || .214 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 16 || 60 || 7 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 3 || 11 || .167 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 10 || 17 || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || .176 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 8 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .200 || 1
|- align="center"
| || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1.000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center" class="unsortable"
| Totals || 162 || 5503 || 714 || 1453 || 303 || 32 || 126 || 681 || .264 || 80
|}
} || 1 || 1 || 4.04 || 13 || 6 || 0 || 42.1 || 19 || 19 || 15 || 21
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 2 || 2.18 || 31 || 0 || 1 || 33.0 || 9 || 8 || 15 || 23
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 2 || 2.88 || 51 || 0 || 0 || 56.1 || 19 || 18 || 22 || 47
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 3 || 1.78 || 66 || 0 || 5 || 70.2 || 15 || 14 || 27 || 57
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 2 || 2.45 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 22.0 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 14
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 1 || 5.68 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 6.1 || 5 || 4 || 2 || 9
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 3 || 6.57 || 16 || 0 || 4 || 12.1 || 10 || 9 || 4 || 5
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 0 || 0.00 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|- align="center" class="unsortable"
| Totals || 86 || 76 || 3.49 || 162 || 162 || 44 || 1446.2 || 610 || 561 || 467 || 1184
|}
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, the team's 32nd year of existence, saw the Blue Jays finish in fourth place in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses for a .531 winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
, thus making this season the third consecutive winning season for the Jays, as well as being the highest win-loss record since their 2006 season.
Off-season
General ManagerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
J.P. Ricciardi
J.P. Ricciardi
John Paul Ricciardi is a Major League Baseball executive who currently is a special assistant to New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson...
maintained through the off-season that he was content with the Blue Jays' roster as it was. Nevertheless, he made a number of moves, two of which will likely have a significant effect on the team in the upcoming season. The team's acquisition of all-star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
was met with a mixed reception from fans and critics. Eckstein's role on the team will displace two of Toronto's most popular players from their regular roles; Reed Johnson
Reed Johnson
Reed Cameron Johnson is an American professional baseball outfielder. He was born in Riverside, California-College career:...
as leadoff hitter
Leadoff hitter
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in an inning.- Strategy :...
and John McDonald as starting shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
.
Eckstein was signed to fill the leadoff spot in the order which was void of a true leadoff man for much of 2007 due to the injury to Johnson. Johnson was released by the Blue Jays on March 23 and the LF position was given to Shannon Stewart who will split time with Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
.
The other major move by the club in the off-season was the trade of third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
to the Cardinals for David Eckstein's teammate, Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
. The move is generally seen to be a major risk to both parties, as both players have been dealing with injuries over the past several seasons. The move is also noted as being somewhat redundant, given the various similarities between the two players. Both can hit for power, though Glaus slightly moreso, both are approximately the same age, and both are prone to injury. Rolen is, however, a significantly better defender than Glaus.
The Blue Jays played their 5000th franchise regular season game on Friday July 25 against the Seattle Mariners.
Other acquisitions
The Blue Jays also signed catcher Rod BarajasRod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
(who split time with Gregg Zaun) and Marco Scutaro
Marco Scutaro
Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays...
, who played third base for most of the games for the beginning of the season, until Scott Rolen returned from his injury in May.
Players signed to minor league deals:
- Armando BenitezArmando BenítezArmando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
- Shannon Stewart
- John Parrish
- Shawn CampShawn CampShawn Anthony Camp is an American professional baseball pitcher. Camp stands at 6'0" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He throws and bats right-handed and was born in Fairfax, Virginia.-Early career:...
- Buck CoatsBuck CoatsBuck Coats is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Washington Nationals organization. Coats was drafted in the 2000 MLB Draft in the 18th round by the Chicago Cubs.-2006:...
- Lance CarterLance CarterLance David Carter is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has pitched in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals Tampa Bay Devil Rays , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He bats and throws right-handed...
- Mike GoslingMike GoslingMichael Frederick Gosling is a retired left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who was most recently with the Cleveland Indians organization.-Minnesota Twins:...
On April 20, 2008 the Jays released veteran DH Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas (AL baseball player)
Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....
. Although the Jays said it was due to a weak performance, Thomas stated it was probably because he only needed a little more than 300 at-bats to put his 2010 option year in effect. General Manager J.P. Ricciardi
J.P. Ricciardi
John Paul Ricciardi is a Major League Baseball executive who currently is a special assistant to New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson...
stated that this move was because the Blue Jays were falling behind early and Thomas wasn't producing. Ricciardi needed someone who could hit Home Runs and drive in RBIs from Thomas' spot in the batting order.
