2009 Toronto Blue Jays season
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Toronto Blue Jays
season was the franchise's 33rd in Major League Baseball
, and the 20th full season of play at the Rogers Centre
. The team was managed by Cito Gaston
, who took over the team midway through 2008. After eight years as General Manager, J. P. Ricciardi was fired on the second-last day of the season, having failed yet again to guide the team to the playoffs. He was replaced by Assistant General Manager Alex Anthopoulos
. It was also a very disappointing season as the Jays started out with a record of 27–14, good enough for first place in the division as well as ranking in the top three for most power rankings at the time. They would however be swept by the Red Sox
at Fenway Park
from May 19 to May 21. This road trip proved to be a pivotal turning point in the season for Toronto, as they then went on to get swept in Baltimore and Atlanta, bringing the losing streak to nine straight games and ultimately ending with a losing season (75–87), 28 games behind the division lead, and 20 games behind the wild card spot, repeating their fourth-place finish from the previous year
. It was the first time that Toronto had finished with a losing record since 2005
, when they finished 80–82.
, the founder of Rogers Communications
and the Blue Jays' owner, died at the age of 75 on December 2, 2008, at his home in Toronto
. Rogers purchased the Blue Jays in 2000, hoping to lead the franchise to its first playoff berth since the club last won the World Series in 1993
. The team continues to be owned and operated by Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership, a division of Rogers Communications.
Prior to Rogers' death, the team named Paul Beeston
as interim president of baseball operations and chief operating officer replacing retiring president Paul Godfrey
. The first employee in Toronto Blue Jays history, Beeston served in the same capacity with the organization from 1989
to 1997
. Soon after being introduced on October 14, 2008, Beeston began a significant reorganization of the baseball operations of the club. In the wake of the global financial crisis and the loss of advertising revenue, the team let go of several employees from its media division on December 2.
On January 21, 2009, assistant general manager Bart Given was also dismissed to keep "costs down" for the upcoming season according to the team.
Additions were made to the scouting department, including the hiring of pro scouts Roy Smith
, Steve Springer
and four others.
A. J. Burnett
, who filed for free agency
and signed a contract with the New York Yankees
. Shaun Marcum
(elbow), Casey Janssen
(shoulder) and Dustin McGowan
(labrum) started the season on the disabled list
. Janssen has since returned, Getting a loss in his season debut vs the Braves, which the Jays lost 4-3.
Brandon League
(one year/$640K), Jeremy Accardo
(one year/$900K), Jason Frasor
(one year/$1.45M), Brian Tallet
(one year/$1.025M) and Shawn Camp
(one year/$750K) along with infielder
Jose Bautista (one year/$2.4M) all came to terms.
The team also picked up the club option held on catcher
Rod Barajas
.
s and won 18 games, went on to sign with the division rival New York Yankees
on December 18.
None of the five major league free agent
s from the Blue Jays' 2008 roster were tendered contracts. Catcher Gregg Zaun
ended his five-year tenure in Toronto and signed a one-year deal with the rival Baltimore Orioles
. Outfielder
Brad Wilkerson
(Boston
), relief pitcher
John Parrish (Orioles), and infielder
Héctor Luna
(Los Angeles (NL)
) all signed minor league contracts elsewhere, while outfielder Kevin Mench
signed a one-year deal with the Hanshin Tigers
of Japan
's Nippon League.
Minor league pitching prospect Jean Machi, who had been on the forty-man roster, was also released by the club in November.
Another major departure, third baseman Scott Rolen
, was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for personal reasons.
to a one-year deal. Millar is known as a solid player to have in the clubhouse and would find time playing the DH and utility infield.
However, with the trade of Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds, the Blue Jays welcomed infielder Edwin Encarnacion, relief pitcher Josh Roenicke and a minor league pitching prospect.
Two starters recovering from major shoulder surgery would have an opportunity to claim rotation slots with the club coming out of spring training. Former All-Star starter Matt Clement
, who spent an injury riddled 2008 season with St. Louis
was signed on December 12. Left-handed starter Mike Maroth
, who last pitched in the majors in 2007 with St. Louis, was inked to a minor league deal on December 30.
Two former first overall draft picks were also acquired by the club. 2002
top selection Bryan Bullington
was claimed off waivers from Cleveland
in October. The Jays also traded for 2004
number one choice Matt Bush in February. Bush had previously been in the Padres organisation.
