This is a list of seasons completed by the Toronto Blue Jays , based in Toronto, Ontario, and a member of Major League Baseball's (MLB) American League East Division. Since June 5, 1989, the Blue Jays have played in the Rogers Centre (called the "SkyDome" until February 2, 2005). [1] Before that, they played at Exhibition Stadium. [2] They played their 2020 season at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The name "Blue Jays" was chosen via a contest in 1976 from among more than 4,000 suggestions. [3]
The Blue Jays made their MLB debut during the 1977 baseball season, as an expansion team. [3] They first made the playoffs in 1985, by capturing the American League East Division, but lost the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in seven games to the Kansas City Royals. [4] The team returned to the playoffs in 1989, where they lost to the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS in five games, [5] and again in 1991, where once more the Blue Jays were defeated in the ALCS in five games, this time by the Minnesota Twins. [6]
In 1992, the Blue Jays became the first Canadian-based team to win the Commissioner's Trophy, [7] with a pair of six-game victories over Oakland in the ALCS and the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. [8] In 1993, they repeated their success, with another pair of six-game victories over the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS and the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. [9] After 1993, the Blue Jays failed to qualify for the playoffs for 21 consecutive seasons, until clinching a playoff berth in 2015.
Through 47 seasons of baseball, the Blue Jays have recorded 27 seasons at .500 or better, 26 of which have been winning campaigns, and have qualified for the playoffs ten times while winning two league pennants.
World Series champions † | American League champions * | Division champions ^ | Wild card berth ¤ |
Season | Level | League | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Post-Season | Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1977 | 1977 | AL | East | 7th | 54 | 107 | .335 | 45.5 | ||
1978 | 1978 | AL | East | 7th | 59 | 102 | .366 | 40 | ||
1979 | 1979 | AL | East | 7th | 53 | 109 | .327 | 50.5 | Alfredo Griffin (Co-ROY) [a] [10] | |
1980 | 1980 | AL | East | 7th | 67 | 95 | .414 | 36 | ||
1981 [b] | 1981 | AL | East | 7th | 16 | 42 | .276 | 18 | ||
7th | 21 | 27 | .438 | 10 | ||||||
1982 | 1982 | AL | East | 6th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 17 | ||
1983 | 1983 | AL | East | 4th | 89 | 73 | .549 | 9 | ||
1984 | 1984 | AL | East | 2nd | 89 | 73 | .549 | 15 | ||
1985 | 1985 | AL | East ^ | 1st ^ | 99 | 62 | .615 | — | Lost ALCS (Royals) 4–3 | Bobby Cox (MOY) [11] |
1986 | 1986 | AL | East | 4th | 86 | 76 | .531 | 9.5 | ||
1987 | 1987 | AL | East | 2nd | 96 | 66 | .593 | 2 | George Bell (MVP) [12] | |
1988 | 1988 | AL | East | 3rd | 87 | 75 | .537 | 2 | ||
1989 | 1989 | AL | East ^ | 1st ^ | 89 | 73 | .549 | Lost ALCS (Athletics) 4–1 | ||
1990 | 1990 | AL | East | 2nd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 2 | ||
1991 | 1991 | AL | East ^ | 1st ^ | 91 | 71 | .562 | — | Lost ALCS (Twins) 4–1 | |
1992 † | 1992 | AL * | East ^ | 1st ^ | 96 | 66 | .593 | — | Won ALCS (Athletics) 4–2 Won World Series (Braves) 4–2 † | |
1993 † | 1993 | AL * | East ^ | 1st ^ | 95 | 67 | .586 | — | Won ALCS (White Sox) 4–2 Won World Series (Phillies) 4–2 † | |
1994 [c] | 1994 | AL | East | 3rd | 55 | 60 | .478 | 16 | No postseason held due to player's strike. | |
1995 [d] | 1995 | AL | East | 5th | 56 | 88 | .389 | 30 | ||
1996 | 1996 | AL | East | 4th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 18 | Pat Hentgen (CYA) | |
1997 | 1997 | AL | East | 5th | 76 | 86 | .469 | 22 | Roger Clemens (CYA) [12] | |
1998 | 1998 | AL | East | 3rd | 88 | 74 | .543 | 26 | Roger Clemens (CYA) [12] | |
1999 | 1999 | AL | East | 3rd | 84 | 78 | .519 | 14 | ||
2000 | 2000 | AL | East | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 4.5 | ||
2001 | 2001 | AL | East | 3rd | 80 | 82 | .494 | 16 | ||
2002 | 2002 | AL | East | 3rd | 78 | 84 | .481 | 25.5 | Eric Hinske (ROY) [10] | |
2003 | 2003 | AL | East | 3rd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 15 | Roy Halladay (CYA) [12] | |
2004 | 2004 | AL | East | 5th | 67 | 94 | .416 | 33.5 | ||