Expectations
The Blue Jays have been picked by many experts to contend for a playoff spot in the agonizing AL East. The Blue Jays were also expected to challenge the Yankees and Red Sox in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Though they finished 2006 in second place, 2007 was an injury riddled season for the Jays, resulting in another mediocre third place finish. The key to the Blue Jays' success in 2008 will be to stay healthy and hit well. Another repeat of 2007 will mean likely another mediocre season. Key players such as Alex RiosAlex Ríos
Alexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
, Vernon Wells, Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
, David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
, Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, A. J. Burnett
A. J. Burnett
Allan James "A. J." Burnett is a right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. Previously, he played for the Florida Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays...
and B. J. Ryan need to stay virtually healthy and produce as they are capable of, if the Jays wish to seriously challenge or dethrone the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The 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...
, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and 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...
for a playoff spot.
Detailed record
updated to games played September 28, 2008| Team | Home | Away | Total | Gms Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | ||||
| Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... |
6–3 | 6–3 | 12–6 | – |
| Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... |
5–4 | 4–5 | 9–9 | – |
| New York Yankees New York Yankees The 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... |
5–4 | 4–5 | 9–9 | – |
| Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... |
5–4 | 2–7 | 7–11 | – |
| 21–15 | 16–20 | 37–35 | – | |
| AL Central | ||||
| Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... |
4–0 | 3–1 | 7–1 | – |
| 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... |
0–3 | 1–3 | 1–6 | – |
| Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant... |
2–2 | 3–1 | 5–3 | – |
| Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
4–0 | 1–2 | 5–2 | – |
| Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the... |
3–0 | 3–0 | 6–0 | – |
| 13–5 | 11–7 | 24–12 | – | |
| AL West | ||||
| Los Angeles Angels | 1–2 | 2–4 | 3–6 | – |
| Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum.... |
4–3 | 2–1 | 6–4 | – |
| Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July... |
3–3 | 1–2 | 4–5 | – |
| Texas Rangers Texas Rangers (baseball) The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have... |
0–2 | 4–2 | 4–4 | – |
| 8–10 | 9–9 | 17–19 | – | |
| National League | ||||
| Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The 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.... |
2–1 | – | 2–1 | – |
| Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
1–2 | – | 1–2 | – |
| Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
2–1 | – | 2–1 | – |
| Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
– | 0–3 | 0–3 | – |
| Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
– | 2–1 | 2–1 | – |
| Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
– | 1–2 | 1–2 | – |
| 5–4 | 3–6 | 8–10 | – | |
| Manager | Games | Won | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Gibbons John Gibbons John Michael Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball from 2004 to 2008... |
74 | 35 | 39 |
| Cito Gaston Cito Gaston Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves... |
88 | 51 | 37 |
| 162 | 86 | 76 | |
April
The Blue Jays finished the first week of the season by taking 4 out of 6 games against AL East powerhouses New York and Boston, including a sweep of the Red Sox. Following the first two series, however, they faced a 4–4 Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
team and promptly got swept at home, including two close one-run losses. Closer Jeremy Accardo
Jeremy Accardo
Jeremy Lee Accardo is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-San Francisco Giants:...
blew a save in the second game and took the loss for the second straight night after the A's scored in the ninth inning in the first game against him. Following the sweep by Oakland, the Jays headed out on the road and swept the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, which had been considered a house of horrors of sorts as Toronto had lost 16 of its last 19 games there. Before the third game of the series, pitcher B.J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan
Robert Victor "B.J." Ryan, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Though he never officially retired, Ryan has not played since .-Career:Ryan started his career as a left-handed specialist...
was activated from the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and reinstated as the team's closer. He went on to save the final game. The Jays completed their road trip by splitting a short two-game series with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
The Blue Jays returned home to face Texas for a pair of games and lost both contests, despite an incredible pitching performance by the Toronto relief corps in the first game and a complete game from ace Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
in the second. In the first game, despite the energy provided by escaping dangerous situations (the Rangers left the bases loaded three times in extra innings and failed to score), the Blue Jays' offense struggled and failed to respond. Manager John Gibbons
John Gibbons
John Michael Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball from 2004 to 2008...
used up all the relievers and had to send starter A.J. Burnett to face the Rangers in the 14th inning, where he went on to give up two runs and took the loss.