The team imported fourteen-year Nippon League veteran Ken Takahashi
from Japan. Toronto claimed southpaw Brian Burres
(Baltimore), and reliever T. J. Beam
(Pittsburgh
) off waivers. The club also re-signed Dirk Hayhurst
in February, days after releasing the former waiver claim.
Former silver slugging
catcher Michael Barrett and infielder Kevin Millar
were among the prominent additions to the team offensively. Barrett, who missed much of his 2008 season with the Padres due to a facial fracture, is a top candidate to be the Blue Jays backup catcher. Millar, who spent the previous three seasons with Baltimore and hit twenty home run
s in 2008, will have an opportunity for a bench or platoon role with the Jays.
In January the team signed outfielder Jason Lane
(Boston) and infielder Brandon Fahey
(Baltimore) to minor league deals. In December the team inked catcher Raul Chavez
(Pittsburgh) and designated hitter
Randy Ruiz
(Minnesota
). In October the club announced it signed former Orioles pitcher Adam Loewen
and will attempt to convert him to a first baseman
.
was lost for the 2009 season when he underwent Tommy John surgery
in the fall of 2008. The right-hander went under the knife to repair ligaments in his pitching elbow, and is tentatively expected to be back for the Jays' 2010 spring training.
Pitcher Casey Janssen
who missed all of 2008 due to shoulder problems was expected to compete for a rotation spot, but was put on the 15-day disabled list just before the season began. Starter Dustin McGowan
who is recovering from right labrum surgery is expected to rejoin the club sometime in May.
On April 23, the Blue Jays placed starting pitcher Ricky Romero and closer B. J. Ryan on the 15-day disabled list. Romero was suffering from a right oblique strain, while Ryan was sent to see a specialist for a tight left trapezius muscle
.Ryan has since returned, but not as the closer.
On June 9, it was announced that Jesse Litsch
will undergo season-ending ligament replacement ("Tommy John") surgery.
and Alan Ashby
will call all 162, with Mike Wilner being the third personality. Mike will also host the pregame and postgame show for each game, as long as there is time for it before/after. The Blue Jays' flagship TV station is Rogers Sportsnet
, which is airing over 100 games in 2009 for the Jays. The two other stations are both in the TSN network, TSN
and TSN2
. TSN has coverage starting after they are done with NHL
on TSN (during the Stanley Cup
Finals, coverage usually starts). From May 19–21, the two Jays stations were occupied with hockey and TSN2 airs the Jays in TSN's place. With Sportsnet taking care of the annual Memorial Cup
, and TSN covering the NHL conference finals, TSN2 was open, and took in at the time, the biggest series of the Jays' young season. Rod Black and Pat Tabler did not cover this series though, TSN2 broadcast NESN coverage. TSN2 had the September 13 game versus the Tigers and will air the Jays home closer versus the Mariners on September 27. Untelevised games can be seen on JaysVision on Rogers Cable (digital only). Otherwise, the viewer must subscribe to MLB Extra Innings
, which gets the feed from the opposing team's station. MLB Extra Innings is available on satellite and digital cable.
slugged out an opening day record 6 RBI, and the Jays pummeled the Tigers, giving Roy Halladay
the win. They went on to win the first 6 series of the season, and finished April with a 15-9 record, tied with the Red Sox for first in the AL East.
The first game against the New York Yankees occurred on May 12, in a marquee matchup of Roy Halladay versus former teammate A. J. Burnett
. Not only did the Jays win 5-1, but Halladay recorded his first complete game of the season, while giving Burnett his first loss on the year. The Jays drew a crowd of over 43,000 fans; the first time the dome got a full house other than opening night since 2006, when 50,014 came to see the Jays lose to the Yankees on July 22. However, the remaining two games of the series were won by the Yankees, making this the first series lost by the Jays at home this season. They followed this with a series sweep of the Chicago White Sox
, at which time the Jays had the best record (27-14) in the American League, but this was followed by a disastrous road trip to Boston, Atlanta
and Baltimore during which the Jays lost 9 straight games, tying their longest away-game losing streak since a nine-game run in May 2007. This left the Jays at 27-23, behind Boston and the Yankees by 1.5 games. The Blue Jays then bounced back, taking two out of three from Boston, and had some more considerable successes, most notably a three-game road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. However, they never again held a playoff position, and gradually faded out of the picture: they were out of contention by the All-Star break, and were never able to mount any sort of charge reminiscent of 2008's 10-game winning streak to get back in the race.
