The Toronto Blue Jays

Members of the Eastern Division of the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays is the first team outside the United States to win the World Series and remain Canada’s only team in the Major Leagues. Founded in 1977, the team’s home field is Rogers Centre, which until recently was known as the Sky Dome with a seating capacity of more than 50,000. Between 1985 and 1993 the team won five divisional championships, and in 1992 and 1993, two American pennants. Between 1977 and the mid-1980s, the team got off to a slow start, losing as many as 100 games in some seasons. But in 1985 the team turned around when Tom Henke came on board, and they finished 99-62, which was ahead of the New York Yankees. Beginning in 1989, the team embarked on a five-year period of wins. At one point Toronto became the first ball club to attract more than 4,000,000 fans in one season. The Blue Jays continued to make an impressive showing in the league. The years 1992-1993 were especially good for the team. Henke and another

player were let go with new players coming on in their stead. The next few years resulted in a slump for the team before leveling off to a mediocre finish in the mid-1990s. In 1997 they signed Roger Clemens, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, for $24,750,000. Despite his glowing record and renewed efforts, the team ended with a 88-74 record, several games behind the New York Yankees. The 21st century began with high hopes, although the team needed a couple of years to reach their stride following several player trades. In 2003 they again entered a glory phase only to retreat in 2004. The future remains uncertain for the team, although owners and coaches hope for good things still to come.