After splitting a four-game set with the surprisingly underachieving Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Toronto left for a nine-game road trip, facing the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. The sojourn was completely forgettable, with the Jays being swept three straight by the Rays at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a athletic complex located in the Walt Disney World Resort. The complex includes 9 venues and hosts numerous amateur and professional sporting events throughout the year....
in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
and dropping two out of three to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
. Prior to the Royals series, the Blue Jays activated third baseman Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
from the disabled list, and he hit his first home run in a Jays uniform in the third game, which the Jays took behind Jesse Litsch
Jesse Litsch
Jesse Allen Litsch is an American pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is tall and weighs 225 pounds....
to snap a six-game losing streak (dating back to the last game of the Detroit series). However, the Blue Jays then travelled to Boston and closed out April by losing the first two games against the Red Sox in heartbreaking fashion, with Halladay and Scott Downs
Scott Downs
Scott Jeremy Downs is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays...
respectively giving up walk-off hits to give the BoSox narrow one-run victories. For Halladay, it was his fourth complete game in a row, but a lack of hitting by the Toronto lineup doomed him to a loss. The Blue Jays lost 11 of their last 14 games in April, and manager Gibbons received a lot of criticism for his team's performance from fans due to the lack of manufacturing runs and a seeming lack of motivation; some suggested that it may be time for a managerial change.
May
Toronto salvaged the rubber match of the Boston series on May 1, but not without some controversy. After Burnett and Jesse CarlsonJesse Carlson
Jesse Craig Carlson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Carlson graduated from Berlin High School, where he starred in basketball as well as baseball. Carlson was a member of the team that defeated Seymour Connecticut High School...
shut out the Red Sox for eight innings, B.J. Ryan was called in to close out the game. Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp
Covelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
popped out to right to seemingly end the tilt, but second base umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
Bruce Dreckman
Bruce Dreckman
Bruce Michael Dreckman is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He wears number 1.Dreckman began his career in as a National League umpire, but has umpired in both Major Leagues since . Prior to reaching the MLB, Dreckman umpired in the Appalachian League, Midwest League, Carolina League, Southern...
called Ryan for a balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
and ordered the game to continue. Crisp followed with a single to right, moving Brandon Moss
Brandon Moss
Brandon Douglas Moss is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
to third. However, Ryan vindicated himself with a strikeout of Jed Lowrie
Jed Lowrie
Jed Carlson Lowrie is an American professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:Lowrie was born on April 17, 1984 and later attended North Salem High School....
to end the game for good.
Building off the momentum, the Jays came back home and completed a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(the first time they had swept a four-game set since 2003
2003 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses.-Offseason:*October 9, 2002: Chris Carpenter was released by the Toronto Blue Jays....
). The Toronto pitching kept Chicago at bay, shutting them out twice, while Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells (baseball player)
Vernon M. Wells III is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Wells has appeared on three All-Star teams in his career, been awarded three Gold Glove Awards, and one Silver Slugger Award...
and Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
in particular came through with clutch hits against ChiSox pitching. Despite hopes that the woeful offense would come around, the Blue Jays then dropped two of three to the visiting Rays. In the first contest, starting shortstop David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
left the game due to a hip injury, and his backup John McDonald followed him a short time later with a sprained ankle; both were eventually put on the 15-day disabled list.
The last game with Tampa seemingly symbolized Toronto's struggles – after trailing for eight innings, they came back to tie in the bottom of the ninth, only to come up empty the next inning and waste a leadoff triple by Alex Ríos
Alex Ríos
Alexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
. In the 13th, Carl Crawford
Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
came through with a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
off Shawn Camp
Shawn Camp
Shawn Anthony Camp is an American professional baseball pitcher. Camp stands at 6'0" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He throws and bats right-handed and was born in Fairfax, Virginia.-Early career:...
, and a few batters later Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
hit a grand slam, putting the game out of reach for the Jays.