Roy Halladay and Aaron Hill were named to the American League All-Star team. Halladay was the starting pitcher, and Hill started the game at second base.
trade, which many Jays fans disapproved. The reason of the firing was reported that Ricciardi told Ken Rosenthal
of Fox Sports a day before the firing, in which the Blue Jays players were all against Cito Gaston
. A day later, Paul Beeston
found out about JP leaking the information to the media, and promptly fired him. Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos
took over instantly.
Month
Games
Won
Lost
April
24
15
9
May
29
14
15
June
26
12
14
July
24
8
16
August
26
10
16
September
30
16
14
October
3
0
3
162
75
87
The 2009 MLB Draft
was held on June 9–11. The Blue Jays had a first round pick, along with one compensation pick. The Blue Jays also had two picks in the third round.
. Excludes batting by pitchers (interleague games).
Updated through July 21, 2009.
Awards
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 the franchise's 33rd in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, and the 20th full season of play at the Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
. The team was managed by 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...
, who took over the team midway through 2008. After eight years as General Manager, J. P. Ricciardi was fired on the second-last day of the season, having failed yet again to guide the team to the playoffs. He was replaced by Assistant General Manager Alex Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos is currently the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was appointed to this position from his former position of Assistant General Manager, on October 3, after previous G.M. J. P. Ricciardi was fired...
. It was also a very disappointing season as the Jays started out with a record of 27–14, good enough for first place in the division as well as ranking in the top three for most power rankings at the time. They would however be swept by the 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"...
at 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"...
from May 19 to May 21. This road trip proved to be a pivotal turning point in the season for Toronto, as they then went on to get swept in Baltimore and Atlanta, bringing the losing streak to nine straight games and ultimately ending with a losing season (75–87), 28 games behind the division lead, and 20 games behind the wild card spot, repeating their fourth-place finish from the previous year
2008 Toronto Blue Jays season
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...
. It was the first time that Toronto had finished with a losing record since 2005
2005 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 2005 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 80 wins and 82 losses...
, when they finished 80–82.
Front office reorganization
Ted RogersEdward Samuel Rogers
Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, Jr., OC was the President and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc., and the fifth richest person in Canada in terms of net worth. His father Edward S. Rogers, Sr...
, the founder of Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
and the Blue Jays' owner, died at the age of 75 on December 2, 2008, at his home in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Rogers purchased the Blue Jays in 2000, hoping to lead the franchise to its first playoff berth since the club last won the World Series in 1993
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
. The team continues to be owned and operated by Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership, a division of Rogers Communications.
Prior to Rogers' death, the team named Paul Beeston
Paul Beeston
Paul McGill Beeston, CM is the former president of Major League Baseball and current president of the Toronto Blue Jays. On October 27th, 2009 Rogers Media announced the appointment of Paul Beeston as President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and Rogers Centre for a three year...
as interim president of baseball operations and chief operating officer replacing retiring president Paul Godfrey
Paul Godfrey
Paul Victor Godfrey, CM, OOnt is a businessman and former Canadian politician. During his career, Godfrey was a North York alderman, Chairman of Metro Toronto, President of the Toronto Sun and head of the Toronto Blue Jays. He was instrumental in bringing the Toronto Blue Jays to Toronto and has...
. The first employee in Toronto Blue Jays history, Beeston served in the same capacity with the organization from 1989
1989 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants ; Dave Stewart, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Rickey Henderson*National League Championship Series MVP: Will Clark...
to 1997
1997 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians ; Liván Hernández, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández...
. Soon after being introduced on October 14, 2008, Beeston began a significant reorganization of the baseball operations of the club. In the wake of the global financial crisis and the loss of advertising revenue, the team let go of several employees from its media division on December 2.
On January 21, 2009, assistant general manager Bart Given was also dismissed to keep "costs down" for the upcoming season according to the team.
Additions were made to the scouting department, including the hiring of pro scouts Roy Smith
Roy Smith (1980s pitcher)
Le Roy Purdy Smith is a former professional baseball pitcher and executive. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from until . He is currently a scout for the New York Mets.-Playing career:...
, Steve Springer
Steve Springer
Steven Michael Springer is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1990 and the New York Mets in 1992, playing in eight career games....
and four others.
Player transactions
The most significant change from the 2008 team was the departure of pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
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...
, who filed for free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and signed a contract with 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...
. Shaun Marcum
Shaun Marcum
Shaun Michael Marcum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
(elbow), Casey Janssen
Casey Janssen
Robert Casey Janssen is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UCLA in the fourth round of the draft. When an injury to A.J...