2005 | 2005 | AL | East | 3rd | 80 | 82 | .494 | 15 | ||
2006 | 2006 | AL | East | 2nd | 87 | 75 | .537 | 10 | ||
2007 | 2007 | AL | East | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 13 | ||
2008 | 2008 | AL | East | 4th | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | ||
2009 | 2009 | AL | East | 4th | 75 | 87 | .463 | 28 | Aaron Hill (CPOY) [13] | |
2010 | 2010 | AL | East | 4th | 85 | 77 | .525 | 11 | ||
2011 | 2011 | AL | East | 4th | 81 | 81 | .500 | 16 | ||
2012 | 2012 | AL | East | 4th | 73 | 89 | .451 | 22 | ||
2013 | 2013 | AL | East | 5th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 23 | ||
2014 | 2014 | AL | East | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 13 | ||
2015 | 2015 | AL | East ^ | 1st ^ | 93 | 69 | .574 | — | Won ALDS (Rangers) 3–2 Lost ALCS (Royals) 4–2 | Josh Donaldson (MVP) |
2016 | 2016 | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 89 | 73 | .549 | 4 | Won ALWC (Orioles) Won ALDS (Rangers) 3–0 Lost ALCS (Indians) 4–1 | |
2017 | 2017 | AL | East | 4th | 76 | 86 | .469 | 17 | ||
2018 | 2018 | AL | East | 4th | 73 | 89 | .451 | 35 | ||
2019 | 2019 | AL | East | 4th | 67 | 95 | .414 | 36 | ||
2020 [e] | 2020 | AL | East | 3rd ¤ | 32 | 28 | .533 | 8 | Lost ALWC (Rays) 2–0 | |
2021 | 2021 | AL | East | 4th | 91 | 71 | .562 | 9 | Robbie Ray (CYA) | |
2022 | 2022 | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 92 | 70 | .568 | 7 | Lost ALWC (Mariners) 2–0 | |
2023 | 2023 | AL | East | 3rd ¤ | 89 | 73 | .549 | 12 | Lost ALWC (Twins) 2–0 | |
Totals | Wins | Losses | Win% | |||||||
3,687 | 3,700 | .499 | All-time regular season record (1977–2023) | |||||||
31 | 36 | .463 | All-time postseason record (1977–2023) | |||||||
3,718 | 3,736 | .499 | All-time regular and postseason record (1977–2023) |
Note: The statistics are current as of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.
The following table describes the Blue Jays' MLB win–loss record by decade.
Decade | Games | Wins | Losses | Pct |
---|---|---|---|---|
1970s | 484 | 166 | 318 | .343 |
1980s | 1,563 | 817 | 746 | .523 |
1990s | 1,555 | 801 | 754 | .515 |
2000s | 1,619 | 805 | 814 | .497 |
2010s | 1,620 | 794 | 826 | .490 |
2020s | 546 | 304 | 242 | .557 |
All-time | 7,387 | 3,687 | 3,700 | .499 |
These statistics are from Baseball-Reference.com's Toronto Blue Jays History & Encyclopedia, [14] and are current as of October 1, 2023.
The Blue Jays have made the postseason ten times in their history, with their first being in 1985 and the most recent being in 2023.
Year | Result | Round | Opponent | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | AL East Champions | ALCS | Kansas City Royals | Lost | 3 | 4 |
1989 | AL East Champions | ALCS | Oakland Athletics | Lost | 1 | 4 |
1991 | AL East Champions | ALCS | Minnesota Twins | Lost | 1 | 4 |
1992 | World Series Champions | ALCS | Oakland Athletics | Won | 4 | 2 |
World Series | Atlanta Braves | Won | 4 | 2 | ||
1993 | World Series Champions | ALCS | Chicago White Sox | Won | 4 | 2 |
World Series | Philadelphia Phillies | Won | 4 | 2 | ||
2015 | AL East Champions | ALDS | Texas Rangers | Won | 3 | 2 |
ALCS | Kansas City Royals | Lost | 2 | 4 | ||
2016 | AL Wild Card | Wild Card Game | Baltimore Orioles | Won | 1 | 0 |
ALDS | Texas Rangers | Won | 3 | 0 | ||
ALCS | Cleveland Indians | Lost | 1 | 4 | ||
2020 | AL Wild Card | Wild Card Series | Tampa Bay Rays | Lost | 0 | 2 |
2022 | AL Wild Card | Wild Card Series | Seattle Mariners | Lost | 0 | 2 |
2023 | AL Wild Card | Wild Card Series | Minnesota Twins | Lost | 0 | 2 |
10 | Totals | 7–8 | 31 | 36 |
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games primarily at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III was an American professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies between 1998 and 2013. His nickname, "Doc", was coined by Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek, and was a reference to Wild West gunslinger Doc Holliday. An eight-time All-Star, Halladay was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era and is universally considered as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Known for his outstanding durability, he led the league in complete games seven times, the most of any pitcher whose career began after 1945. He also led the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio five times and innings pitched four times.