Prior to a road series in Cleveland, general manager Ricciardi attempted to pick up the team's sagging offense and deepen the bench by signing free-agent outfielder Brad Wilkerson
Brad Wilkerson
Stephen Bradley "Brad" Wilkerson is a former American college and professional baseball player who was an outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball for eight seasons in the 2000s. Wilkerson played college baseball for the University of Florida, and was selected by the Montreal Expos...
and acquiring outfielder Kevin Mench
Kevin Mench
Kevin Ford Mench is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-High school and college career:...
in exchange for cash considerations. However, the Jays still lost three of four to the Indians, with Vernon Wells breaking his wrist trying to make a diving catch in the first game and missing the next 6–8 weeks. Despite the blow dealt by the absence of Wells, the victory in the last game of the Cleveland series seemed to spur the Jays' bats back to life somewhat, as they proceeded to sweep the Twins in Minnesota and then take two of three from the Phillies in their first interleague series of the year. Returning home, Toronto lost the first two games of a close three-game set to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
but won the last game, using it as a springboard for a four-game sweep of the Royals that brought them three games above .500 for the first time in the season. The Jays then took off for the West Coast, splitting the first two tense games in Oakland before blowing out the A's 12–0 in the final game. The momentum continued in Anaheim when the Jays pounded the Angels 10–4 in the first game, but lost a 3–2 nail-biter in 10 innings in the second game. Despite the tight loss to the Angels, Toronto enjoyed a remarkable recovery from their disastrous April, winning 20 games, just one shy of the club record for the most wins in a single month.
June
On Friday June 20, 2008, after losing 5 in a row and falling 10.5 games behind the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, the Blue Jays replaced John Gibbons
John Gibbons
John Michael Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball from 2004 to 2008...
with Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
. Cito is the only manager to lead the Blue Jays to World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
victories in 1992
1992 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves ; Pat Borders, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Roberto Alomar*National League Championship Series MVP: John Smoltz...
over the Braves
Atlanta Braves
The 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....
and won again 1993
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
over the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
July
On Tuesday July 8, 2008, the Blue Jays won their first game in walk-off fashion of the season, and marking the first time since September 17, 20072007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
that the Jays won a walk-off-style game. The win was a 7–6 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, and the walk-off win was achieved by an RBI single from Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
, bringing Alex Rios
Alex Ríos
Alexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
to score, after stealing two bases via a strikeout by Vernon Wells before Rolen's at-bat in the bottom of the 9th inning. Rios earlier in the bottom of the 7th inning, scored a three-run triple (his 3rd triple of the season), bringing the score to 6–5 Baltimore. Immediately afterwards, Vernon Wells hit an RBI single (his 2nd single of the night), bringing Rios home and tying the game 6–6 before the walk-off finisher two innings later.
Just 2 days later, on July 10, the Blue Jays won their second walk-off victory of the season, against the Baltimore Orioles. The win resulted in the Orioles being swept by the Jays, the first time since late May that the Jays won a sweep; against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. The Jays won 6–5. Marco Scutaro
Marco Scutaro
Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays...
came as the first batter of the bottom of the 9th, as a pinch hitter for Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
; he struck out. Scutaro was followed by Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
who fired a single into right field and was subsequently replaced with pinch runner John McDonald, who ran to 2nd base. Then came Scott Rolen who fired the ball deep into right field, landing near the foul line and resulting in a double, sending Rolen to 2nd and McDonald to 3rd. Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
was intentionally walked by Orioles' closer George Sherrill
George Sherrill
George Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a free agent-College and independent baseball:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay State...
thus loading the bases. This was followed by a sacrifice fly from Lyle Overbay
Lyle Overbay
Lyle Stefan Overbay is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.-Amateur career:...
, scoring McDonald and tying the game at 5–5. Lastly, Adam Lind
Adam Lind
Adam Alan Lind is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft and was signed on June 30, 2004. He was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of...
came up and launched a ground ball single off to right field, past the glove of Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Lewis Huff III is a Major League Baseball first baseman with the San Francisco Giants. He debuted in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and later played for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. He is the starting first baseman for the San Francisco Giants who won the...
and placed near right fielder Nick Markakis
Nick Markakis
Nicholas William Markakis is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. Of Greek and German descent , Markakis is known for his arm strength, stellar right field defense and smooth hitting....
. Rolen runs from 2nd base and makes it to home plate, giving the Blue Jays the sweep.
August
On August 28, the Blue Jays designated DH Matt StairsMatt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
for assignment shortly after their 3–2 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, who went on to win the World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
.
After the Jays won their final game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium 6–2 on August 31, shortstop David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for a right-handed pitcher.
September
The Jays swept the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
from Sept. 2–4, marking the second straight sweep of the Twins for the Jays this season and also the first time since several years ago that they swept one team three times in a row, since the Jays swept the Twins in July 2007 in addition to the two sweeps this year.