(shoulder) and Dustin McGowan
Dustin McGowan
Dustin Michael McGowan is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia in the 1st round with 33rd pick of the draft on June 4, 2000...
(labrum) started the season on 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:...
. Janssen has since returned, Getting a loss in his season debut vs the Braves, which the Jays lost 4-3.
Retentions
For the twelfth consecutive season the organization avoided going to an arbitration hearing, re-signing the five arbitration eligible players on the team. The team and relieversRelief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Brandon League
Brandon League
Brandon Paul League is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is married with three children. He resides in Honolulu, and is hapa Yonsei. His maternal great-grandparents were born and raised in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan...
(one year/$640K), Jeremy Accardo
Jeremy Accardo
Jeremy Lee Accardo is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-San Francisco Giants:...
(one year/$900K), Jason Frasor
Jason Frasor
Jason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games....
(one year/$1.45M), Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
(one year/$1.025M) and 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:...
(one year/$750K) along with infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Jose Bautista (one year/$2.4M) all came to terms.
The team also picked up the club option held on catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
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...
.
Departures
On November 5, 2008, pitcher A. J. Burnett opted out of the remaining two years of his five year contract, ending months of speculation that the starter was planning to leave Toronto. Burnett, who in 2008 led the team in strikeoutStrikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and won 18 games, went on to sign with the division rival 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...
on December 18.
None of the five major league free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
s from the Blue Jays' 2008 roster were tendered contracts. Catcher 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...
ended his five-year tenure in Toronto and signed a one-year deal with the rival 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...
. Outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
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...
(Boston
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"...
), relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
John Parrish (Orioles), and infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Héctor Luna
Héctor Luna
Héctor R. Luna is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is primarily an infielder, but has played every position at the major league level except pitcher and catcher....
(Los Angeles (NL)
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
) all signed minor league contracts elsewhere, while 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:...
signed a one-year deal with the Hanshin Tigers
Hanshin Tigers
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Nippon League.
Minor league pitching prospect Jean Machi, who had been on the forty-man roster, was also released by the club in November.
Another major departure, 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:...
, was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for personal reasons.
Arrivals
The Blue Jays, faced with financial hardships, the fall of the Canadian dollar against the American dollar and a smaller budget, did not opt to make any major impact moves. Towards the end of spring training, they did however sign Kevin MillarKevin Millar
Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current analyst for MLB Network and New England Sports Network. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season. Millar is the nephew of former...
to a one-year deal. Millar is known as a solid player to have in the clubhouse and would find time playing the DH and utility infield.
However, with the trade of Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds, the Blue Jays welcomed infielder Edwin Encarnacion, relief pitcher Josh Roenicke and a minor league pitching prospect.
Pitchers
Two starters recovering from major shoulder surgery would have an opportunity to claim rotation slots with the club coming out of spring training. Former All-Star starter Matt Clement
Matt Clement
Matthew Paul Clement is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Clement played for the San Diego Padres , Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox . While on the Red Sox active roster, he was injured all of the 2007 season...
, who spent an injury riddled 2008 season with St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
was signed on December 12. Left-handed starter Mike Maroth
Mike Maroth
Michael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth...
, who last pitched in the majors in 2007 with St. Louis, was inked to a minor league deal on December 30.
Two former first overall draft picks were also acquired by the club. 2002
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
top selection Bryan Bullington
Bryan Bullington
Bryan Paul Bullington is a right-handed pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball...
was claimed off waivers from Cleveland
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...
in October. The Jays also traded for 2004
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
number one choice Matt Bush in February. Bush had previously been in the Padres organisation.
The team imported fourteen-year Nippon League veteran Ken Takahashi
Ken Takahashi
is a Japanese professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. He also played for them in - & the New York Mets in .Takahashi was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. On February 6, , Takahashi declared himself a free agent and expressed his desire to play in Major League Baseball...
from Japan. Toronto claimed southpaw Brian Burres
Brian Burres
Brian Burres is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burres' best pitch is his changeup, which is highly regarded...
(Baltimore), and reliever T. J. Beam
T. J. Beam
Theodore Lester "T. J." Beam is a Major League baseball relief pitcher for the Lancaster Barnstormers.-New York Yankees:...
(Pittsburgh
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...