Jorge Antonio Bell Mathey, better known as George Bell, is a Dominican former left fielder and American League MVP in Major League Baseball who played 12 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs (1991) and Chicago White Sox (1992–1993). Bell batted and threw right-handed.
Roberto Alomar Velázquez is a Puerto Rican former second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for sixteen seasons, primarily with the Toronto Blue Jays. He is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen and all-around players. During his career, the 12-time All-Star won more Gold Glove Awards (10) than any other second baseman in baseball history, in addition to winning four Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting. Among second basemen, he ranks third in games played (2,320), fifth in stolen bases (474), sixth in plate appearances (10,400), seventh in doubles (504) and assists (6,524), and eighth in hits (2,724), runs (1,508), at-bats (9,073), and double plays turned (1,407). In 2011, Alomar was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Hall of Fame member to be depicted as a Blue Jays player on his plaque.
Vladimir Guerrero Alvino, nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for the Montreal Expos (1996–2003), Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2009), Texas Rangers (2010), and Baltimore Orioles (2011).
Michael August Timlin is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Timlin played on four World Series championship teams in an 18-year career; the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays, 1993 Toronto Blue Jays, 2004 Boston Red Sox, and 2007 Boston Red Sox.
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki, nicknamed "Tulo", is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Colorado Rockies. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
Marco René Estrada is a Mexican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. He was an All-Star in 2016.
Joshua Adam Donaldson is an American former professional baseball third baseman. In his 13-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Marcus Andrew Semien is an American professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Semien was an All-Star in 2021 with the Blue Jays, when he also won the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award. Semien won the 2023 World Series with the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 2015 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a best-of-seven playoff contested between the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2015 World Series. The series is the 46th in league history. The series was broadcast by Fox and Fox Sports 1 in the United States, with Fox airing Game 1 and Fox Sports 1 airing Games 2–6. Sportsnet, a property of Blue Jays owner Rogers Communications, simulcast Fox and Fox Sports 1's coverage in Canada. Game 1 took place on October 16, and the series ended with the Royals winning Game 6 on October 23.
The 2016 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Indians had home-field advantage for the series because the Blue Jays qualified as a wild-card team. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays four games to one.
The 2016 American League Division Series (ALDS) were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2016 American League Championship Series of Major League Baseball. The three divisional winners and the winner of a one-game Wild Card playoff played in two series. The divisional winners were the Texas Rangers in the American League West with the first seed by virtue of having the best record in the American League, the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central with the second seed, and the Boston Red Sox in the American League East with the third seed. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Game, earning the fourth seed.
The 2016 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 2016 season. The winners of the Division Series would move on to the League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series.
The 2021 Houston Astros season was the 60th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas, their 57th as the Astros, ninth in both the American League and American League West, and 22nd at Minute Maid Park.
The 2015 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 2015 season. The winners of the Division Series would move on to the League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series.
The 1985 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 1985 season. The winners of each division advance to the postseason and face each other in a League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series. This was the first postseason in which the LCS was expanded to a 7-game series, from 1969 to 1984 it was a 5-game series.
The 1992 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 1992 season. The winners of each division advance to the postseason and face each other in a League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series.
The 1993 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 1993 season. The winners of each division advance to the postseason and face each other in a League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series. This was the last edition of the postseason to feature only two rounds, with only division champions qualifying. After the 1994-95 Major League Baseball strike, the playoffs were expanded to include a wild card team and a new League Division Series for the 1995 postseason.
The 2022 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball (MLB) for the 2022 season. This was the first edition of the postseason since 2012 to have a new format, as it has been expanded to include six teams per league. The top two division winners of the American and National leagues receive first-round byes into the Division Series, and the worst-division winner is the third seed in their respective league. The three Wild Card teams are the fourth, fifth, and sixth seeds. The third seed hosts the sixth seed, and the fourth seed does the same with the fifth seed in the best-of-three Wild Card series. The postseason started on Friday, October 7, two days after the end of the regular season.