The Jays beat the Rays on Sept. 5, 6–4 and then on Sept. 6, they won their first series victory over the Rays this season, winning the game 7–4 due to a walk-off grand slam by catcher Gregg Zaun at the bottom of 13th inning. As a result, three records occurred: 1. That walk-off grand slam was the second in franchise history (the first was by George Bell on Sept. 4, 1988) as well as being the franchise's first walk-off grand slam to occur in extra innings. 2. The win was the Jays seventh straight win, the first time this happened since September 2002. 3. With the win, the Jays were 5–0 so far for the month of September, marking the first time since Sept. 1998 that the Jays had that record at the beginning of that month.
On Sept. 7, the Jays won the final game against the Rays 1–0, thus sweeping them. David Purcey got the win, going 8 solid innings, and Jesse Carlson got the save, his 2nd of the season. With this win, the Jays now have their longest winning streak since April 1999. The sweep of the Rays was also the first time in franchise history that they swept the Rays.
The Jays opened a 4-game series with the Chicago White Sox by winning a rain-postponed double-header on September 9. A.J.Burnett got his 17th victory of the season by taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning before giving up a run. Jays win 3–1. Jesse Litsch pitched a solid 7 innings and records his 5th win since being recalled from AAA. Marco Scutaro leads off the game with his 2nd career lead-off home run. Litsch again receives lots of run support and the Jays win 8–2.
On September 12, the Jays went into Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
to face the AL Wild Card Leaders, The Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. The Jays promptly lost 3 out of 4 in that weekend series, ultimately dropping them out of the AL Wild Card contention.
On September 18, the Jays scored a 3–2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, moving their record to 82–71. The victory secured a third consecutive winning season for the team, something which they have not accomplished since 1998
1998 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, their best record since their 1993 World Series-winning season....
–2000
2000 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in Major League Baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:...
.
On September 25, versus the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The 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...
, Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
pitched a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
six-hitter for his 20th win of the season, the first time he did so since his Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
-winning 2003
2003 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses.-Offseason:*October 9, 2002: Chris Carpenter was released by the Toronto Blue Jays....
season. Halladay became only the 2nd Blue Jays pitcher to have pitched two 20+ win seasons, after Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
did so in 1997
1997 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 5th in the American League East with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses...
and 1998
1998 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, their best record since their 1993 World Series-winning season....
. With that win, Halladay also became the first pitcher to have a 5–0 record against the Yankees in a season, since Luis Tiant
Luis Tiant
Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
accomplished the feat in 1974.
2008 Draft picks
SourceThe 2008 MLB Draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
was held on June 5–6.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College/School | Nationality | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | David Cooper David Cooper (baseball) David Fletcher Cooper is a first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds.-Minor League career:... |
1B | California California Golden Bears The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley... |
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2008–06–10 |
| 2 | 63 | Kenny Wilson | OF | Sickles High School Sickles High School Walter L. Sickles High School is a high school in Tampa, Florida. Constructed in 1997, it was named for the former superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools.-Academics:... (FL Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... ) |
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2008–06–10 |
| 3 | 95 | Andrew Liebel | RHP | Long Beach State Long Beach State 49ers baseball The Long Beach State 49ers Baseball team is the college baseball program that represents California State University, Long Beach. Unlike all other Long Beach State sports teams, since 1989 the baseball team has unofficially gone by the name The Dirtbags.... |
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2008–07–14 |
| 4 | 129 | Mark Sobolewski | 3B | Miami (FL) Miami Hurricanes baseball The Miami Hurricanes baseball team is the college baseball program that represents the University of Miami.Since 1973, the program has been one of college baseball's elite with 23 College World Series appearances, winning four national championships and advancing to the NCAA regionals a record 39... |
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2008–07–03 |
| 5 | 159 | Tyler Pastornicky | SS | The Pendleton School (FL Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... ) |