) off waivers. The club also re-signed Dirk Hayhurst
Dirk Hayhurst
Dirk Von Hayhurst is a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early life:Hayhurst played college baseball for four seasons from – for Kent State University and played with the Bethesda Big Train in .-San Diego Padres:...
in February, days after releasing the former waiver claim.
Position players
Former silver slugging
Silver Slugger
The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
catcher Michael Barrett and infielder Kevin Millar
Kevin Millar
Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current analyst for MLB Network and New England Sports Network. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season. Millar is the nephew of former...
were among the prominent additions to the team offensively. Barrett, who missed much of his 2008 season with the Padres due to a facial fracture, is a top candidate to be the Blue Jays backup catcher. Millar, who spent the previous three seasons with Baltimore and hit twenty home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 2008, will have an opportunity for a bench or platoon role with the Jays.
In January the team signed outfielder Jason Lane
Jason Lane
Jason Dean Lane is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He was drafted out of the sixth round in . Lane graduated from El Molino High School in Forestville, California in 1995...
(Boston) and infielder Brandon Fahey
Brandon Fahey
Brandon Michael Fahey is a Major League Baseball utility player and is a free agent. He played high school baseball for Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin...
(Baltimore) to minor league deals. In December the team inked catcher Raul Chavez
Raúl Chávez
Raúl Alexander Chávez is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a member of the New York Mets organization...
(Pittsburgh) and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
Randy Ruiz
Randy Ruiz
Randy Radames Ruiz is a Nippon Professional Baseball designated hitter and first baseman for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He stands 6'1" and weighs 240 pounds. Born in The Bronx, New York to parents from Santurce, Puerto Rico, he attended James Monroe High School, and played baseball under...
(Minnesota
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...
). In October the club announced it signed former Orioles pitcher Adam Loewen
Adam Loewen
Adam Alexander Loewen is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder and infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
and will attempt to convert him to a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
.
Injuries
Starter Shaun MarcumShaun Marcum
Shaun Michael Marcum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
was lost for the 2009 season when he underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
in the fall of 2008. The right-hander went under the knife to repair ligaments in his pitching elbow, and is tentatively expected to be back for the Jays' 2010 spring training.
Pitcher Casey Janssen
Casey Janssen
Robert Casey Janssen is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UCLA in the fourth round of the draft. When an injury to A.J...
who missed all of 2008 due to shoulder problems was expected to compete for a rotation spot, but was put on the 15-day disabled list just before the season began. Starter Dustin McGowan
Dustin McGowan
Dustin Michael McGowan is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia in the 1st round with 33rd pick of the draft on June 4, 2000...
who is recovering from right labrum surgery is expected to rejoin the club sometime in May.
On April 23, the Blue Jays placed starting pitcher Ricky Romero and closer B. J. Ryan on the 15-day disabled list. Romero was suffering from a right oblique strain, while Ryan was sent to see a specialist for a tight left trapezius muscle
Trapezius muscle
In human anatomy, the trapezius is a large superficial muscle that extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae and laterally to the spine of the scapula...
.Ryan has since returned, but not as the closer.
On June 9, it was announced that 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....
will undergo season-ending ligament replacement ("Tommy John") surgery.
Broadcasts
The Jays' flagship station for radio is The FAN 590, which has all 162 regular season games. Jerry HowarthJerry Howarth
Jerry Howarth is an American Canadian recognized as the voice of the Toronto Blue Jays as a play-by-play announcer for the team's radio broadcasts, a position he has held for the Major League Baseball team since 1981.- Early career :...
and Alan Ashby
Alan Ashby
Alan Dean Ashby is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros...
will call all 162, with Mike Wilner being the third personality. Mike will also host the pregame and postgame show for each game, as long as there is time for it before/after. The Blue Jays' flagship TV station is Rogers Sportsnet
Rogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
, which is airing over 100 games in 2009 for the Jays. The two other stations are both in the TSN network, TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
and TSN2
TSN2
TSN2 is a secondary feed of the Canadian English language Category C specialty channel TSN, owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a joint venture of Bell Media and ESPN...
. TSN has coverage starting after they are done with NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
on TSN (during the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Finals, coverage usually starts). From May 19–21, the two Jays stations were occupied with hockey and TSN2 airs the Jays in TSN's place. With Sportsnet taking care of the annual Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
, and TSN covering the NHL conference finals, TSN2 was open, and took in at the time, the biggest series of the Jays' young season. Rod Black and Pat Tabler did not cover this series though, TSN2 broadcast NESN coverage. TSN2 had the September 13 game versus the Tigers and will air the Jays home closer versus the Mariners on September 27. Untelevised games can be seen on JaysVision on Rogers Cable (digital only). Otherwise, the viewer must subscribe to MLB Extra Innings
MLB Extra Innings
MLB Extra Innings is an Out-of-Market Sports Package distributed in North America by satellite provider DirecTV since 1996 and by most cable providers since 2001. The package allows its subscribers to see up to 80 out-of-market Major League Baseball games a week using local over the air stations...
, which gets the feed from the opposing team's station. MLB Extra Innings is available on satellite and digital cable.
Season summary
The Jays began the year with a schedule that had them playing teams from the Central and West divisions for their first 24 games in April. Adam LindAdam 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...
slugged out an opening day record 6 RBI, and the Jays pummeled the Tigers, giving Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
the win. They went on to win the first 6 series of the season, and finished April with a 15-9 record, tied with the Red Sox for first in the AL East.
The first game against the New York Yankees occurred on May 12, in a marquee matchup of Roy Halladay versus former teammate 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...
. Not only did the Jays win 5-1, but Halladay recorded his first complete game of the season, while giving Burnett his first loss on the year. The Jays drew a crowd of over 43,000 fans; the first time the dome got a full house other than opening night since 2006, when 50,014 came to see the Jays lose to the Yankees on July 22. However, the remaining two games of the series were won by the Yankees, making this the first series lost by the Jays at home this season. They followed this with a series 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...
, at which time the Jays had the best record (27-14) in the American League, but this was followed by a disastrous road trip to Boston, Atlanta
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 Baltimore during which the Jays lost 9 straight games, tying their longest away-game losing streak since a nine-game run in May 2007. This left the Jays at 27-23, behind Boston and the Yankees by 1.5 games. The Blue Jays then bounced back, taking two out of three from Boston, and had some more considerable successes, most notably a three-game road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. However, they never again held a playoff position, and gradually faded out of the picture: they were out of contention by the All-Star break, and were never able to mount any sort of charge reminiscent of 2008's 10-game winning streak to get back in the race.
Roy Halladay and Aaron Hill were named to the American League All-Star team. Halladay was the starting pitcher, and Hill started the game at second base.
Firing of JP Ricciardi
On October 3, the J. P. Ricciardi era ended in Toronto. When he took over in 2002, he guaranteed a playoff berth; the Jays never even came close to a playoffs berth, never finishing better than 10 games behind the top of the division during Ricciardi's reign. After a promising start to 2009, the Jays faltered, and JP publicized the topic of a Roy HalladayRoy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
trade, which many Jays fans disapproved. The reason of the firing was reported that Ricciardi told Ken Rosenthal
Ken Rosenthal
Kenneth H. Rosenthal is an American sportswriter and reporter.Rosenthal has served as lead field reporter for Major League Baseball on Fox since 2005...
of Fox Sports a day before the firing, in which the Blue Jays players were all against 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...
. A day later, Paul Beeston
Paul Beeston
Paul McGill Beeston, CM is the former president of Major League Baseball and current president of the Toronto Blue Jays. On October 27th, 2009 Rogers Media announced the appointment of Paul Beeston as President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and Rogers Centre for a three year...
found out about JP leaking the information to the media, and promptly fired him. Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos is currently the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was appointed to this position from his former position of Assistant General Manager, on October 3, after previous G.M. J. P. Ricciardi was fired...
took over instantly.