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2008–06–10 |
| 6 | 189 | Markus Brisker | OF | Winter Haven High School Winter Haven High School Winter Haven High School PrincipalGina WilliamsSchool typePublic Religious affiliationNoneFounded1890LocationPolk County, Florida, Winter Haven, FloridaEnrollment1761 students , Campus surroundingsUrbanContact... (FL Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... ) |
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2008–06–10 |
| 7 | 219 | Eric Thames | OF | Pepperdine | |
2008–06–10 |
| 8 | 249 | Evan Crawford | LHP | Auburn Auburn Tigers baseball The Auburn Tigers baseball team represents Auburn University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with most other Auburn athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Western division of the Southeastern Conference... |
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2008–06–10 |
| 9 | 279 | Antonio Jimenez | C | Discipulos De Cristo (PR Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... ) |
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2008–06–10 |
| 10 | 309 | Danny Farquhar | RHP | Louisiana-Lafayette | |
2008–06–30 |
Roster
| 2008 Toronto Blue Jays | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (hitting) (third base) (first base) (hitting) |
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Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
|---|---|
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Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158 | 544 | 74 | 147 | 32 | 2 | 15 | 69 | .270 | 1 | |
| 155 | 635 | 91 | 185 | 47 | 8 | 15 | 79 | .291 | 32 | |
| 145 | 517 | 76 | 138 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 60 | .267 | 7 | |
| 115 | 408 | 58 | 107 | 30 | 3 | 11 | 50 | .262 | 5 | |
| 109 | 344 | 45 | 102 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 39 | .297 | 9 | |
| 108 | 427 | 63 | 128 | 22 | 1 | 20 | 78 | .300 | 4 | |
| 105 | 320 | 42 | 80 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 44 | .250 | 1 | |
| 104 | 349 | 44 | 87 | 23 | 0 | 11 | 49 | .249 | 0 | |
| 88 | 326 | 48 | 92 | 16 | 4 | 9 | 40 | .282 | 2 | |
| 86 | 245 | 29 | 58 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 30 | .237 | 2 | |
| 85 | 208 | 20 | 45 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 23 | .216 | 2 | |
| 84 | 186 | 21 | 39 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 18 | .210 | 3 | |
|- align="center"
| || 55 || 205 || 19 || 54 || 14 || 0 || 2 || 20 || .263 || 4
|- align="center"
| || 52 || 175 || 14 || 42 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 14 || .240 || 3
|- align="center"
| || 51 || 115 || 18 || 28 || 11 || 1 || 0 || 10 || .243 || 2
|- align="center"
| || 24 || 73 || 9 || 22 || 6 || 0 || 2 || 13 || .301 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 21 || 56 || 7 || 12 || 2 || 0 || 3 || 10 || .214 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 16 || 60 || 7 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 3 || 11 || .167 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 10 || 17 || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || .176 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 8 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .200 || 1
|- align="center"
| || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1.000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 2 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0
|- align="center" class="unsortable"
| Totals || 162 || 5503 || 714 || 1453 || 303 || 32 || 126 || 681 || .264 || 80
|}
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 11 | 2.78 | 34 | 33 | 0 | 246.0 | 88 | 76 | 39 | 206 | |
| 18 | 10 | 4.07 | 35 | 34 | 0 | 221.1 | 109 | 100 | 86 | 231 | |
| 13 | 9 | 3.58 | 29 | 28 | 0 | 176.0 | 79 | 70 | 39 | 99 | |
| 9 | 7 | 3.39 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 151.1 | 60 | 57 | 50 | 123 | |
| 7 | 2 | 2.25 | 69 | 0 | 2 | 60.0 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 55 | |
| 6 | 7 | 4.37 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 111.1 | 60 | 54 | 38 | 85 | |
| 3 | 1 | 4.12 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 39.1 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 31 | |
| 3 | 6 | 5.54 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 65.0 | 41 | 40 | 29 | 58 | |
| 2 | 4 | 2.95 | 60 | 0 | 32 | 58.0 | 21 | 19 | 28 | 58 | |
| 1 | 3 | 4.00 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 27.0 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 20 | |
| 1 | 2 | 4.18 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 47.1 | 23 | 22 | 32 | 42 | |
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 2 || 2.18 || 31 || 0 || 1 || 33.0 || 9 || 8 || 15 || 23
|- align="center"
| || 1 || 2 || 2.88 || 51 || 0 || 0 || 56.1 || 19 || 18 || 22 || 47
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 3 || 1.78 || 66 || 0 || 5 || 70.2 || 15 || 14 || 27 || 57
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 2 || 2.45 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 22.0 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 14
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 1 || 5.68 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 6.1 || 5 || 4 || 2 || 9
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 3 || 6.57 || 16 || 0 || 4 || 12.1 || 10 || 9 || 4 || 5
|- align="center"
| || 0 || 0 || 0.00 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|- align="center" class="unsortable"
| Totals || 86 || 76 || 3.49 || 162 || 162 || 44 || 1446.2 || 610 || 561 || 467 || 1184
|}