Detailed record
| 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... |
8-1 | 1-8 | 9-9 | - |
| 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"... |
4-5 | 3-6 | 7-11 | - |
| 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... |
3-6 | 3-6 | 6-12 | - |
| 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... |
3-6 | 1-8 | 4-14 | - |
| 18-18 | 8-28 | 26-46 | - | |
| 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 | 2-1 | 6-1 | - |
| 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... |
2-3 | 2-1 | 4-4 | - |
| 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... |
3-1 | 2-2 | 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... |
2-1 | 1-3 | 3-4 | - |
| 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... |
2-2 | 3-1 | 5-3 | - |
| 13-7 | 10-8 | 23-15 | - | |
| AL West | ||||
| Los Angeles Angels | 3-3 | 1-1 | 4-4 | - |
| 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.... |
2-1 | 4-2 | 6-3 | - |
| 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... |
3-1 | 1-2 | 4-3 | - |
| 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... |
2-1 | 3-4 | 5-5 | - |
| 10-6 | 9-9 | 19-15 | - | |
| 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.... |
N/A | 0-3 | 0-3 | - |
| 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 | N/A | 2-1 | - |
| Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... |
0-3 | N/A | 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... |
1-2 | 3-0 | 4-2 | - |
| Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
N/A | 1-2 | 1-2 | - |
| 3-6 | 4-5 | 7-11 | - | |
2009 Draft picks
SourceThe 2009 MLB Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
was held on June 9–11. The Blue Jays had a first round pick, along with one compensation pick. The Blue Jays also had two picks in the third round.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College/School | Nationality | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Chad Jenkins | RHP | Kennesaw State Kennesaw State Owls Kennesaw State University fields 16 varsity athletics teams called the Owls. After spending 10 years in Division II's Peach Belt Conference, the university fully transitioned to Division I status in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the beginning of the 2009–10 season. All teams... |
 |
2009–08–15 |
| C-A | 37* | James Paxton | LHP | Kentucky Kentucky Wildcats baseball The Kentucky Wildcats baseball team represents the University of Kentucky in NCAA Division I college baseball and competes in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference... |
 |
Unsigned |
| 2 | 68 | Jake Eliopoulos | LHP | Sacred Heart Catholic High School Sacred Heart Catholic High School (Newmarket) Sacred Heart Catholic High School is a public Catholic high school in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It is currently the only high school in Newmarket under the jurisdiction of the York Catholic District School Board. Sacred Heart has a modest student population compared to other York Region Catholic... (ON Newmarket, Ontario Newmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9... ) |
|
Unsigned |
| 3 | 99 | Jake Barrett | RHP | Desert Ridge High School Desert Ridge High School Desert Ridge High School was founded in 2002 in Mesa, Arizona and is part of Gilbert Public Schools.- Overview :For the 2004-05 school year Desert Ridge High School received an "Excelling" from the Arizona Department of Education and has met all No Child Left Behind requirements since the school... (AZ Arizona Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix... ) |
|
Unsigned |
| 3 | 104 | Jacob Marisnick | CF | Riverside Polytechnic High School Riverside Polytechnic High School Riverside Polytechnic High School is a four-year public high school in Riverside, California, United States, and part of the Riverside Unified School District... (CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... ) |
|
2009–08–17 |
| 4 | 130 | Ryan Goins | SS | Dallas Baptist Dallas Baptist University Dallas Baptist University , formerly known as Dallas Baptist College, is a Christian liberal arts university located in Dallas, Texas. The main campus is located approximately fifteen miles southwest of downtown Dallas overlooking Mountain Creek Lake... |
|
2009–07–17 |
| 5 | 160 | Ryan Schimpf | 2B | Louisiana State LSU Tigers baseball The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference... |
|
2009–07–27 |
| 6 | 190 | Kristopher Hobson | RF | Stockdale High School (CA) | |
2009–08–17 |
| 7 | 220 | Egan Smith | LHP | College of Southern Nevada | |
2009–06–14 |
| 8 | 250 | Brian Slover | RHP | Cal State-Northridge California State University, Northridge California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States.... |
|
2009–07–20 |
| 9 | 280 | Aaron Loup | LHP | Tulane Tulane Green Wave baseball The Tulane Green Wave baseball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college baseball.The Green Wave baseball team competes in Conference USA... |
|
2009–06–29 |
| 10 | 310 | Yan Gomes | C | Barry Barry University Barry University is a private, Catholic university, which was founded in 1940 in Miami Shores, Florida, a suburb north of Downtown Miami. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.... |
|
2009–06–19 |
- * The Blue Jays received the 37th pick as compensation for loss of free agent A.J. Burnett
Roster
| 2009 Toronto Blue Jays | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (third base) (first base) (hitting) |
||||||
Game log
| Legend | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blue Jays Win | Blue Jays Loss | Game Postponed |
| Game Log | |
|---|---|
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. Excludes batting by pitchers (interleague games).
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russ Adams Russ Adams Russ Moore Adams is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets organizations. Adams bats left-handed and throws with his right hand.... |
||||||||||
| 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... |
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| Michael Barrett | ||||||||||
| José Bautista José Bautista José Antonio Bautista is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Though now primarily a right fielder, having been a utility player in the past, he has major league experience at six different positions... |
||||||||||
| Raul Chavez Raúl Chávez Raúl Alexander Chávez is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a member of the New York Mets organization... |
||||||||||
| David Dellucci David Dellucci David Michael Dellucci is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder.-High School:Dellucci graduated from Catholic High in Baton Rouge in 1991. He earned the team's Most Valuable Player honors in both baseball and football, and All-State honors for baseball... |
||||||||||
| Edwin Encarnacion Edwin Encarnación Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed.... |
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| Aaron Hill | ||||||||||
| Joe Inglett Joe Inglett Joseph Steven Inglett is an American professional baseball utility player who is a free agent.-Cleveland Indians:He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 21, .... |
||||||||||
| 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... |
||||||||||
| John McDonald | ||||||||||
| Kevin Millar Kevin Millar Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current analyst for MLB Network and New England Sports Network. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season. Millar is the nephew of former... |
||||||||||
| Lyle Overbay Lyle Overbay Lyle Stefan Overbay is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.-Amateur career:... |
||||||||||
| Kyle Phillips Kyle Phillips Kyle Ray Phillips is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. Phillips was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2002 MLB Draft in the 10th round and is the younger brother of former major leaguer Jason Phillips.-Minor leagues:After spending four seasons in the Twins'... |
||||||||||
| 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:... |
||||||||||
| 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:... |
||||||||||
| Randy Ruiz Randy Ruiz Randy Radames Ruiz is a Nippon Professional Baseball designated hitter and first baseman for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He stands 6'1" and weighs 240 pounds. Born in The Bronx, New York to parents from Santurce, Puerto Rico, he attended James Monroe High School, and played baseball under... |
||||||||||
| 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... |
||||||||||
| Travis Snider Travis Snider Travis James Snider is a Major League Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He hits and throws left-handed. He played baseball at Henry M. Jackson High School, where he also played running back and linebacker in football... |
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| Vernon Wells | ||||||||||
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = StrikeoutsUpdated through July 21, 2009.
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Accardo Jeremy Accardo Jeremy Lee Accardo is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-San Francisco Giants:... |
|||||||||||
| Bryan Bullington Bryan Bullington Bryan Paul Bullington is a right-handed pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball... |
|||||||||||
| Brian Burres Brian Burres Brian Burres is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burres' best pitch is his changeup, which is highly regarded... |
|||||||||||
| 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:... |
|||||||||||
| Jesse Carlson Jesse 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... |
|||||||||||
| Brett Cecil Brett Cecil Brett Aarion Cecil is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Cecil was drafted as the 38th overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Blue Jays... |
|||||||||||
| 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... |
|||||||||||
| Jason Frasor Jason Frasor Jason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games.... |
|||||||||||
| Roy Halladay Roy Halladay Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies... |
|||||||||||
| Dirk Hayhurst Dirk Hayhurst Dirk Von Hayhurst is a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early life:Hayhurst played college baseball for four seasons from – for Kent State University and played with the Bethesda Big Train in .-San Diego Padres:... |
|||||||||||
| Casey Janssen Casey Janssen Robert Casey Janssen is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UCLA in the fourth round of the draft. When an injury to A.J... |
|||||||||||
| Brandon League Brandon League Brandon Paul League is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He is married with three children. He resides in Honolulu, and is hapa Yonsei. His maternal great-grandparents were born and raised in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan... |
|||||||||||
| 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.... |
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| Brad Mills Brad Mills (pitcher) Bradley Aaron Mills is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed.-College, draft, and minor-league career:... |
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| Bill Murphy | |||||||||||
| David Purcey David Purcey David Kent Purcey is a left-handed pitcher in professional baseball.-Amateur career:Purcey attended high school at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, and then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for the Sooners baseball team.-Professional career:Purcey originally was... |
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| Robert Ray Robert Ray (baseball) Robert Andrew "Bobby" Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed... |
|||||||||||
| Scott Richmond Scott Richmond Scott Daniel Richmond is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball... |
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| Ricky Romero | |||||||||||
| 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... |
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| Marc Rzepczynski Marc Rzepczynski Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:... |
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| Brian Tallet Brian Tallet Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000.... |
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| Brian Wolfe Brian Wolfe Brian Thomas Wolfe is a pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.... |
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Honours and awards
All-Star Game- Aaron Hill - 2B (Starter)
- Roy HalladayRoy HalladayHarry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
- P (Starter)
Awards
- Aaron Hill - AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
- Aaron Hill - Silver SluggerSilver SluggerThe Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
-2BSecond basemanSecond base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... - Adam LindAdam LindAdam 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...
Silver SluggerSilver SluggerThe Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
-DHDesignated hitterIn baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...